TALAUD ISLANDS (NORTH-EAST SULAWESI)

Talaud Islands, Indonesian Kepulauan Talaud, also spelled Talaur, or Talaut,  islands administered from Manado as part of northern Sulawesi Utara provinsi  (North Celebes province), northern Indonesia. The group, with a total area of 495 square miles (1,281 square km), includes Karakelong (the largest), Salebabu, Kaburuang, and numerous islets. The coast of Karakelong Island is steep except on the southern shore, which is fringed by a wide reef. The seven tiny Nanusa Islands lie northeast of Karakelong. Forested and with hills rising to 2,231 feet (680 metres), the Talauds produce ebony and ironwood as well as copra, ..

The islands off the very north coast of Manado, which seem to form a kind of bridge with the very southernmost islands of the Philippines, are the group known as Sangihe & Talaud.
An archipelago of 77 islands, Sangihe & Talaud like most unspoiled areas is not easy to get to. A speedboat makes the journey from Manado in around six hours, stay overnight and go back the next day. The administrative capital and largest town is Tahuna on the island of Sangihe Besar. There are several hotels here offering basic but passable accommodation. In town, shop for the carved ebony wood for which the area is famous, as well as embroidered fabrics from the island of Batunderang. There’s also an interesting house of Dutch design and unknown age. If you have a couple of days and plenty of extra energy you could climb Gunung Awu the spectacular volcanic peak. First check in at the monitoring station at Tulusau, to make sure conditions are right. To the south of Sangihe Besar, the island of Siau has a glorious 1800m volcanic peak known locally as Gunung Api Siau. This volcano had a major explosion in 1974, which destroyed much of the infrastructure of the island. It can be climbed but should be approached with caution.

The region’s other main attractions are its completely unspoilt beaches of which there are many. Sangihe Talaud is also getting more and more popular with birdlovers. The islands are home to nine endemic species, and new ones are being discovered regularly.