Derawan Islands
Swim with turtles, chase sunsets, and sleep above turquoise seas
Highlights
Snorkel above grazing sea turtles and watch them surface right off Derawan’s wooden jetties.
Take a day trip to Kakaban Island to float among harmless jellyfish in a jungle‑ringed lake.
Hop by speedboat to Sangalaki Island for pristine reefs and possible encounters with manta rays.
Optional early‑morning excursion to Talisayan to snorkel respectfully with whale sharks.
Stay in simple overwater cottages where kids can jump straight into the sea from the verandah.
Relax on small white‑sand islands and palm‑lined shores that feel wonderfully remote and wild.
Where to Stay
2 picks
Derawan Beach Cafe & Cottage
Simple overwater and seafront cottages built on wooden stilts over clear water, with palm trees, a basic in‑house cafe, and direct ladder access to the sea for snorkeling with turtles steps from your room.
Maratua Paradise Resort
Rustic‑chic overwater and beachfront bungalows around a calm turquoise lagoon bordered by dense greenery, with house‑reef snorkeling, on‑site restaurant, and organized trips to Kakaban and Sangalaki.
Where to Eat
3 picks
Derawan Beach Cafe
Simple open‑air beachfront cafe attached to Derawan Beach Cafe & Cottage, with wooden decks over turquoise water and palm trees giving a wild, coastal feel. Halal options: nasi goreng (fried rice with vegetables/egg or halal chicken), mie goreng (fried noodles with egg/veg), boiled or fried eggs, and fried bananas; staff can avoid non‑halal ingredients on request.
Maratua Paradise Resort Restaurant
Open‑sided restaurant on stilts over a shallow turquoise lagoon, surrounded by dense greenery and wooden walkways that feel very jungle‑wild. Halal options: buffet or set meals usually featuring grilled or fried fish, ayam goreng or ayam bakar (fried/grilled chicken), vegetable stir‑fries, soups, and rice; resort is in Muslim‑majority area and can provide halal food—confirm at check‑in and ask for halal chicken.
Floating Snack Stalls at Derawan Jetty
Small local kiosks and vendors by the main jetty selling light bites under shady trees with the sea in front and village greenery behind. Halal options: fried bananas, pisang goreng with cheese/chocolate, instant noodles without meat, bottled drinks, and sometimes simple rice packs with egg or fish—all prepared by local Muslim vendors.
What to Do
3 picks
Sunset on Derawan Pier
Head back to the long main pier to watch the sky turn orange and pink over the sea, with silhouettes of boats and distant islands framed by palm‑covered shoreline.
Maratua Island Lagoon & Turtle Snorkeling
Stop at Maratua Island on your island‑hopping day; snorkel the calm lagoon near overwater bungalows where sea turtles are frequently seen gliding over seagrass beds and coral patches.
Sangalaki Island Turtle Hatchery Visit
On the same multi‑island trip, visit Sangalaki to see the turtle conservation hatchery, where rangers sometimes show baby turtles and explain the nesting and release process.
Good to Know
5 picks
Plan Your Transfers with Buffer Time
Reaching Derawan typically involves flying to Berau (Kalimantan), driving to Tanjung Batu, then a speedboat to the islands; boats may be delayed by weather, so avoid same‑day tight international connections and build in at least half a day’s buffer on arrival and departure.
Halal Food Is Easy but Simple
The area is predominantly Muslim, so most warungs and homestays are naturally halal and don’t serve pork, but options are basic—think rice, fish, chicken, and vegetables; specify “ayam halal” or “tanpa alkohol, tanpa babi” if you want to be absolutely clear and avoid dishes cooked with non‑halal sausage or stock.
Protect the Reef and Your Skin
Use long‑sleeved swim shirts and leggings for sun protection, and pack reef‑safe sunscreen to minimize damage to corals; avoid standing on coral or touching turtles and jellyfish, and keep fins away from fragile reef tops.
Cash, Small Bills, and Tipping
Bring enough cash (in small denominations) for island fees, snacks, gear rental, and tipping boat crews and guides—there may be no card payments on the islands, and small appreciation tips for good guiding are customary and appreciated.
Pack Light but Smart for a Jungle‑Wild Island
Choose soft bags over hard suitcases for boat loading, and pack essentials like dry bags, power banks, a basic first‑aid kit, motion‑sickness tablets, and reef shoes for rocky entries; expect some humidity, mosquitos near vegetation, and occasional power cuts.
Map
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