A single road runs all the way around Tidore — roughly 70 km of mostly-paved coastline that takes about three hours to circle by motorbike. It is the best way to get a feel for the island in a single day. The road links Soasio on the east coast with Rum in the north, then continues around the western side past a string of fishing villages and dark-sand beaches before climbing over a low pass on the southern flank and returning to town.
Highlights along the way include the lighthouse near Mafututu, the clove gardens above Maitara on the western coast, and the swimming spots at Tongowai and Akesahu. Bemos cover sections of the road but a hired motorbike (about 100,000 rupiah a day in Soasio) gives the freedom to stop where you like. Fuel up in town before setting out — there are no proper petrol stations away from Soasio, only houses selling fuel by the litre from plastic bottles.