Hi there,
I am planning a trip to Derawan in Kalimantan after my visit to Bali in September. My plan is to go from Derawan to Malaysia via either Tarakan or Nunukan. However, the Indonesia Embassy in Canada advised me via e-mail that I can only enter and exit Indonesia via one of the airports/seaports listed on their website. I have looked over the list, and I don't think either Tarakan or Nunulan is on the list. The only port in Kalimantan on the list is Balikpapan.
I have read some posts here suggesting entering or exiting through Tarakan. I was just wondering if anyone has any experience of actually entering or exiting Indonesia through Tarakan or Nunukan? If so, can you please share your experience? Was there any hassle from immigration/customs?
Thanks in advance.
Diver69
Yes you can go to Tauwau from Tarakan large ferry about 3 hours almost every day not a problem
I will PM you with info on travel in this area though not the run from Tarakan to Tawua
As Dave says, not a problem from either although take note that they do miss out some days (experience twice from last year), so if you're on your final day of your visa validity you could have a problem. If re-entering Indonesia from Tawau, you do need to get your visa in advance - 60 days same day issue easily available from the Consul in Tawau.
In my experiances Tawau was the best place to get a two month visa no questions asked. In fact i returned there after two months and got another two month visa. One Danish guy turned up at the ferry terminal with no visa expecting to get the 10.00 am ferry to Nunukan. He was sent to the consulate and returned in less than one hour with a 2 month visa. He didn't miss the ferry. By the way thanks Derek for suggesting this option in the first place - how are things? Wish i was back in Indonesia.
Mike
Aye Mike, the Danish guy must have kept his cool. I witnessed a young Dutch guy in the same position.......he lost his temper pretty quickly and ended up with a 24 hour delay for his trouble.
I'm likely to be heading out to some of the destinations I know you have posted about. I'll drop you a PM soon!
Hi, I'm in Kalimantan and was hoping to do the similar Derawan - Tarakan - Tawau route. I read that you need to get a visa for Malaysia before taking the Tarakan ferry to Tawau as you cannot get visa on arrival at Tawau. However I have also read that U.S. passport holders do not need visas to enter Malaysia.
Can someone help me straighten that out? It sounds like I'm okay to get on that Tarakan ferry to Tawau with my U.S. Passport and no Malasia visa, but I just want to make sure.
Oh yeah, I don't have an on going ticket out of Malaysia yet either. Will that be a problem?
thanks!
I hold a Canadian Passport and I do not need visa to enter Malaysia. I think same should apply to US passport.
You can always check the Malaysian Embassy website in the US.
I have never been asked to show my onward ticket to enter Malaysia.
I want to cross from Tawau to Tarakan and then back again.
I can get a visa from the Indonesian embassy in Tawau so entry into Indo should be hassle free. Does anyone know if there is a Malaysian embassy or consulate in Tarakan or if I can get a multiple entry visa on arrival at KL? There is a Malasian Embassy in Pontianak but I cant find one in East Kalimantan. I am presuming that VoAs are not available on the Malaysian side?
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