Maluku (Moluccas) Getting there & around

Getting there & away

Sea

Several Pelni liners stop in Maluku. Every two weeks Bukit Siguntang and Ciremai link Surabaya, Makassar and Bau Bau (Sulawesi) to Tual (Kei Islands) via the Banda Islands and Ambon. Bukit Siguntang returns via Kupang (Timor). Lambelu links Ternate to Ambon, Bau Bau and Makassar continuing to Surabaya and Tanjung Priok. Returning it loops to Bitung (Sulawesi) between Ambon and Ternate. Sinabung and Nggapulu both stop in Ternate between Bitung and Sorong on their odysseys between Jakarta and northern Papua.

The infamously variable Kelimutu and Tatamailau often serve Malukan ports on monthly loops and the relatively small Sangiang circles from Bitung to Ternate around Halmahera then back to Bitung (or vice versa) somewhat irregularly.

Non-Pelni vehicular ferries or slow ‘motor’ boats from North Sulawesi (Bitung or Manado) run to Ternate, Tobelo (Halmahera) and Sanana (Sula Islands). Highly uncomfortable Perintis cargo ships run between several Papua and Maluku ports and arc down to Kupang in Timor once every three weeks.

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Air

Ambon and Ternate are the region’s air hubs. Both have twice-daily connections to Jakarta via Surabaya, Makassar and/or Manado (Sulawesi). There are limited connections to Papua from Ambon and Langgur (Kei Islands).

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