The Island of Seram in the Moluccas is one of the best kept secrets in Indonesia. Ora Beach Resort has a magnificent view like Bora Bora, and most of the island is still relatively unexplored.
This is one of the best places to visit in Indonesia if you are looking for a secluded paradise with Jungle, mountains, beaches and wildlife.
Seram Island isn’t exactly easy to get to and Ora Bay is even more secluded, but you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking scenery and plenty of snorkeling opportunities, without the crowds you’d see in places like Bali.
How to get to Seram Island
Seram Island is located near the bustling island of Ambon in the Moluccas, Indonesia. Getting there is a whole journey in several stages.
Currently, there is no active airport on The Island of Seram, so you cannot get there yet. The nearest airport is Pattimura International Airport in Ambon (AMQ), which offers direct flights from Jakarta, Makassar, Ternate, Sorong and other places in Indonesia. You can buy flights on Skyscanner.
Once you arrive in Ambon, you will need a Taxi for the one-hour journey from the airport to the Tulehu ferry port. Here you will take a fast ferry to the port of Amahai on The Island of Seram. The boats are old but comfortable and take about 2 hours to get to Amahai.
How to get to Ora Beach in Seram
Once arrived on the Island of Seram, the next step is to go to the village of Saleman and the beach of Ora. The journey from Amahai to Salemen takes about 2 hours and it is a picturesque jungle road that winds through the mountains. The road is paved everywhere, although there are many broken places.
Lodging in Seram Island
There are a number of new guest houses in the Ora Bay area that are highly rated, economical and relatively comfortable.
This is a very remote part of Indonesia, so don’t expect any luxury, but the comfort is surprisingly good for something so remote.
Here are some of your best options:
Ora Sunrise View-Bungalows on stilts in the village of Saleman with hammocks above the water. They were closed for renovation when we visited Seram in 2021, otherwise this hotel would have been our first choice. The rooms have a fan, a clothes rack and a power outlet.
Air Belanda Resort-Beach bungalows on ‘Dutch Water Beach’ with dining room and hammock. The rooms have a balcony, windows, a fan, a power outlet and a beautiful jungle background. The bathroom has a single toilet, a shower and a sink.
The best things to do in Seram
* Ora Beach
One of the main attractions of the Island of Seram is the very beautiful Ora beach. The view of the overwater bungalows with the mountains in the background is simply magnificent, like something from French Polynesia.
Ora is a small soft sandy beach with a palm tree swing. You can snorkel right next to the pier and see a lot of beautiful fish and corals.•
Sawai Cliff
The Sawai Cliff is a huge white limestone cliff accessible in about 10 minutes by boat from Ora Beach or 20 minutes from Saleman. We visited this place on a day trip.
The water under the cliff is relatively shallow, making it a great place to swim and snorkel, and there is a small sea cave to explore. It also has a small wooden platform and a gazebo where you can sit and relax.
The water here was very calm and we were able to see a lot of beautiful fish and corals while snorkeling, including Nemo fish that were hiding in the anemones!
