ID · East Kalimantan · 2.25°N 118.42°E

derawan islands

Turtles around island jetties, coral reefs and boat days towards Sangalaki and Maratua.

Best time
April to September usually brings calmer seas and clearer water. December to February is wetter and rougher, which makes the long boat runs between islands harder going.
How long
4–5 days, plus the journey
Getting there
AirAsia flies direct from KL to Balikpapan in about 3 hours; connect to Berau (about 1 hour 15 minutes), then drive about 2–2.5 hours to Tanjung Batu and take a 30-minute speedboat to Derawan. East Kalimantan is on the same time as KL.
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ID · East Kalimantanderawan islands2.25°N 118.42°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Turtles around island jetties, coral reefs and boat days towards Sangalaki and Maratua.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingDerawan IslandsID, East Kalimantan
KLderawan islands
≈ 1,861 km from KL, as the crow flies
A quiet morning in Derawan Island, East Kalimantan. This is the view just outside my hotel room in Derawan. We stayed 3 days at this island during our trip. This island has crystal clear water and whi

Photo: Riza Nugraha %uF8FF from Utrecht, The Netherlands · CC BY 2.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

A scatter of coral islands off the coast of East Kalimantan, a cousin of Sabah's Semporna across the water. Green turtles graze right under the jetties on Derawan, and longer boat days reach the manta reefs of Sangalaki and the big atoll at Maratua.

Makan

  1. Ikan bakarReef fish grilled over coconut husks, with rice and sambal.Map ↗
  2. Grilled squidSimple and fresh, a good partner to the fish.Map ↗
  3. Nasi kuningTurmeric rice with fish or egg and sambal, the Kalimantan breakfast.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Snorkelling off DerawanGreen turtles feed on the seagrass around the jetties, often within a few metres of the steps.Map ↗
  2. SangalakiAn island ringed by reefs where manta rays come to feed, with a turtle hatchery on the beach.Map ↗
  3. MaratuaA big horseshoe-shaped atoll with a calm lagoon, water bungalows and drop-offs for diving.Map ↗
  4. Derawan villageA walk round the island's one village of wooden houses and sandy lanes, an easy evening loop.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Derawan and Maratua need different boat plans, so tell the operator where you're staying before booking transfers.
  • Food is halal as standard in these Muslim fishing communities.
  • Keep a respectful distance from turtles and mantas, and never block their way to the surface.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.