Written by Hannah McKinsey, Jake Evans, Budi Santoso
17/08/2025
consigliere ivan from Bontang, Indonesia, Wikimedia Commons
The Derawan Islands, located off the coast of East Kalimantan, Indonesia, offer a premier marine tourism experience, renowned for their exceptionally diverse underwater ecosystems. Visitors can immerse themselves in vibrant coral reefs and encounter an abundance of marine life, from graceful manta rays and endangered sea turtles to majestic whale sharks and playful dolphins. The archipelago also boasts unique natural wonders, including a rare lake inhabited by stingless jellyfish on Kakaban Island.
On Derawan Island itself, you will find a more populated village environment with local businesses and guesthouses, providing opportunities for interaction with the local community and experiencing daily island life. Maratua Island offers additional accommodation options, including more upscale resorts. For exploring other islands and marine sites, boat trips are a common way to connect with fellow travelers and divers.
Top 7 Things to do in Derawan Islands
Visitors to Derawan Islands can immerse themselves in world-class diving and snorkeling, witness rare marine life, and explore unique island ecosystems.
1. Swim with Stingless Jellyfish at Kakaban Island
One can experience the unique phenomenon of swimming in a brackish water lake teeming with thousands of harmless jellyfish. These creatures have lost their stinging ability due to millennia of isolation, offering an unparalleled and gentle interaction. The trek to the lake from the shore is short, through lush jungle, adding to the sense of discovery. Remember to move slowly and avoid splashing to protect these fragile creatures. This experience is truly one of a kind globally.
Cost: Entrance fee for non-Indonesians is approximately IDR 100,000 (around USD 6-7), often included as part of an island hopping tour package.
Transport: Access is via a full-day island hopping boat tour from Derawan or Maratua. These tours typically cover multiple islands and can cost around IDR 500,000 per person on a shared boat, or IDR 1,500,000 for a private boat for 3-4 people.
2. Encounter Manta Rays at Sangalaki Island
At Sangalaki Island, one can witness the majestic manta rays gracefully gliding through the waters. The island is renowned for its resident manta population, making it a premier spot for divers and snorkelers. Observing these gentle giants feeding or at cleaning stations offers an unforgettable interaction with marine life. The clear, shallow waters often provide excellent visibility for this incredible spectacle.
Cost: Typically included as part of a multi-island boat tour. Snorkeling gear can be rented for approximately IDR 250,000 per day if not part of a dive package.
Transport: Accessed by speedboat as part of an island hopping tour from Derawan or Maratua. The journey from Derawan Island to Sangalaki takes about 1 hour by speedboat.
3. Observe Sea Turtles and Hatchlings
Throughout the Derawan Islands, particularly around Sangalaki and Maratua, one can observe various stages of sea turtle life. Sangalaki is a significant turtle conservation site, offering opportunities to see turtles nesting on beaches at night or witness newly hatched turtles making their journey to the sea. Maratua is also known as the 'Turtle Capital of Indonesia' with dive sites like 'Turtle Traffic' where numerous turtles can be seen underwater.
Cost: Observation of turtles is typically part of island tours or diving/snorkeling activities. There may not be a direct cost for observation, but contributions to conservation efforts might be welcomed.
Transport: Sites are visited via island hopping tours or dedicated dive boat trips from Derawan or Maratua.
4. Diving and Snorkeling the Vibrant Reefs
The Derawan Islands are a haven for underwater enthusiasts, boasting an incredibly diverse marine ecosystem with vibrant coral reefs and abundant fish species. Exploring the clear waters reveals a kaleidoscope of colorful fish, various types of corals, and encounters with larger marine life like barracudas, reef sharks, and sometimes even dugongs. Both shallow snorkeling spots and deeper dive sites cater to all skill levels.
Cost: Dive packages vary widely based on duration and inclusions. A 4-day/3-night dive package including accommodation and multiple dives might start from approximately IDR 6,000,000 per person. Daily dive gear rental (BCD & Regulator) is around IDR 250,000. For snorkeling, gear rental is available locally.
Transport: Diving and snorkeling trips are primarily conducted via speedboats that depart from Derawan or Maratua, connecting to various dive sites around the different islands.
5. Explore Derawan Island and Local Life
Beyond the marine excursions, Derawan Island itself offers a glimpse into local island life. One can stroll along the white sandy beaches, enjoy stunning sunsets from the long pier, or rent a bicycle to cycle around the small island. This provides an opportunity to interact with the local Bajau community, observe daily island activities, and find souvenir shops and local eateries.
Cost: Bicycle rental costs are typically minimal and depend on the vendor. Food and local purchases are at local prices.
Transport: Derawan Island is the primary hub for many visitors, with accommodations and local amenities within walking distance. Transportation to other islands is by speedboat for tours.
6. Visit Halo Tabung Cave on Maratua Island
On Maratua Island, the Halo Tabung Cave offers a unique inland adventure. This natural cave features a pool of clear, refreshing water, allowing for a swim in an ethereal setting where sunlight filters through openings. It provides a distinct experience away from the ocean, combining natural beauty with a touch of adventure.
Cost: Entrance fee is approximately IDR 20,000 per person.
Transport: Typically part of island hopping tours that include Maratua Island. Access is often by walking a short distance from the drop-off point, or by boat during high tide.
7. Whale Shark Sighting at Talisayan
For those seeking an extraordinary wildlife encounter, opportunities exist to swim alongside whale sharks, typically near fishing platforms ('bagans') in Talisayan. While sightings are seasonal and not guaranteed, this can be a profoundly humbling experience to be in the water with the world's largest fish.
Cost: This is often offered as an optional add-on to multi-day tour packages, or part of longer, specialized itineraries. Specific costs depend on the tour operator, but it would be in addition to a standard island hopping tour.
Transport: Talisayan is a considerable distance from the main Derawan archipelago and requires a dedicated boat trip, often starting very early in the morning. This is usually arranged by tour operators.
At TFA Travel we believe in travel for all. Our mission is to enable people to explore the world as easily as possible without having to pay a travel agent a huge commission.
Our typical audience are those that want to see something new and get involved with authentic experiences of a country. Whether you are a backpacker, solo traveller, solo female traveller, straight or LGBTQ+ couple, family, you will find local and authentic experiences here.
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