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The Maratua Channel
The tidal cut between lagoon and open sea: strong drift dives and barracuda aggregations. Not for a first open-water dive.
Destinations · Nunukan
Nunukan Island, a quiet islet on the Maratua rim
A small island on the outer rim of the Maratua atoll, known to divers as a quiet base a short boat ride from the Maratua Channel. Not the Nunukan border town.
- Western Maratua atoll
- Rim islet
- From the border town
- ~400 km
- And channel drift dives
- Walls
- Best season
- Apr – Nov
Which Nunukan
On the Maratua atoll rim, not the Malaysian border
There are two Nunukans in Kalimantan. The one on a Derawan itinerary is a small islet on the western side of the Maratua atoll in Berau Regency, East Kalimantan, close to Nabucco and facing the deep water outside the lagoon.
The other is a regency and port town in North Kalimantan near the Malaysian border, roughly 400 km north and not part of the archipelago. Book a ferry to that "Nunukan" expecting reefs and you arrive at a border port with no dive infrastructure.
Nunukan belongs to the same coral structure as Maratua, the horseshoe atoll around a large inner lagoon. Nunukan and Nabucco both sit on that rim, so boats cross between them in minutes.
Getting there
How to get to Nunukan Island
Every practical route passes through the Maratua atoll. We plan every trip around Kalimarau Airport (BEJ) in Berau, the meeting point for all our private and open trips.
| Route | Legs | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Via Berau (standard) | Kalimarau (BEJ) → road to Tanjung Batu (~2.5–3 h) → speedboat to Derawan (~40 min) → boat into the Maratua atoll | The only gateway we use; our trips do not go to Nunukan Island |
There is no scheduled public ferry to Nunukan Island itself: the last leg is always a chartered or resort boat.
Underwater
What you see around Nunukan Island
The draw is the atoll wall, where the reef edge drops into open Celebes Sea water within metres of the shoreline, pulling in schooling fish and pelagics.
Compare
Nunukan compared with the other islands
Each island does a different job. Nunukan suits divers who want water time over facilities.
| If you want | Go to | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Wall diving and channel access, very quiet | Nunukan, on the Maratua rim | Dive sites |
| A dive-focused island stay on the same rim | Nabucco | Nabucco Island |
| Channel, caves, lagoon and most accommodation | Maratua | Maratua Island |
| Turtles off the jetty and the easiest logistics | Derawan | Snorkelling spots |
| The stingless jellyfish lake | Kakaban | Kakaban Island |
| Manta rays and nesting turtles | Sangalaki | Sangalaki Island |
Nunukan Island Resort
What we can and cannot confirm
Nunukan Island Resort is a name divers search for, but we do not own, operate or resell that property, so we will not publish room counts, ratings or facility lists we cannot verify. Check any such claim directly with the property.
Our trips do not go to the Nunukan and Nabucco corner of the rim. Choosing a Maratua stay on one of our trips puts you on the same atoll, with easier logistics, more food options and a simpler exit on your flight day.
- Derawan: Reza Derawan Resort, Water Cottage Alfit VIP Derawan
- Maratua: Borneo Cottage Maratua, Maratua Paradise Resort
- Also offered: Pratasaba Seheku Lodge, Sienna Resort, Arasatu Resort
When to go
April to November, for the boat legs
April to November is the best season, the calmer, drier stretch for the Celebes Sea crossing and the most reliable period for small-boat transfers between the atoll islands; December to March is the wetter period. April to June is generally calm with fewer travellers; July to September is the peak; October and November are still workable with a spare day.
Our trips run 3D2N or 4D3N. Day two covers Maratua, Kakaban and Sangalaki; the 4D3N adds a day-three run to Talisayan, Manimbora and Labuan Cermin. Divers should allow the usual 18 to 24 hour surface interval before flying.
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
Trip costs
Private Derawan trip rates
Our trips do not go to Nunukan Island; these are the rates for our standard Derawan trips, which include Maratua. Private trips include the car from Kalimarau, private speedboat, stay, meals, snorkel kit, guides, documentation, travel insurance and entrance fee.
Flights to Berau (BEJ), fins, tips and personal expenses are not included. Rates as published on indonesiajuara.asia.
Answers
Nunukan Island questions
On the western rim of the Maratua atoll in the Derawan Archipelago, Berau Regency, East Kalimantan, beside Nabucco Island. Do not confuse it with Nunukan Regency in North Kalimantan, a port area near the Malaysian border roughly 400 km to the north.
Keep exploring
More in Destinations
Plan the atoll
Tell us your dates for the Maratua atoll
Share your dates and group size, and we will tell you which of our trips and Maratua stays fit.