Ambon Island and Seram Island, Mollucas

DISCLAIMER: This was not a backpacker’s trip. I hitch my friend’s so-called trip (actually it was field-visit) and we allocated some days to travel. The information in here will only give you insight of places of interest, points of transport, and time frame. Any addition regarding these places is appreciated.

AMBON ISLAND

Flight price: IDR 800k one way for Lion Air. You also can use Batavia, Garuda. Flight approximately 4hrs (please consider 2 hrs time difference between Jakarta – Ambon). You can finish Ambon in two days. Car charter [ours was Dino at 082199817413], also available on the spot at the airport, terminal, port, etc. My friend said that the beaches are reachable with public transport, but I can’t provide the information here.

Places of interest:

Natsepa Beach – white and soft sand, clear water, slope beach. The public beach is less developed with little infrastructure. There’s also a private beach belongs to Aston with better infrastructure. Not an option for backpackers, but Aston Natsepa is a good spot for leisure. They have a comfortable dining room facing the beach with a direct view of an island which looks like crocodile. Fare: 700K/night for standard room. Find a dark place to see the awesome stars!

Eat: don’t miss the famous rujak Natsepa here! You’ll see many stalls along the beach near Aston selling this stuff. Also try nasi kelapa for breakfast.

Rujak Natsepa

Liang Beach – white and rough sand, slope beach with clear water, astonishing mountainous background. There’s an island called Ombo Island about 15 minutes by boat from here (no infrastructure – virgin island) or you also can go there with kayak app. in 30 min or more. The island is surrounded by rocks and the boat cannot enter the island when the tide is low, so make sure you visit it at the high-tide.

Mountainous backdrop of Liang

Latuhalat Beach – rocky yet very clear water and nice formation of the narrow beach, good infrastructure with some strange flora in the garden.

The rocky Latuhalat

 

Pintu Kota Beach – the champion! Rocky beach with a huge stone which looks like a gate (pintu kota, translated literally means “City’s Gate”). Climb up to the huge rock and go to the tip. You’ll see a small, steep way going down – take it until the bottom of the other side of the rock. Enjoy the breath-taking scene until whatever time you want to leave.

View from above the rock of Pintu Kota

SERAM ISLAND

From Urnala Port of Ambon Island (app. 1 hrs from Natsepa), sail to Amahai Port of Seram Island. The boat goes Amahai (Masohi) Seram Island, app. 2 hrs, the boat’s name is Express Cantika 88, depart daily every 9 am.

Amahai – Masohi : take public transport / charter a car to Masohi terminal (30 min)

Masohi – Saleman : charter a car to Saleman (app. 3 hrs)

You can see the resort on your right side separated by app. 15 min of boat, take a small boat to Ora Beach (this is super expensive, 100k/person one way).

View of Ora Beach Resort from the resort's port

 

Places of Interest :

Ora Beach – beautiful heaven hidden behind the back of mountains. It has sandy beach to the east side; and rocky beach, filled with corals underwater to the west side. You can’t see sunset nor sunrise because of the mountain and the shape of landscape, but when the sun is high the colors are amazing.

Terrace view facing the sea and mountains

 This beach is privately managed by Ora Beach Resort [Alvin Latuconsina at 08111909404], a small-scale resort with several cottages above the clear water. The fare of cottages on the land are 450k/night; those above the beach are 750k/night – 2 beds, no air conditioner, super nice view of the mountains. There’s a big cottage but we didn’t ask for the price;

Hidden behind the steep back of the mountains

 Big problem in this island is meal matters. Bring as many snacks as you can grab on the road, as well as instants (in Masohi preferably, don’t go too far because on your way to Saleman you’ll go hiding behind mountain’s the empty road, no food seller). They can cook for you with a very high price – 250K/day for 3x meals and unlimited tea/coffee; but they provide you with hot water for free;

Snorkel kit is 50K/day, you can also charter a boat to a cave at the eastern beach, also swim yourself to a beach named “Air Belanda” (Dutch Water) about 500 m (or more) – don’t worry, you’ll swim happily while snorkeling as well, just follow the corals until you reach the beach.