Tarakan Island

Tarakan Island at a Glance

About Tarakan Island

Tarakan Island is an island in Indonesia’s North Kalimantan province off the northeastern coast of Borneo. The island hosts the city of Tarakan and has been an economic center for local oil and natural-resource activities.

Urban development is concentrated around the island’s port and city, with transport links including an airport and ferry connections to other parts of Kalimantan. The island has a mix of urban, industrial and coastal environments used for commerce and transport.

Tarakan was the scene of military operations during World War II and later developed as an oil-producing and trading locality. Today the city and its facilities are the main points of arrival and services on the island.

The island lies off Borneo’s northeastern coast in Indonesia’s North Kalimantan province, close to the international border with Malaysia’s Sabah region and connected by air and sea to the Kalimantan mainland.

World War II history: The island was strategically important in World War II and was the focus of Allied operations in 1945 to recapture it from Japanese forces.
Airport access: Juwata International Airport connects the island to larger regional hubs and is the main air gateway for visitors and freight.

What to See#

Tarakan city and port: The city of Tarakan occupies most of the island and is the island’s administrative and economic center, including port facilities and urban infrastructure.
Juwata International Airport: Juwata International Airport on the island provides regular scheduled flights connecting Tarakan to other Indonesian cities.

Tips for Visiting Tarakan Island

Most visitors arrive to Tarakan via Juwata (Tarakan) Airport-confirm flight schedules in advance and prebook your airport transfer since taxis and ride apps can be limited at off-peak times.
If you plan to explore the island, ask your hotel or a local operator to arrange a guide for WWII sites, mangrove areas and local markets-local guides will point out spots that independent visitors often miss.

When to Go

Best Time to Visit Tarakan Island

For Tarakan Island, the drier months (roughly April-October) are generally the best time to visit for outdoor activities and more reliable weather.

Dry season (best for outdoor activities)

Apr-Oct · 24-32°C

Lower rainfall and more stable weather make this the preferred period for beach time, boat trips and outdoor exploration.

Wet season (rainy, more humid)

Nov-Mar · 24-32°C

Frequent heavy showers and higher humidity; short downpours are common and some outdoor plans may be disrupted.

Weather & Climate near Tarakan Island

Climate

Tarakan Island's climate is classified as Tropical Rainforest - Tropical Rainforest climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 23°C to 31°C. Heavy rainfall (3284 mm/year), wettest in November, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.

Air Quality: AQI 58 Moderate

Best Time to Visit

AprilFebruaryMarch

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

33°

Warmest Month

23°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions

Month	Comfort	Temp	Feels	Rain	Sky	Humidity	Wind	UV	Daylight
January	Good	23° - 30°	26°	248 mm	overcast	82%	1.3 m/s	2.0 very high	11.8h
February	Good	23° - 30°	27°	207 mm	overcast	81%	1.4 m/s	2.3 extreme	11.9h
March	Good	23° - 31°	27°	268 mm	overcast	79%	1.6 m/s	2.3 extreme	12.0h
April	Good	23° - 31°	30°	293 mm	partly cloudy	79%	1.6 m/s	2.4 extreme	12.1h
May	Good	24° - 31°	31°	292 mm	partly cloudy	80%	1.7 m/s	2.2 extreme	12.2h
June	Acceptable	23° - 31°	30°	268 mm	overcast	81%	1.4 m/s	2.0 extreme	12.2h
July	Good	23° - 31°	27°	259 mm	overcast	82%	1.7 m/s	2.1 extreme	12.2h
August	Good	23° - 31°	30°	263 mm	partly cloudy	82%	2.2 m/s	2.3 extreme	12.1h
September	Acceptable	23° - 31°	30°	264 mm	overcast	81%	1.6 m/s	2.3 extreme	12.0h
October	Acceptable	23° - 31°	30°	300 mm	overcast	80%	1.6 m/s	2.1 extreme	11.9h
November	Good	23° - 31°	30°	314 mm	overcast	81%	1.5 m/s	2.0 extreme	11.8h
December	Good	23° - 30°	27°	308 mm	overcast	82%	1.6 m/s	2.0 very high	11.8h