
Island in Maluku, Indonesia
Photo: Dani wid, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Saparua is one of the Lease Islands in the Maluku archipelago in Indonesia. Saparua is a popular getaway from nearby Ambon. pleasant beaches, coral reefs and historic Dutch fort all the time. This island -the largest of the Lease Islands- is restoring its former tourist facilities and is being rediscovered as a fun destination in this part of Indonesia.
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Benteng Duurstede
This historic Dutch fort was established by the Dutch East Indies Company in 1691. In 1817 the fort was conquered by local leader Thomas Matulessi, or famously known as Pattimura, who had all the soldiers as well as the official Dutch Resident and his family killed. The fort has been restored and is open to visitors.
Several of the villages are nice enough to visit, but Ouw is one of the most interesting ones. It's the best place to see pottery makers at work and it has a small, half overgrown fort of its own. Quite unlike Fort Duurstede, the fort here has not been restored at all and some locals live within its walls, but it has a nice forgotten glory vibe over it.
Nolot
This village on the north-eastern corner of the island has a pretty church, dating back to colonial times. The sago-thatch roof has unfortunately been replaced by tin, but it's still a friendly and peaceful place.
A traditional house of Saparua.This house is thought to have been built by four original clans who simultaneously migrated to the Saparua area from a place called Souhuku on Seram Island around 1514 as a sign of their attachment consisting of the Titaley, Anakotta, Ririnama, and Simatauw clans.
Indonesian food and seafood. It also serves fruit juices.
Indonesian food, chicken, and fish.
Cafe on a beach. It serves coffee.
Not located on the best beach, this place is not ideal if you want to go swimming or sunbathing, but in terms of views it's a nice location. It has different types of rooms.
Hotel Perdana
Gardens and a pool also there is a dive operator.
Bungalows on a beach.
The typical way in is (unsurprisingly) by boat. Starting in the early morning, several speed boats normally leave from Port of Tulehu on the east side of the Leihitu peninsula of Ambon.
Read in the guideThere are fairly good roads on the island, and share taxis and motorcycle taxis are a good way to get around.
Read in the guideChoose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Ambon · International · AMQ
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