Weather in Morotai

About Morotai

This remote Moluccan island carries layers of World War II history on its pristine shores, where jungle has reclaimed abandoned military bases and coral reefs thrive with unparalleled biodiversity. Japanese pillboxes and sunken vessels rest beneath crystal waters, visible to divers as underwater museums. The island's isolation has preserved both its history and its marine paradise.

Country

Indonesia

Best months to visit

Year-round

Currency

IDR

Language

Indonesian, Ternate

Things to do in Morotai

Dive WWII wreck sites including Japanese transport ships Explore Japanese cave bunkers and military installations hidden in jungle Snorkel pristine coral gardens in Raja Ampat-style reefs Visit local pearling farms and learn cultivation techniques Trek to remote beaches where sea turtles nest Stay in basic homestays and experience island life

Weather by month

Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.

January

25C

Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.

February

25C

Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.

March

25C

Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.

April

26C

Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.

May

26C

Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.

June

25C

Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.

July

25C

Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.

August

25C

Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.

September

26C

Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.

October

26C

Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.

November

26C

Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.

December

25C

Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.

Morotai sits at the northern tip of the Maluku Islands, a green, sparsely populated island ringed by white-sand beaches and reefs that few travellers ever reach. It was once one of the largest Allied airbases in the Pacific during WWII, and rusting wrecks, abandoned runways, and wartime relics still surface among the coconut groves — alongside some of eastern Indonesia's least-dived coral reefs.

Best areas to stay in Morotai

Daruba

Morotai's small main town, with the airport, basic guesthouses, markets, and the jumping-off point for island-hopping trips.

Dodola Island

A pair of small islands connected by a sandbar at low tide, with turquoise water and powder-white sand, reached by short boat ride.

Pitu Beach

A long, quiet stretch of coastline known for its WWII relics scattered near the shore and views over the strait to nearby islets.

Zum Zum Island

A tiny island once used by General MacArthur as a headquarters, with a small monument and snorkelling around its fringing reef.

Getting to Morotai

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Flights

Fly into Jakarta or Manado from the UK via Asian or Middle Eastern hubs, then connect via Ternate to Morotai's Leo Wattimena Airport.

⏱

From London

~24+ hours total from London including multiple domestic connections

🚕

Getting around

Motorbikes and chartered cars cover Daruba and the main roads; small boats are needed to reach outlying islands like Dodola and Zum Zum.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Morotai?

April to November is generally drier and calmer for diving and island-hopping, while the wet season brings rougher seas that can disrupt boat transfers to outlying islands.

How do I get to Morotai?

Domestic flights connect Ternate to Morotai's Leo Wattimena Airport in around 30-40 minutes; ferries also run from Ternate and Tobelo but take considerably longer.

What WWII history can I see on Morotai?

Wreck sites, abandoned airstrips, and a small war museum near Daruba commemorate the island's role as a major Allied base; some wreck dives are accessible to certified divers.

Is Morotai good for diving and snorkelling?

Yes — the surrounding reefs and smaller islands like Dodola and Kokoya have clear water and largely untouched coral, though dive infrastructure is basic compared to Bali or Raja Ampat.

What facilities are available on Morotai?

Daruba, the main town, has simple guesthouses, warungs, and basic shops; outside town, accommodation is limited, so it's worth arranging logistics in advance.

Traveler reviews

★★★★★

Dodola's sandbar at low tide was unbelievable — completely empty apart from us and the boat driver. Felt like discovering somewhere new.

Adi S. · June 2024

★★★★☆

The wartime history is everywhere if you know where to look, half-buried wrecks just sitting on beaches. Logistics took some patience but it was worth the effort.

Karen J. · April 2023

★★★★☆

Snorkelling around Zum Zum was some of the clearest water I've seen in Indonesia. Basic facilities but that's part of the charm out here.

Yusuf M. · September 2024