Maluku Travel Information - Gebe

Gebe: North Maluku's Papuan Outpost

The island of Gebe is at the easternmost end of North Maluku, and is in fact geographically, culturally and faunistically already part of the Raja Ampat Islands of neighbouring West Papua.
Locally, it is best known for its large mine, which has had some rather ugly effects on the local environment, but not all is lost!
If you know where to look, Gebe still has quite a lot to offer, and is more accessible than most islands in Raja Ampat proper.

Attractions Activities Local Culture Getting There Accommodation Food
Main Attractions

Umera

The remote village of Umera at the eastern end of Gebe is something of an ecotourists' dream come true.
It has a splendid beach with hills covered in lush rainforest right behind.

Pulau Fao

Right opposite the main town and harbour, the island of Fao is rather barren, but has an interesting bay packed with unusual coral heads and fringed by pristine mangroves, as well as old burial sites of the native people. On its SW coast facing the open seas, there is a white sand beach where turtles nest.

Pulau Yoi

North of Gebe, inhabited Yoi (often spellt on maps as "Yu") is mostly known for its vast, lagoon-like bay. But it also has some fine beaches and coral reefs, in crystal-clear waters, including right in front of its single village.

Pulau Uta

Northwest of Yoi, small, uninhabited Uta has a stunning beach backed by casuaranas and lapped by incredible turquise waters.

Activities

Western Facilities!

Thanks to the presence of the mine, Gebe has both a swimming pool and a golf course.
Sadly, conditions of both have deteriorated over the years.

Local Culture

The People of Gebe

Most people on Gebe, especially in the main town, are migrants from other regions attracted by jobs in the mine.
The native people are related to the Papuans of Raja Ampat, but centuries of racial mixing has made them look more like people from the rest of Maluku. Their language still links them to Raja Ampat though, and they maintain family ties with the inhabitants of Gag in particular.
They are all Muslims.

Getting There and Around

By Air

As of April 2011, Merpati flies from Ternate to Gebe once a week, with NBA running cheaper, subsidized flights on the same route twice weekly.

By Sea

A Pelni ship incredibly actually stops at Gebe on its loop around Halmahera once every 4 weeks. The more frequent option is the fortnightly KM Faisyayang that comes here all the way from Bitung in North Sulawesi via Ternate, Weda and Patani.
Two Perintis ships also stop here once every 3 weeks on their way between Halmahera and West Papua.

By Road

Gebe has a single, badly rutted main track that connects all 4 villages to each other, and to the airport.
Public transport is limited to the occasional truck to Umera.
Your best bet is renting an ojek to take you around!

Accommodation

Maybe...

There is a very neglected penginapan near the market. It was supposed to be renovated and put into use during my last visit, but I wouldn't hold my breath waiting... You  may also be able to stay at the guesthouse of the mine.

Food

Self-catering

Gebe has a few very basic warungs, and a fairly well-stocked market, where you can buy all the basics. There is also a lot of fresh fish for sale!