A tropical paradise located in one region of the island province of East Kalimantan, Berau regency precisely and in the Strait of Sulawesi, not far from the border with Malaysia. Derawan island became a marine tourism destination choice for you who love the charming beach with soft white sand and clear water gleamed.Moreover, added bonus benign encounter turtles that swam merrily when we do the dive.
Sometimes while sitting on the end of a wooden bridge that leads to the sea, we can see the green turtles and fro on the surface of the clear water. Occasionally even the turtles that seem to roam around the cottage is located on the coast of the island. At nightfall, several turtles climbed ashore and lay their eggs there.
Alloy sea and moss colors produce stunning shades of blue and green, as well as a small forest in the middle, makes this island so beautiful natural scenery presents a pity to pass up. What remains, deep memories.
Dr.. Carden Wallace of the Museum of Tropical Queensland, Australia has examined marine wealth Derawan Island and found more than 50 types of Arcropora (marine animal) in one coral reef. No one seems if Derawan island famous as the third highest in the world as an international dive destination
The island is relatively less well known especially in the country due to its own struggle to achieve it took quite complicated. You must first go to Balikpapan from Jakarta, Surabaya, Yogyakarta or Denpasar, to reach this island. Approximately two hours of travel time from Jakarta to Balikpapan.
From Balikpapan, you still have to fly to Cape Redeb for an hour with a small plane that served by KAL Star, Deraya or DAS. In addition, Cape Redeb can also be reached by sea, with boarded the ship from Samarinda or Tarakan to Tanjung Redeb followed by renting a motorboat to the island Derawan with long travel approximately 2 hours.
Many foreigners fresh off the plane at the airport Kalimarau, Cape Redeb Derawan rushed to the island by motorboat which was moored at a specific port.
Another alternative could be through land route from Balikpapan to Tanjung Batu and from there crossed over to the island Derawan. Only this is not a good choice because of travel crossing itself takes up to a dozen hours with relatively unpleasant terrain.
Even so, you know, just a lot of foreign tourists who already know more about the existence of this exotic island. A number of Japanese tourists through travel from Tokyo who was there “Slapshot” go to Singapore or to Sabah then continue the trip to Aberdeen, then to Cape Redeb using small aircraft.
They utilize their time during the Derawan with diving, along the underwater beauty of the island which indeed is the best location for diving. Moreover, the condition of the remote islands and “virgin” increasingly add charm anyone to enjoy it as long as possible.
Not be far away, just 50 meters from the shoreline, we already can see the beautiful coral reefs and colorful fish back and forth. The water is very clear. You can rent a snorkel for Rp 30 thousand per day. If you want to dive deeper, we can find the fish are more “exotic” such as grouper, red fish, Kurisi, barracuda fish, sea urchins, and clams. On the rocks at a depth of ten meters, there is a reef known as “Trigger Blue Wall” because of the reef with a length of 18 meters is a lot of trigger fish (red-toothed trigger fishes).
Derawan provide base facilities (cottages), rental of diving equipment as well as a restaurant. There is also a low-cost lodges run by local people. Range of prices ranging from Rp 45 thousand to Rp 100 thousand / night.
Still not satisfied?
You can also review the other islands located around Derawan. For example: Charitable Island, Maratua, and Kakaban which has its own uniqueness. Pari Fish Blue (Manta Rays) which has a width of up to 3.5 meters in Charitable Island population. In fact can also be found-if lucky enough, black stingray with wide “wingspan” 6 meters. While Kakaban have uniqueness in the form of a prehistoric lake that is in the middle of the ocean, the only one in Asia.
