Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Getting There & Around
There is no regularly scheduled public transport in the Derawan Archipelago. Chartered
speedboats for Pulau Derawan leave from the dock at Tanjung Batu, a coastal town two
hours' drive from Berau. The 20-minute ride is 250,000Rp for the boat, which seats five.
Ask to be dropped off near your hotel. Chartering to other islands is expensive for an indi-
vidual traveller, but of course decreases when divided among a group. A four-hour return
trip from Derawan to Sangalaki and Kakaban is 1,500,000Rp. From Tanjung Batu to
Nabucco costs 3,250,000Rp return. Enquire about specifics at the speedboat dock, and
take your driver's mobile phone number for future reference.
Nabucco Island Resort operates a fast shuttle from the centre of Berau to Nabucco
(1,450,000Rp return, three hours), departing on Wednesdays and Saturdays, returning
Tuesdays and Fridays. Depending on the tide, this boat can also drop off passengers at
Derawan, midway to the mainland. This is the quickest way to get to the outer islands.
Call for reservations.
The cheapest, and slowest, way to get between islands is by
tok-tok
, a local open fish-
ing boat with a noisy little engine. You can arrange this in any village, just be aware of the
time involved, as you may be bobbing around in the sun for hours (eg Berau to Maratua is
eight hours). Having said that, it is a fun way to get between nearby islands, like Nabucco
and Maratua (50,000Rp).
At time of research an airport was under construction on Maratua, projected to open in
2014. This will make the outer islands much more accessible. So go now.
DERAWAN DIVING HIGHLIGHTS
Pulau Sangalaki
Famous for its manta rays, which are present throughout the year. Sea turtles also abound.
Pulau Kakaban
Big pelagic fish and a cave dive offshore; a rare lake full of nonstinging jellyfish inland.
Pulau Maratua
Known for 'the channel' frequented by big pelagic fish, eagle rays and huge schools of bar-
racuda. Occasional thresher sharks.
Pulau Derawan
Small creatures draw photographers: ghostpipe fish, frogfish, harlequin shrimp, jawfish, blue-
ring octopus.
