Derawan islands: Tropical Island Paradise Diving - Tanjung Redep, East Kalimantan

Derawan is the perfect tropical paradise. Warm sunlight combined with a distant view of the white sand beach of fine, swaying coconut trees and crystal clear sea that changes color from green to cobalt blue. Underwater life here is exceptional, you will find giant turtles, dolphins, manta rays, dugongs, barracudas, and stingless jellyfish. Shark Derawan here is one of the precious biodiversity. With underwater riches it is not surprising that the Derawan later known as one of the best diving destinations in the world.
Located not far from the mainland Berau Regency, East Kalimantan Derawan Archipelago consists of 31 islands and the most famous of which is the island Derawan, Maratua, Charitable, and Kakaban. Here nesting endangered green turtles and hawksbill turtles. You can watch turtles lay eggs every day in the sand or swim into the sea together with turtles. The whole area of marine conservation is the extent of not less than 1.27 million hectares.

How to Derawan Islands?
There are many ways for towards Derawan islands. All will be discussed from the most inexpensive way, namely:
Via Land:
For those who've been in Borneo could be by road which has been connected although in some places the road is still broken.
The route: Palangkaraya -> Banjarmasin -> Balikpapan -> Johannesburg -> Cape Redeb -> Tanjung Batu -> Derawan Island.
Cost details:
Banjarmasin-Samarinda (Bus) = Rp. 120000-150000
Samarinda - Cape Redeb (Traveling sort Avanza) = Rp. 275000-300000
Cape Redeb - Tanjung Batu (Traveling sort Avanza) = Rp. 100,000
Tanjung Batu - Derawan Island (speedboat) = Rp. 100,000
 

Via Air:
For via air from the home town there are many flights to Balikpapan, then from Balikpapan can in two ways, namely through Berau or through Tarakan. Both methods have advantages and disadvantages of each. Passing Tarakan advantage is cheaper and more flight options than through Berau.
But further than tarakan sea lanes to get to the island Derawan and no regular speedboat or to the public, so it must hire their own. Through Tarakan easier for the departing group.
While the Berau easier for that alone because there are a lot of car travel to Tanjung Batu and the general public speedboat to the island Derawan.
Airlines serves flights Balikpapan to Berau and Balikpapan: Sriwijya Water, Water Wings, Kalstar, Garuda Indonesia. For the price varies depending on the season and the airline, please check each website to compare prices.

Contact Person at Derawan Island
Travel Samarinda-Berau: 081347257555/082149128933
Adi (081250280806), Travel Berau - Tanjung Batu
Mr. Sanusi (081346538448), the owner Sari Cottage and several speedboats
Mr. Usman (081347807078), Lodging Ilham
Hendrik (081346531978), rent a speedboat
Mr. Hill (081346562765), for lodging Derawan Beach Cafe & Cottage
Pak Kadek (08134621782), SHALL Dive Center, from car rental, rent a speedboat, the inn until the dive trip.
Maratua Paradise Resort 082157169229 or 085246585368 (Ilsam)

Tips
There is no better way to get the beauty of marine Derawan except dipping themselves into underwater, either by diving or just snorkeling. Completing the rest you can enjoy sand in Gosong that is located just 5 minutes from Derawan Island.