The Maluku consists of some thousand islands, sprawled across a vast part of the Pacific Ocean. They used to be important spice centers and Indian, Chinese, Arab and later European traders, came to the region in search of cloves, nutmeg and mace which grew there and nowhere else. The Maluku Islands boast marvelous beaches, quiet villages, old forts and an abundance of exotic bird life. Scuba diving and snorkeling conditions are excellent on most islands.
Most visitors come to the islands of Ambon, the Bandas and Ternate, all of which offer trips to countless smaller islands. Ambon came in the news, when communal violence broke out there in 1998 and 1999 and thousands of refugees had to flee the island.
If you want to explore some of the major islands by boat you'll need at least five weeks; when flying it will still take you around three weeks at least. The Mulaka Islands are only a good destination for those with a lot of time.
Accommodation is widely available on most of the inhabited islands.
Travel Guides for Maluku Islands
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