Offering incredible encounters with manta rays, whale sharks and schools of barracuda (not to mention exceptional muck diving and a jellyfish-filled lake), the Derawan Islands are among the most exciting dive destinations in Asia. Scattered off the northeastern coastline of Kalimantan in Indonesian Borneo, these remote reefs and atolls have remained relatively off the beaten path, only visited by divers willing to make the long journey to get there. But the rewards, in our opinion, are more than worth it!
While the archipelago consists of more than 30 islands, the most well-known for Derawan Islands diving are Derawan, Kakaban, Maratua and Sangalaki. They encompass a huge diversity of habitats, from mangrove-fringed coastlines to plunging walls and sprawling reefs that support an extraordinary array of marine life.
Diving in the Derawan Islands is a bucket list scuba adventure, filled with once-in-a-lifetime encounters amidst magnificent underwater scenery. Due to the archipelago's remote setting, most Derawan dive centres operate in the most eco-friendly manner possible, ensuring their impact on the surrounding environment and marine life is kept to an absolute minimum.
In this article, discover everything you need to know about sustainable scuba diving in the Derawan Islands, including eco-friendly resorts and dive centres in Derawan. We’ll share information on how to get there and the best time to visit, as well as some of the best islands for diving in East Kalimantan.
Guide to Derawan Island diving
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What to see diving the Derawan Islands
With more than 460 species of corals and over 870 different fish recorded here, the diversity of marine life in the Derawan Islands is truly staggering. It’s the combination of currents flowing between the Java and Celebes Seas, plus a huge variety of different habitats that allow such abundance to thrive.
In addition to big icons such as giant sea turtles, manta rays and whale sharks, you may encounter pygmy seahorses, rare octopuses and exotic cuttlefish. Both thresher and tiger sharks have been observed while diving in the Derawan Islands, together with bumphead parrotfish and large schools of trevally. A highlight of any visit is exploring “Jellyfish Lake”, a landlocked body of water that’s home to millions of stingless jellyfish.
Diving with a Derawan dive centre in Kalimantan, Indonesia
Best places to dive in the Derawan Islands
Pulau Derawan
Best place for muck diving in Derawan Islands
While the waters around Palau Derawan may have lower visibility than other islands in the archipelago, they are renowned for their exceptional macro life. Here you can expect to see everything from pygmy seahorses and ghost pipefish to harlequin shrimp, flamboyant cuttlefish and frogfish. Time your dive vacation to Derawan around the new moon and you may also observe whale sharks as they gather around the “bagan” fishing platforms to feed on anchovies.
Pulau Sangalaki
Best place for manta ray diving in Derawan Islands
Not only is Pulau Sangalaki home to one of the largest known nesting sites for endangered green sea turtles in the Celebes Sea but it is surrounded by healthy reefs and is a wonderful place to dive with broadclub cuttlefish. There are also reliable sightings of manta rays here, making it a sought-after destination for diving in Derawan. Above water, you can visit a turtle nursery operated by the local government.
Pulau Kakaban
Best place for shark diving in Derawan Islands
With its dramatic dropoffs and strong currents, Pulau Kakaban is the place for shark diving in the Derawan archipelago. Aside from reef sharks patrolling the reefs and caves, you may also spot leopard sharks and the occasional hammerhead. Aptly named “Barracuda Point” is also a highlight. Kakaban is particularly renowned for its brackish lake filled with stingless jellyfish, which can be reached via a short hike through the jungle.
Pulau Maratua
Best place for uncrowded diving in Derawan Islands
Partially surrounded by a lagoon, Pulau Maratua is blissfully uncrowded due to its remote setting on the edge of the Derawan archipelago. Marutua Island diving is notable for its dramatic walls, spectacular reefs and strong currents, which attract large schools of barracudas and grey reef sharks, particularly at “The Channel”. Schooling eagle rays are also regularly spotted here, together with bumphead parrotfish, LOTS of turtles and occasional thresher sharks. To the southeast of the atoll is Pulau Sambit, one of the best places for spotting tiger sharks in the Derawan archipelago.
Guide to Derawan Island diving in Kalimantan, Indonesia
Eco-friendly dive resorts in the Derawan Islands
In recent years, a number of dive resorts have sprung up across the Derawan Islands, offering everything from luxury stays to backpacker-friendly accommodation. Due to their remote setting and the fragility of the natural environment, sustainability is at the fore of operations.
Surrounded by Maratua’s idyllic lagoon, this eco-friendly Maratua dive resort receives rave reviews for its peaceful setting, delicious meals and rustic waterfront bungalows. When you’re not out diving, you can participate in cooking classes, embark on a village tour or indulge in a spa treatment. Sustainability credentials at Nabucco Dive Resort on Maratua Island include the harvesting of rainwater and solar energy, as well as an onsite water treatment plant.
"Best all-around diving experience so far!” (read more reviews here)
Constructed using sustainably sourced materials, this eco-friendly dive resort in Derawan forms part of the beautiful Maratua Atoll. It not only offers world-class diving on and around its expansive house reef but also daily yoga classes, massages and other mindfulness offerings. Aside from its 18 luxuriously appointed bungalows, there’s a swimming pool and a restaurant serving healthy and balanced dishes.
"Virgin Cocoa is an island paradise that is 100% an experience of a lifetime.” (read more reviews here)
Scuba Junkie has long had an ethos centred around sustainability and its Sangalaki property is no exception. It features a variety of overwater accommodations to suit all budgets (including dorms and private rooms), as well as outstanding dive facilities and highly experienced guides. As a PADI 5-star dive resort, this Sangalaki resort offers everything from daily dive trips to PADI courses.
"Absolutely an amazing set of islands and this dive resort is the best there is.” (read more reviews here)
Guide to Kalimantan diving in Derawan Islands
Best time to dive in the Derawan Islands
The Derawan Islands experience a relatively stable climate year-round, with temperatures between 23 and 32ºC (73 and 90°F). That being said, there’s a distinct dry season from March through October and a wetter period from November through February. You can dive year-round, with the only exception being the month of January when stormy conditions can cause some resorts to temporarily close for routine maintenance.
But for the vast majority of the year, the diving in Derawan remains incredible, with visibility ranging from 10-15 metres around the islands of Derawan and Samama, 15-25 metres at the sites surrounding Sangalaki and Kakaban and 15-30 metres or more at Maratua. Coincide your visit with the new moon to witness the gatherings of whale sharks near Derawan Island.
The water temperature, which hovers around 28°C (82°F), means you can comfortably dive in Derawan in just a 3mm wetsuit or even a lightweight rash guard.
How to get to the Derawan Islands
The best way to reach the Derawan Islands is to fly from Singapore to Balikpapan in East Kalimantan with Scoot airlines. Alternatively, you can fly from Jakarta, Surabaya or Denpasar to Balikpapan with Garuda Indonesia or Lion Air. From Balikpapan, you’ll need to take a connecting flight with Wings Air, CitiLink or Lion Air to Tanjung Redeb, which is the main administrative hub in Berau. Boats are available in Tanjung Redeb to transfer you to the Derawan Islands. Alternatively, some Maratua dive resorts provide charter flights from Balikpapan.
Guide to diving in Derawan Islands off the coast of Kalimantan
FAQs about diving in the Derawan Islands
When is the dive season in the Derawan Islands?
The Derawan Islands enjoy a fairly consistent climate throughout the year, with temperatures ranging from 23 to 32ºC (73 to 90°F). There is a clear dry season that lasts from March to October, followed by a wetter period for the rest of the year. Diving is possible all year long, except in January, when stormy weather may lead some resorts to close temporarily for maintenance.
How is the visibility in the Derawan Islands?
For most of the year, diving conditions in the Derawan Islands are fantastic, with visibility typically between 10-15 metres around Derawan and Samama, 15-25 metres at the sites near Sangalaki and Kakaban and an impressive 15-30 metres or more at Maratua.
When to dive Maratua?
While it’s possible to dive in Maratua Atoll throughout the year, the best time to go is between March and October, during the dry season. Not only are the waters calmer and the rain minimal at this time of year but the visibility tends to be at its best. Some Maratua dive resorts and Maratua dive centres will close for a month during the wet season for annual maintenance.
How do you get to the Derawan Islands?
To get to the Derawan Islands, you can catch a Scoot flight from Singapore to Balikpapan in East Kalimantan. Alternatively, Garuda Indonesia and Lion Air offer flights from Jakarta, Surabaya or Denpasar to either Balikpapan or Tarakan. After that, you can hop on a connecting flight with Wings Air, CitiLink or Lion Air to Tanjung Redeb in Berau. Once you arrive, boats will be available to take you to the islands. Alternatively, some dive resorts in Maratua offer charter flights from Balikpapan.
What is the nearest airport to Derawan?
The nearest airport to the Derawan Islands is Kalimarau Airport (BEJ), which serves Tanjung Redeb in the Berau Regency. Juwata Airport (TRK) in Tarakan can also serve as a gateway for reaching the Derawan Islands, with direct ferries and charter boats available.
About the authors
We are a team of passionate divers and surfers with decades of combined experience in the water and travelling to all corners of the globe. After years of chasing waves and descending into the deep blue, we've created this resource highlighting sustainably run surf camps, eco-friendly dive resorts and conservation-focused ocean trips to help inspire your next adventure.
Eco Ocean Escapes was born out of a love of the ocean, an obsession with travel and a concern about the impacts of our adventures on the environments we explore. Despite the benefits that surf and dive tourism can bring to local communities, we recognised that ocean-based adventures are not always managed in a sustainable manner.
Through our articles, we hope to inspire those seeking a responsible surf or dive trip that is all about supporting local communities, preserving our coastal environments and the incredible marine species that inhabit our oceans.