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Derawan Island

About · Our team

The Derawan Island guide and curator team

True luxury is delivered by people, not amenities. Meet the Indonesian and international specialists who plan, brief and run every journey.

Meet the team Talk to a curator
Roots in East Kalimantan
Local
Coral species
460+
On UNESCO Tentative List
2005

Who we are

Curators and experts behind every trip

Our team is our greatest asset: Indonesian and international experts united by a passion for the Derawan Archipelago and a commitment to the guest experience. Our operating standards rest on deep local expertise.

Our specialists look beyond standard itineraries. They start with a conversation about your passions and preferences, then match you with the right trip, length and stay, down to the smallest detail.

What the team does

Every part of the trip is covered

From the first conversation to the final transfer, the team covers every part of the journey.

  1. Planning

    Curators

    Your personal planners: they listen first, then match the trip, length and stay to your pace and interests.

  2. Guiding

    Local experts

    Many were born and raised in East Kalimantan, with lifelong ties to the communities and the quiet corners of the islands.

  3. Reef

    Conservation guides

    They brief guests on responsible wildlife interaction and connect trips to local conservation initiatives.

  4. Logistics

    Operations

    Boats, safety personnel and transfers across a remote archipelago, planned before the need arises.

Local expertise

A Derawan most visitors never see

Our knowledge goes beyond guidebooks. Local ties open quiet snorkel spots, authentic cultural encounters and moments of solitude away from the usual paths: we invite you to live the islands, guided by those who call them home.

That insight shapes each trip, from the sunset at Pasir Gusung Sanggalau to the quiet corners of Maratua. Logistics are seamless: we meet you at Kalimarau Airport (BEJ) in Berau, drive about 2.5 to 3 hours to Tanjung Batu and take a speedboat to Derawan in about 40 minutes.

Sustainability

Beyond the horizon: protecting the reef

The Derawan Islands are a marine biodiversity hotspot with over 460 coral species and a nesting ground for endangered green and hawksbill turtles. They have been on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List since 2005.

Our team builds sustainable practice into every operation, supports local conservation and teaches guests how to behave around wildlife. Every trip visits the turtle conservation site on Sangalaki, with a briefing on how to behave around wildlife.

Two green turtle hatchlings swimming at Sangalaki

Operations

The art of seamless travel

A remote archipelago brings real challenges. The team plans for them so you never notice: present and attentive, never intrusive.

  1. Boats

    Maintained vessels

    Well-kept private boats for transfers and island days.

  2. Safety

    Safety personnel

    Trained staff and set standards for logistics, security and comfort.

  3. Dining

    Dietary needs

    Meals are included (6 on 3D2N, 9 on 4D3N); tell us about dietary needs when you book.

  4. Snorkelling

    Snorkel kit

    Mask, snorkel and life jacket on every trip; fins are not included.

  5. Day 2

    Island hopping

    The speedboat day across Maratua, Kakaban and Sangalaki, handled with precision and discretion.

Keep exploring

More in About

Traveller looking over the turquoise water of Laguna Kehe Daing, Kakaban

Start with a conversation

Tell our curators what you love

Share your interests, dates and group size, and a curator will match the trip and stay to them.

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