Run is a small island ('pulau' being Indonesian for 'island') with an outsized historical importance. It was a centre of the nutmeg and mace trade, as one of the 'Spice Islands', coveted by European traders and rulers. The British were the first Europeans to occupy the island, in the 17th century, but they were soon expelled by the Dutch, and gave up all claims to the island in exchange for Dutch recognition of British rule over the former New Netherlands (which now comprises much of the U.S. state of New York). The British eventually were able to transplant nutmeg trees in other colonies they controlled in the early 19th century, finally breaking the longtime Dutch monopoly on the nutmeg trade. Pulau Run is quiet now, but the people there continue to grow nutmeg trees as their forefathers did.

Map of Pulau Run

Take a public boat or charter boat from Banda Neira.

On foot or you may ask the locals to ride you by motorbike or rent their motorbike to get around the island. If you want to go to Nailaka Island, you may rent a boat for Rp100,000.

Beaches and plantations.

• -4.547813129.6935621 Lokong Beach (Pantai Lokong). (updated Oct 2022)

The best snorkeling spot is at -4.535438129.6970631 Nailaka Island, at the northeastern side of Run Island.

You may order the food in the hostelry.

No alcohol, you may drink mineral water or fresh coconut water.

• -4.554937129.6788121 Manhattan Guest House, ☏ +62 821 982 08993. (updated Oct 2022)
• -4.544812129.6889382 Run Island Resort, ☏ +62 812 480 22181. (updated Oct 2022)
• -4.552938129.6803133 Nailaka Guest House. Check-out: 12:00. From Rp200,000. (updated Oct 2022)

• Pulau Ai