Exploring Ambons Natural Beauty and Culinary Delights During Eid Holiday

TheIndonesia.co - During the long Eid holiday in 2025, the citizens of Ambon, Maluku, flocked to various tourist spots to enjoy their break before returning to work, school, and university.

According to Antara News Agency, one of the travellers, Andre Akbar, shared on Thursday, April 3, 2025, “We took advantage of this long holiday to vacation with family before everything returns to the usual routine.”

One of the most popular destinations during this period was Pantai Natsepa (Natsepa Beach). Located in the Salahutu sub-district of Ambon, this beach is renowned for its stunning natural beauty. Both local residents of Ambon and domestic tourists visited the beach to enjoy its scenic views and engage in various water activities.

“The beach is conveniently located near the city center, so it’s easy to enjoy Maluku’s marine beauty without traveling far,” said Andre.

At Natsepa Beach, visitors can enjoy activities such as fishing, swimming, renting boats, and tasting the famous Rujak Natsepa. This traditional Indonesian fruit salad is made from fresh, chopped fruits, and served with a thick sauce made from roasted peanuts and palm sugar. The texture of the peanuts is deliberately left coarse, adding to the unique and unforgettable flavor of this local dish.

Rujak Natsepa is more than just a dish—it’s a symbol of Ambon’s rich culinary heritage. Unlike typical fruit salads, Rujak Natsepa is distinct because of its sweet and savory peanut sauce. The fresh fruits are often a mix of papaya, pineapple, and other tropical fruits native to the region, all cut into bite-sized pieces. The star of the dish, however, is the thick peanut sauce that is poured generously over the fruits.

The sauce is made by grinding roasted peanuts with a touch of palm sugar, creating a rich, sweet yet savoury taste that balances the freshness of the fruits. The peanuts are intentionally not ground into a fine powder, leaving them slightly coarse, which gives the sauce its unique texture. The combination of the crunchy peanuts and the rich palm sugar syrup is what makes this dish stand out from other traditional Indonesian fruit salads, adding a layer of complexity to the flavours.

Arifudin, another visitor to Natsepa Beach, shared his experience of visiting the beach specifically to enjoy the dish.

“My family loves Rujak Natsepa because it’s something you can’t find anywhere else. The peanut sauce has this irresistible combination of sweetness and saltiness that goes perfectly with the fresh, tropical fruits,” he said.

Beyond its flavour, Rujak Natsepa is also a cultural experience, as it is often enjoyed as a snack or dessert by both locals and visitors, especially during family gatherings or after a fun day at the beach. The dish has become a must-try for anyone visiting Ambon, and it’s a perfect way to cool down while soaking in the beauty of the beach.

Aside from Natsepa Beach, another popular spot among locals and tourists was the Tebing Paralayang Nusaniwe (Nusaniwe Paragliding Cliff). Known for its pristine natural surroundings, the cliff offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. Visitors enjoy outdoor activities such as camping and paragliding, where they can experience the thrill of flying high above the island of Ambon.

Many tourists also arrived early in the morning to capture the stunning sunrise from the cliff’s vantage point. Zihan Aprilia, a traveler, said, “The bright morning sun, combined with the ocean and the green landscapes of Ambon Island from up here, is something everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime.”

This long holiday, established by a joint decree from three Indonesian ministers, began on March 28-29 with Nyepi (the Balinese Day of Silence), followed by the continuation of the break from March 31 to April 7, 2025 for Eid.

Travel Tip:

Ambon, the capital of Maluku province, is easily accessible by flights from major Indonesian cities like Jakarta and Surabaya. The island is a paradise for nature lovers, offering stunning beaches, vibrant marine life, and mountainous landscapes. Don’t forget to try local specialties like Rujak Natsepa, and enjoy the cultural and natural attractions that make Ambon a unique travel destination in Indonesia.