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March 2023: Indonesia has reopened to tourists. See our Can I Travel To Indonesia page.

Breakfast In The Banda Islands

Most famous as the exotic, remote home of the spice nutmeg, Indonesia’s Banda Islands are still home to some spicy surprises for visitors

Banda Islands spice breakfast

While travelling across Indonesia’s Banda Sea on a liveaboard earlier this year, we stopped off at the Banda Islands, a tiny speck on the map that once was one of the most bitterly fought over pieces of land anywhere in the world. The reason was that the Banda Islands were the only known source of the spice nutmeg, which was believed (wrongly) to be a cure for the plague. At one point nutmeg was worth more than gold pound for pound. The Dutch and the British committed terrible atrocities trying to gain dominance over the islands, and eventually they agreed on an exchange: the British would hand over control of the Banda Islands to the Dutch, who in turn would give the British an insignificant island in the new colonies called… Manhattan.

Above is my Banda Island breakfast, freshly picked from the trees and prepared right in front of us – Fried Banana, Cinnamon Tea, Nutmeg Jam and Taro – absolutely delicious.

You can read more about what else we saw on the Banda Islands on my dive blog Divehappy.com as well as more stories from the same trip about diving across the Banda Sea – it’s one of the most amazing trips I’ve ever done, and certainly up there as one of the very best places to dive in the world.

  • Gunung Api, Volcano Of The Sea Snakes
  • Ambon: Diving in the Twlight Zone
  • Nusa Laut Diving
  • Banda Islands Scuba Diving
  • Manuk, The Other Island Of The Sea Snakes
Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.

Start Planning Your Indonesia Trip Now!

:: Find available Indonesia hotels on Booking.com and Agoda.com – usually you can reserve a room with no upfront payment. Pay when you check out. Free cancellations too.

:: Find the cheapest flights to Indonesia with Skyscanner - one search will show you the prices and times from scores of airlines for your trip. A real timesaver.

:: Book a Jakarta airport transfer to take you hassle-free direct from the airport to your hotel with the driver meeting you in Arrivals.

:: Make sure you don't forget to bring any of the essentials with our comprehensive Packing List For Bali - it's relevant for the whole country

:: World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world.

:: Explore our Indonesia Travel Guide for more Indonesia must-see destinations.


Indonesia Tips

  • Can I Travel To Indonesia? March 2023 Update
  • How Much Money Do I Need For Bali ?
  • Bali Packing List 2023
  • Bali 1 Week Travel Itinerary
  • Bali 2 Week Travel Itinerary
  • Ubud Itinerary: One Day, Two Days and Three Days in Ubud
  • Where To Stay In Ubud
  • Top Ten Tips for Female Travelers in Bali, Indonesia
  • How Much Money Do I Need For Indonesia?
  • No Indonesia Visa Required For Citizens Of 45 Countries
  • In Search Of The Sumatran Orangutan: Where To See Orangutans in Indonesia
  • The World’s Biggest Buddhist Shrine: Borobudur Temple, Java, Indonesia
  • Komodo Dragons Up Close And Personal

Travelhappy Travel Guides

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  • Hong Kong Travel Guide
  • Indonesia Travel Guide
  • Laos Travel Guide

Travelhappy Travel Guides

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  • Singapore Travel Guide
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  • Vietnam Travel Guide
  • Travel Tips

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