20 questions
Buying, pricing & group size
Booking steps, published trip prices, minimum group sizes and payment terms.
About · FAQ
Derawan Islands travel FAQ: 100 questions answered
Researched, date-stamped answers (August 2026) on pricing, logistics, quality and compliance. Figures are indicative; ask us for a written quote.
- Questions answered
- 100
- Topic groups
- 5
- Answers date-stamped
- Aug 2026
- For a written quotation
Topics
Five groups of questions
Jump to the group you need. Every answer is short; for a written quotation, message us on WhatsApp or email.
- 02 20 questions
Quality, materials & specs
How villas, homestays, boats and dive or snorkel gear are built and maintained.
Read the guide - 03 19 questions
Shipping, logistics & incoterms
FOB and CIF, ports, containers and transit times for gear or materials.
Read the guide - 04 20 questions
Compliance, documents & legality
Customs, cash, souvenirs, CITES, visas and permits.
Read the guide - 05 21 questions
Trends, comparisons & use-cases
Who Derawan suits, from honeymooners and families to budget divers and remote workers.
Read the guide
FAQ · 1 of 5
Buying, pricing & minimum group size
Prices quoted here are the published Indonesia Juara rates. Everything else is indicative and confirmed in your quotation.
Send your travel dates, group size and interests, for example an all-inclusive snorkelling holiday or a honeymoon with a private boat. You receive a package proposal with price and inclusions. Once the itinerary is refined, a proforma invoice is issued and a deposit secures stays and boats; the balance is usually due before arrival.
Our Derawan trips are snorkel-based; scuba diving is not included, and we publish no dive-package prices. Our published rates: Open Trip 4D3N USD 280 per person (VIP USD 300, minimum 7 guests); Private Trip from USD 1,290 total for two guests on 3D2N, or from USD 2,190 for two on 4D3N. Private prices are totals for the group: they depend on the stay you choose, and larger groups pay less each.
Our Private Trip takes 2 to 10 guests (minimum two), and larger groups pay less each. The Open Trip 4D3N needs a minimum of 7 guests and accepts solo travellers at USD 280 per person. Flights to Berau (BEJ) are booked separately. Exact group pricing is confirmed case by case during quotation.
On our Private Trip the stay drives the price: from USD 1,290 total for two guests (3D2N, standard tier, Reza Derawan Resort or Alfit VIP Derawan), and from USD 2,190 for 4D3N. Higher-end stays such as Sienna Resort, Maratua Paradise Resort or the Arasatu Resort Floating Villa cost more; you choose the stay and the published price follows it.
Our Private Trip includes the car BEJ–Tanjung Batu, private speedboat, water cottage or resort, meals (6 on 3D2N, 9 on 4D3N), snorkel kit (mask, snorkel, life jacket), documentation, travel insurance and entrance fees, from USD 1,290 total for two. The Open Trip 4D3N is USD 280 per person.
We don't sell liveaboards; as general information, liveaboards here commonly run 6–10 days with a minimum occupancy per departure, often 8–12 guests on shared charters. Cabins are priced per person on double or twin share, with single supplements. For a full private charter the minimum is the vessel's charter capacity, and per-person rates may improve when a group books the whole boat.
Basic homestays, dorms and simple bungalows are the cheapest beds on Derawan, and local fun dives with equipment are priced per dive. We don't publish those rates; our published trips start at USD 280 per person (Open Trip 4D3N, minimum 7 guests). Your dive frequency is what moves a backpacker budget most.
We don't sell separate family packages. Families book the Private Trip, with its own speedboat, snorkel kit, meals, guides, travel insurance and entrance fees. It is priced as a total for the group by the stay you choose: from USD 1,290 for two guests on 3D2N and from USD 2,190 on 4D3N, and larger groups pay less each.
We don't sell a separate honeymoon package. Couples book the Private Trip, which already runs on your own speedboat: from USD 1,290 total for two guests on 3D2N (standard tier) and from USD 2,190 on 4D3N. The stay you choose, from a water cottage to a Maratua villa, sets the price.
We don't sell custom lengths: our trips are 3D2N or 4D3N from Kalimarau Airport (BEJ) in Berau, and you book your own flight to BEJ. The Private Trip 4D3N, the longest, starts from USD 2,190 total for two guests.
Some homestays on Derawan take short stays at their own nightly rates, so ask the homestay directly. Homestays are not stays we book, and we don't run volunteer or coral restoration programmes; our trips are 3D2N or 4D3N in the stays listed on our tour pages.
Usually a deposit at booking, often 30–50% of the total, with the balance due several weeks before arrival for international guests; higher-value itineraries may use staged payments. Methods include bank transfer, card and online gateways. Your invoice states exact percentages, due dates and any transfer or card fees.
We don't sell dive packages or workshops: our Derawan trips are snorkel-based, and scuba diving is not included. Manta Point off Sangalaki is a snorkel stop on day 2 of every trip; our published rates start at USD 280 per person (Open Trip 4D3N).
We don't run retreat or remote-work programmes. Our trips are 3D2N or 4D3N: the Private Trip takes 2 to 10 guests, and solo travellers join the Open Trip 4D3N at USD 280 per person (minimum 7 guests per departure).
Derawan is in a predominantly Muslim region, so halal food and practices are widely available. A halal-friendly trip mainly adjusts menus, kitchen handling and sometimes activity timing, without large price changes. Halal dining combines with snorkelling and turtle trips.
We don't sell a separate nesting-season tour or price trips by season. Every trip visits the turtle conservation site on Sangalaki on day 2, and the price depends on the trip, the stay you choose and your group size.
Families travel on the Private Trip, with their own speedboat and guides and a snorkel kit that includes a life jacket, so the pace can suit the children. The price is a total for the group, set by the stay you choose; we don't sell separate family packages or weekend escapes.
Our shortest trip is the Private 3D2N from Kalimarau Airport (BEJ) in Berau, from USD 1,290 total for two guests; we don't sell 2D1N escapes. You fly (booked by you) to BEJ, and the car, speedboat, stay, meals and island day are included.
We don't sell carbon-offset packages or add offsets to our prices. If you want to offset your flights, do it through a recognised programme of your choice; our trip prices stay as published.
Marine protected area tours may include ranger or guide fees, conservation levies and regulated access times. On our trips the entrance fees are included, so there is nothing extra to pay at the sites on the itinerary. We don't book village stays or homestays or run conservation work; arrange those directly with the host.
FAQ · 2 of 5
Quality, materials & specs
How stays, boats and equipment around Derawan are typically built and maintained. Exact specs are confirmed per property during quotation.
Most overwater villas stand on ironwood or treated hardwood piles with timber or composite decking and masonry or high-grade plywood walls. Roofs are usually metal sheet or shingle with insulation. Interiors typically have inverter air-conditioning, ceramic or engineered wood floors and basic soundproofing for tropical marine conditions.
In Derawan's humid, salty climate, properly treated hardwood generally lasts 15–25 years with regular maintenance: annual anti-termite treatment, corrosion-resistant fasteners and periodic repainting or resealing. For longer or premium stays, ask which woods are used (ulin/ironwood or mixed hardwood) and how often pilings and decks are inspected.
Mid-range and family stays mostly use spring or medium-density foam mattresses 22–28 cm thick, with cotton or poly-cotton sheets around 250–300 thread count. Extra beds for children are usually foldable foam or rollaway units. Linen is changed daily or every other day, and some properties offer hypoallergenic pillows on request.
Dive centres around Derawan typically use 3 mm neoprene wetsuits, open-heel fins, silicone masks and BCDs in Cordura or similar fabric. Regulators follow EN or similar standards and are serviced every 6–12 months. Aluminium tanks are the norm, hydro-tested about every 5 years with annual visual checks, depending on local rules and operator policy.
On our trips the snorkel kit is mask, snorkel and life jacket; fins are not included and are not allowed in Kakaban's Jellyfish Lake. Gear is rinsed in fresh water after each use and disinfected periodically. Sizes are limited, so keen snorkellers often bring their own mask. Life vests must meet Indonesian small-boat safety rules.
Eco-oriented stays increasingly use locally sourced timber, low-VOC paints, LED lighting and improved septic systems. Some filter grey water from laundry and showers and avoid single-use plastics. Solid waste is separated for transport to mainland facilities where available, and solar panels or water heaters may supplement grid or generator power.
Community homestays are usually simple timber or brick houses on or near the beach, with tiled or wooden floors and ceiling fans. Bathrooms are basic, often a mandi bucket or simple shower. Maintenance varies by family but usually includes repainting and roof checks before the main season. Expect practical construction, not luxury finishes.
Most Derawan liveaboards are wooden or steel-hulled boats of roughly 25–40 m, with diesel engines and backup generators. They carry oxygen kits, first-aid equipment, life rafts and SOLAS-type life jackets; cabins often have en-suite bathrooms and air-con. Operators follow Indonesian maritime standards with regular engine and hull checks.
Macro workshops rely mostly on guest-owned camera gear, but boats often provide padded rinse buckets and shaded camera tables. Power is typically 220V with Indonesian sockets; use surge protection for chargers. Some operators keep spare O-rings, basic tools and drying areas. Check weight or size limits for camera rigs on small transfer boats.
Budget rooms are often fan-cooled, with thin foam or basic spring mattresses, shared bathrooms and little soundproofing, in simple timber or brick buildings. Fresh water may come from tanks with set shower times. Power is 220V and Wi-Fi can be patchy. Rental dive gear may be older but is typically serviced before the high season.
Family-friendly operators usually provide child-size life vests, shaded boat areas and easy-entry ladders, with smaller silicone snorkel sets for children. Boats are wooden or fibreglass with bench seats and railings, but parents should still supervise closely. Beginner sites are shallow, and briefings cover currents, boat traffic and coral safety.
Rooms usually have a workable table or desk, 220V outlets and basic task lighting. Internet reliability varies, and some packages deliberately keep Wi-Fi to common areas. Construction is typically timber or brick with decent ventilation and enough sound insulation for light work. Power cuts happen; some properties run small backup generators.
Halal-friendly properties typically use separate food-prep areas with stainless-steel surfaces and dedicated utensils. Mosques or prayer rooms are usually nearby, with clean ablution areas. Pools and beaches follow modest-dress guidance rather than separation. Tour boats meet the same safety basics as others: life jackets, radios, shade.
Non-diver packages usually use comfortable day boats with shaded seating, cushions and ladders for easy water access. Island hopping and dolphin watching trips carry standard safety gear (life vests, first-aid kit). Paths on land are mostly compacted sand or concrete, so wear shoes with good grip. Snorkel gear matches what divers use between dives.
Transfers use fibreglass or wooden speedboats with twin outboard engines, carrying roughly 10–20 passengers depending on size and load limits. Seating is bench-style with a life jacket for each person, and navigation uses GPS and coastal landmarks. Luggage goes under benches or in the centre, so pack in waterproof or water-resistant bags.
Tours in protected zones brief guests on no-touch and no-take rules, buoyancy control and finning technique to avoid coral damage. On coral restoration experiences, guests handle only pre-selected tasks under staff supervision, with gloves and tools provided. Nursery frames and ropes use corrosion-resistant materials fixed to local guidelines.
Turtle tours follow low-impact rules: red or dim lights at night, minimum approach distances and limits on group size and time near nests. Marked paths protect dunes and vegetation. Boats on sunrise trips carry standard safety gear and often cut engines near turtles, and snorkellers are asked not to touch turtles or block their ascent to breathe.
Eco and volunteer programmes emphasise waste separation, less plastic and limited generator hours. Some sites use solar power for lighting and low-draw appliances and ask guests to limit air-con. Fresh water is stored rain or shipped from the mainland, so short showers and towel reuse help. Offsets go through third-party schemes, not on site.
Village stays use locally built wooden or brick houses, simple sturdy furniture and communal eating areas with tiled or cement floors. Wiring is basic, mostly for lights and fans. Streets are compacted earth or concrete with little lighting at night. Power can fluctuate, so use surge protectors for sensitive electronics.
For short breaks most properties offer standard guesthouse rooms with air-conditioning or fans, en-suite or shared tiled bathrooms and basic hot water. 2026 dive packages rely on existing compressors with filtration, regular tank inspections and maintained rental gear. Finishes and brands vary by property and are confirmed in the quotation.
FAQ · 3 of 5
Shipping, logistics & incoterms
For partners and groups moving gear or materials. Travellers booking a trip don't deal with freight at all.
Travel services are sold under service contracts, not cargo incoterms. Indonesia Juara sells trips, not goods, so no incoterm applies to a booking.
Under FOB (Free On Board), the seller delivers goods to a named Indonesian port and load them; you arrange and pay ocean freight, insurance and destination charges. Under CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight), the seller pays main freight and insurance to your port, and you handle import clearance and local delivery.
For physical goods, typical Indonesian export ports are Tanjung Priok (Jakarta), Tanjung Perak (Surabaya) and Tanjung Emas (Semarang). The choice depends on supplier location, vessel schedules and your preferred shipping route. We don't ship goods ourselves.
For bulk items such as dive gear or resort supplies, the usual options are 20-foot containers (about 25–28 CBM), 40-foot containers (about 55–60 CBM) and 40-foot high-cube containers (roughly 65–68 CBM). Usable volume depends on packaging, stacking and any bracing for fragile snorkel or dive equipment.
Equipment is packed in protective cartons with internal cushioning and clear labels to reduce damage in FCL or LCL shipments. Pallets or crates are used where relevant, and gear may be grouped by activity (snorkelling, tanks, cameras) to simplify handling at the destination.
Lead time combines production, packing, port formalities and ocean transit. For Indonesian exports, production may take 1–3 weeks, port and documents 5–10 days, and sea transit about 14–35 days depending on region. Plan roughly 4–8 weeks from confirmed order to arrival, longer in peak seasons or with port congestion.
Transit from Indonesian ports to Europe is typically about 22–32 days to major ports such as Rotterdam, Hamburg or Antwerp, depending on direct routes or transshipment. Add 3–7 days for customs and cargo release at the destination port before equipment can move on to the vessels.
Sea freight from Indonesia to US West Coast ports such as Los Angeles typically takes about 22–28 days, and to East Coast ports such as New York about 28–35 days. Including origin processing, export customs and destination clearance, plan roughly 4–7 weeks end to end.
Physical items such as educational kits follow the standard steps: booking, pickup, container loading, export customs, ocean transit, import customs and delivery. Eco choices can include consolidated shipments, waste-conscious packaging and documented transport modes for your offset calculations, but no regulatory or carbon outcome can be promised.
Such materials pass origin and destination customs, where authorities can inspect, delay or reject cargo. Accurate documents and HS codes help, but clearance speed depends on local regulations, random checks and buyer compliance; no outcome, including EUDR-related decisions, can be guaranteed.
Yes. Items supporting several products, such as brochures and printed materials, can be consolidated into one FCL or larger LCL shipment where practical. This can cut per-unit freight and simplify handling, while each buyer's incoterm, billing and delivery terms stay separate in the documents and invoices.
Transport, stays and tours are arranged locally and need no international freight. If printed materials or gear must be shipped in, allow at least 2–6 weeks from an overseas origin to East Kalimantan for production, transit and customs. Urgent items may need air freight, estimated separately.
Imported promotional items or branded gear move under your chosen incoterm (often FOB or CIF) to a nominated Indonesian port before the trip. We don't handle freight or its domestic distribution, so arrange delivery with your logistics provider.
They encourage minimal, reusable or recyclable packaging for any imported items and avoiding unnecessary shipments. The freight steps stay the same; consolidated loads, durable containers and clear material labelling help.
Most snorkel gear for kid-friendly tours is sourced locally, with little reliance on international supply chains. When imports are needed, packing focuses on size ranges, safety standards and keeping children's gear separate. Lead times follow the usual several weeks for Indonesian shipments, so plan ahead for large group or school bookings.
Non-diver activities mainly use locally available items such as beachwear and snorkel kits, and only occasionally imported ones. Any imports ship under normal FOB or CIF terms, arranged by the importer.
The services themselves are not limited by freight, but imported food or amenities must meet halal standards and destination customs rules. Food is sourced locally, which avoids complex cross-border food logistics; any overseas shipment must respect import limits, and no certification outcome can be promised.
Most tools and materials are sourced in Indonesia to limit transit risk and cost. Specialist equipment that must be imported is planned months ahead, with suitable incoterms, careful packing and routing to ports such as Jakarta or Surabaya, arriving in time for testing and local transfer before volunteers start field work.
No. Guests booking snorkelling holidays, family packages or similar trips do not deal with container shipping. Everything is service-based: the car transfer, speedboat, stay, meals, guiding and snorkel kit. No freight is involved.
FAQ · 4 of 5
Compliance, documents & legality
Customs, souvenirs and paperwork. Rules change, so check official sources for your nationality before you travel.
Usually only for your personal luggage and dive gear. Airlines and customs may ask for standard passenger declarations and proof of value for expensive equipment. Commercial documents (invoice, packing list, certificate of origin) apply only if you ship goods as cargo, not for normal tourism travel.
Most countries treat personal dive gear as temporary personal effects, not taxable imports, if quantities are reasonable and for personal use. Customs may inspect it or ask for receipts. High-value cameras or housings may need declaring on arrival or on re-entry home. Check your country's customs website for limits on sports gear and electronics.
It depends on your passport country and where you enter Indonesia. Many travellers carry cameras and housings as personal effects without duty, but officials can ask for proof of ownership or value. Some countries need a re-entry declaration so they are not taxed as new imports. We cannot influence customs decisions or tax outcomes.
Your shipper normally prepares a commercial invoice, packing list and airway bill or bill of lading. Indonesian customs may also require an import declaration and HS codes. Work with your carrier or a customs broker and mark the shipment clearly as used personal sports equipment with indicative values only.
Entrance fees are included and we handle the local arrangements. You only need normal travel documents: passports, a visa if required and customs declarations for personal items. No special export licences are needed unless you ship commercial goods or professional filming equipment as cargo.
Indonesia requires travellers carrying cash above a set threshold to declare it at customs on arrival or departure; check the latest limit before you travel. Undeclared excess cash can be confiscated or fined. Most guests use cards and carry normal amounts well below the threshold.
Derawan lies in sensitive marine zones where removing live or dead coral, shells, sand or protected species is generally restricted or prohibited by Indonesian law and local rules. Exporting them can lead to seizure and fines. We advise guests not to collect marine souvenirs and to buy only clearly legal, documented products from trusted shops.
Souvenirs containing parts of protected species, such as turtle shell, some corals or certain shells, may need CITES export and import permits or be banned outright, and many turtle products are illegal to trade. We do not support buying or exporting wildlife souvenirs and cannot obtain CITES documents. Avoid such products.
Exporting seafood as cargo typically needs a fisheries health certificate, a certificate of origin and a commercial invoice and packing list, and your home country may add sanitary, labelling and catch-document rules. Tourists should avoid private seafood exports and buying packaged products that meet your country's import rules.
Purchases in Indonesia (masks, fins, lights) usually include local VAT at sale. Back home, customs may charge duty or tax if the total exceeds your personal duty-free allowance, so keep receipts and be ready to declare. We do not refund or cover taxes or duties charged by foreign customs.
Volunteers may not export biological samples, coral fragments or marine organisms. Any scientific export needs permits from Indonesian authorities and often import permits at destination, usually handled only by accredited institutions, not individual tourists. Volunteers normally travel with personal effects and standard customs declarations only.
No customs or export documents are needed beyond normal travel requirements. If you buy offsets separately, you may receive digital certificates or confirmations by email as proof of purchase. They are for your records or corporate sustainability reporting and are not checked by immigration or customs.
A retreat is treated as tourism. You remain responsible for income tax and the legality of remote work under home and host-country rules, and Indonesia may restrict some work on a tourist visa. Laptops are usually personal effects but can be inspected. We cannot give tax advice or influence immigration or customs outcomes.
Domestic travel from Jakarta involves no export procedures. International members must meet their own visa, health and luggage customs requirements at the first Indonesian port of entry. We handle local permits and the trip from Kalimarau Airport (BEJ); flights are booked separately, and we don't process international customs or visas.
We and local operators manage boat licensing, passenger manifests and marine park permits as required by local authorities. You only need a valid ID or passport and a visa where applicable. None of this creates customs or export obligations for you, unless you separately ship commercial goods or professional equipment as freight.
Choosing a homestay or eco resort does not change customs duties on your belongings. Local room taxes or environmental levies may be included in your invoice or added on site under regional rules. These are separate from any import taxes your home country charges on goods you bring back.
If a company or NGO sponsors guests, local payments may be subject to Indonesian tax reporting by the payers or hosts. Participants still enter as tourists under standard immigration and customs rules. Project equipment or merchandise shipped separately should use proper commercial invoices and customs declarations through a logistics provider.
Children need the same basic documents as adults: a valid passport, a visa if their nationality requires one and any airport entry or exit forms. Some countries require a parental consent letter when a minor travels with one parent or other adults. Check airline and immigration rules in both departure and arrival countries before booking.
Non-divers are regular tourists for customs and immigration, with the same baggage rules, declaration requirements and visa conditions as divers. Safety waivers for boat rides, snorkelling or land tours may be provided locally; these are separate from customs documentation for personal belongings.
No export documents are created for you. Operators may hold marine park or wildlife interaction permits; you only handle normal travel requirements (passport, visa if needed, luggage declarations). Under Indonesian conservation rules, mantas, turtles or their body parts cannot legally be exported as souvenirs.
FAQ · 5 of 5
Trends, comparisons & use-cases
Who Derawan suits and what each kind of trip looks like, from honeymoons and families to budget divers and remote workers.
For 2026–2027, international divers increasingly look for eco-focused packages with smaller groups, certified local guides and clear waste practices, in line with the Derawan Coastal and Small Islands Conservation Area. Packages combine multi-dive days, basic gear rental and conservation briefings, budgets from mid-range by season and boat.
Derawan is part of a marine conservation area of more than 285,000 ha with rich coral, turtles and manta habitat, and feels quieter than highly developed islands. Overwater villas are fewer and more intimate, reached via Berau, Tanjung Batu and speedboat, with nightly budgets mid- to upper-range against Bali but below premium Raja Ampat.
Yes. Derawan is known for shallow reefs, turtles and calm water, and snorkelling-focused stays are popular for 2026–2027. An all-inclusive holiday usually bundles transfers from Berau, the stay, meals and daily boat trips. Our Private Trip does this from USD 1,290 total for two guests (3D2N); the price depends on the stay.
Green and hawksbill turtles nest in the archipelago, and East Kalimantan authorities actively promote conservation-based tourism. Peak activity often falls in the drier months, but exact timing varies. We don't sell a separate nesting tour; every trip visits the turtle conservation site on Sangalaki on day 2, with strict no-touch rules.
Yes. Derawan has guesthouses and simple cottages for budget travellers alongside pricier options. A budget stay with diving usually means a dorm or basic room, shore dives or a few boat dives and rental equipment; using local operators and avoiding peak holiday periods, when domestic visits surge, keeps daily costs low.
The archipelago's high biodiversity draws liveaboards offering multi-day access to remote reefs, manta sites and macro spots. A luxury liveaboard typically has en-suite cabins, full board, several dives a day and guided night dives, with per-night rates close to other premium Indonesian routes, varying by vessel class and season.
Yes. Derawan has sandy beaches, calm nearshore water and kid-friendly snorkelling spots, and authorities are improving coastal lighting and signage. A family package usually includes beachfront rooms, half or full board and easy snorkelling or boat trips; budgets depend on room type, school holidays and add-ons such as turtle release events.
Couples increasingly look for quieter marine destinations, and Derawan's small islands and turtles fit that. A honeymoon might include a car from Berau (BEJ) and a private speedboat from Tanjung Batu, a seafront room or villa, sunset boat trips and reef snorkelling, priced mid- to higher-range by boat exclusivity and length of stay.
Fly (booked by you) to Kalimarau Airport (BEJ) in Berau, then drive about 2.5–3 hours to Tanjung Batu and take a speedboat of about 40 minutes to Derawan. The trip covers the car, the boat, your stay, meals, guides, travel insurance and entrance fees. A Private Trip takes 2 to 10 guests and larger groups pay less each; the Open Trip 4D3N is USD 280 per person.
No. Our trips are 3D2N or 4D3N from Kalimarau Airport (BEJ) in Berau, and you fly (booked by you) to BEJ. The 4D3N covers the island day plus Talisayan, Manimbora and Labuan Cermin; arriving the day before is recommended if your flight is tight.
Derawan has community-scale accommodation and local efforts to improve waste management and village cleanliness. A sustainable homestay usually means a family-run house, guided reef or turtle tours and waste-conscious habits, with nightly budgets generally below resort rates and sometimes simple meals from local produce.
The island faces a growing waste challenge, and stakeholders are working on integrated waste management and village cleanliness rules for tourism areas. A waste-conscious eco resort stay typically means limited plastic, basic waste sorting, reef-safe products and conservation information, priced at mid-range resort level rather than ultra-luxury.
Yes. The Derawan Coastal and Small Islands Conservation Area covers more than 285,000 hectares and is managed as a regional public service agency for sustainable marine use. A guided tour usually includes a briefing on the rules, snorkelling or diving in selected zones and a local guide; fees follow boat time, gear and conservation contributions.
Manta and high-current sites are popular with experienced divers, and operators usually bundle 2–3 boat dives a day with equipment and guiding, priced mid-range for Indonesia; final costs depend on group size, boat type and accommodation. Our trips are snorkel-based and scuba diving is not included; the island day stops at Manta Point off Sangalaki, and published trips start at USD 280 per person.
Derawan's reefs host diverse small marine life, and dive tourism here has long focused on underwater biodiversity, drawing niche photography groups. A macro workshop usually combines specialised guiding, slower dives and basic classroom sessions, with fees added to standard dive packages by instructor, duration and number of dives.
Derawan is fairly remote, reached via Berau and boat, and quieter than large resort hubs. A retreat usually means limited screen time, nature such as snorkelling and village walks, and simple accommodation. Connectivity can be adequate but is not available everywhere, and budgets depend on length of stay and comfort level.
Derawan lies in East Kalimantan, where domestic tourism from majority-Muslim regions is significant and local food and services generally adapt to halal preferences. A halal-friendly trip typically offers halal meals, respect for prayer times and family-oriented excursions, priced like standard packages and adjusted for room type and activities.
Shallow reefs, turtle viewing and beach time suit families and non-divers, provided safety guidelines are followed. Options include easy boat trips, village cycling, simple fishing experiences and conservation centre visits, priced per half or full day based on boat hire and guiding.
Not as a package: we don't sell weekend escapes, carbon offsets or conservation programmes. Our shortest trip is the Private 3D2N from Kalimarau Airport (BEJ) in Berau, from USD 1,290 total for two guests, and it visits the turtle conservation site on Sangalaki.
Single snorkel trips and intro dives vary by operator and season, so confirm current rates when booking. On our Private Trip, snorkelling with kit (mask, snorkel, life jacket) is included, from USD 1,290 total for two guests (3D2N). Whale sharks are not included in the 3D2N; they are part of the 4D3N. Scuba diving is not included in our trips.
Derawan ranges from basic homestays and shore guesthouses to overwater cottages and resort-style rooms, and rates change. Our trips build the stay into the package: Private Trip from USD 1,290 total for two guests (3D2N, standard tier at Reza Derawan Resort or Alfit VIP Derawan), 4D3N from USD 2,190. The price depends on the stay.
Keep exploring
More in About
Still have a question?
Ask the Indonesia Juara team
WhatsApp +62 811-994-1919 or email sales@indonesiajuara.asia for a written quotation.