Borneo’s hidden atoll.
Derawan is a 20-kilometer-wide marine park off East Kalimantan — manta cleaning stations, a stingless jellyfish lake, and turtle nests on every beach. Two operators, no crowds. (See Derawan Islands for context.)
Derawan Island atoll East Kalimantan turquoise lagoon”/>Why divers route through Berau, not Bali.
Manta Point Sangalaki
One of three reliable year-round manta cleaning stations in Indonesia. Our boats reach it before the day-trippers from Berau make it across the channel.
Kakaban jellyfish lake
A landlocked saltwater lake with millions of stingless golden jellyfish. Snorkel-only, by permit. The single most surreal underwater experience in Indonesia.
Turtle nesting beaches
Sangalaki and Maratua see green and hawksbill turtles nesting March through October. Night turtle walks with the WWF rangers, by reservation.
A working dive atoll, not a resort island.
Most “Derawan trips” sold online are 3-day Berau day-tour packages. They give you a quick visit and a flight back. That’s not what serious divers come here for.
We run 5-7 day liveaboards rotating through Sangalaki, Maratua, and Kakaban — the three islands that matter — with one operator and a maximum of 12 guests per departure.
Reading list before you book.
Derawan vs. Sangalaki vs. Maratua
Three islands, three roles. Where to dive, where to sleep, what to skip.
Manta + jellyfish lake season
When the mantas show up. When the jellyfish are dense. The calendar that actually matters.
Berau to Derawan logistics
The Balikpapan-Berau-Tanjung Batu route, with ferry times, fares, and the speedboat that doesn’t show up on Google Maps.
Plan your Derawan voyage
Tell us your dive certification level and travel month. We’ll send a tailored itinerary within 24 hours.