Derawan Island Travel Guide

One of the most exciting places in Indonesia is Derawan. When you go to Indonesia make sure you also visit Derawan Islands. Derawan is beautiful, natural, and peaceful. Not like any other famous places in Indonesia that usually crowded, Derawan prefers tropical impressive natural beauty.

Read also : Kalimantan Travel Guide

Where is Derawan Island

Derawan is located in Berau regency, East Kalimantan. The islands are well known for the best marine tourism. Its underwater park always attracts people’s heart, make several top international divers go here. Derawan has three sub-districts; Derawan Island, Maratua, and Biduk-Biduk in Berau. There are at least four popular islands that is Maratua Island, Derawan island, Sangalaki Island, and Kakaban Island. This Kakaban is inhabited by endangered species of green turtles and hawksbill turtles.

Geographically, Derawan is located in the north peninsula of the sea waters of Berau regency. Total all the islands in Derawan is 31.

Places to visit in Derawan

• Derawan
• Maratua
• Sangalaki
• Kakaban

In this island coastal ecosystem has been found. Coral reef, mangrove forest, seagrass, and other species of inhabitants of this ecosystem is dolphin, clams, coconut crabs, green turtle, hawksbill turtles, whale, and still many other. They are well protected here. As a visitor, you can see turtle laying process and also enjoy Derawan typical seafood hard to resist. That is why Derawan Islands in 2005 successfully entered in UNESCO World Heritage.

What To Do in Derawan

• Boat tour to Maratua, Sangalaki, Kakaban
• Snorkeling
• Swimming with jellyfish in Kakaban
• Swimming with manta rays in Sangalaki
• Diving
• Relaxing

Derawan Islands is like the typical dream of tropical paradise with private white sandy beaches, clear blue water that keeps the beauty of coral reefs, fishes, and many other sea animals. Of course diving and snorkeling become the main attraction of this place. There are at least 28 diving spots available for all diving lovers around the world.

Read also:

• Derawan Whale Shark Tour 4 Days 3 Nights
• Derawan Maratua Sangalaki Kakaban Island 3 Days 2 Nights Tour Package
• Derawan Island Labuan Cermin Lake 4 Days 3 Nights Tour Package
• Explore Derawan Island for 4 Days 3 Nights Tour
• East Kalimantan Travel Guide & Derawan Tours
• Kalimantan

How To Go To Derawan Island

By Air

Get to Berau by plane from Bali, Jakarta, Surabaya, Lombok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore. Continue to Tanjung Batu (2 hours drive) to go by speed boat to Derawan (30 minute).

Maratua Jazz & Dive Fiesta

Every years starting since 2015, tourism activities are held in the form of Maratua Jazz & Dive Fiesta. The agenda in this festival is to dive together to explore the underwater beauty of Derawan and see the jazz performance in Maratua. The activity was initiated by WartaJazz and Berau Lestari Foundation and supported by Bupati Berau and Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of the Republic of Indonesia.

Protected Flora and Fauna in Derawan Island

Several important tropical ecosystems that are protected in Derawan is coral reef ecosystem, mangrove ecosystem, and sea grass ecosystem. Many of the species are also unique and that’s why they are protected. Some species in Derawan Islands are coconut crab, dolphins, whale, green turtle, dugong, hawksbill turtle, and manta ray. Coconut crab usually found in Kakaban and Maratua Island, whale in Maratua Island, and dolphin is around Semama, Sangalaki, Kakaban, Maratua, and Muaras sandbanks. While if you want to see turtle, they can be found in Panjang Island, Derawan Island, Semama, Sangalaki and Maratua. Other than the turtles, Panjang Island and Semama has species of dugong.

Manta ray can be found in Sangalaki Island. You can swim with them in the conservatorium and usually this activity is desired by tourists. Barracudas and tiny pigmy seahorses are also protected in Derawan. But if you want to know the icon of Derawan, it is the stingless jellyfish. They can be found in Kakaban Lake. They are many and friendly to humans.

Read also : East Kalimantan Travel Guide