Did you know that Morotai Island in North Maluku is one of the 10 Priority Tourism Destinations (DPP)? Its stunning marine beauty captivates everyone who visits. One of the five islands in this archipelago is Kolorai Island. And here’s something exciting: Kolorai Island, a fishing village, was officially designated as a tourist village by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy in early 2021. This village, located in South Morotai District, Morotai Island Regency, North Maluku, is a pilot project.
What Makes Kolorai Island Tourism Village Special?
Kolorai Island is home to a hidden underwater paradise, remnants from World War II, and beautiful coral reefs. The stunning sea view and Dodola Island are additional highlights. You can enjoy a variety of marine tourism activities here. Plus, the village's Pokdarwis (Tourism Awareness Group) has long been active in promoting creative economic products, particularly those made from local fishermen's catch. Curious to learn more? Let’s dive into the details!
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Discover the Exotic Underwater Beauty of Kolorai The crystal-clear blue sea of Kolorai Island invites you to dive in right away. Just by snorkeling near the dock, you can find beautiful coral reefs and colorful fish. Don't worry, there are also surface diving facilities available here.
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Dive Deeper and Explore Historical Relics Here comes the most thrilling part of visiting Kolorai Island! You can dive with special equipment to explore historical relics from World War II! At the bottom of the clear sea, you’ll find traces of military equipment like shipwrecks, fighter planes, and sunken trucks, now covered in coral reefs. These are remnants of the Allied military base in Morotai Island. Don’t miss the chance to dive at Mitita Shark Point, where, in addition to coral reefs, you can have the adrenaline rush of swimming with blacktip sharks. Exciting, right?
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Stay in Colorful Homestay Houses Kolorai Island is also known as the "colorful village" because the houses are painted in vibrant colors. If you wish to stay longer, you can book a homestay in one of the local houses. These accommodations are clean, comfortable, and equipped with all the necessary amenities while adhering to the CHSE (Cleanliness, Health, Safety, and Environmental Sustainability) concept.
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Taste Kolorai’s Delicious Seafood Cuisine As a fishing village, Kolorai produces a lot of seafood every day, some of which are directly processed into food or local UMKM (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) products. The flavors and uniqueness of their dishes can't be found elsewhere! Prepare your taste buds for fish in sour soup with papeda, a chewy-textured dish. Be sure to try Kolorai-style sashimi, known as gohu ikan (tuna slices with spicy seasoning, served with sago or fried banana).
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Take Home Local Handicrafts as Souvenirs Kolorai Village is a great place to shop for souvenirs, especially for those who love seafood or salted fish. You can take home fresh fish or unique salted fish products. If you enjoy spicy food, don’t miss the local sambal dabu-dabu roa. In addition to food, the village women are skilled at making woven crafts from buro-buro (thorny pandan leaves), which are transformed into hats, bags, bracelets, and mats.
A visit to one of the Priority Tourism Destinations like Morotai Island is certainly a great choice, as you’ll experience a complete tourist package like the one found at Kolorai Tourism Village. Its marine tourism and fishing village charm are unbeatable! For more information about Kolorai Island, you can contact Pokdarwis Kolorai at 082191783814 or visit their Facebook page, Pokdarwis Kolorai.
And don’t forget, when you go out, always apply health protocols such as wearing masks, keeping your hands clean, and maintaining social distancing. Also, be sure to get your booster vaccination to strengthen your immunity!
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