6 Fun Activities to Do in Morotai SEZ, Can Swim with Sharks

Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Morotai tourism in North Maluku has advantages in the beauty of the beach and underwater. Its beauty is not inferior to Bali, Labuan Bajo, Raja Ampat, and Lombok. Even so beautiful, Morotai is called by tourists as the Maldives of Indonesia.

For those of you who want to have a new experience on a vacation to the beach, the Morotai SEZ is very suitable. Yes, there are at least six exciting activities that are ready to give you an unforgettable experience. What are they? Here we have summarized the interesting reviews.

  1. Explore beautiful island

Island hopping is a mandatory activity when you vacation in the Morotai SEZ. Apart from being beautiful, each island has its uniqueness, including Kokoya Island, Kolorai Island, White Sand, Zum-zum Island and Dodola Island. The last two islands are islands that have become the main attraction of tourists until now.

Dodola Island itself is divided into two, namely Dodola Besar and Dodola Kecil. Where the distance between the two islands is 500 meters and separated by seawater at low tide. The uniqueness of Dodola island, if you walk from Dodola Besar to Dodola Kecil when the sea water recedes, you will feel the sensation of “walking across the ocean”. While the charm of Zum-zum Island lies its rich history. You can see a statue of General Mc Arthur from the United States as high as 20 meters there. This statue was built as a reminder of General Mc Arthur because he had settled and set strategies when fighting with Japan in World War II.

2. Snorkeling to see coral reefs and colorful fish

You also shouldn’t miss this activity. Because Morotai is famous as an island with its “sea tourism”, so it’s a shame if you have come all the way to see its beauty. The recommended places for snorkeling are Dodola Island, Pasir Timbul and Kokoya Island and the good news, you can snorkel while exploring the island.

3. Dive the site of shipwrecks and blackfin sharks

Yes, in Morotai you can dive at the site of Bristol Beuford fighter aircraft, tanks, ships, or Jeep Willys types. All of these are relics of the fighting of United States forces with Japan. To see the wreckage of fighter planes, tanks, ships and jeeps, you can go to Wawama Wreck Dive Point located in Wawama Village in South Morotai which takes about 3 hours from Daruba City.

If you dive with blackfin sharks, you can visit the Mitita Shark Point diving spot on Mitita Island. Don’t imagine that when diving you will dive a long distance with the shark. Not. Blackfin sharks on Mitita Island are commonly visited by divers and are known to be docile. You can take pictures up close to a distance of one to two meters. All you need is a calm demeanor when you’re around them.

4. Explore history at a World War II museum

This activity is no less exciting for you to visit. What is in the museum? The contents, many photos and narratives, replicas of war equipment and historical relics of World War II that occurred in 1939 – 1945. Not satisfied with exploring its history? Relax, tourists can also visit the mini museum in Daruba Village owned by Mukhlis Eso which has many relics of World War II.

You can also come to the Trikora Museum which is next to the World War II Museum. Trikora or Tri Komando Rakyat was a combat operation designed by President Sukarno in 1961 to liberate Irian Jaya (Papua) from the clutches of Dutch colonialism. The contents of this museum itself are photos and narratives, dioramas, to replicas of defense equipment owned by the Indonesian army at that time.

5. See rare birds

Pitta Paok Morotai bird, (Photo: By courtesy)

Yes, bird-watching activities are also exciting. You can see endemic birds that are rare and beautiful in Eastern Indonesia, especially Morotai Island. Pitta Paok Morotai (Pitta Morotaiensis) is one of the birds that many tourists want to see. The peculiarity of this bird lies in the blue (ultramarine blue) wing covers. The waist is white and the edges of the inner feathers are blue-green.

In addition, other birds are no less beautiful, namely the Cikukua Halmahera Bird, Gray-headed Walik Bird, Red-eyed Perling Bird, Beautiful Parrot Bird, Green Cockatoo, Purple Necklace Parrot, Halmahera Crow, Halmahera Cotton, Papuan Julang Bird and Morotai Alap-Alap Eagle. The location is located in Wewemo Village Forest about 50 km or 1 hour from Morotai city center.

6. Morotai culinary tour

(Gohu fish, photo: google)

Some typical Morotai culinary that you should try, include gohu ikan, a spicy dish processed by skipjack fish cut into cubes seasoned with stir-fried onions and chili. In addition, there is ginger rice made from rice mixed with coconut milk, then wrapped in leaves and burned in spices.

Then there is papeda which is the result of processed sago. However, papade must be eaten with fish sauce so that it is not sticky, or can also be eaten with bananas and peanut sauce. The typical drink that you need to taste is guraka water. It is a traditional drink of the Morotai people. Made from ginger boiled with brown sugar, it has been known to have health benefits.