Ambon

Capital of the Maluku Islands and gateway to the Spice Islands, with Dutch forts, world-class muck diving in Ambon Bay and Natsepa Beach, plus boat connections to Banda.

Ambon is the capital of Indonesia's Maluku Province, located on Ambon Island in the heart of the Spice Islands, with a population of about 350,000. The island is made up of the Hitu Peninsula in the north and the Leitimor Peninsula in the south, separated by Ambon Bay, which cuts deep inland; the city sits on the bay's southern shore. Once a centre of the clove trade, it saw forts built first by the Portuguese and then by the Dutch East India Company (VOC). In 1605 the Dutch captured Fort Victoria, beginning their colonial rule over the Spice Islands. Indonesians also call Ambon the "City of Music", and in 2019 it joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. Sightseeing falls into four areas: the city (Fort Victoria, the World Peace Gong, Siwalima Museum and the Karang Panjang viewpoint); the south coast (Pintu Kota rock arch and Santai Beach); the northeast (Natsepa Beach, Liang Beach and Pombo Island); and Hila on the north coast (Fort Amsterdam and the old Wapauwe Mosque). Ambon Bay is a world-class muck diving destination. The climate is the reverse of western Indonesia: May–Aug is the rainy season, while October to March is drier, with the best sea conditions. Getting there: Pattimura Airport has flights to Jakarta, Makassar and elsewhere; on the island, getting around is mainly by chartered car, taxi or minibus. Plan on 3–4 days. You can also take a fast boat from Tulehu port to Saparua Island, or connect by boat or plane to the Banda Islands (an overnight stay is required).

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