TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Since the era of the Netherlands East Indie colonial, Maluku is well known as the largest spice-producing region in the now-called Indonesian archipelago. In addition to the spices, however, Maluku province hides amazing underwater wonder beneath its waves.

As reported by Wonderful Indonesia, Tuesday, August 4, here are seven of the must-visit destinations in Maluku:

1.Banda Islands

Banda Islands consists of three major islands and seven small islands that is located on the brink of Indonesia’s deepest underwater ravine on Banda Sea. The two largest islands called Larger Banda and Naira are home to abundant number of nutmeg trees. On the water surrounding the islands, you will find several spectacular coral reef gardens with colorful fish. Swimming in the crystal-clear water, diving, snorkeling, or sight-seeing, are all enjoyable in Banda.

2.Saumlaki

Between Aru Island and Kei Islands that stretches on the east and west part of Timor Island, there lies a beautiful cluster of islands called Tanimbar. Tanimbar islands consists of 65 small islands as part of Maluku Province. The largest island is Yamdena that owns a sea port named Saumlaki. Saumlaki offers view of beautiful beaches such as Weluan Beach where the water is clear and the sand is fine.

3.Pombo Island

Pombo Island is located 20-minute away from Ambon. The rich marine biota born by its sea will stun you in a diving experience. Many kind of fish, clams, and variety of coral reefs in unique shapes are there to greet divers.

4.Banda Volcano Island

One of the islands worth visiting is the Banda Volcano Island. As the name indicates, the whole part of the island is formed by a volcano. The volcano pokes out to 656-meter above the sea surface with 734.46 ha large.

5.Ngurtafur Beach

Offering the view of vast blue water, Ngurtafur beach is located in Kei Islands, Southeast Maluku. Kei cluster of islands itself is divided into Larger Kei Island and Smaller Kei Island. Here, you will find a carpet of fine, white sands splitting the beach in two.

6.Ora Beach

Ora Beach is one of the beaches in Central Maluku worth visiting. The charm of this beach is comparable to Boracay Beach in the Philippines or Bora-Bora in the Pacific.

7.Ngurbloat Beach

The beach has a 5-km stretch of white sands that is as fine as powder. The National Geographic has crowned the sands on Ngurbloat beach as the finest in Asia. Due to the long stretch of sands, locals call the beach as Pantai Pasir Panjang (Long Sand Beach).

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