Discover Derawan

Tarakan, one of the most important cities situated in the Borneo Island, North Kalimantan province. This area has not been discovered yet by many divers, due to difficult access, making the diving exquisite, uncrowded and virgin.

From here we will sail south to Sangalaki, a small island with white sand beach that is surrounded by an extended reef top and gentle sloping down to nice plateau with coral bommies. Making it perfect for Mantas to feed and green turtles to nest. Even sometimes Leopard Sharks can be seen.

Sea turtle monitoring and a research station is situated on the island, the rangers will explain us all about Green Turtles on our afternoon visit. Sangalaki is the biggest turtle nursery in Indonesia.

Kakaban Island is very different than Sangalaki just being 6 NM apart. Steep walls drop to the deep where up currents bring pelagic fish and sharks to more shallow water. Above, limestone cliffs covered by jungle hugs a massive brackish

mangrove lake, where thousands of harmless jellyfish made their habitat. Up to four different species can be found here.

Very close lies Maratua island, vertical deep coral walls form the atoll. In the channel, dives can be very exciting as big school of Barracuda likes to patrol the area.

Towards the south of Kalimantan almost at the eastern tip there is a shallow area that attracts plankton blooms and spider boats fishing anchovies are there regularly for a good catch. Opportunistic Whalesharks frequent the boats for an easy snack.

Derawan Island would be our last visit before heading Tarakan for disembarkation.
Amazing coral garden slopes and kindy muck diving below a traditional jetty will put the icing on the cake.