Maratua Island, located in the Derawan Archipelago, off the north coast of East Kalimantan, has lately risen even more in popularity as more and more tourists visit this island ever since regular charter flights have been operated from China to Tarakan in North Kalimantan. From here tourists take a speedboat right to these spellbinding islands. Among the cluster of islands in Derawan, the island of Maratua stands out for its singular beauty.
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Maratua is a large tropical island partially encircling a massive lagoon on one end and fringed with sheer rocky walls and coral reefs along the other end. This giant upside down U-shaped island covers about 384 square kilometers of sandy white beaches and mangrove forests and 3,735 square km of territorial waters which scientists believe contain the third highest level of marine biodiversity in the world after Raja Ampat and the Solomon Islands.
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The Derawan Island chain includes the islands of Derawan, Sangalaki, Maratua and Kakaban, and is home to one of the world's only saltwater lake as well as one of the largest green turtle nesting sites in Indonesia. These paradise islands are situated within the fabled Coral Triangle, with all the richness and beauty within its exotic underwater landscapes that one would expect from such a location. Over 20 dive spots across the island allow visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves amidst the bountiful treasures which lie tucked neatly beneath the sapphire waters. Maratua's garden under the sea proudly exhibits an abundance of colorful coral reefs populated with a large variety of species of fish, green turtles, manta rays and other marine life.
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Turtle Traffic is one of the most popular dive spots, and true to its name, it is filled with Green Sea Turtles. Hundreds of turtles frequent this portion of the ocean, gliding gracefully about in search of food. The island is also a nesting ground where Green Turtles return each year to lay their eggs, hence resulting in Maratua sometimes named the "Turtle Capital of Indonesia". The Big Fish Country is located between the islands of Maratua and Nabucco, where the stronger currents bring the big fish in to play. Many pelagic creatures like Manta Rays, Eagle Rays, Tuna and Mackerel roam this channel together with schools of Barracuda, White Tip Sharks, and even the occasional Hammerhead.
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This dive spot has deep waters and strong currents, and is therefore reserved for advanced divers only. Once you've had your fill exploring the world beneath the waves, complete your Maratua experience with a stroll around the more solid part of the island. Pay a visit to any of the 4 Bajau villages and take the opportunity to learn about the lives of these mysterious sea people. When all that is done, sit back and relax on the beach and bask in the glow of the setting sun sinking behind the horizon.
Where to Stay
Looking out from your verandah of your villa on the beautiful Maratua Paradise Resort, you will see the sea stretching out in front of you to the far horizon, changing colors from transparent blue under your chalet to turquoise blue further out, then suddenly changing to dark blue, where the ocean drops into the deep.
Photo source: www.maratua.com
Here, the Maratua Paradise Resort is only one of two accommodation facilities on this remote but truly tropical paradise island. Here you can have your dream honeymoon in chalets right on the water where at high tide schools of fish dance between the stilts, while at low tide the water disappears and you will have a wide stretch of white sandy beach just for the two of you to walk and roam around.
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Attracting mostly avid and experienced divers who arrive from all around the globe to admire the amazing underwater life here, the Maratua Paradise Resort has 6 beach chalets and 10 water villas built on stilts that are accessible across a boardwalk. Although the hotel is not luxurious by international standard, it offers comfort, cleanliness and an unforgettable ambiance where you can get real close to and immerse yourself in nature. Its wood construction blends perfectly with the natural surroundings. All rooms are air-conditioned, have private bathrooms, cold and hot running water, and private balcony to watch the ocean. The meals are delicious, mostly consisting of fish and other seafood cooked in Indonesian culinary style, and fresh fruits, tea and coffee. A Bar is also open. The internet connections are good.
Get There
The closest airport to the Derawan Islands is the Juwutan International Airport in the city of Tarakan, East Kalimantan. Some take the speedboats from Tarakan direct to the Derawan Islands, including to Maratua. Or, from Tarakan, you can take an internal flight south to Tanjung Redeb in the district of Berau. Boats will then take you from here to Kakaban and other Derawan Islands.
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In Berau you can take a speedboat for the 2 hour ride to the Derawan islands. Speed boats generally have a seating capacity of 15 people, and can be rented to take you to several of the Derawan islands in a one day trip.
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Well, I just love Bali so much, and we fell in love with the culture, people, the food. Everything was just amazing. I feel like in Bali, you can find serenity anywhere, literally. It's our favorite place that we've been to on our entire trip.
