Green turtles graze on seagrass right off the village jetty, no boat needed.
Derawan is the easiest base in the archipelago, and its draw is simple: green turtles live in the shallows directly off the main jetty and the overwater walkways. You can stand on the pier and watch them surface for air, or slip in with a mask and float above them as they graze the seagrass beds. Sightings are close to a daily certainty, not a lucky break.
The island itself is small and walkable, with sandy lanes, homestays, and a handful of dive shops. There are no cars to speak of.
This is a place for snorkelers and divers who want easy access to marine life without long boat rides, and who are happy with basic island life rather than resorts.
Getting there
Fly to Berau (Kalimarau Airport, code BEJ) via Balikpapan or Tarakan, then drive roughly two hours to the small port at Tanjung Batu. From there a speedboat reaches Derawan in about 30 minutes; boats also run direct from the Tanjung Redeb harbour but take closer to two hours. Most homestays will arrange the boat transfer if you message ahead.
Best time
The dry season, roughly April to October, brings calmer crossings and clearer water. Turtles are around all year, but visibility is best when there has been little rain. Early morning and late afternoon are good times to find them feeding near the jetty.
Good to know
Keep a respectful distance and never touch, ride, or chase the turtles, as it stresses them and is widely frowned upon. Bring cash for the whole trip, since there are no reliable ATMs on the island. Pack your own snorkel gear if you can, as rental quality varies.
Close to it. Green turtles live permanently in the shallows around the jetty and walkways, so most visitors see several within their first swim or even from the pier.
No. The turtles graze in shallow seagrass right off the village, so snorkeling, or simply watching from the jetty, is enough. Diving opens up more of the surrounding reef if you want it.
There is sometimes a small local tourism or harbour fee collected on arrival, but the turtles and the public jetty are free to enjoy. Budget a little cash just in case.
Add it to a route across Indonesia and we will work out the travel time and cost between every stop.
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