Derawan Islands

East Kalimantans hidden paradise. Swim with gentle manta rays, dive into a lake filled with millions of stingless jellyfish, nest with sea turtles on private islands. This is Indonesia before the crowds.

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.

Good to know

  • Best time to visit: March to October (dry season). Best turtle nesting: July-September. Manta rays year-round at Sangalaki.
  • Getting there: Fly to Berau via Balikpapan. Speedboat from Berau to Derawan (2 hours). Inter-island boats connect Derawan, Kakaban, Sangalaki, and Maratua.

Plan the journey

Compare the live route, departure harbor, operator, journey time and fare for your intended date. Island transport changes with seasons, sea conditions and port instructions, so confirm current availability before arranging transfers or accommodation around a sailing.

For a scheduled crossing, use fast boat search. Travelers who need a private route, flexible stops or a whole vessel can also compare charter packages, while fishing trips are listed separately by location and technique.

Search fast boats to Derawan Islands, compare private charters, or browse more destinations.