Things to Do in Derawan Islands
40 curated spots from Derawan Islands itineraries
Activities & Attractions
20 curated experiences
Boat Transfer Derawan to Maratua Island
Private or shared speedboat across turquoise open water (about 1–1.5 hours) to Maratua, often passing small sandbars and reef shallows along the way.
1h 30m · $25-40 per person (chartered as family)
Derawan Beach Walk
Stroll the shoreline, watch fishermen at work, and settle into the island pace before your first boat day.
1h 30m · Free
Derawan House Reef Snorkel
Snorkel close to shore for coral, fish, and easy water access without a long boat ride.
2h · $10-20 or Free
Derawan House Reef Snorkeling
Snorkel right off the main jetty or shallow reef patches along the west beach; expect turtles grazing on seagrass, small reef fish, and clear, shallow water. Many homestays and dive shops can rent mask, snorkel, and fins on the spot.
2h · $5-10 (gear rental) or Free if you have your own
Derawan Island Forest & Beach Walk
Follow sandy paths away from the main jetty through coconut groves and low jungle, looping along quiet beaches where you can spot crabs, birds, and driftwood under leaning palms.
1h 30m · Free
Derawan Night Shore Walk
Take a quiet walk along the beach after dinner and listen to the island settle down.
30m · Free
Derawan Turtle Spotting Pier
Spend time near the pier and shoreline where turtle sightings are often easiest in calm water.
1h 30m · Free
Derawan Village Free Explore
Use the morning and afternoon to browse the shoreline, watch boats, and enjoy a slower village rhythm.
2h · Free
Derawan Village Jetty Snorkeling
Walk to the main jetties on Derawan and slip into clear water where turtles often swim under the wooden walkways; snorkel along the edge of seagrass and coral for an easy, low-effort marine intro.
1h 30m · Free (if you have your own gear) or ~$5 for basic rental
Green Turtle Hatchery Visit on Sangalaki
Walk inland a few minutes from the beach to the ranger station, where staff often show the hatchery pools and explain conservation efforts. With luck, you might see baby turtles awaiting release or fresh nesting tracks on the sand.
1h 30m · $5-10 donation
Kakaban Cliff Lookout
Stop for photos of the limestone edge, dense tropical greens, and vivid water below.
45m · Free
Maratua Island Free-Explore Time
After lunch, wander the beach, rest in the shade of palms, or snorkel in shallow areas near your lodge or landing jetty, soaking up the quiet atmosphere before the return boat.
2h · Free
Maratua Island Lagoon & Turtle Snorkeling
Stop at Maratua Island on your island‑hopping day; snorkel the calm lagoon near overwater bungalows where sea turtles are frequently seen gliding over seagrass beds and coral patches.
1h 30m · Included in combined island‑hopping trip
Maratua Paradise Overwater Walk & Swim
Once you check in, walk the wooden boardwalks between overwater bungalows, then descend the resort’s ladder directly into the lagoon for an easy swim or snorkel over shallow coral and seagrass frequented by turtles.
2h · Free (for guests)
Maratua Paradise Resort House Reef
After check‑in, use the resort’s steps or jetty to snorkel the clear lagoon: abundant turtles, reef fish, and coral gardens in shallow water.
2h 30m · Free (for guests) or day‑use fee if external
Morning Turtle Spotting on Derawan Shore
Head out early to walk the shore and jetties while the light is soft; look down into the shallows where turtles often graze and surface close to the wooden pilings.
1h · Free
Sangalaki Island Turtle Hatchery Visit
On the same multi‑island trip, visit Sangalaki to see the turtle conservation hatchery, where rangers sometimes show baby turtles and explain the nesting and release process.
1h · $5-10 per person (donation/fee; sometimes included in tour)
Snorkeling at Kakaban Wall & Sangalaki Manta Spots
From the same boat trip, snorkel Kakaban’s outer reef wall and continue to Sangalaki to look for manta rays and more turtles in clear blue water.
3h · Usually included in Kakaban boat trip price
Snorkeling with Turtles off Derawan Beach
Rent masks and fins from your guesthouse and swim out from the beach or smaller piers to spot green turtles grazing on seagrass in shallow water.
2h · $5-10 for gear rental
Sunset on Derawan Pier
Head back to the long main pier to watch the sky turn orange and pink over the sea, with silhouettes of boats and distant islands framed by palm‑covered shoreline.
1h · FreeRestaurants & Food
20 local favorites
Maratua Paradise Resort Restaurant
Open‑sided restaurant on stilts over a shallow turquoise lagoon, surrounded by dense greenery and wooden walkways that feel very jungle‑wild. Halal options: buffet or set meals usually featuring grilled or fried fish, ayam goreng or ayam bakar (fried/grilled chicken), vegetable stir‑fries, soups, and rice; resort is in Muslim‑majority area and can provide halal food—confirm at check‑in and ask for halal chicken.
1h · $8-15 per person
Boat Lunch on Kakaban Day Trip
Your operator will typically serve a simple halal-friendly buffet or lunch box on the boat: rice, grilled or fried fish, chicken, vegetables, sometimes tempeh or tofu. Confirm when booking that all food is halal and request no pork or non-halal sausages.
45m · Included in tour price
Borneo Cottage Maratua Dining Hall
Homestyle halal meals served in a wooden communal hall surrounded by palms—think grilled fish, chicken, vegetables, sambal, and rice. Let them know you require halal (they already cook halal and do not serve pork); enjoy the set dinner or ask for extra vegetables and seafood.
1h 15m · $10-18 per person
Derawan Beach Cafe
Simple open‑air beachfront cafe attached to Derawan Beach Cafe & Cottage, with wooden decks over turquoise water and palm trees giving a wild, coastal feel. Halal options: nasi goreng (fried rice with vegetables/egg or halal chicken), mie goreng (fried noodles with egg/veg), boiled or fried eggs, and fried bananas; staff can avoid non‑halal ingredients on request.
45m · $4-7 per person
Derawan Dive Lodge Restaurant
Simple open-air beachfront restaurant attached to the lodge, under palms right by the sand. Halal options: Indonesian-style breakfast of nasi goreng (request no pork, no alcohol – they typically cook halal-friendly seafood/chicken), mie goreng, eggs with toast, fresh tropical fruit, tea and coffee.
45m · $5-10 per person
Derawan Dive Resort Restaurant
Resort restaurant in a lush, overwater setting that serves Indonesian-style halal breakfast: nasi goreng, mie goreng, eggs, toast, fruit, coffee and tea.
45m · $5-8 per person
Derawan Family Warung
Order ayam goreng, sayur kangkung, rice, and fresh juice; confirm no pork and no alcohol in any sauce.
1h · $8-16 per person
Derawan Farewell Dinner
Pick a final halal-friendly spread of grilled fish, chicken satay if available, rice, and fruit juice.
1h 15m · $12-25 per person
Derawan Island Halal Seafood Lunch
Choose grilled fish, rice, stir-fried vegetables, and fried tempeh or tofu if available; confirm halal preparation and no alcohol in sauces.
1h · $10-18 per person
Derawan Simple Seafood Lunch
Order grilled fish, rice, and vegetables; avoid mixed platters unless the kitchen confirms all ingredients are halal.
1h · $8-15 per person
Final Grilled Fish Lunch on Derawan
Return to a trusted warung by the jetty for one last halal grilled fish or chicken meal with rice and vegetables, confirming again no pork or alcohol in preparation.
1h · $6-12 per person
Floating Snack Stalls at Derawan Jetty
Small local kiosks and vendors by the main jetty selling light bites under shady trees with the sea in front and village greenery behind. Halal options: fried bananas, pisang goreng with cheese/chocolate, instant noodles without meat, bottled drinks, and sometimes simple rice packs with egg or fish—all prepared by local Muslim vendors.
30m · $2-4 per person
Green Nirvana Maratua Resort Restaurant
If you’re staying or visiting Green Nirvana, their restaurant serves Indonesian seafood and chicken dishes (grilled fish, ayam kecap, vegetables). Clearly state you need halal meat and no alcohol; ask for simple grilled or steamed seafood, rice, and vegetables.
1h · $12-20 per person
Homestay / Lodge Breakfast on Derawan
Most mid-range lodges and homestays around the west-beach strip provide simple in-house breakfast. Halal options: fried rice or noodles with vegetables and egg, or bread, jam and omelette, all prepared halal as the islands are majority-Muslim.
30m · Often included or $3-6 per person
Maratua Beach Breakfast Warung
Choose pancakes, eggs, rice, fruit, tea, or noodles; halal-friendly breakfast is easy to manage here.
45m · $5-10 per person
Maratua Beach Halal Dinner
Choose a resort or lodge dinner with grilled fish, chicken curry, rice, vegetables, and fruit; ask for a fully halal meal and no alcohol in the cooking area.
1h 15m · $18-30 per person
Maratua Beach Noodle House
Choose noodle soup, fried noodles, vegetables, and boiled eggs; request no pork, no lard, and no alcohol-based seasoning.
45m · $5-10 per person
Maratua Guesthouse Halal Breakfast
Order a straightforward halal breakfast such as eggs, rice, fruit, and tea before the day’s return transfer or final exploration.
45m · $8-15 per person
Maratua Paradise Morning Buffet
Resort breakfast with fried rice/noodles, eggs, bread, fruit, and coffee/tea. Stick to vegetarian, egg, and fish options and confirm any sausages or meats are halal before taking them.
45m · Included in room or $5-8 per personMaratua Paradise Resort BBQ Night (Check Schedule)
On BBQ nights, enjoy grilled fish, squid, prawns, chicken, and vegetables under the stars. Confirm all meat is halal and ask staff to avoid beer or alcohol in marinades; choose plain grilled items with rice and salads.
1h 30m · $15-22 per personMore on Derawan Islands
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