Soasio is the seat of the Tidore sultanate and the de facto capital of the island, a modest town of low buildings strung along the eastern coast road. By Indonesian standards it is tiny — the centre takes ten minutes to walk — but it is the natural base for exploring the island. The Kadato Kie palace sits at the upper end of town, the Spanish forts are within walking distance behind it, and the harbour at the lower end is where the speedboats from Ternate now arrive.
The town itself is unremarkable architecturally but pleasant to wander, particularly in the early evening when locals come out to walk along the seafront. There are a handful of warungs serving Maluku staples — papeda (sago porridge), grilled fish, fish soup with yellow turmeric broth — and a small market that fills with fresh produce in the mornings. Accommodation is limited to a few simple guesthouses; book ahead by phone if you plan to stay over.