Ternate Ferries

Sorry, there is currently no available ferries on this route.

Ternate is accessible primarily by air and sea, with Sultan Babullah Airport receiving daily flights from major Indonesian cities like Jakarta, Makassar, and Manado. The journey from Manado by air takes approximately one hour. For those preferring sea travel, regular ferry services connect Ternate to neighboring islands including Tidore, Halmahera, and Bacan, with journey times ranging from 30 minutes to several hours. Once on the island, angkot (public minivans) and ojek (motorcycle taxis) provide transportation to the ferry terminal. If arriving by car via ferry from larger islands, limited but adequate parking is available near the main port area.

Nestled in the Maluku archipelago of eastern Indonesia, Ternate is a captivating volcanic island steeped in centuries of spice trade history. This small but significant island offers visitors a unique blend of natural wonders, from its imposing Mount Gamalama volcano to lush tropical forests. As an important ferry destination in Eastern Indonesia, Ternate serves as a gateway to explore the surrounding Spice Islands while immersing yourself in a rich cultural tapestry shaped by Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch and Islamic influences.

Ternate enjoys a tropical climate with temperatures consistently between 23-31°C (73-88°F) year-round. The driest months from July to October offer ideal conditions for exploring the island's outdoor attractions and volcanic landscapes. May through August provides the most reliable ferry services with calmer seas, making island-hopping more comfortable and less subject to weather disruptions. The Islamic festival of Legu Gam in April celebrates the Sultan's birthday with cultural performances and traditional ceremonies, offering visitors a glimpse into local traditions. Consider avoiding the wettest period between December and February when heavy rainfall can occasionally impact ferry schedules.

Ternate serves as an excellent hub for exploring the historic Spice Islands region. Just a 30-minute ferry ride away lies Tidore, Ternate's historic rival, featuring its own sultanate palace and spectacular mountain views. Halmahera, the largest island in North Maluku, can be reached in about 2 hours by ferry, offering pristine beaches, diverse wildlife, and traditional villages untouched by mass tourism. The journey to Bacan Island (approximately 4 hours) rewards travelers with opportunities for world-class snorkeling among vibrant coral reefs and the chance to spot the endemic Bacan macaque. The waters between these islands create one of Indonesia's most scenic ferry routes, passing volcanic peaks rising dramatically from azure waters.

Explore the historic Sultanate Palace (Kedaton), a living museum showcasing the island's royal heritage with intricate artifacts dating back to the spice trade era. Trek the slopes of Mount Gamalama for breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding Maluku Sea, or visit Lake Tolire, a mysterious crater lake steeped in local legends. Ternate's cuisine offers unique flavors, particularly the spicy seafood dishes like ikan kuah kuning (fish in yellow broth) and gohu ikan (spiced raw fish similar to ceviche). The waterfront district near the main port comes alive in the evenings with food stalls serving fresh grilled fish and local specialties. History enthusiasts shouldn't miss Fort Tolukko and Fort Oranje, colonial remnants that tell the story of European powers competing for control of the lucrative spice trade.

Ternate was once the world's only source of cloves, making it one of the most valuable islands on earth during the height of the spice trade. The island has been ruled by an unbroken line of 43 sultans dating back to the 13th century, with the sultanate still functioning as a cultural institution today. Alfred Russel Wallace wrote his famous paper on natural selection while living in Ternate in 1858, independently developing the same theory as Darwin. Despite its small size (just 111 square kilometers), Ternate was considered so valuable that the Dutch traded Manhattan to the British in exchange for maintaining control of this tiny spice island, an arrangement formalized in the Treaty of Breda in 1667.