Maitara Island: Small Island Between Ternate and Tidore
Maitara Island is a small island in the strait between Ternate and Tidore in North Maluku, framed on either side by the two volcanic islands. Its low, rounded shape and its village life sit in the middle of one of the most photographed views in the region, with the cone of Gamalama rising over Ternate on one side and the cone of Kie Matubu rising over Tidore on the other. Visitors who come for a day usually arrive by boat from Ternate, walk the shore and leave with the strait in front of them. The island’s position in the channel, its villages, the view of the volcanoes, the crossing, the best season and the courtesies that matter on a small island where most people know one another all shape a visit.
The island sits within the wider guide to Tidore, the island that lies across the strait from Ternate and is the closest large island to Maitara.
Maitara Island and its place in the strait
The strait between Ternate and Tidore is a narrow channel of water that has carried boats between the two islands for centuries. Maitara lies inside it, close enough to both shores that the volcanic slopes dominate the sky in every direction. It is small, but it sits at a point where the two islands almost meet, which is why it has long marked the space between them.
Administratively, the island falls within the area of Tidore Islands City, while the boats that serve it usually leave from the Ternate side. The sea around the island is generally calm in the lee of the land, but currents and winds can change quickly in the strait, and the crossing can feel rougher in the afternoon than it did in the morning.
The island is low and compact. Its villages sit along the shore, and a short walk along the coast takes you past the boats, the houses and the gardens. Walking all the way round the island is a manageable half-day stroll for most people who are reasonably fit, and the path near the water gives constant views of the strait and the two volcanoes.
The view of Ternate and Tidore from the island
From Maitara, Ternate lies on one side, with the Gamalama volcano rising above the town and its old forts and waterfront in the foreground. Tidore lies on the other side, with the Kie Matubu volcano and the green forest that covers its slopes. The contrast between the two islands is the main reason visitors come. Ternate is busy and layered with history, while Tidore looks quieter from this distance, and the gap of water between them makes the scene feel like a picture.
Early mornings and late afternoons give the clearest light, and the air is often cooler then. Clouds sometimes gather round the peaks, particularly in the middle of the day, so the most reliable views are usually in the first hours after sunrise. Keep an eye on the weather over the volcanoes if you are planning a photograph, because a cloud cap can hide the summit for an hour or more.
Sunset from the Akebay side
On the north side of the island is the village of Akebay, which is known as a tourism village and faces Ternate directly. Its position gives it the best known sunset view on Maitara, with the town of Ternate set against the sky as the light falls. If you plan to stay for the evening, aim to be at the north shore before the sun drops, and bring a torch for the walk back to the boat.
The sunset view is one of the main reasons people choose to stay past the midday boats. Plan the return crossing before the light fades, because the boats are less frequent at dusk and the strait can be dark quickly once the sun is down.
Village life on Maitara
The villages on Maitara are made up of houses set close together near the shore, with small gardens and fruit trees behind them. Families fish, grow vegetables and fruit, and trade with the nearby islands. Boats are part of daily life, and the shore becomes busy when the fishing fleet comes in and the catch is unloaded. Many of the households on the island know the sea well and can advise visitors on where the currents run and where the water is calm.
Visitors should ask permission before entering a village or photographing people, and this matters more on a small island where a visitor is noticed at once. Dress modestly when you walk through the village, greet people politely and expect children to come out to look at you. A friendly greeting is always welcome, and a short conversation in simple Indonesian goes a long way.
Boat access from Ternate and Tidore
Maitara is reached by boat. The usual route starts from the harbours on the Ternate side and crosses the short stretch of water to the island. Small passenger boats and hired boats make the trip, and the crossing is brief, usually a matter of minutes by speedboat and somewhat longer by slower boat. Because the island is small and the boats are not always scheduled, most visitors arrange a boat for the day rather than relying on a regular timetable.
Before you set out, agree on the return trip with the boat crew, and confirm when the last boat back will leave if you plan to return the same day. Ask whether the crew will wait while you walk, or whether they will come back at an agreed point. Sea conditions can change in the afternoon, so choose a boat with a crew who take safety equipment seriously, and check that there are life jackets on board before you leave the shore.
Fishing and the shoreline
Fishing is the main livelihood on the island. Fish and shellfish are sold in the village and to traders who come across from the larger islands. Visitors who arrive early can watch the boats unload their catch and see how the day’s fish is sorted, weighed and packed. It is one of the most honest windows into island life, and it is best watched quietly from the side.
The shoreline is mostly sand in the sheltered places, with rocks and reef flats further out. Do not take shells, coral or stones from the beach, and leave the reef as you found it. Carry out any rubbish you bring with you, since bins are limited on a small island and the tide can carry plastic back onto the sand.
Snorkelling and swimming in the clear water
The water around the island is clear in many places, and snorkelling is a common reason for visitors to stay on the shore side of the island. The reef and the fish that live around it are the main attraction under the surface. Visitors who swim should stay close to the shore, avoid the edges of rocks where waves break, and keep an eye on the boat. Sea urchins are a real hazard on the reef flats, so wear reef shoes if you are walking over rock, and never put your hand down where you cannot see the bottom.
What to plan for a day on the island
A day trip is the usual choice. Start early to catch the light and the calmer sea, and build the day around the walk, a swim if you want one and the sunset if you can stay. Bring water, food, sun protection and a hat, because there are very few shops and little shade on the open shore. Cash is better than cards, since card payment is rarely accepted on small islands, and you should carry small notes for the boat, for food and for any gift you might want to leave for a host.
Accommodation on Maitara is very limited, so most visitors return to the larger islands at the end of the day. If you want to stay overnight, ask locally well in advance and bring your own supplies, including drinking water, a torch, a mosquito net if you use one, and any medicine you normally carry.
Food, eating and hospitality
Food on Maitara is based on fish, root crops, sago and vegetables. Fresh fish is often cooked simply with chilli, lime and local spices, and sago is prepared in several ways across North Maluku. If you are invited to eat with a family, accept the hospitality with thanks, eat what is offered and do not refuse a second helping if the host insists.
Rules and manners for visitors
Ask before photographing people or their homes. Respect the local rules about the shore and the sea, and follow the advice of village leaders about where to walk, swim and set up a picnic. Keep to the paths between the houses, avoid entering private gardens and leave doors and boats as you find them. Speak quietly in the village, and do not climb on drying nets or fishing gear.
On a small island, the same faces see every visitor, so a respectful day is remembered on both sides of the boat.
Combining Maitara with the nearby islands
The Kie Matubu volcano rises above Tidore and is one of the main features of the view from Maitara. A trip that includes both the island and the volcano shows the strait from two sides. The Benteng Torre on the Tidore coast is a Spanish fort that faces the strait, and it gives a good sense of the old contest for control of this water. The Gamalama volcano dominates the skyline of Ternate, and climbing its slopes is a demanding day out that rewards anyone with a clear morning.
For a crossing that links the two islands by public boat, the Ternate to Tidore crossing page explains the timing and the boats. The Moti Island lies close to Ternate and makes a useful companion trip for a longer stay.
Questions about Maitara Island
Is Maitara Island a good day trip? Yes. It is small, and the views and the village make a good half-day or full-day visit. Most people spend their time walking the shore, watching the boats and taking in the volcanoes.
Can I walk round the island? Yes. The island is small and the shore path is short, so a walk round it takes a little time and can be done at a relaxed pace. Carry water and wear shoes that can handle the stony sections of the coast.
Is there a view of both volcanoes? Yes. Gamalama and Kie Matubu are visible from different parts of the island, and the best angle depends on where you stand along the shore and the time of day.
Is the island suitable for families? Yes, provided the children can manage a boat trip and the walk on uneven ground. Keep children close to the shore and check the sea before they enter the water.
Related guides: , Rababu Tidore in performance and community life.