Tual

Tual is the main town and transport hub of the Kei Islands, spread across the narrow strait between Kei Kecil and Dullah Island. It has hotels, restaurants, a market, and connections by air and sea to Ambon and beyond. It is not a destination in itself but a necessary base for exploring the islands.

The fish market at the waterfront in the early morning is worth a visit: the catch from the surrounding sea comes in daily and the variety of fish, squid, and crustaceans is remarkable. Karel Sadsuitubun Airport outside town has flights to Ambon and occasional connections to Makassar; the Pelni ferry docks in Tual on its multi-day route through Maluku. From Tual, bemos and ojeks (motorcycle taxis) run to Pasir Panjang, and boat charters to Kei Besar can be arranged at the main dock.

things to do sight
A story
Tual and the adjacent town of Langgur sit on opposite sides of a narrow strait between Kei Kecil and the small island of Dullah. In 2008 Tual became a separate municipality from Maluku Tenggara Regency — a political manoeuvre that split the regional capital in two and left both towns competing for administrative functions. Visitors rarely notice or care: the two urban areas function as one, connected by a bridge, and are collectively the commercial hub of the southeastern Maluku islands.