Major city · Indonesia
Derawan
Spend 2–3 days on Derawan for diving, snorkeling and jelly‑fish lake; longer if you want all 28 dive sites.
Derawan Island in East Kalimantan offers world‑class dive sites, a jelly‑fish lake on Kakaban and easy walking or bike travel. A short stay (2‑3 days) covers the main attractions; avid divers need a week to hit every dive point.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- IDR
- Best months
- Mar–May, Aug–Oct
- avoid Nov–Feb (wet, high seas)
- Airports
- BEJ · BPN
- Nights
- 2–3
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Indonesia ↗Buy the visa on arrival or e-visa only on the official Immigration portal; lookalike sites charge extra.
- Indonesia ↗Complete the All Indonesia digital arrival and customs form before landing; it is free.
- Indonesia ↗Foreign visitors to Bali pay a one-off tourist levy; keep the payment proof on your phone.
- Indonesia ↗Riding a motorbike needs a valid licence that covers motorbikes (an international permit alongside your own) and a helmet; check your insurance covers it.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Derawan110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Derawan, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Rupiah (Rp) in small notes for warungs, parking, offerings and drivers; large cards are common in tourist restaurants but not everywhere.Indonesia-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckTelkomsel, XL and Indosat sell tourist SIMs at airports; foreign phones must be IMEI-registered if staying over 90 days — check.Indonesia-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; refill stations common in Bali.Indonesia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Often 10% service + tax on the bill; nothing more needed.Indonesia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Indonesia-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe; watch for strong currents when diving and keep cash secure; ATMs accept only Indonesian cards.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern in hotels and cafés; squat toilets with a water scoop elsewhere; paper in the bin.Indonesia-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 112 General · 118 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysBali shuts completely for Nyepi; government offices close Friday midday for prayer; Lebaran slows the country for two weeks.Indonesia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckBEJ Berau Airport (Tanjung Redeb) (Direct from Jakarta; cheapest but limited seats (check schedule)).
- Getting aroundIsland is walkable; bicycles and scooters rent along the west‑shore road.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BEJ Berau Airport (Tanjung Redeb) (Direct from Jakarta; cheapest but limited seats (check schedule)) · BPN Balikpapan Sepinggan Airport (International gateway; connect to Berau or Tarakan by domestic flight)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Feb
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Mar
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Apr
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Oct
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Nov
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Dec
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Best: Mar–May, Aug–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Feb (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Dec (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Jan (15 rain days), driest Jun (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Derawan: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15 rd
Feb
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14 rd
Mar
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
8 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
8 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9 rd
Sep
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
11 rd
Oct
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Nov
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13 rd
Dec
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Island is walkable; bicycles and scooters rent along the west‑shore road.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Kakaban Island
goDoor to door: ≈1 h total
Speed‑boat from Derawan, ~30 min
Jelly‑fish lake, no swimming gear needed
Sangalaki Island
goDoor to door: ≈1.5 h
Speed‑boat, ~45 min
Manta Spot and sea‑turtle nesting area
Maratua Island
cautionDoor to door: ≈2 h
Speed‑boat, ~1 h
Longer boat, limited accommodation
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Derawan Dive Resort
Largest hotel; rooms ~Rp250,000–Rp300,000 per night
Local homestays
Spring‑bed rooms, air‑conditioned, Rp250,000–Rp300,000 per night
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- Rp300,000–Rp500,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- Rp500,000–Rp800,000 excl. bed
- High
- Rp800,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Homestay room2 × 3 nights × Rp300,000 | Rp1,800,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × Rp500,000 | Rp3,000,000 |
| Speed‑boat to Kakaban (round trip)2 × Rp300,000 | Rp600,000 |
| Dive single dive (2 divers)2 × Rp350,000 | Rp700,000 |
| eSIM data (1 week)2 × Rp250,000 | Rp500,000 |
| Trip total≈ Rp1,100,000 per person per day, bed included | Rp6,600,000≈ US$450 |
Spring‑bed, air‑conditioned
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Beer (can) | Rp40,000 |
| Homestay room | Rp250,000–Rp300,000 per night |
| Dive (single dive, 2 divers) | Rp350,000 each |
| Speed‑boat charter (full day) | Rp300,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Speed‑boat from Tanjung Batu takes 30 min; schedule limited (Thursday‑Sunday service).
- "Cash needed: ATMs accept only Indonesian cards."
- Dive trips may require extra boat charter fees (≈Rp1.5 million for remote sites).
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- General
- 112
- Ambulance
- 118
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
DerawanDerawan
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Emergency
- Police110
- General112
- Ambulance118
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Jakarta → Berau (flight): ≈Rp1,200,000, 2 h
- Berau → Tanjung Batu (land): ≈2 h by car, Rp200,000
- Tanjung Batu → Derawan (speed‑boat): ≈30 min, Rp300,000 round trip
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Derawan. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Aug–Oct · avoid Nov–Feb (wet, high seas) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
- secondaryWikidata – Derawan
- secondaryWikivoyage: Derawan, revision 4998646 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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