Geographically, the archipelago is located on a peninsula north Derawan marine waters of Berau regency consisting of several islands of Long Island, Island Raburabu, Samama Island, Island Sangalaki, Kakaban, Nabuko Island, Island and Island Maratua Derawan. Derawan Islands there are several small islands and coastal ecosystems is very important that coral reefs, seagrass, and mangrove forest (mangrove forests). In addition many protected species in the Islands Derawan like green turtles, hawksbill turtles, whales, dolphins, giant clams, coconut crabs, mermaids, fish, barracuda and a few other species.
In the surrounding waters are known as marine parks and dive tourism (diving) with a depth of about five meters. There are a wide variety of marine life here, including the squid (Cuttlefish), lobster, fish pipe (ghostpipe fish), octopus (octopus bluering), nudibranchs, seahorses (seahorses), eel ribbon (ribbon eels) and fish skorpion (scorpionfishes ). On the rocks at a depth of ten meters, there are coral known as "Blue Trigger Wall" due to the reef with a length of 18 meters there is a lot of trigger fish.
Derawan is an island with sea colored blue and green shades are stunning, soft sand, palm trees line the coast, with a small forest in the middle of the island which is the habitat of various species of plants and animals and the natural beauty of the underwater dazzling. No wonder that this island could occupy third place, as a world class dive destination and make the island is a dream island for divers.
Derawan archipelago has 31 islands and several charred or atolls, but only part of the island that provides a complete accommodation, one of which is the island Derawan. The entire coastal waters Derawan Islands has beautiful white sand beaches, but there are some spots that are frequented:
1. Maratua Island, there is a nice resort and the pool for us who want to dive.
2. Kakaban, exotic island, because there is a lagoon that turns into a lake, because access to 'closed' by a perfect atoll (supposedly there are only 2 in the world). Here there Jelly Fish or jellyfish, which do not sting, this species there are only 2 in the world, one species and one species in Kakaban abroad again. Also when we dive, we will find different types of coral and fish are scarce. Note: be careful swimming here as close to the trough of the sea.
3. Sanglaki Island, the island where turtle breeding.
4. Derawan Island, as the central island here there are human settlements, schools, health centers, food stalls (simple), and various classes of lodging accommodations
5. Panjangg Island, a place that is quite a lot of coral reefs.
Perhaps many people who do not know about the islands Derawan. This may be due to lack of promotion of east Kalimantan government, or perhaps because of the location of a hidden island Derawan. The island is located in East Kalimantan is indeed fascinating. This place is located in the district of Berau. The island is situated not far from the Cape. Not far from Derawan Island, there are also islands so fascinating, that Maratua Island, Kakaban Island and Sangalaki Island. These islands have the potential of the sea is very rich and experts say that the beauty of the marine park with a diversity of marine life that live in the waters Derawan Islands. Derawan Island since 1993 managed by PT. Bhumi Manimbora Interbuana with the facility; cottages, diving tools, speedboats, restaurant. Sangalaki Island is managed by the Company "Dive Sangalaki Lorge" a company from Malaysia in collaboration with District Government of Berau. Speedboat diving equipment facilities, cottages and others. For tourists who want to stay at the inn / inn owned by the public is also available in the village of Island Derawan.
It is easy to reach this beautiful island. You can fly for about 3 hours to Aberdeen by plane from Jakarta, Surabaya, Yogyakarta or Denpasar. From Balikpapan, you still have to fly to Tanjung Redeb dive one hour with Star KAL plane, Deraya or DAS. In addition, Tanjung Redeb can also be reached by sea, with boarded the ship from Samarinda or Tarakan to Tanjung Redeb followed by motorboat hire. To obtain maximum results, both for shooting and diving eksplore, should be done in the dry season, around the month of May to September.
