Ternate, North Maluku

A hidden chapter in Indonesia’s underwater story.

Ternate may be known for its volcanoes and spice trade history, but beneath the surface lies a marine landscape that pulses with energy. From black sand muck sites to steep coral-covered walls, the water here holds surprises for those who slow down and pay attention.

One of the most unforgettable moments in this series came not from the rare critters, but from the movement. Schools of fusiliers, surgeonfish, and jacks flowed past like underwater storms, turning the ocean into a living current of silver and shimmer. You don’t just watch them, you feel them. They surround you, rearrange your sense of space, and then disappear as quickly as they came.

It’s this kind of magic, raw, unfiltered, that makes Ternate special. A place where reef life thrives in contrast: delicate corals clinging to volcanic rock, tiny macro subjects hiding in plain sight, and pelagics sweeping through with grace and force.

Ternate isn’t polished or predictable. But if you’re drawn to the rhythm of wild waters and the rush of swimming through a wall of fish, it leaves a mark.