Jailolo
A bayside town on the west coast of Halmahera, across the water from Ternate, where you can see the Sahu people's traditional Sasadu longhouses, mangroves, and bay scenery.
Jailolo lies on the west coast of Halmahera Island. It is the capital of West Halmahera Regency in North Maluku Province and faces Ternate across the water. It was once the center of the Jailolo Sultanate, one of the four great sultanates of Maluku, and Jailolo Bay was the island's main historical port. The Indigenous peoples here include the Sahu and Tabaru communities. The Sahu's traditional communal longhouses, called Sasadu, are built directly on the ground, with tiered roofs rising into tall peaks and eave decorations shaped like boats. They are used for harvest thanksgiving ceremonies and traditional feasts, and examples survive in villages such as Taraudu. Visitors usually take a fast boat from Ternate, about 1 hour, and return the same day. Activities include visiting the Sasadu longhouses and Sahu villages, boating or snorkeling in the bay's mangroves, and tasting local dishes. The regency holds a Jailolo Bay Festival each year, with traditional dance and communal feasts. Facilities are basic, so arrange boats and guides through a travel agency in Ternate, and keep an eye on the last return boat.
Opening hours
Open all day (visit village in daytime; respect local customs)
Nearby sights
- Batu Angus
- Sulamadaha Beach
- Fort Tolukko
- Kedaton of the Sultanate of Ternate
- Sultan of Ternate Mosque
- Lake Tolire
- Fort Oranje
- Mount Gamalama