Core product
Snorkelling and entry-level diving
Shallow reefs off the beach on Maratua and Derawan keep boat fuel costs down and support house-reef packages.
Invest · Opportunities
Derawan Islands investment opportunities
Eco-resorts, homestays and marine tourism inside the Coral Triangle and the Berau Marine Protected Area, where conservation and village life shape every viable concept.
- Islands in the archipelago
- 31
- Berau Marine Protected Area
- 2005
- Protected area, roughly
- 1.27M ha
- Best season
- Apr – Nov
Why Derawan
Why resort and homestay investors look here
The archipelago sits inside the Coral Triangle and the Berau Marine Protected Area, established in 2005 and covering roughly 1.27 million hectares. That protection anchors long-term value for eco-resorts and homestays that align with conservation around Derawan, Maratua, Sangalaki and Kakaban.
Visitors fly to Kalimarau Airport (BEJ) in Berau, then travel about 2.5 to 3 hours by road to Tanjung Batu and about 40 minutes by speedboat to Derawan; Maratua is reached by speedboat.
Compared with Bali, leases and local partnership structures remain more affordable, especially for small eco-resorts, village homestay clusters and boutique dive lodges, and demand is shifting toward places with real communities nearby.
Product concepts
Eco-resort and family concepts that fit
Families increasingly look for nature-led programmes rather than theme-park entertainment. Soft adventure is cheaper to build than large attractions and fits local carrying capacity.
When the water works
The season behind an eco-resort
The April to November season brings 20 to 30 metre underwater visibility and sea temperatures around 28°C, which suits eco-resorts built around snorkelling, entry-level diving and family learning programmes.
April to November is the best season; December to March is the wetter period.
Derawan dive sites- 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
East Kalimantan
Provincial growth and the risks that come with it
East Kalimantan's profile has sharpened since Indonesia announced the relocation of its national capital to the province, with major groundwork from 2019 onwards.
What growth brings
- Better roads to Berau
- Improving logistics to Tanjung Batu
- More stable power on key islands
- Transfer packages: Kalimarau, Tanjung Batu, island
What investors must manage
- Warming trends across the Coral Triangle
- Coral bleaching pressure on the reefs
- Anchoring damage: limit it
- Wastewater: control it
- Guest numbers aligned with reef resilience
Where to put capital
Liveaboards, franchises or on-island assets
The 31 islands lend themselves to multi-stop itineraries. Many investors mix formats: rooms on land alongside berths at sea.
| Format | Why it fits | Read |
|---|---|---|
| Liveaboard equity or charter arrangements | Capital-light; loops already touch Derawan, Sangalaki, Kakaban and Maratua | Derawan liveaboard |
| Small eco-resorts, branded villas, homestay clusters | Anchored around jetties and village lanes: the most resilient land assets | Resort investment |
| Franchises for dive centres, beach dining, wellness | Standardised service across islands without over-building | Derawan dive resort |
Guest experience
Structure pricing and premium add-ons clearly
Derawan visitors increasingly expect clarity. A well-designed price list separates core accommodation, dive and snorkel packages, and optional cultural or wellness add-ons.
Reliable logistics matter most: transfers with pre-booked drivers and boats reduce guest stress and feed repeat and referral bookings.
- VIP layer: private guide, priority boat scheduling, villa-host service
- Beachfront set-menu dinners and guaranteed late checkout
- Supervised kids clubs with marine-biology activities
- Village visits and simple Bahasa Indonesia lessons
- Volunteering with local cooperatives: waste, turtle monitoring, English clubs
Conservation and culture
Build reef health and village respect into the model
Many guests arrive already aware of the Coral Triangle and the Berau Marine Protected Area, and look for operators that embed conservation and culture in the product, not just the marketing.
Before you commit
What due diligence typically covers
Indonesia Juara, part of Juara Holding Group since 2015, is a tour operator and does not offer investment, brokerage or transaction services. Our Derawan trips are the Private Trip (3D2N or 4D3N) and the Open Trip (4D3N); for trip questions, write to sales@indonesiajuara.asia.
We are not a law firm: verify land, company and licensing points with licensed Indonesian advisers before committing capital.
- Preliminary feasibility review
- A site visit to the islands
- Introductory meetings with local partners
- Documentation: proof of land or building use rights, partnership agreements, environmental notes
Answers
Investment opportunity questions
Minority stakes in small eco-resorts or homestay clusters are the entry level. Standalone eco-lodges, liveaboard partnerships or franchise developments need more, depending on land tenure, build quality and marine infrastructure. Get current figures for your concept from licensed Indonesian advisers.
Keep exploring
More in Invest
See the islands first
Visit Derawan before you decide
We do not offer investment services, but our Private Trip (3D2N or 4D3N, 2 to 10 guests) and Open Trip (4D3N) take you to Derawan, Maratua, Kakaban and Sangalaki.