Off Beaten Track Indo

[maat1976]

Hi All.

I've done a lot of Indonesia diving, and love it. I've been to Bali many times, Lembeh, Bunaken, Ambon, Alor, Komodo, Raja. I've probably forgotten a few places as well.

i'm looking at Kalimantan area for a few weeks in October / November. I've done a search on here, and found some info but not tons. Can anyone give some recommendations on resorts / locations? Or another similar location?

Thanks!!!

 

[Danzz]

I posted a thread last week about diving in the Derawan archipelago. But I did it on a liveaboard.

Trip Report Thread 'Derawan archipelago on board of the SMY Ondina - July 2025'

Saturday at 10:12 AM

I spend 10 days on board of the SMY Ondina discovering the best reefs of the archipelago. The Derawan archipelago consists of 31 islands, most well known among these are the islands of Derawan, Kakaban, Maratua and Sangalaki.

Diving
The reefs were in good condition with abundant marine life. The highlights for me were:
- the baby sea turtles finding their way to the sea as part of a conservation project
- jellyfish lake: a unique ecosystem with millions of harmless stingless jellyfish
- and last but not least, the whale sharks gathering around the fishing platforms. I know there is some...

• Danzz
• Replies: 3
• Forum: Indonesia

• 

 

[outofofficebrb]

@Dan have you done Kalimantan? Maybe you can help. @maat1976 you may also want to check out this thread here for some inspiration: Best relatively unknown diving in Indonesia?

 

[Dan]

@Dan have you done Kalimantan? Maybe you can help. @maat1976 you may also want to check out this thread here for some inspiration: Best relatively unknown diving in Indonesia?

I think @Danzz pretty much covers what I experienced in diving in Maratua Atoll (including Sangalaki, Kakaban & Tali Sayang for Whaleshark). I stayed in a dive resort called Nabucco & liveaboard (White Manta). Check out some of my videos, below.


Maratua


Kakaban


Sangalaki


Tali Sayang

 

[maat1976]

I think I'm done with LOBs. I like doing two dives then drinking a few beers by a pool at this point in my life. . But thank you so much for the highlights of the diving.

 

[maat1976]

Thank you @Dan @Danzz @outofofficebrb !!! I didn't see the other thread in my search... wondering how though....

 

[Christian]

Thank you @Dan @Danzz @outofofficebrb !!! I didn't see the other thread in my search... wondering how though....

It was more than 25 years since I dived in Maratua, Derawan and Sangalakki… So I have nothing to offer in the way of up-to-date recommendations (other than that it was and seemingly still is bloody good diving). But there are accommodation and dive centers on Nabucco island and on Derawan. Back in the day Borneo Divers had a lodge and DC on Sangalakki island. It closed in the late 1990’s Focus back then was on mantas that were there in big numbers year round, apparently not the case anymore, and the jellyfish in Kakaban. Some of the popular dives today, Big Country etc. weren’t scouted back then.