Maluku is the name given to a chain of nearly 1000 islands in Indonesia. This island chain can be found on the Australian Continental plate. It is located east of Sulawesi, west of New Guinea, and north of Timor. At one time known as the Spice Islands, the Maluku Islands are famous for their nutmeg, cloves and mace. The landscape of these islands is mostly mountainous and some even boast active volcanoes. The climate is quite wet, making it ideal for the growth of their wonderful spices, as well as rice and sago.

Water Sports
The Maluku Islands boast some fabulous beaches, amazing reefs, and incredible seascapes. Whether you prefer snorkeling or deep diving, there are many places available to explore that are less than a day’s drive from a town or city. Caution is advised, as some of the coral is quite fragile and can sting. One must also be mindful of the sea urchins. For the adventurous, however, the underwater islands of Maluku are a very rewarding destination. Many exotic fish and sea creature inhabit the underwater gardens and interacting with them is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. For the less adventurous, there are several fabulous white and black sand beaches one can relax on, as well. Hot sun and cool water always make for a fabulous vacation combination.

Island Diversity
The spices of the Maluku Islands were historically a much sought after commodity by the Europeans and Chinese. In fact, one of the objectives Christopher Columbus was charged with during his travels was to locate these valuable spices. In 1950, the Maluku Islands formed a single province of Indonesia. They remained as such until 1999 when the North Maluku regency separated and became its own province. Suddenly there were two provinces, Maluku and North Maluku. Recently, Maluku has been a site of many ethnic conflicts between Muslims and Christians, and has been known as a bit of an Indonesian hotbed of ethnic unrest. Since 2002, however, the region has enjoyed a somewhat more peaceful atmosphere, after a spontaneous combining of some previously hostile groups.

Activities
There are many things to do when you visit the Maluku Islands. Rich in history, there are several points of interest to visit, such as a Sultans palace that has been turned into a museum, or an Old Dutch fort. There are fabulous hiking opportunities, through rain forests that have been turned into national parks. The butterfly and bird watching is spectacular. And the truly ambitious can hire a guide and take a hike up one of several volcanoes! Visit a variety of villages and shop for souvenirs or rent a boat and explore one of the smaller uninhabited islands for a day. You are limited only by your sense of adventure. One nice feature of the Maluku Island region is that, since peace was restored in 2002, it has been somewhat slow at establishing its tourism status, and you will probably have no problem finding accommodations or a romantic, secluded area should you desire it!