Per person for 10 nights — flights, hotel, dive ops, and gear-bag fees included. Typical trip lands around $2,500. Anyone can quote you a cheap flight; this is what the trip costs.
Prime months: Jan · Feb · Mar · Apr · May · Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct · Nov · Dec.
NE monsoon brings rougher seas and reduced visibility; macro critters (pygmy seahorse, blue-ring octopus, ghost pipefish) remain accessible on sheltered Derawan reefs.
Peak dry season: visibility 65–100ft, calmest seas, most active whale shark aggregations at bagans, and peak manta feeding/cleaning at Sangalaki stations.
Shoulder dry season: calm conditions, 50–80ft visibility, consistent manta rays and turtles year-round; good access to Kakaban's stingless jellyfish lake.
Boat-access diving off East Kalimantan/Borneo; signature sites Sangalaki (manta cleaning stations), Kakaban (stingless jellyfish lake), Maratua Wall, and Pulau Sambit (tiger sharks); 81–84°F, 15–30 m (50–98 ft) visibility; open-water to advanced.
Also known for: Tehe-tehe — steamed glutinous rice stuffed inside a sea urchin shell, savory local specialty unique to Derawan
Sea Turtle Encounter on Derawan Beach — Green turtles nest and feed near shore; spot them from the beach at dusk
Jellyfish Lake Snorkel on Kakaban Island — Swim among millions of stingless jellyfish in a landlocked marine lake
Visiting Maratua Atoll Village — Explore a small Bajau sea-nomad village and see traditional stilt homes
Whale Shark Watching at Berau Waters — Boat out to spot wild whale sharks that frequent the surrounding seas
Sunset Stroll and Seafood on Derawan Pier — Walk the village pier at sunset and eat fresh grilled fish from local stalls
The all-in above is the typical price. A few times a year, Derawan Islands fares drop 25–50% below that. StokedFare watches dive destinations from your home airport 24/7 and pings you the second one crosses that line — free.