Derawan Islands

Historical Site Remote marine archipelago renowned for diving and turtles

Off Kalimantan’s east coast, the Derawan archipelago is known for diving, turtles and nearby Kakaban’s non-stinging jellyfish lake; liveaboards and island homestays connect snorkelers to coral gardens.

The Derawan Islands are an archipelago off the east coast of Kalimantan (Borneo) in Indonesia, administratively part of Berau Regency. The group includes several inhabited and uninhabited islands prized for coral reefs, marine biodiversity, and dive sites.

Key attractions are scuba diving and snorkeling around coral walls and manta and turtle sightings; Derawan island hosts the main village and visitor facilities, while islands such as Kakaban, Maratua and Sangalaki are known for special marine features including a jellyfish lake and manta cleaning stations. Small local operators run liveaboard and day-trip itineraries between islands.

The islands have grown as a dive tourism destination in recent decades, with limited infrastructure outside the main islands and ongoing conservation and community-based management efforts for turtles and marine habitats.

Geographically the archipelago sits offshore from the Berau coast of East Kalimantan, and access is typically by boat from the mainland port in the Berau area.

Kakaban jellyfish lake: Kakaban's lake contains species of jellyfish that do not sting, offering a rare swimming experience in a marine lake.
Access and transport: Access to the archipelago is usually via the Berau Regency (East Kalimantan) with boat transfers between islands; inter-island transport schedules are limited and often weather dependent.

What to See #

Derawan Island: Derawan Island - the main inhabited island with village facilities, dive shops and a turtle nesting and rehabilitation area.
Kakaban: Kakaban Island - a volcanic island with a brackish 'jellyfish lake' containing non-stinging jellyfish and a unique lagoon environment.
Maratua and Sangalaki: Maratua and Sangalaki - islands known for dive sites, manta ray cleaning stations and deepwater coral walls.

How to Get to Derawan Islands #

The Derawan Islands (Berau, East Kalimantan) are reached via Tanjung Redeb (Kalimarau Airport, BEJ). From Tanjung Redeb town a road transfer brings you to the harbour (the drive is typically under an hour) and then a speedboat transfer of around 1.5-3 hours to Derawan Island depending on boat type and sea conditions. Local operators run scheduled and charter boat services; on arrival you’ll disembark at the island jetty and walk a short distance into village areas or dive resorts.

Tips for Visiting Derawan Islands #

Fly to Tanjung Redeb (Tanjung Harapan) and arrange boat transfers from Tanjung Batu harbor in Berau rather than trying to coordinate last‑minute trips-most access logistics are handled from Berau/Derawan bases.
Book overnight stays or liveaboard/dive packages if you want the best marine encounters; day-trippers miss early-morning and late-afternoon dive/snorkel windows when manta rays, turtles and dugongs are most active.
Include Kakaban (jellyfish lake), Sangalaki (manta/turtle cleaning stations) and Maratua in your itinerary - these nearby islands hold distinct encounters that many visitors overlook when they focus only on Derawan's beaches.