In the Celebes Sea off East Kalimantan, the Derawan archipelago combines reef snorkeling, manta cleaning stations, and green turtle nesting beaches across a scattered island chain reached by multi-day boat circuits from Berau. Sangalaki and Derawan islands deliver reliable in-water turtle encounters, while Maratua and Kakaban add wall diving and stingless jellyfish lakes. May through September brings the driest weather and the steadiest turtle activity across the island loop.
In the Celebes Sea off East Kalimantan, the Derawan archipelago combines reef snorkeling, manta cleaning stations, and green turtle nesting beaches across a scattered island chain reached by multi-day boat circuits from Berau. Sangalaki and Derawan islands deliver reliable in-water turtle encounters, while Maratua and Kakaban add wall diving and stingless jellyfish lakes. May through September brings the driest weather and the steadiest turtle activity across the island loop.
Up to 92% sighting chance in Derawan Archipelago (East Kalimantan, Indonesia). Best months: June, July, August.
May through September delivers the driest weather and up to 92% sighting probability across Sangalaki and Derawan reef sites, with nesting activity continuing on select beaches.
Fly to Berau via Balikpapan or Tarakan, then take a speedboat or overnight ferry to Derawan village. Most turtle-focused itineraries run three to five days island-hopping by charter boat.
Yes on designated beaches with local guides. Night walks follow conservation rules with red-light-only viewing, similar to other Indonesian nesting programmes.
Three-day island packages typically run 4,500,000 to 8,500,000 IDR per person (2026 prices), including boat transfers, homestay or resort, and guided snorkel or dive sessions.
Sangalaki is famous for manta rays and reef turtles, while Derawan village reef offers daily green turtle grazing at snorkel depth. Maratua adds deeper wall encounters.
