Derawan Islands
Jungle-fringed turquoise lagoons, turtles, and slow island sunsets
Highlights
Watch green turtles cruise the shallows at sunrise right off Derawan’s wooden jetties.
Snorkel or dive over drop-offs where reef fish swarm along dramatic coral walls.
Take a no-fuss island boat trip to sandbars, reef shallows, and quiet coves.
Stay in simple overwater or beach cottages backed by coconut palms and greenery.
Lie on the jetty after dark to spot turtles surfacing and a sky full of stars.
Where to Stay
2 picks
Derawan Dive Lodge
Overwater and beachfront wooden bungalows set over clear water with views of the sea and easy access to jetties for snorkeling, under a canopy of palms and greenery.
Borneo Cottage Maratua
Simple wooden cottages tucked between palms along a quiet beach, often with all three halal meals included and easy access to snorkeling and boat excursions.
Where to Eat
2 picks
Borneo Cottage Maratua Dining Hall
Homestyle halal meals served in a wooden communal hall surrounded by palms—think grilled fish, chicken, vegetables, sambal, and rice. Let them know you require halal (they already cook halal and do not serve pork); enjoy the set dinner or ask for extra vegetables and seafood.
Warung Pantai Derawan (Beachside Warung Cluster)
Cluster of small halal food stalls along the sandy beachfront offering grilled fish, prawn skewers, ayam bakar, gado-gado, and fresh coconuts. Choose a busy stall, confirm ‘semua halal?’ (all halal?) and order grilled seafood with rice and veggies plus young coconut to drink.
What to Do
4 picks
Derawan Village Jetty Snorkeling
Walk to the main jetties on Derawan and slip into clear water where turtles often swim under the wooden walkways; snorkel along the edge of seagrass and coral for an easy, low-effort marine intro.
Derawan Island Forest & Beach Walk
Follow sandy paths away from the main jetty through coconut groves and low jungle, looping along quiet beaches where you can spot crabs, birds, and driftwood under leaning palms.
Maratua Island Free-Explore Time
After lunch, wander the beach, rest in the shade of palms, or snorkel in shallow areas near your lodge or landing jetty, soaking up the quiet atmosphere before the return boat.
Morning Turtle Spotting on Derawan Shore
Head out early to walk the shore and jetties while the light is soft; look down into the shallows where turtles often graze and surface close to the wooden pilings.
Good to Know
5 picks
Halal Food Is Easy but Confirm Preparation
The Derawan area is predominantly Muslim and most local warungs and guesthouses serve halal Indonesian food with fish, chicken, eggs, and vegetables. Still, politely confirm ‘semua halal, tidak ada babi atau alkohol dalam masakan?’ and avoid any places that cannot clearly confirm their kitchen is fully halal.
Plan Boat Trips Early in Your Stay
Weather and sea conditions can change, and enough passengers are sometimes needed to make a shared boat affordable. Arrange your Maratua or island-hopping trip for the first full day and keep the last day light so you can shift plans if necessary.
Protect Yourself and the Reef
Use reef-safe sunscreen, wear a long-sleeve rash guard and leggings, and never stand on coral or touch turtles or other marine animals. Fins or reef shoes help avoid accidental contact with sharp rocks while still keeping distance from living coral.
Keep Packing Simple and Waterproof
Bring a dry bag for phones, passports, and cash on boat rides, plus a light sarong, quick-dry towel, and sandals that can get wet. A small headlamp or torch is also useful as paths and jetties can be dark at night.
Expect Island-Time Service
Meals may take longer to prepare, and boat departures can run on flexible ‘island time.’ Order food a bit before you’re hungry, discuss approximate return times with your boatman, and avoid overly tight same-day connections back to the mainland or airport.
Map
Best For
Start planning your trip with this itinerary in Takeoff.
Don't have the app? Download it free on the App Store.