The biggest island in North Maluku. It has great scenery with several volcanoes, offshore islands and unique bird life. It suffered badly from fighting in 2000, but is now recovering and safe for travellers, though signs of the conflict are still visible.

GETTING THERE
from Ternate, the most convenient gateway.
From the Bastiong Harbour South of the city boats go SW Halmahera (in the evening).
From behind Gamalama market
to Sidangoli on Halmahera (10 000Rp), speedboats leave at 7.00, connecting with cars up NE Halmahera there.
From Dufa Dufa harbour
to Jailolo on Halmahera, speedboats. From where cars go up the NW coast of the island.

But there are also direct boats
from North Sulawesi.
From Manado to Tobelo: 1 baot/week, 115 000Rp From Tobelo, there are daily boats to Morotai Island)
From Bitung to Ibu:2 boats/week, 45 000Rp

GETTING AROUND
From Sidangoli there are public cars to Kao, Tobelo and Galela, and from Jailolo to Ibu. Elsewhere on the island there are only boats.
Tobelo is the best place to look for boats around Northern Halmahera.

ACCOMODATION
Simple losmens in towns of Tobelo, Sidangoli,, Jailolo and Buli. Elsewhere it is possible to stay with local people in villages.

Tobelo
h1 PENGINAPAN ASEAN JAYA: Jl.Pelabuhan, T:(924)21051 f s 25 000 d40 000 Simple, but the very friendly owner speaks fluent English and Chinese.

Sidangoli
h2 HOTEL SIDANGOLI INDAH: Jl.Tobelo, near Terminal, f 40 000

INTERNET
There is none.