About · Our story

Derawan Island tour operator: the story behind us

A Derawan specialist and member of Juara Holding Group, built to make the archipelago accessible with care, vetted partners and respect for the reef.

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Islands, atolls and islets: 31+
Coral species: 460+
Meeting point, Berau: BEJ
Best season: Apr – Nov

Our story

Built for a gap in Derawan travel

Derawan Island began with one conviction: the most remarkable natural places deserve to be experienced with service, exclusivity and respect to match. We are a member of Juara Holding Group, an Indonesian group that builds sustainable enterprises around the best of the archipelago.

Our founders, with roots in East Kalimantan, saw a paradox. The Derawan Archipelago, a Coral Triangle sanctuary for green turtles and manta rays, was known to divers and backpackers but hard to reach in comfort. We set up Derawan Island to close that gap.

Access: routes and partners that open the archipelago
Comfort: every detail planned before you arrive
Responsibility: travel that respects reef and community

Our Derawan Island service

Inside the company

How we work, page by page

Who we are, how we choose partners, how we check what we publish and how to reach us.

People
Our Team
The curators, guides and specialists who plan, brief and run every journey.
Vetting
Our Methodology
The Atlas Standard: how every resort, boat and operator is scored before we use it.
Accuracy
Editorial Standards
How the guides on this site are researched, fact-checked and kept up to date.
Network
Partners & Affiliations
The conservation, logistics and accommodation partners behind our trips.
Press
Media & Press
Media enquiries and verified coverage, each linked to its original source.
Reef
Sustainability
Our commitments to the reef, the turtles and the communities of the archipelago.
Safety
Safety & Compliance
The safety standards and compliance checks every journey is run against.
Answers
FAQ
Straight answers to the questions travellers ask before booking Derawan.
Reach us
Contact
WhatsApp, email and office hours for trip planning and enquiries.

Our mission

Curated expeditions, conscious exploration

We believe true luxury is not opulence but access, knowledge and peace of mind: knowing your journey is run by experts, your safety comes first and your visit contributes to the conservation of the islands.

That starts with vetting every partner, from boat captains to guides. Being part of Juara Holding Group gives us a long-term view rather than a seasonal one, and the stability to invest in equipment, staff training and community and conservation partnerships.

The Derawan experience

What waits in the archipelago

A constellation of over 31 islands, atolls and islets in the Coral Triangle, with over 460 species of coral. Each core island has its own reason to go.

Talisayan

Whale sharks

Swimming with whale sharks off Talisayan, the seasonal highlight of the mainland coast.

Kakaban

Jellyfish lake

An ancient landlocked marine lake where stingless jellyfish make for a safe, otherworldly snorkel.

Sangalaki

Turtle nesting grounds

Known for its turtle nesting sites and coral, with room for respectful observation.

Maratua

Walls and lagoons

Dramatic wall dives and calm lagoons: adventure and quiet on the same island.

Refined, not remote

From Berau to your island, planned end to end

Luxury here means seamless comfort, discreet service and access to the archipelago. Every trip meets you at Kalimarau Airport (BEJ) in Berau, continues by road to Tanjung Batu in about 2.5 to 3 hours, then by speedboat to Derawan in about 40 minutes.

Our Private Trip (3D2N or 4D3N) and Open Trip (4D3N) take in 13 destinations, from the Gusung Sanggalau sandbar to guided snorkelling at Maratua, Kakaban and Sangalaki; scuba diving is not included. On the private trip you choose your stay, over the water or on the beach.

How to get to Derawan

Speedboat in front of red-roofed over-water cottages

Conservation and community

Travel that leaves the islands better

We support local initiatives that protect green and hawksbill turtles, and work with marine scientists to watch over nesting sites and feeding grounds.

Luxury should uplift, not exploit: we prioritise local employment, invest in skills and source from nearby villages. Guests can join a guided walk through the mangroves or learn about traditional fishing.

Keep exploring

Explore the other guides

Top-down drone view of a timber pier over blue water off Derawan Island

Plan with us

Let us handle the logistics

Tell us your dates and group size. For partnership or investment enquiries, email sales@indonesiajuara.asia or call +62 811-994-1919.

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