Borneo Island is renowned for its rich biodiversity, but have you ever heard of Derawan Island? Located in the Berau Regency archipelago in East Kalimantan, which consists of 31 islands, Derawan Island is a hidden tropical paradise that attracts many tourists. The island boasts beautiful beaches, coral reefs, and exotic animals.

Other stunning islands, including Maratua, Sangalaki, and Kakaban surround Derawan. Traveling to these islands offers breathtaking views of white sandy beaches and crystal-clear blue waters.

The islands are famous for their exotic animals, such as sea turtles, and provide opportunities for Pesona Friends to see sea turtles around the coast and snorkel and swim with them in the sea.

Derawan, as the home of sea turtles, offers natural attractions to enjoy. You can spot endangered animals, such as giant green and hawksbill turtles, in conservation. In addition, Derawan Island's sea is categorized as a conservation area for a variety of marine animals, ranging from giant turtles, dolphins, manta rays, and dugongs to barracudas, stingless jellyfish, and even whales. There are 460 different species of coral and 870 species of fish that you can find here.

In 2005, the local government registered this destination with UNESCO as a world heritage site because Derawan Island and its coastal ecosystems are very important for coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove forests. Derawan is also home to many protected species, such as green sea turtles, hawksbill turtles, whales, dolphins, giant clams, coconut crabs, dugongs, barracudas, and a few other species.

Derawan is also famous for its coral reef, consisting of various types, namely fringing reefs, barrier reefs, and atolls. Atolls are coral reefs located in the center of the island and surrounded by a lagoon. The attractions, views, and beaches are often compared to those of the Maldives. In total, there are about 460 to 470 species of corals in Derawan. The island is also a favorite dive spot for world-class divers, with 28 dive spots scattered around it.

The Derawan Islands consist of many islands, mostly formed from coral reefs with beautiful beaches. Are you ready to explore Derawan? Check out some of the recommended things to do when you visit the Derawan Islands!

Derawan is not only attractive for its sea but also for the opportunities to explore its surrounding islands. If you need a break from the water, consider cycling around! You can explore Derawan's natural beauty from the beach by bike. You'll witness daily local activities and their friendly nature as you ride.

Most of the roads are sandy, so take your time to enjoy the view. If you're lucky, you may spot macaque monkeys along the trail, but be sure to keep your belongings close as they may try to raid them. Cycling around Derawan is best in the afternoon, as you can enjoy the beautiful orange sky as the sun sets.

Rental bikes cost between IDR 20,000 to IDR 50,000 per day per bike, and they are worth the price!

Derawan is uniquely beautiful, with its white sandy beach being its most notable feature. The sand's soft texture, along with the vibrant look it gives the area, makes it a pleasure for visitors to walk around and enjoy with loved ones.

For the ultimate experience, relaxing at one of the lodges near the shoreline is recommended. Alongside the sandy beach, you'll find beautifully grown coconut trees, palm trees, and other vegetation that add to the picturesque atmosphere.

Exploring the sandy beach and walking on the long pier is another highlight of Derawan Island. The breezy and windy vibes of the coastal wind make it a pleasant experience, and you'll be rewarded by witnessing the clear sea scenery from the end of the pier.

You can rent a room near the beach for IDR 550,000 to IDR 1,250,000 per night through Traveloka. If you plan a longer stay, consider lodging at one of the island's many hotels or resorts. For example, you'll find homestays such as Derawan Fisheries, Lestari Cottage, Sari Cottage Derawan, Derawan Dive Resort, Fisheries Eco Villa, Derawan Dive Lodge, Mirroliz Pelangi Cottage, and Derawan Beach CAFÉ & Cottage.

Staying at a homestay on Derawan Island is affordable and provides a beautiful night-time atmosphere. However, if you have a larger budget, consider renting one of the cottages, which provides extra comfort.

The best time to visit Derawan Beach is at noon or during good weather. However, the perfect time to go is at sunset. There are many spots near Derawan to witness the best sunset.

After exploring the underwater beauty of Derawan Beach, it's time to watch the sunset. You don't need any extra budget; just spot it from one of the many spots located in Derawan.

It's worth noting that not only Bali and Lombok have beaches with stunning sunrise and sunset views. You can also enjoy the beautiful sunrise and sunset views here in Derawan. Just sit on the beach and wait to see the sunrise or sunset.

So, if you go to the beach in the late afternoon, wait for the sunset at the pier. Many piers jut into the middle of the sea as a place to wait for the sunset. Plus, you may even spot sea turtles swimming with the vibrant colors of the sunset shining on the green crystal sea.

Derawan Beach is a popular destination for snorkeling enthusiasts. It is widely recognized as one of Indonesia's best spots due to its stunning underwater beauty. You can expect to encounter a variety of sea creatures, such as jellyfish, corals, different fish species, and sea turtles. The crystal-clear water allows for a breathtaking snorkeling experience with minimal effort. The greenish color of the sea ensures amazing visibility, especially for underwater enthusiasts. The snorkeling spot usually reaches a depth of up to 20 meters.

Besides its beauty, the water provides a warm and comfortable sensation while snorkeling. If you need help deciding which spot to snorkel, ask the locals for recommendations on the best beginner-friendly areas. Local shops provide snorkeling gear for rent, with complete equipment costing around IDR 50,000 per person. However, if you plan to snorkel outside of Derawan, consider that transportation costs, around IDR 110,000 per person by speedboat, may apply.

One of the best things about Derawan Island is its turtle conservation. You can explore a turtle conservation area and learn about sea turtles there. Locals organize the conservations and have helped many sea turtles reproduce. You can witness the turtles in their natural habitat, and the best time to visit is in August, when hundreds of sea turtles come ashore to lay eggs.

Visitors are allowed to witness the egg-laying process, which typically occurs at night. A flashlight may be necessary to observe the process. Additionally, you can visit the conservation to see tiny sea turtles taken care of by the turtle keepers. You can join the keepers in hand, releasing mature hatchlings into the sea.

While enjoying the conservation, you can also stroll on the beach and spot some animals, such as monitor lizards and eagles.

In the Derawan Islands, there is a unique local cuisine called Tehe-tehe that is both distinctive in name and appearance. The food is round, like an orange with a hard shell and has filling inside. The shell is made from sea urchin rubbed until all the spines fall out and the surface is smooth. After that, the shell is filled with glutinous rice and steamed until the rice is cooked. Tehe-tehe has a unique flavor with a savory kick due to the addition of sea urchin fat from the shell.

Other foods originate from Derawan, called Kima-kima and Kulabutan. Kima-kima is a giant clam served dry with a savory taste. It is best served with hot chili seasoning and warm white rice. On the other hand, Kulabutan is dried squid, but locals usually sell it raw. If you want to taste kulabutan, go to a stall selling it. For dessert, you can taste the Borneo-originated durian. The fruit has an orangish color, sweet flavor, and soft texture.

Traveling to Derawan Island has two main options: air travel or land travel. You can reach Derawan Island by air via direct flights from Jakarta to Balikpapan or by ship from Surabaya.

If you choose to go by plane, you should fly from Soekarno Hatta Airport in Jakarta to Sepinggan Airport or Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Airport in Balikpapan, which usually takes two hours. From there, you will need additional transportation to reach Berau Regency. Then, you can take a speed boat from Tanjung Batu Harbor to Derawan Island, which takes around 30-45 minutes.

The land route can be reached from Tarakan, which continues towards Tengkayu Port and then connects again to the island area using a speed boat. To go to Tarakan, you must take a flight that will land at Juwata International Airport first.

You can book a plane ticket from Soekarno Hatta Airport in Jakarta to Sepinggan Airport or Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Airport in Balikpapan for a starting price of around IDR 1,700,000 on Traveloka. The second option's flight cost from Soekarno Hatta Airport in Jakarta to Juwata International Airport starts from IDR 2,700,000.

For the other transportation price to go around Derawan Island, here are the details:

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