Nunukan Island Resort, Derawan, Sangalaki and Maratua

Get away from it all at a remote, rustic-chic private island dive retreat surrounded by stunning virgin reef

from$144 /night

per person, full board

Overview

Nunukan Island Resort is a picturesque private island getaway on Maratua Atoll. Surrounded in all directions by virgin reef, the resort allows visitors to explore rich ecosystems teeming with life and dive sites suited to every level. The resort was built to blend seamlessly into nature, with traditional Indonesian design elements and sustainable construction, leaving as much of the island’s natural beauty intact. For visitors, this adds an extra element of escape to the property’s luxurious amenities, including delicious chef-prepared meals, spa services, sports, and exciting scheduled activities.

Highlights

Kilometres of white sand, mangrove forest, tropical gardens, and kaleidoscopic coral reefs available for self-guided exploration
Chic rooms equipped with contemporary furnishings and homely comforts
Access to some of Indonesia’s most remote and incredible diving at Maratua
Straightforward half and full board options and flexible diving packages to suit every budget and travel style

Number of rooms:22
Internet:YES
House reef:YES
Nitrox:YES
Restaurants and bars:2

Dining:Half Board, Full Board
Dive centre:PADI and SSI Resort

Rooms

Beachside bungalow
1 x King bed, sleeps 2
Air conditioning, Ensuite bathroom, Private terrace...
from $144 /night

Diving in Derawan, Sangalaki and Maratua

Reef sharks
From March to December
Whale sharks
From March to June and From September to December
Leopard sharks
From March to December
Manta rays
From March to December
Marine turtles
From March to December
Barracuda
From March to December
Bumphead parrotfish
From March to December
Trevally
From March to December
Plentiful reef life
From March to December
Jellyfish lakes
From March to December

The Derawan Islands have something to offer every diver - from ‘muck’ and critters, to mantas, turtles and sharks. The islands' mix of different habitats combined with the currents that flow between the Java and Celebes Seas, have produced the perfect conditions for an extraordinary number of species - and some exhilarating diving.

Derawan diving

The shallow reefs around Derawan and closer to the mainland might have lower visibility, but they offer divers plenty of sought after critters. Seahorses, flamboyant cuttlefish, blue-ringed octopus and ghost pipefish are all often found on Derawan’s dive sites. Also nearby are whale sharks that gather around fishing platforms known as bagans.

Sangalaki diving

Further away from the mainland, the visibility improves and the diving switches to bigger animals! Sangalaki’s diving highlights include well-known manta ray congregations but the island is also a great place to go diving with friendly broadclub cuttlefish. Visitors to Sangalaki will also love diving the beautiful reefs and wonderful macro life, or encountering the many turtles which nest on the island.

Kakaban diving

Kakaban’s diving features sharp drop-offs and strong currents. Several dive sites are well known for shark sightings, especially of leopard sharks, grey reef sharks and the occasional hammerhead. Diving among Kakaban’s sea fans is also a great opportunity to search for pygmy seahorses.

The interior of Kakaban hides something a little different. Visitors will find an isolated, brackish lake filled with stingless jellyfish, unusual gobies and even sea snakes. Divers can carry their tanks through the jungle, or simply grab snorkels and masks, and spend an hour or two drifting through clouds of jellyfish.

Maratua diving

Maratua’s diving is dominated by currents and big schools of fish. At the mouth of the eastern channel divers will find one of the largest schools of barracuda they ever likely to see! Diving around Maratua Island is ideal if you are into shark spotting, and eagle rays and bumphead parrotfish can also often be seen.