Day 1
Arrive and cross to Derawan
Meet at Kalimarau (BEJ), about 2.5–3 hours by road to Tanjung Batu, then roughly 40 minutes by speedboat. Check in on Derawan, then sunset at the Gusung Sanggalau sandbar.
Tour Packages · Island hopping
Derawan island hopping: four islands by speedboat
Derawan, Kakaban, Sangalaki and Maratua linked by speedboat, with short legs between them so more of the day is spent in the water than in transit.
- Islands on the loop
- 4
- Typical loop distance
- 70–110 km
- Water all year
- ~28 °C
- Best season
- Apr – Nov
Day by day
How the Derawan island loop works
The loop is built around short speedboat legs. This is the route our 3D2N and 4D3N trips follow from Kalimarau Airport (BEJ) in Berau.
The four islands
What each island adds to the loop
All four lie in Berau Regency, East Kalimantan, inside the Berau Marine Protected Area.
Derawan Turtles and reef snorkelling
The base of the loop, with reefs around the island where turtles are frequently seen.
Kakaban Jellyfish lake and walls
The famous jellyfish lake, snorkelled without scuba training, and wall dives on the outer reef.
Sangalaki Mantas and turtle conservation
Manta cleaning stations, with manta viewing from the surface possible in suitable conditions.
Maratua Lagoon, reef and villages
The largest of the four: about 20 km² of land, four villages, a long lagoon and an outer reef.
The archipelago is a major green turtle nesting site and part of the Coral Triangle.
Package types
Which island hopping package fits your group
The same loop, shaped around who is travelling.
| You are | How the package is shaped | Read more |
|---|---|---|
| A couple | Maratua villa stays and quiet beaches | Honeymoon guide |
| Divers | Our Derawan trips are snorkel-based; scuba diving is not included | Diving guide |
| Starting in Bali | Fly (booked by you) to Kalimarau (BEJ), then road and speedboat | Travelling from Bali |
| Keen on turtles | Sangalaki turtle conservation is part of day 2 on every trip | Turtle nesting |
Private or shared
Private trip versus a shared trip
A private trip gives your group its own speedboat and more say over timings and pace. Shared trips cost less per person but follow fixed routes and time limits.
| Aspect | Private trip | Shared (open trip) |
|---|---|---|
| Timing | Start at sunrise if you like | Fixed schedule |
| Stops | Same islands, with your own private speedboat | Fixed route and time limits at each island |
| Group | Your own group of 2–10 guests | Minimum 7 guests; solo travellers welcome |
| Price | Priced for the group; larger groups pay less each | More economical, priced per person |
The private trip needs at least two guests; solo travellers join the Open Trip.
Staying on Maratua
Villas on the lagoon and the reef edge
Maratua's long lagoon and outer reef make it the favourite for longer stays. Many guests choose overwater or lagoon-facing villas along the reef edge, with ladder access straight into warm lagoon water.
Outside the resorts, beach bars near the main jetty areas give sunset options after a day at Kakaban or Sangalaki. On a private trip you choose the stay, such as Maratua Paradise Resort, Arasatu Resort or Borneo Cottage Maratua; the price depends on it.
Trip costs
What an island hopping package costs
The open trip is priced per person; a private trip is priced for the group and depends on the stay you choose.
Flights to Berau (BEJ) are not included. Rates as published on indonesiajuara.asia.
When to go
April to November, and the route from Bali
The archipelago is hot and humid all year, with air around 23–32 °C and the sea near 28 °C, so a 3 mm wetsuit or a thin rash guard is enough. April to November is the best season, when the seas are calmer; December to March is the wetter period.
From Bali, fly (booked by you) to Kalimarau Airport (BEJ) in Berau, where we meet you; about 2.5 to 3 hours by road to Tanjung Batu, then about 40 minutes by speedboat to Derawan.
Best time to visit How to get to Derawan- Jan Rough Reduced
- Feb Rough Reduced
- Mar Variable Mixed
- Apr Calm 20 m+
- May Calm 20 m+
- Jun Calm 20 m+
- Jul Calm 20 m+
- Aug Calm 20 m+
- Sep Calm 20 m+
- Oct Calm 20 m+
- Nov Variable 20 m+
- Dec Rough Reduced
In season Crossings weather-dependent Sea state · visibility
Answers
Island hopping package questions
The Open Trip Derawan 4D3N is USD 280 per person (VIP USD 300), minimum 7 guests. A private trip starts from USD 1,290 in total for two guests on 3D2N, and from USD 2,190 for two on 4D3N; the price depends on the stay. Flights from Bali are extra.
Keep exploring
More in Tour Packages
Plan your loop
Tell us your days and who is coming
Choose the Private Trip (3D2N or 4D3N, 2–10 guests) or join the Open Trip (4D3N), and pick the stay that suits your group.