Mala-Mala, located in South Halmahera Regency, North Maluku, is an uninhabited island that is home to stunning natural beauty. An expanse of white sand and clear, blue waters are the main attractions on this island, which is located close to a nickel mining area.
Mala-Mala Island can be reached by speedboat, which takes about 20 minutes from Kawasi Village on Obi Island—the site of one of Indonesia's first nickel downstream industries, responsible for the production of raw materials for electric vehicle batteries. Despite its proximity to the mining area, Mala-Mala's ecosystem remains remarkably well-preserved.
The views above the water are beautiful, but Mala-Mala also offers stunning underwater scenery – a sight that’s not to be missed. With its wealth of marine biodiversity, it's little wonder that this island is a popular snorkeling and diving spot for visitors who enjoy water sports. Those vacationing on Mala-Mala often bring fishing rods to catch the fish that live around the island, so they can enjoy fresh seafood.
The island’s remote location means it is relatively untouched by people. The most regular visitors to Mala-Mala are employees of the mining companies operating on Obi Island – the short distance makes the island a popular destination for unwinding on work days.
On this occasion, dozens of Harita Nickel employees are preparing to visit Mala-Mala Island. Equipped with various equipment, prepared the day before, the group departs by speedboat from Kawasi Village. Throughout the journey to Mala-Mala, they are treated to a rolling vista of stunning natural scenery. The low tide made the journey more comfortable, without the turbulence of waves that can cause motion sickness.
Upon arrival at Mala-Mala Island, the group are greeted by swaying coconut trees, neatly lined up along the shoreline. Along the coast, dozens, if not hundreds, of bilolo – hermit crabs – roam about in their various shell shapes. Despite the scorching heat, the gentle waves and breeze off the coast of Mala-Mala Island provide a calming atmosphere.
As soon as the Harita Nickel employees set foot on Mala-Mala Island, they begin to engage in their own activities; some simply splash around on the shore, while others swim, fish, or even break out the snorkeling gear they’ve brought for exploring the surrounding area.
The island's lush, green hills further enhance the stunning views. This scene is perfect for photography enthusiasts, thanks to its Instagram-worthy scenery. Mala-Mala is an uninhabited island, giving it a distinctly quiet feel; there are no permanent residents on the island. Therefore, anyone interested in visiting should bring their own supplies.
This is exactly what dozens of Harita Nickel employees who were vacationing on Mala-Mala Island did. They brought back dozens of large, fresh fish caught from Kawasi Village. Make no mistake, even though Kawasi is located in an industrial extraction area, this doesn't affect the catch of the local fishermen.
They then seasoned and grilled the fresh fish and made it into food for lunch. Harita Nickel employees had fun all day on this uninhabited island. “Awesome Kawasi fish!” said Devina, one of the doctors at Harita Nickel who joined the excursion to Mala-mala Island that day.
Devina revealed it was her first time visiting Mala-Mala Island, since deciding to pursue a career at Harita Nickel. She was amazed by the natural scenery on this uninhabited island. For Devina, Mala-Mala Island was like a treasure trove in the desert. She noted that being located near a mining area hasn’t polluted the island's ecosystem.
"I'm truly amazed. I never thought there would be such a beautiful island near a mining area," said Devina, who was impressed by the natural beauty of Mala-Mala Island. "The island is still pristine, with crystal clear waters, allowing us to easily see the coral reefs and colorful fish," she added.
Before they knew it, their relaxing time on the island was coming to an end. At around 3 p.m., the group began packing up their belongings and loading their trash back into the boat. This way, Mala-Mala Island's ecosystem will be preserved and they can enjoy it again on their next vacation.*