ExploreTravel GuidesMy Trips
    de|en
    All Places & RegionsAbout FernwehFAQPrivacy PolicyImprint
    ExploreTravel GuidesMy Trips
    Derawan Islands
    Island

    Derawan Islands

    The Derawan Islands lie off the northeast coast of Kalimantan. Sea turtles, reefs, mantas, and Kakaban's Jellyfish Lake make the archipelago one of Borneo's best snorkeling and diving areas.

    More
    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Indonesia
    7. Kalimantan (Indonesisch Borneo)
    9. Derawan Islands
    The Derawan Islands lie off the northeast coast of Kalimantan. Sea turtles, reefs, mantas, and Kakaban's Jellyfish Lake make the archipelago one of Borneo's best snorkeling and diving areas.
    The island group is part of the Berau district in East Kalimantan. The main islands are Derawan with a stilt-fishing village, Maratua with a lagoon and dive resorts, Sangalaki, where manta rays are often spotted, and Kakaban with a brackish water lake full of non-stinging jellyfish. Green sea turtles lay their eggs on the beaches, and off Derawan, you can snorkel with them. The islands are remote, and accommodations are mostly simple.

    Sights in Derawan Islands

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Gusung Sanggalau
    Attraction

    Gusung Sanggalau

    Sandbar near Derawan that emerges from the water at low tide. Popular stop on boat tours.
    Open in Google Maps
    Lake Kakaban
    Attraction

    Lake Kakaban

    Brackish water lake inside Kakaban Island, home to several species of jellyfish whose stings are barely perceptible to humans. A wooden boardwalk leads through the forest to the shore.
    Open in Google Maps

    Sights in Derawan Islands

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Gusung Sanggalau
    Attraction

    1Gusung Sanggalau

    Sandbar near Derawan that emerges from the water at low tide. Popular stop on boat tours.
    Open in Google Maps
    Lake Kakaban
    Attraction

    2Lake Kakaban

    Brackish water lake inside Kakaban Island, home to several species of jellyfish whose stings are barely perceptible to humans. A wooden boardwalk leads through the forest to the shore.
    Open in Google Maps

    Restaurants in Derawan Islands

    Food and Beverages

    Ikan Bakar

    Grilled freshly caught fish, almost everywhere in the warungs on Derawan.

    Lobster and Crabs

    Catch varies at pier restaurants, ask about prices first.

    Culture

    On Derawan and Maratua live primarily Bajau, a seafaring people traditionally living off fishing, as well as immigrants from Sulawesi. The majority of inhabitants are Muslim. The protection of turtles and reefs is an important issue, do not take any corals or shells.

    Arrival & Getting Around

    ArrivalFlight: You fly to Berau (Tanjung Redeb), usually via Balikpapan.Next: By car, about 2.5 hours to Tanjung Batu, then by speedboat, about 30 minutes to Derawan.Maratua: The island has a small airfield.On the GoBetween the islands, you rely on chartered boats, which your accommodation usually arranges.

    Outings

    Kakaban

    Island with a Jellyfish Lake, about an hour by boat from Derawan.

    Sangalaki

    Small island with manta spot and turtle sanctuary.

    Labuan Cermin

    Lake on the mainland near Biduk-Biduk with two layers of fresh and saltwater.

    Accommodations in Derawan Islands

    Find perfect stay in Derawan Islands

    Booking.com* (Affiliate link)
    Search Hotels
    Agoda* (Affiliate link)
    Search Hotels
    Airbnb
    Vacation Rentals

    * Affiliate link: if you book through it, we earn a small commission. The price stays the same for you.

    Nearby

    Semporna Islands

    Semporna Islands

    This region is the gateway to some of the world's finest diving and snorkeling sites, including the legendary island of Sipadan, enticing visitors with crystal-clear waters and pristine coral reefs.
    Danum Valley Conservation Area

    Danum Valley Conservation Area

    As one of the best preserved areas of pristine rainforest in Borneo, the Danum Valley offers unparalleled opportunities for observing rare wildlife and exploring untouched nature.
    Mahakam-Flussregion

    Mahakam-Flussregion

    The Mahakam is the most important river in East Kalimantan. Boat tours lead from Samarinda upstream past lakes, swamp forests and Dayak villages where longhouses still stand.

    Kinabatangan

    At around 560 kilometers, the Kinabatangan is Sabah's longest river. Along its lower reaches around Sukau village, it is one of Borneo's best places to see wildlife: proboscis monkeys, orangutans, macaques, hornbills, and with some luck, Bornean pygmy elephants. Wildlife viewing mainly takes place during boat trips in the early morning and late afternoon, with overnight stays in simple riverside lodges.

    Sandakan

    The port city on Sabah's east coast was the capital of British North Borneo until 1946. Today, it primarily serves as a gateway to Sepilok, the Kinabatangan River, and the Turtle Islands. Within the city itself, the Agnes Keith House and Sandakan Memorial Park commemorate the colonial era and World War II, while the harbor offers fresh fish and seafood.