Diving in Derawan Islands
Why dive here
Derawan Islands offers some of Indonesia's richest diving, with 118+ marine species recorded in the area - including manta rays, mobula rays (devil rays), orcas, sea turtles and sperm whales.
Derawan feels like a secret, even though the word is definitely out. It’s remote, sitting off the coast of Borneo, and that journey is part of its charm - we always feel we’ve earned the diving by the time we arrive. The diving here is wonderfully varied; you'll drift along walls at Maratua, where the barracuda often gather in a dense, swirling tornado, a truly impressive sight. Sangalaki is our favourite for mantas, especially during the plankton blooms, they glide past with such easy grace. But the absolute standout, the thing we tell everyone about, is Kakaban. Picture this: you fin through a narrow channel and emerge into a landlocked saltwater lake, warm and green. The water is thick with jellyfish, but they don't sting. It’s surreal to swim amongst them, a soft, pulsating cloud all around you. You’ll find healthy staghorn and table corals across many of the reefs, too, with plenty of compressed toby and black-belt hogfish darting about. Conditions can vary, so we always suggest checking local reports for current strength, especially around Maratua's channels. Dive centres are few, so book ahead.
Derawan Islands Dive Site Map
Dive sites and dive centres in Derawan Islands
Derawan Islands Dive Sites
70 dive sites in Derawan Islands
Bakungan
Bakungan offers a gentle dive, topping out at 18 meters, making it ideal for newer divers or those looking for a relaxed experience. We usually find a good mix of reef fish here. Look for small schools of snapper and fusiliers weaving through the soft corals. It's a pleasant way to spend an hour underwater, often with minimal current.
Bantukan
Bantukan is a straightforward dive in the Derawan Islands, maxing out at 23m. It’s a good spot for beginners looking to get comfortable, with easy conditions. You’ll typically find a good range of reef fish going about their day. We’d suggest this site for a relaxed introductory dive or a multi-level profile to extend your bottom time.
Barracuda point
Barracuda Point in the Derawan Islands is exactly what it sounds like. We’ve often found schooling barracuda here, sometimes in significant numbers, circling just off the reef wall. Currents can be strong, making it a good spot for drift dives and suiting divers comfortable in moving water. Keep an eye out for other pelagics cruising by in the blue.
Batu Kangan
Batu Kangan is a straightforward dive in the Derawan Islands, maxing out at 24m. It's a good spot for newer divers to get comfortable, with generally mild conditions. We've seen a range of smaller reef fish here, going about their day. It’s a solid option for a relaxed second or third dive, easy enough to enjoy the quiet.
Big Fish Country
Big Fish Country lives up to its name, a deeper site where we've consistently encountered larger pelagics. Expect to see grey reef sharks patrolling the drop-off, schooling barracuda, and often a few passing tuna. This spot is best for experienced divers comfortable with potential currents and keen on big animal encounters rather than macro life. Come here for the action, not the coral.
Blue light cave
The Blue Light Cave in Derawan isn't a long penetration dive, but it's a unique experience. Divers drop into a spacious cavern where a shaft of sunlight, often appearing electric blue, pierces the darkness. It’s more about the ethereal light show than specific marine life, though you'll find the odd cardinalfish tucked into crevices. This site suits those looking for something a bit different, a photogenic moment rather than a reef teeming with activity.
BUNGALU
Bungalu offers a proper wreck dive, not just a pile of scattered debris. What we love about it is the sheer intactness of the motor vessel, especially for a wreck that’s been down a while. You can penetrate some sections, if you’re comfortable and properly trained, swimming through the hull where the light filters in through portholes, illuminating schools of glassfish. It’s got that slightly spooky, ‘shipwrecked’ feel that we often look for. The wreck sits in clear, calm water, making it accessible for newer wreck divers or those wanting to hone their buoyancy in a more controlled environment. Look closely in the nooks and crannies for resident scorpionfish and lionfish, perfectly camouflaged against the encrusted metal. Our tip: go early to catch the best light for photography, and keep an eye out for larger pelagics cruising past in the blue, sometimes drawn in by the structure. It’s a compelling piece of history, now a thriving artificial reef.
Capri Point
Capri Point is a gentle wall dive in Derawan, topping out around 23 meters. It’s perfect for beginners or those looking for a relaxed dive. We usually drift along, spotting nudibranchs on the coral and maybe a turtle or two cruising past. The current is typically mild, making it an easy introduction to the area's diving.
Channel Entrance
The Channel Entrance at Derawan offers a drift dive into the lagoon. We often spot reef sharks cruising the current here, and the occasional eagle ray might glide past. It's a straightforward drift, good for those who enjoy a relaxing ride with bigger pelagics. We'd suggest it for divers comfortable with moderate currents.
Cleaning Station Sangalaki
Sangalaki’s Cleaning Station is a pretty gentle introduction to the area’s big animal encounters. At a maximum depth of 18 meters, it’s a calm drift over a mostly sandy bottom with coral heads dotted around. Keep an eye out for manta rays coming in for a scrub, especially if the current is mild and the tide is right. We’ve had some lovely, unhurried moments here, just watching them circle. It’s perfect for newer divers, or anyone who just wants to relax and wait for the action to come to them.
Coral Gardens
Coral Gardens lives up to its name, a shallow, sunny reef flat perfect for easy dives or extended snorkels around Derawan. We’ve found plenty of small reef fish flitting between the soft corals and anemones. It’s a gentle introduction to the area, best suited for those new to diving or anyone keen on a relaxed, colourful afternoon underwater.
Coral Mountain Bay
Coral Mountain Bay is a solid choice in Derawan, a site we’d put in the ‘dependable’ category. It’s not going to blow your mind, but it consistently delivers a pleasant dive, especially for those comfortable with a bit of current. The reef structure here is interesting, with some decent coral formations. We’ve spotted reef sharks cruising through on a few occasions, along with the usual suspects like snappers and fusiliers. It's a good intermediate dive, mostly due to the potential for stronger pushes, but nothing too wild.
Derawan Islands Dive Centres
2 dive shops and operators in Derawan Islands
Ocean Wildlife in Derawan Islands
118 species recorded in Derawan Islands
Derawan Islands Daylight & Sunrise/Sunset
Sunrise and sunset times for Derawan Islands, calculated from coordinates
Today - Monday 24 August
Sunrise
06:04
Sunset
18:14
Daylight
12h 10m
Golden Hour
17:46
First light (dawn) at 05:43 · Last light (dusk) at 18:35
Monthly Averages
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 06:15 | 18:16 | 12h 1m |
| Feb | 06:19 | 18:22 | 12h 3m |
| Mar | 06:13 | 18:19 | 12h 6m |
| Apr | 06:02 | 18:11 | 12h 10m |
| May | 05:57 | 18:09 | 12h 13m |
| JunLongest | 06:00 | 18:14 | 12h 15m |
| Jul | 06:05 | 18:19 | 12h 14m |
| AugNow | 06:06 | 18:17 | 12h 11m |
| Sep | 05:58 | 18:06 | 12h 8m |
| Oct | 05:50 | 17:54 | 12h 4m |
| Nov | 05:50 | 17:52 | 12h 1m |
| DecShortest | 06:01 | 18:01 | 12h 0m |
Times are approximate local times based on longitude. Actual times may vary slightly depending on the exact timezone observed in Derawan Islands.
Where to Stay near Derawan Islands
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Marine Protected Areas near Derawan Islands
9 protected areas near Derawan Islands - please respect local regulations when diving
TAMAN PESISIR DAN TAMAN PULAU KECIL KEPULAUAN DERAWAN DAN PERAIRAN SEKITARNYA
Pulau Maratua-Karang Muaras
KKP3K-17 Kab. Berau
KKP3K-12 Kab. Kutai Timur
KK Tanjung Palas Timur
KK Perairan Sungai Bebatu
KKM-02 Kab. Kota Bontang
Pulau Sangalaki
Pulau Semama
Getting to Derawan Islands
Tanjung Redeb - Borneo Island
Balikpapan
Tarakan
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