This small island, and the city of the same name, is the transport and administrative centre for North Maluku. It is best to start a tour of the region here.

GETTING THERE
BOATS
The gateway is Bitung, N. Sulawesi, 1 hour from the capital of Sulawesi Manadu,. You can get here by Pelni from several ports. Then from Bitung, local ferries to Ternate, 2 boats/week.
From Java to Ternate, about 7 boats/month
Also Pelni ships run from as far as Sumatra or Papua as well.

FLIGHTS to Ternate
From Manado by Merpati, 450,000Rp
From Ambon, in Central Maluku, by Merpati, 836 000Rp, 1/week
From Buli in Central Halmahera, by Merpati, 2/week 138 000Rp
Many flights by Bouraq from various places in Java to Manado

FROM TERNATE
Many ships run to most other islands in N. Maluku, but they leave from different harbors.
1.) From the main "Pelni harbor",
Pelni ships for long-distance journeys,
to Sanana in the Sula Islands (100 000Rp) local ships 2 boats/week.
to Morotai Island. overnight boat not regular
2.) From the Bastiong Harbour South of the city boats go
to the small islands south of Ternate, such as Tidore (throughout the day), Moti, Makian, Kayoa (in the mornings), Bacan(65 000Rp) and SW Halmahera (both in the evening).
3.) From behind Gamalama market
to Sidangoli on Halmahera (10 000Rp), speedboats leave at 7.00, connecting with cars up NE Halmahera there.
4.) From Dufa Dufa harbour
to Jailolo on Halmahera, speedboats. From where cars go up the NW coast of the island.

ACCOMODATION
Many hotels in Ternate,
h1 HOTEL INDAH: Jl.Busiori No.3, T(0921)21334, f s30 000, d45 000, a/c s45 000 d60 000 Very clean and cheap so often full.
h2 HOTEL SEJAHTERA: Jl.Salim Fabanyo No. 21, T(921)21139, f d35-50 000, More basic, but near the Indah, if that is full.

FOOD
There are plenty of cheap eating places all over Ternate Town.

INTERNET
Ternate's Post Office has the only internet access in all North Maluku! Rates are 10 000Rp/h

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.