Sprawled across a vast expanse of ocean between Sulawesi and Irian Jaya lies one of the world’s most volatile volcanic belts: the more than one thousand islands that make up the province of Maluku. These beautiful islands are blessed with incredible sea gardens, tropical beaches and rugged, forest-coated volcanic mountains. Some of the more visited islands, like Ambon and Halmahera offer comfortable hotels right on the beach, however, the majority have barely been touched by the modern world. Maluku has terrain that favors both Asia and Australia and has plant and animal life unique to the province. Maluku hardwoods are prized by timber companies, but it is also home to a species of Australian eucalyptus. Most famous, of course, are the trees which shaped the region’s history; the nutmeg and the clove. These are the famous ‘Spice Islands’ which drew Indian, Chinese, Arab and, eventually, European traders in search of cloves and nutmeg.

Ambon, capital of Maluku, is built on a hillside overlooking a beautiful. It serves as the communications and transport hub of the region. There are many interesting historical and cultural sites, including the remnants of forts built by the Dutch East Indies Company during the height of the spice trade. The city is full of churches, and a famous statue of Saint Francis Xavier, patron saint of the island, graces the main Catholic Church. An interesting belief for the region is that eels embody ancestral spirits. The keepers of the eels hand feed them chicken eggs, believing that if the sacred animals were ever to leave this spot; it would bring a disaster to the village.

The famous Maluku Sea Gardens are home to of some of the best snorkeling and diving to be found in Indonesia; maybe the world. There is great snorkeling off Neira Island at Malole Beach and Tanah Rata. The best shallow waters off Gunung Api Island are at Pasir Besar and Kolam Penju, or Wali and Belakang off Lontar Island. Experienced divers may want to check out the exciting deep dives near Halta, Ai or Run Islands, complete with amazing drop-offs and plenty of big fish. Coral reefs teem with an incredible variety of tropical fish, and divers may catch glimpses of dugongs, turtles and trepang. The jungles are home not only to Asiatic monkeys, but also marsupials such as the cuscus and bandicoot. Maluku is particularly famous for its bird life, with twenty two species of parrots, black cockatoos, kingfishers and the legendary bird of paradise.

The chain of islands between Timor and Irian Jaya are among the most remote and exotic destinations in Indonesia. Real contact with the outside world has only really begun in the last few decades. The only access by air is on Kei Kecil’s Duliah Island. Traveling to other islands is by boat only. Once there, you will enjoy some of the finest white sand beaches in the world, almost completely untouched by tourism, unbelievable snorkeling and diving, and a true experience of a tropical paradise.

The Tanimbar Islands in Southeast Maluku are home to some of the finest boat-builders in Indonesia. Also in this island group are The Babar Islands, which are the most remote, and headhunting was practiced here well into the 20th century.