Tidore is small — about 78 square kilometres — and a single ring road circles the entire island. Public bemos run along the more populated eastern coast between Rum and Soasio with reasonable frequency, but service thins out considerably on the western and southern stretches.
The most flexible option is to hire a motorbike in Soasio for around 100,000 rupiah a day. The road is mostly paved and traffic is light; the only real hazards are the steep section over the southern shoulder of the volcano and the occasional unfenced livestock. A full circuit of the island takes about three hours with stops, and is one of the most pleasant motorbike rides in eastern Indonesia.
For trips up the volcano to Gurabunga or higher, arrange a guide and transport together in Soasio. Charter boats for trips around Maitara or to less accessible parts of the coast can be negotiated at Rum harbour or any of the fishing villages.