Just about as far north as you can go in Indonesia you will find the island of Morotai in North Halmahera Regency. At the very tip of Morotai is tiny but perfectly formed Metita Island, home to only Metita Beach & Dive Resort. This haven for scuba divers and nature lovers is a hidden paradise not even known by most Indonesians. In this guide we’re going to take you through all the practicalities of how to get to Morotai Island and Metita Resort.

Where Is Morotai Located?

Morotai Island is located in North Halmahera, North Maluku. Maluku is not the most well known of Indonesia’s larger islands but it floats between Papua and Sulawesi in the Northern part of the archipelago. Morotai sits at the very northernmost point of Maluku, stretching up towards Pulau and the Philippines.

The island is only around 80km long and 42km wide, and has a population of around 80 thousand. Most of the villages are coastal, as the island is very thickly forested in the interior.

This is the very heart of the Coral Triangle, the area with the highest marine biodiversity in the world. Clear water, thriving coral reefs, and soft white sand beaches are just waiting to be explored.

How to Get to Morotai from Indonesia’s Main Cities

Morotai is quite remote so organization is very important when planning a trip to Metita Island. Thankfully, there are a number of ways of getting to Ternate (TTE) in North Maluku, which is the closest link to travel to reach Morotai.

Note: The quickest option is from Ternate to Leo Wattimena Airport (OTI) in Morotai. This option is only available on a Wednesday so wherever you fly from, it is best to try to arrive in Ternate on a Tuesday or Wednesday in time for the flight. On all other days travel from Ternate to Morotai will be by cars and speedboats.

Flight options:

• Jakarta – Ternate 3 hours 45 mins – 2 direct flights per day
• Manado – Ternate 1 hour 15 mins – 4 flights per day
• Bali – Manado – Ternate 5 hours 40 mins – 4 flights per day
• Ternate – Morotai 45 mins – 12:15pm Wednesday only

Flight + Car + Speedboat option:

• Ternate – harbour – Sofifi 1 hour by car & speedboat
• Sofifi – Tobelo 3.5 hours by car
• Tobelo – Metita Island 45 minutes up to 1 hour by speedboat

As you can see, reaching Metita Island can be quite an adventure, but the warm welcome from the Metita Resort team along with the incredible experiences awaiting you throughout your stay, make the journey more than worthwhile. From the moment you arrive, you’ll receive a refreshing welcome drink and have time to explore the resort, feel the sand beneath your feet, and get ready for the amazing snorkeling and diving right on your doorstep.

It’s also worth considering how long you plan to stay, specially if you take the plane–car–boat route. Giving yourself enough time will allow you to fully decompress and enjoy the relaxation, natural beauty, and overall experience that Metita offers.

Tips & Recommendations

It’s important to look at timings of flights when you are traveling to Metita Island. If flights don’t connect perfectly or you have tight transit times, it can be a good idea to book a hotel overnight in Manado or Ternate. Air travel within Indonesia is not always perfect timing-wise so it’s good to give plenty of space between flights. Our team is also happy to assist you with planning your domestic travel to ensure the smoothest possible journey.

Traveling light is always a good idea, but never more so than when you are having to change planes or modes of transportation multiple times. Metita Island is the perfect place for living barefoot in your swimmers so you need very little. Lightweight and easy drying is the way to do island life.

There are very limited ATMs on Morotai and of course none at all on Metita Island, so bring some cash with you for bits and pieces while you are travelling. There isn’t much to buy but you may want to visit a market or enjoy a drink somewhere where cash is king.

FAQs

• What is the easiest way to get to Morotai?

The quickest and easiest way to get to Morotai is the Wednesday flight from Ternate to Morotai Island. Ternate can be reached by flying directly from Jakarta or Manado or with one change from Bali.

• Is there a direct flight to Morotai?

There is one direct flight from Ternate to Morotai on a Wednesday every week. There are no direct flights from larger cities in Indonesia.

• How far is Metita Island from Morotai?

Metita Island is only around 20 minutes by speedboat from Morotai Island. This transfer is arranged by Metita Island Resort’s team,

• Do I need to arrange the boat transfer myself?

No, we will arrange all boat transfers for you. If you choose the car and boat option there will be a driver waiting to pick you up and take you to the boat.

• Are transfers included in the price?

Boat and car transfers will be arranged and included in the price of your stay when arranged with the resort. You will be responsible for any flight transfers and necessary hotel stays on your way to the resort, although we are happy to help arrange these for you if needed.

• Do I need a visa to travel to Morotai?

You will need a visa when you enter Indonesia. You can get a Visa on Arrival (VoA) when you land which will cost around IDR 500,000 and allow you to stay for 30 days.

It may seem like a mission to get to Morotai Island and then on to Metita Resort, but with proper planning it becomes a rewarding journey, one that leads you to a pristine, remote island where you can snorkel and dive without crowds. Metita Island Resort’s team is here to help the whole way. Even if you end up taking the longer way, the views, clean air, and sense of adventure make it totally worthwhile.

If you are ready for the adventure of a lifetime at our beautiful island, start planning your stay at Metita Resort by contacting us today at reservation@metitaresort.com or go ahead and just book online. We can’t wait to welcome you to our little slice of paradise.