Easier, busier
Bali & Lombok
Direct international flights, dining, nightlife and festivals. Choose Derawan to disconnect with the ocean as the main activity.
Plan Your Trip · Compare
Derawan vs Raja Ampat, Komodo, Bali and the Maldives
Fewer visitors, a jellyfish lake, turtles and whale sharks. How Derawan compares, and when another destination suits you better.
- Islands in the atoll
- 31
- Stingless jellyfish species at Kakaban
- 4
- Manta wingspan, up to
- 7 m
- Nights on our 3D2N and 4D3N trips
- 2–3
Why Derawan
Quiet islands built around the water
The Derawan Atoll has 31 islands off East Kalimantan. There are no beach clubs or shopping streets; days revolve around the reef, and the atoll sees far fewer visitors than Bali.
Kakaban's landlocked marine lake holds four species of stingless jellyfish. Green turtles nest here year-round, manta rays reach up to 7 m across, and Bajau sea-nomad villages keep their traditions.
- Over 460 species of fish in the surrounding waters
- Resorts involved in coral restoration and local communities
- No large-scale commercial development
Head to head
Derawan against four alternatives
Each destination does something better. Pick by what you want from the trip.
At a glance
What each destination is known for
| Destination | Known for | Best if you want |
|---|---|---|
| Derawan | Jellyfish lake, turtles, mantas, whale sharks | Marine life from a quiet island base |
| Bali | Resorts, dining, culture, about 6 million visitors a year | Nightlife and off-resort dining |
| Raja Ampat | Highest species counts, remote liveaboards | Diving at the far frontier |
| Komodo | Komodo dragons (about 3,000), UNESCO site | Wildlife on land and diving from a liveaboard |
| Maldives | Over-water resorts, international brands | A polished resort stay with little local contact |
The difference
Marine encounters found in few other places
Derawan's case rests on a handful of animals and one lake.
What sets it apart
Whale sharks
At Talisayan, on day 3 of our 4D3N trip; not consistently available in Komodo.
Turtles
Green turtles nest in the atoll all year.
Diving
Over 20 dive sites around Maratua and Sangalaki, from drift dives to muck diving. Our Derawan trips are snorkel-based; scuba diving is not included.
Kakaban
The stingless jellyfish lake
A landlocked marine lake where four jellyfish species glide around swimmers, found in only a handful of places worldwide.
Getting there
More effort to reach, fewer people on arrival
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. Maratua is reached by speedboat on day 2.
It takes more planning than Bali, which keeps visitor numbers down.
Trip costs
What a Derawan trip costs
Published Indonesia Juara rates, nett. Larger private groups pay less each.
Flights to Berau (BEJ) are not included.
Keep exploring
More in Plan Your Trip
Decide
Still weighing Derawan against another trip?
Tell us what matters most to you, and we will tell you whether Derawan fits.