Balikpapan → Berau → Maratua. The route, the times.
Getting to Derawan adds a full day each way to your trip. Here’s how the transit actually works in 2026. (See Derawan Islands for context.)
East Kalimantan“/>Derawan archipelago has no airport on the diving islands themselves. Maratua has a small airstrip but it’s served only by Wings Air twice weekly. The reliable route for everyone else: fly to Berau (BEJ) airport on the East Kalimantan mainland, then take a 2-hour speedboat to Maratua or Sangalaki.
Step 1: Get to Berau (BEJ)
| From | Carrier | Frequency | Avg fare (one-way) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Balikpapan (BPN) | Lion, Wings, Garuda | 4-5 daily | $60-$110 |
| Jakarta (CGK) | Lion, Garuda (transit BPN) | 3-4 daily | $140-$220 |
| Bali (DPS) | via Balikpapan | — | $220-$340 |
| Maratua direct (RTU) | Wings Air | Tue + Sat only | $140-$180 |
Step 2: Berau airport to Tanjung Batu
Tanjung Batu is the speedboat port. From Berau airport (BEJ) it’s 2.5 hours by car (140 km, mostly two-lane highway). Pre-arrange transport — taxi from airport runs $35-$50, our package vehicles run $25 included.
Step 3: Speedboat to your dive island
From Tanjung Batu harbor: scheduled speedboat services run mornings (departs 09:00, 11:00, 13:00) to Maratua, Sangalaki, and Derawan. Private speedboat charter $150-$250 per group of 4-6. Our package boats run on-schedule with pickup at the harbor.
| Tanjung Batu → | Speedboat time | Schedule |
|---|---|---|
| Derawan Island | 30 min | 3 daily |
| Sangalaki | 1.5 hr | 1 morning daily |
| Maratua | 2 hr | 2 daily |
| Kakaban | 2.5 hr (no resort) | day trip from Maratua |
Total time from international gateway to first dive
Singapore → Balikpapan → Berau → Tanjung Batu → Maratua: ~14 hours including layovers, can be done same-day if flights align. Most international guests spend a night in Balikpapan and fly to Berau next morning.
From Bali (DPS), allow 1 full transit day. From Europe/Australia, allow 1 full transit day plus a night in Balikpapan.
We handle all logistics
Pickups, internal flights, transfers, dive permits — all included in our packages. You arrive in Bali, we move you the rest of the way.
