Kalimantan – Derawan Islands

Liveaboard Cruises with MV AMBAI

MV Ambai Boat Details       All Cruise Itineraries 2022       All Cruise Itineraries 2023

Cruise Duration & Rates start from:

10 Days / 9 Nights – 3.670 € – 27 Dives

11 Days / 10 Nights – 4.080 € – 30 Dives

12 Days / 11 Nights – 4.490 € – 33 Dives

Boarding: Tarakan  Disembark: Tarakan

Please Note: MV AMBAI Liveaboard is charging it’s liveaboard cruise rates in Euro!
Published prices in US$ are subject to change due to exchange rate fluctuations.

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DIVING DERWAN ISLANDS – KALIMANTAN (BORNEO)

One of Indonesia’s most underrated hidden gems for scuba divers, Derawan Islands in East Kalimantan (East Borneo) offers some of Indonesia’s richest underwater life. In fact, Derawan ranks just second to Raja Ampat in terms of coral diversity with over 460 different species of corals.

While Derawan is mostly known in the scuba diving sphere for its manta rays and whales sharks, there are actually over 870 fish species inhabiting this area. Whether you’re into tiny critters or bigger fish, there will be no shortage of marine life to see!

This archipelago also hosts Indonesia’s largest nesting site of the endangered hawksbill turtles and giant green turtles, where you can watch them lay their eggs in the sand! Furthermore, Derawan is also one of the 4 places in the world where you can swim with stingless jellyfish. You rarely find a dive destination as varied as Derawan. 

Part of the Coral triangle, Derawan Islands have one of Indonesia’s richest underwater life. Cave dives, wreck dives, muck dives, drift dives, walls, plateaux. The diving in Borneo ranks second after Raja Ampat Islands in West Papua, but for pelagic lovers who want to have the chance to encounter all the big stuff in a single trip, that’s the place!

507 species of corals, 872 species of fish including protected species (5 giants clam species, 2 sea turtles, coconut crab) – from pygmy seahorse to whale sharks. Some of the islands harbor the heavily exploited turtle eggs and yet the largest green turtle nesting site in Indonesia.

Located in East Kalimantan (Indonesian part of Borneo) at the confluence of the deltas and the deepwater of the Celebes Se, Derawan’s archipelago AKA the Indonesian Maldives consists of 31 islands and 2 atolls.

Some of the species: hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, thresher sharks,  leopard sharks, manta rays, dolphins, giant turtles, dugongs, barracudas, stingless jellyfish. When we encounter all of them once, we call it a big-5 safari.

While there is still large room for exploration, four islands stand out for diving and snorkeling.

Species that can be will be encountered

Hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, thresher sharks,  leopard sharks, manta rays, dolphins, giant turtles, dugongs, barracudas, stingless jellyfish, surgeonfishes, Bumphead parrotfishes, Trevallies and giant trevallies, spadefish.  Seahorse, frogfish, leaf fish etc…

To reach the departure of this cruise

Our cruise departure is from Tarakan. We recommend Jakarta (CGK) as your final destination for your international flight.

 Accommodation in a shared twin or double cabin
 All meals & snacks. Drinking water, soft drinks and hot drinks, espresso.
 All guided dives (1 guide /4 divers maximum)
 Aluminum tanks (12 lts), weights and belts
 Nitrox
 Airport-boat transfers from/to the closest airport (departure and arrival)

 

Park, Port, and distance fees: 200 €/pax (paid onboard)
 International and domestic flights
 Alcoholic beverages (you can BYOB)
 Diving equipment rental (see pricing below)
100 cf (15 litre) tanks : 50 € / cruise
 Massage
 Crew gratuities

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Sample itinerary: 10 Days / 9 Nights  

Derwawan Islands-Kalimantan Liveaboard Cruise

Cruise Route: Tarakan – Derawan Islands – Tarakan

This itinerary is just an example of what this cruise can be. Neither the number of dives and the dive locations are terms of the contract. According to the sea conditions, the visibility, the new discoveries we can do, and the wishes of the guests, the itinerary, and dives performed during your cruise can be slightly different from what is presented here.