Recent Conditions in Pulau Derawan, East Kalimantan?

[megip]

Hello,

Would just like to know if anyone has recently been diving around Pulau Derawan in East Kalimantan and if so what were the conditions like? I have read they have some problems with overfishing and dynamite fishing?

Also, is there any advice on how to get there overland from Tarakan(including approx. times and prices for two people?)

Any other reconsiderations like where to stay or dive ops are most welcome.

Thanks for the help?

[instructorinasia]

Check out these guys in Derawan, they also operate in Manado and Bali so are reputable. Derawan Dive Lodge & Tasik Divers | Kalimantan | Indonesia

not been myself so can't give any other advice apart from knowing the owner of Tasik Divers

[Madacub]

Hi again Megip! I posted a reply in your other thread about Indonesia in general. As I said in that thread, I would choose other sites over Derawan. But I understand that you are already in that vicinity. I actually went from Sipadan/Semporna to Maratua (close to Derawan). But I flew; via Kuala Lumpur and overnight in Java. After my arrangements were complete, I saw that Tarakan was a possibility, but it did not look too promising and I did not spend too much time looking into it. Funny thing, in Maratua, I met a couple who were going in the opposite direction, from Maratua to Sipadan/Semporna. They were taking the Tarakan route. I have remained in correspondence with them and they were not too impressed with that route. "...wouldnt take the ferry again, luckily the sea was calm, course the ship was very very old, more rust than metal." I'll be happy to contact them for more details if you want. But my memory is that they did not really save any time. My airfare from Sandakan-KL-Surabaya-Berau was about USD 400 plus the hotel overnight in Surabaya (Java island). I think the Tarakan route involves an overnight also.

Either way you have to get to Berau and then the boat from the resort will take you onwards. For us to Maratua it was about 3 hours on the boat. As you say, good thing "We dont mind more out of the way destinations...".


The summary seems to be that it is a short distance on the map, but that's deceptive.

[megip]

Thanks for replying to both questions. I managed to find some very up to date transport info on the Lonely Planet forums on how to get there over land and even though it takes ALOT longer, it is more relaxing on the budget. We have been travelling for awhile now so 2days to get some where doesn't bother me- but if i was on a shorter holiday i would def choose to fly!

For some reason Derawan really appeals to me- it looks like we might get lucky seeing turtles nesting on the beach, there seems to be some good spots for mantas and of course the jellyfish lake! Maybe I am just not ready to leave Borneo yet!! Also, i have a feeling you can still see alot of things while snorkelling so we may not have to dive. Not sure on that one though.

But even if we decide to do Derawan, we will still have about 5 weeks in the rest of Indonesia and plan to do more diving so all of your info was a big help!

Thanks alot!