Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — in the heart of Indonesia’s Maluku Islands lies a hidden tropical paradise often compared to the Maldives. Known as Ora Beach, this remote destination on the northern coast of Seram Island in Central Maluku offers pristine waters, lush rainforests, and towering karst cliffs in a setting that feels far removed from the country’s bustling tourist hubs.
Ora Beach’s signature feature is its overwater resorts, wooden bungalows built on stilts above crystal-clear seas, where guests can step straight from their deck into the water. The clarity of the shallows reveals vibrant coral reefs and colorful fish without the need for scuba gear, though snorkeling and diving are among the top attractions.
Backed by Manusela National Park, home to rare flora and fauna, the beach is framed by dramatic limestone mountains. Visitors can also explore nearby attractions such as Hatupia Cave or the Salawai River, which flows into the sea.
Getting to Ora Beach is a journey in itself: travelers must fly to Ambon’s Pattimura Airport, continue by land and sea to the village of Saleman on Seram, and take a small boat to the beach. Most accommodation packages include beach access, with prices varying by lodging type and length of stay.
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The Singapore-based Straits Times has called Ora Beach one of the world’s untouched tropical paradises, noting that despite its beauty, it remains quiet and largely undiscovered. In a 2024 feature titled “Paradise Beaches Sit Empty as Indonesia Bets on Saturated Bali,” the newspaper observed that while Indonesia pours most of its tourism investment into Bali, destinations like Ora see little attention.
“At Ora Beach, framed by tropical vegetation and dramatic limestone cliffs, the waters resemble an aquarium and hardly a smartphone-wielding influencer is in sight,” the report noted. The Strait Times said that the island offers a more tranquil, unspoiled experience than Bali, free from traffic jams, noise pollution, and litter.
(Raidi/Agung)
