Derawan
Turtles at Derawan
Green turtles rest under jetty pylons and graze seagrass at the village edge; many guests see one within 5–10 minutes of getting in.
Tour Packages · Snorkelling
Derawan snorkeling tours: turtles, mantas, Kakaban lake
Three signatures for non-divers: turtles at Derawan, mantas off Sangalaki and the Kakaban jellyfish lake, on the Open Trip (4D3N) or the Private Trip (3D2N or 4D3N) from Kalimarau Airport (BEJ) in Berau.
- Typical snorkel depth
- 3–8 m
- Sessions per day
- 2–3
- Water all year
- ~28 °C
- Best season
- Apr – Nov
The signatures
Turtles, mantas and a jellyfish lake
Most tours visit Derawan, Kakaban and Sangalaki, and our day-two route adds Maratua.
Non-divers and families
What a snorkelling day looks like
Built for guests who do not dive but still want Coral Triangle marine life.
A typical day combines reef sites with time at a beach or a village jetty, rarely deeper than 3–8 metres. Families often choose the jellyfish lake and manta combo, which links Kakaban and Sangalaki in one full day.
Inside the Berau Marine Protected Area, tours respect turtle nesting beaches and manta zones, with clear briefings and small groups. Our snorkel kit is a mask, snorkel and life jacket; fins are not included, and some guests bring prescription masks.
- About 7–9 hours dock to dock
- 2–3 snorkelling sessions per day
- Mainly 3–8 m over coral slopes and seagrass
- Visibility around 20–30 m on many reefs in season
- Full-day offshore trips suit children from about 6–8, depending on swimming ability
Turtles
How close you get, and Derawan versus the Gilis
The archipelago is one of Southeast Asia's largest green turtle nesting areas, with key beaches on Derawan and Sangalaki. Snorkellers often share the water with turtles and only a few other people.
The Gili Islands near Bali also give reliable sightings, but with dense tourism. Derawan sits in the Sulawesi Sea: a flight (booked by you) to Kalimarau Airport (BEJ) in Berau, about 2.5 to 3 hours by road to Tanjung Batu, then about 40 minutes by speedboat, so visitor numbers are lower and the feel is more nature-driven.
Plan it your way
From Bali, with a diver, or fully private
Our trips are snorkel-based; scuba diving is not included. Here is how different situations fit.
| Your situation | How it works | Read more |
|---|---|---|
| Starting in Bali | Fly (booked by you) to Kalimarau Airport (BEJ) in Berau, where we meet you; car and speedboat from there | Travelling from Bali |
| Your partner dives | Our trips are snorkel-based and scuba diving is not included; the diving guide explains the sites | Diving guide |
| You want photography | Documentation is included; the Premium tier adds a tour leader, drone, Sony mirrorless camera and video editing | Customise your trip |
| A longer holiday | The 4D3N adds the Talisayan whale sharks, Manimbora and Labuan Cermin; Indonesia Juara does not run longer trips | Island hopping package |
Kakaban and Sangalaki
The jellyfish lake and the manta combo
At Kakaban a guide explains the lake's ecology as you float. Access follows daylight, with last entries timed so boats return before late-afternoon weather; exact hours vary with local management. Fins are not allowed in the lake, and less-confident swimmers wear the life jacket.
Boats then continue to Sangalaki. Enter the water quietly up-current, keep low and stay several metres from the manta rays.
- Short forest path and boardwalk to the entry platforms
- Guides supervise entry and exit
- Quiet, up-current entry at Sangalaki
Trip costs
What a snorkelling trip costs
On the Private Trip the price depends on the stay you choose and the group size; the Open Trip is priced per person.
Flights to Berau (BEJ) are not included. Rates as published on indonesiajuara.asia.
When to go
April to November, in a rash guard
Water sits around 28 °C and air at 23–32 °C across the year, so long sessions in only a rash guard are comfortable. April to November is the best season; December to March is the wetter period, and open-trip departures are published in every month.
Private trips (2–10 guests) suit families with younger children or older travellers who want their own boat; solo travellers join the Open Trip.
Best time to visit- 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
Snorkelling tour 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 (Standard), or USD 2,190 for two on 4D3N, depending on the stay. Flights from Bali are extra.
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Send your dates, group size and ages, and we reply with open-trip dates and private-trip pricing.