Hi been in Feb/Mar 05 Derawan/sangalaki/Kakaban/Maratua, stayed in Derawan. Never been in Bali but sometimes have to go there to see Mola Mola. I´ve combined the trip with Sipadan with Smart, and took the Tawau Tarakan ferry + the extra charge (rip off) to the Derawan but it IS a long distance. And it is hard to get to. There are a few dive resort in those islands. So WHY haven´t the opp. made a schedule e.g. to get more people on certain days from the Tawau-Tarakan ferry so the the boat ride from Tarakan would a lot be cheaper. Since it is so easy and cheap to fly to Tawau. I´ve planed many times to go back to Kalimatan islands esp. Maratua with it´s majestic scenery + pelagics and Sangalakis incredible Mantas, while I was there there were a dozen Mantas at the same time and I was just snorkeling with them.
Next diving for a 3 weeks in Nov/06 in Maldives last time May/06 Malapascue and 02/06 (Smart) Sipadan
Next diving for a 3 weeks in Nov/06 in Maldives last time May/06 Malapascue and 02/06 (Smart) Sipadan
