The Derawan islands of Indonesia (Kepulauan Derawan) are located in the most eastern part of East Kalimantan province in the border to our neighbor Serawak of Malaysia. The Derawan is covering the islands of Sangalaki, Kakaban, Maratua, Panjang and Samama island and submerged reefs and islets. They are located in the Sulawesi Sea, on the costal shelf of East Kalimantan.

This groups of island located in a biodiversity hotspot, the Derawan islands feature 872 species of reef fishes, 507 species of coral and invertebrates, including protected species (5 giamts clam species, 2 sea turtles, coconuts crab, etc). Some of the islands harbor the heavily exploited turtle eggs and yet the largest green turtle nesting site in Indonesia

There are two inhabited islands, namely Derawan (1village of 1,259 people) and Maratua (4 villages of 2,704 people). Fishing is an important income generating the activity for the community. Since the early 1990s, people have caught live groupers, napoleon wrasse, and lobsters, to fill high demand. There are 3 dive resort on Derawan island, while more additional resort or facilities are in the planning process.

HOW TO GET THERE

From Jakarta( Indonesia ) you can reach Balikpapan very easily. From Jakarta it is better to take morning flight between 06.00 – 08.00 AM Jakarta time with Batavia airlines, Lion Air, Kartika Air, Air Asia, and Garuda Indonesia, so you can connect nicely with Trigana Balikpapan – Berau 10.45 - 12.10. To reach this place, from Balikpapan to travel one hour by plane (Kal Star, Deraya or DAS) to Cape Redeb (Kab.Berau capital) and from Cape Batu to Cape Redeb then took a speedboat to the island Derawan (long trip around the 2.5 hours). Other alternatives can also be via Tarakan, from there using a speed boat charter (capacity 30 people) and up to the island Derawan with 3.5 hours of travel time