Derawan diving without package (no resort) - looking for advice

Dear all, I am planning a trip to Derawan in Oct. '12, and planning to stay at a home-stay instead of the big expensive resorts with their packages. I would also like to do least 5 days of diving Has anyone here done this? What would you recommend? Are there alternatives to diving with the big resorts? Please let me hear from you. Thank you in advance. Pedro

Hi jajambo, welcome to Scubaboard!

I could be wrong but I don't think you will find many "resorts", if any, on Derawan. I was in Maratua in March. Maratua is an island very close to Derawan. I had written to Derawan Dive Resort but they never replied. I'm not sure if they are still operating, although they have a website.

May I ask why you are choosing Derawan? In my opinion, you could do much better than Derawan/Maratua/Sangalaki/Kakaban which are the 4 islands near each other in that area. There used to be a couple of resorts on Sangalaki but they are none now. Maratua has 2 resorts. I suspect you could find homestays on Derawan, but they will be very basic even by Indonesian standards.

Dear Madacub,

thanks for replying.

Why Derawan? I have been to Sipadan on two separate occasions and really enjoyed the experience. I am looking forward to returning to this part of the world for diving, but a different location this time. So, I looked on the map and found Derawan/Sangalaki.

In Sipadan, I was staying at a homestay (with BSDS, which I can recommend), and found it really great. No air-con, simple toilet and shower (bucket of water with a ladle), bed on the floor. Home cook food was delicious. I am not asking for luxury in this part of the world

At the moment, I have got some info from Maratua Dive Resort and Derawan Dive Resort, both pretty much the same deal. They did not sound too excited, when I asked about NOT going with their package (i.e. hotel + dive): extra fees here, uncertainties there etc…

Just wondering if there are any alternatives.

Thanks for your inputs!

Hi jajambo, I was in Sipadan in Feb, just before going to Maratua. I should tell you that Sipadan/Mabul was far better than Maratua/Sangalaki/Kakaban. There are similarities, but Sipadan has better sharks and other large creatures and Mabul has better macro life than Maratua/Sangalaki/Kakaban. I don't know about Derawan because I stayed on Maratua and Derawan was too far to go to. I'm not telling you not to go, but just that it was not as good in my opinion.

Of course, Sangalaki has mantas, but we did not see any during two trips. But there are many large turtles on Maratua. Plus a school of barracuda (again, Sipadan is better!). And the jellyfish lake on Kakaban is fantastic. I would not recommend Maratua Paradise Resort. They are overpriced for what they offer and management does not seem to want to keep their guests happy.

Sorry I can't help much more, but if you find what you are looking for, I think you'll have a good time...