Island Hopping in Derawan Archipelago, East Kalimantan Province
Many travelers have recognized the fame of Derawan Archipelago, which is located in East Kalimantan Province. Featuring beautiful islands, it becomes a suitable destination for island hopping. It consists of 3 sub-districts, actually. These include Biduk-Biduk, Maratua, and Derawan Island. All of them are worth to visit! When it comes to islands, the most famous ones are Maratua, Kakaban, Sangalaki, and Derawan. These are the prime destinations, where travelers enjoy island hopping. People also come to those stunning islands for witnessing rare nautical creatures like hawksbill and green sea turtles!
The Nuance
Geographically, Derawan Archipelago is situated in the north of Berau District. Apart from the major islands mentioned before, it also consists of several shoals, especially Gosong Muaras. It also has numerous ecosystems like mangroves, sea grasses, and corals. When it comes to sea creatures, tourists can meet dolphins, whales, hawksbill sea turtles, barracudas, dugongs, green sea turtles, and more. Some parts of the islands are also suitable for witnessing a natural phenomenon such as a turtle egg-laying process. Next, it is related to accommodations. Derawan Archipelago provides many options of resorts, which are cheaper than those of Bali and Lombok Island!
Exploring Derawan Archipelago
The main island to visit is definitely Derawan. It is the best place to find a resort and other facilities, in fact. Not to mention it becomes a checkpoint before exploring other islands in Derawan Archipelago. So, what can tourists do in that location? In the morning, they must visit Derawan Beach! It is the best attraction in such island, after all. At night, they can take an opportunity to witness some sea turtles laying their eggs on the beach. This is a unique phenomenon, so everyone should never miss it.
In the next morning, tourists can start their island hopping adventure. The prime destinations are definitely Maratua, Kakaban, and Sangalaki Island. Though, travelers can include more destinations that they like. The thing is they need to spend more money for more islands they are going to visit. Sangalaki Island is famous for its white sandy beach and sea turtle conservation. It also becomes a good spot for relaxing due to the presence of Sangalaki Dive Lodge. Plus, many travelers visit it to conduct snorkeling, swimming, and diving. Therefore, tourists should not forget to carry their snorkel gear or diving equipment.
The next recommended adventure is to visit Kakaban Island. Why is that? It is the home of a famous lake with its stingless jellyfishes. Even visitors are allowed to swim in it! Despite the difficult route, the lake is worth an exploration. In a nutshell, island hopping in Derawan Archipelago gives many options for vacation destinations. Visitors only need to gather information regarding the available islands, speedboat services, and costs. When it comes to the best weather, they must come between November and January!
Nearby Attractions
- Derawan Island
- Kakaban Island
- Maratua Island
- Sangalaki Island
- Gosong Muaras
How to Get There
For outsiders, they need to take an airplane to Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Airport, which resides in Balikpapan City. From there, they can ride a local transportation service to Tanjung Redeb (Berau District). What they need is a boat, so they must head to nearby port. From Tanjung Batu Port, their first checkpoint is Derawan Island! Later, they can take other boat services to explore the archipelago.
Where to Stay
- Derawan Dive Resort
- Fisheries Eco Villa
- Derawan Dive Lodge
- Berto House
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