Derawan Islands dive sites
Indonesia · Browse dive locations by depth, type and conditions.
Best Season
March to October
Skill Levels
intermediate
Nearby Cities
Berau
All dive sites
Diving in Derawan Islands
Derawan Islands offers reef dive sites across 1 location. Browse dive locations by depth, type and conditions before planning your dive.
FAQ
When is the best time to see whale sharks at Derawan?
Whale shark sightings in the Derawan Islands are most common between March and June, when plankton blooms attract these filter feeders to the nutrient-rich waters of the channel. However, sightings are never guaranteed and depend heavily on plankton conditions. Manta rays are more reliable year-round residents, particularly at the cleaning stations on the reef edge.
What skill level is needed for Big Fish Country?
Intermediate certification is recommended. The site involves open-water diving with moderate currents in a channel environment. Divers should be comfortable with blue-water descents and maintaining position in current. While the maximum depth reaches 30 meters, most of the action occurs between 10 and 20 meters where the pelagic species patrol.
How do I reach the Derawan Islands?
The Derawan Islands are accessed via Berau in East Kalimantan. Fly to Berau's Kalimarau Airport from Balikpapan or Jakarta, then take a speedboat from Tanjung Batu to Derawan Island, which takes about 1.5 hours. Several dive resorts operate on Derawan and nearby Maratua Island. Liveaboard trips also cover the area as part of broader Kalimantan itineraries.