15

Sorry can't say how much it should cost for the kijang - it will all depend on your negotiating skills:). But 8 in one kijang will be pretty cramped.

Yes we arranged with a local boat operator to take us and 4 others to Kakaban and Sangalaki Island for the day. DEFINITELY do it by slow boat and don't do it by speed boat. It's got shade and lots of room to spread out, plus you can talk to each other. On the way back they went fishing and caught 3 tuna which they cooked up for us. We also got coconuts for lunch and tea. But take your own food (bungkus - takaway). After dark we lay on the roof and watched the stars. Plus with 8 you can all fit on one boat. Oh and we paid 900,000RP for the whole boat, so 300,000 per couple

16

We were thinking that 8 in à kijang is possible, isn't it?

The slowboat sounds amazing! Especially the fresh tuna! Really looking forward to this trip! I will let you know our experiences!

17

Hi,

I would say that you wouldn't really be able to squeeze 8 plus all your luggage into one kijang. The ones we travelled in had minimal luggage space behind the rear seats and then 3 passengers on the rear seats, 3 on the middle seats and one up front. It may be possible to get 8 in, but I doubt it, especially if you are all adults.

Please let me know how your trip goes, as it's always great to hear how people get on after I've tried to help.

Oh, and whilst snorkelling in the lake at Kakaban, after being amazed at the jellyfish - head over to the right hand side (viewing the lake) and snorkel through the mangrove roots. Here you will see some amazing sponges of all different colours.

If you want any further info on Derawan - just ask, happy to help

18

take a flight from Balikpapan to Tarakan
its easy to reach Derawan Island from Tarakan and kinda cheap

Tarakan - Tanjung Selor = 80 IDR around 1.5 hours by boat
Tanjung Selor - Berau = 70 - 80 IDR around 2.5 hours by car
Berau - Tanjung Batu = 80 IDR around 2.5 hours by car
and Tanjung Batu - Derawan Island = 50 IDR arouund 30 minits by boat

and dont miss to visit Kakaban, Sangalaki and Maratua.. :)

From Tarakan u can also take a Pelni Boat to Sulawesi..
some of my friends take a Pelni Boat to Toli-toli, from Tarakan to Toli-Toli it take one night and ticket around 150 IDR. From Toli-Toli to Gorontalo and in Gorontalo u can visit Togean Island then to Manado..

Have a nice trip

19

Hi,

We paid Rp70,000 each for both of the kijangs, Tanjung Selor to Berau and Berau to Tanjung Batu. It took us 2.5 hours from Tanjung Selor to Berau and only 2 hours to Tanjung Batu. But I suppose it all depends on how long it takes to drop off and collect the people sharing the kijang. The first kijangs don't leave Berau until after 10.00am (again unless you charter)

The "regular" fare to Derawan by speedboat is indeed RP50,000, but I think you'd be very lucky to get it for that without a long wait. We met some people camping on the beach and they'd had to wait for about 5 hours until they got enough people to fill the speedboat. We just wanted to get to the island, so paid the RP250,000 charter rate.

Coming back from Derawan to Tanjung Batu, we had to get back to Berau airport for a flight that day, so couldn't wait around (although we did for the kijang). We paid RP200,000 for the charter rate.

20

I stayed at Sunset Beach in the Togean Islands and they can take you to a nearby lake with stingless jellyfish as well. Sunset Beach is also very close to Wakai so it will be easy to arrive and leave quickly. Uni, the woman who runs Sunset Beach will help you with ferry information

21

Hey @bwouter,

Can you give an update on how the trip went? I'm about to do the Kutai to Berau bus one of the ways and am very curious. Also, if any of the prices have change for the Berau to Derawan route. Thanks

22

hey 22 one way let me knwo how you get on as it was the road to hell from Sangatta to Berau for me see my flickr link and speedboat on to Sabah and paved roads through sabah to Kota kinabalu