The Derawan Islands are East Kalimantan's best-kept secret and one of Indonesia's most spectacular marine destinations. This remote archipelago includes Derawan, Maratua, Sangalaki, and Kakaban islands, each offering unique experiences from manta ray encounters to swimming with millions of stingless jellyfish in a landlocked lake.
The Islands
Derawan Island
Main base with most accommodation. Green sea turtles nest year-round — watch them lay eggs at night or see hatchlings released at dawn. Excellent house reef for snorkeling.
Kakaban Island
Home to the famous Jellyfish Lake — a landlocked saltwater lake with millions of golden and moon jellyfish that evolved without stingers. Snorkel among them in an otherworldly experience. Surrounding reef wall is world-class for diving.
Sangalaki Island
Manta Point — One of the world's most reliable manta ray cleaning stations. Reef mantas glide overhead year-round, but peak season (March-June) can see 20+ mantas circling at once.
Maratua Island
Largest island with luxury dive resorts. Stunning beaches, dramatic drop-offs, and Big Fish Country dive sites with sharks, turtles, barracuda schools, occasional whale sharks.
Getting There
Fly to Berau (BEJ) via Balikpapan or Tarakan. From Berau, 2.5-hour drive to Tanjung Batu port, then 30-45 minutes by speedboat to Derawan. Most resorts arrange transfers. Total journey from Bali: full day.
Where to Stay
Derawan Island: Budget to mid-range wooden cottages (Derawan Dive Lodge, Danakan Island Lodge). Maratua: Maratua Paradise Resort (luxury), Nabucco Island Resort. Simple but comfortable with dive operators attached.
Best Time to Visit
Year-round with water 27-29°C. March to June is peak manta season. July to September offers best weather and visibility. Jellyfish Lake accessible year-round. Avoid December-January (monsoon, rougher seas). Book ahead — limited accommodation.
Derawan Islands Guide
The Derawan archipelago off East Kalimantan (Borneo) is an emerging paradise of 31 islands known for sea turtle nesting sites, stingless jellyfish lakes, and pristine coral reefs virtually untouched by mass tourism.
Sea Turtle Haven
Derawan Island is one of the most important green and hawksbill turtle nesting sites in Southeast Asia. Night beach walks reveal nesting females, and snorkelers regularly swim with turtles in the shallow lagoon. Conservation efforts help protect over 5,000 eggs per season.
Kakaban & Sangalaki
Kakaban Island hosts a prehistoric stingless jellyfish lake — one of only two in the world (the other being Palau). Sangalaki Island offers world-class manta ray encounters, with resident mantas feeding in the channel year-round.
Getting There
Fly to Berau via Balikpapan, then take a 2-hour speedboat to Derawan. Accommodation ranges from basic guesthouses on Derawan to mid-range resorts on Maratua Atoll. Dry season (March-October) offers the best conditions.
