Carpe Diem Phinisi Itinerary

Kalimantan: Derawan, Maratua, Sangalaki (Berau)

Day 1: Embarkation in Berau
On embarkation day, guests will be picked up from either their hotel or the Berau Airport and transferred by car two hours away to Tanjung Batu to board Carpe Diem Phinisi. Once all guests are on board, we will conduct an important safety briefing and set off for the long crossing to Sangalaki.

Day 2: Sangalaki Island (3 dives)
Diving in Sangalaki is a typically calm and elegant experience, defined by gentle drifts over sandy slopes and coral gardens where manta rays glide effortlessly through the water. The island is renowned for its year‑round manta population, and divers frequently encounter these graceful giants feeding or circling cleaning stations. Green turtles are abundant, resting on the reef or cruising past in the shallows, while eagle rays and cow tail rays add to the spectacle. The reefs also hide smaller treasures such as leaf scorpionfish, ribbon eels, and colourful nudibranchs. With excellent visibility and relaxed conditions, Sangalaki offers a beautiful introduction to the region’s marine life, complemented by the island’s active turtle nursery and the occasional offshore appearance of whale sharks.

Day 3: Kakaban Island (3 dives)
Diving in Kakaban is a thrilling blend of dramatic walls, powerful currents, and rich marine biodiversity. The island’s outer ring features steep drop‑offs covered in soft corals, sponges, and sea fans, plunging into deep blue water where grey reef sharks, blacktips, and giant trevallies patrol. Barracuda Point is the highlight, famous for its swirling tornadoes of chevron barracuda and the pelagic hunters drawn in by the currents. Caverns and limestone swim‑throughs offer adventurous exploration, while calmer sites reveal ornate ghost pipefish, pygmy seahorses, and vibrant nudibranchs. Above the reef, Kakaban’s unique non‑stinging Jellyfish Lake provides a surreal snorkelling experience among millions of jellyfish that have evolved without predators for centuries.

Day 4: Talisayan with possible Whale Sharks (3 dives)
Diving in Talisayan centres around unforgettable encounters with whale sharks that gather beneath the traditional fishing platforms known as bagans. These gentle giants often linger in calm, shallow water, allowing long, relaxed interactions ideal for photography and observation. The dives here are simple and unhurried, with sandy bottoms and open water that let divers focus entirely on the whale sharks’ slow, graceful movements. Schools of fusiliers, jacks, and baitfish swirl around the platforms, creating a dynamic backdrop. The atmosphere is peaceful and intimate, offering one of Indonesia’s most accessible and rewarding whale shark experiences.

Days 5-6:  Maratua (6 dives)
Diving in Maratua is exhilarating, shaped by strong tidal flows, deep walls, and the famous Channel where incoming currents funnel an extraordinary concentration of marine life. The topography ranges from steep coral‑covered drop‑offs to plateaus where schooling fish gather in vast numbers. Divers can expect tornadoes of barracuda, bigeye trevallies, and batfish, along with grey reef sharks, blacktips, and the occasional thresher shark emerging from deeper water. Eagle rays glide past in formation, and turtles are a constant presence along the reef. Maratua delivers some of the most exciting big‑fish encounters in Indonesia, with its powerful currents and vibrant reefs creating unforgettable dives. Beyond the reef, the atoll hides an extensive network of caves, adding to its sense of mystery.

Day 7: Derawan (2 dives)
Diving in Derawan and Pulau Panjang is a treasure hunt for rare and fascinating macro life. The sandy slopes, rubble patches, and seagrass beds hide an astonishing array of critters, making this area a paradise for photographers and macro enthusiasts. Blue‑ring octopus, flamboyant cuttlefish, and mimic octopus emerge from the substrate, while harlequin shrimp, tiger shrimp, and ghost pipefish display their intricate patterns among the corals. Frogfish, pygmy seahorses, and unusual nudibranchs add to the diversity, ensuring every dive reveals something unexpected. Night dives are especially captivating, with bobtail squid, stargazers, and a bustling world of nocturnal creatures. This is a place where patience is rewarded and every dive feels like discovering a secret.

Day 8: Disembarkation in Berau
Disembark and transfer to the Berau International Airport or your hotel.

Sample itineraries are for guidance only. Actual itineraries may differ slightly due to factors such as weather, wildlife, logistics, and local regulations.