Diving on Maratua Island-Kalimantan timur


GETTING THERE
To go to Maratua Island in Indonesia is basically the same way as to Derawan. After arrival in Berau (Tanjung Redep) you are transfered in 4 hs. by speedboat to Nabucco Island inside the large lagoon of Pulau Maratua. Maratua is approximatly 4 km long and the northern half of the lagoon rises sharply out of the water. This part is inhabited. The southern part is below water level with some tiny islands on top of the reef edge. Outside the reef the sea bottom drops sharply to over 2000 m. The neighbouring islands Kakaban and Sangalaki can be reached in one ore one-and-a-half hour, depending on weather conditions.

THE RESORT

Extradivers have established on Nabucco Island an exclusive resort. The aim is obviously to reach Maldive-Standards. The size of the island is only 20 000 m². Extradivers have erected 8 airy and comfortable double bungalows most of them with a view to the sea.

Also ecological standards are very good: There is a biological treatment of waste water and drinking water is processed rain water.

It is only possible to book half pension on Nabucco. There is a big breakfast and a five course dinner. Lunch and all drinks (drinking water, coffee, tee) must be bought at the restaurant. The prices are also maldive like. So you have to add to the price you pay for your package all the costs for additional meals and drinks. We could not understand why the owners did not reduce the number of courses for dinner and offer a small lunch instead. Maybe it is simply another way to extract some extra dollars out of the guest`s pockets.

The dive shop on Nabucco Island is modern and in excellent condition. There are several speedboats in different sizes which can reach the dive spots off Maratua in 10 to 20 minutes. Kakaban and Sangalaki may be reached in one hour or one-and-a-half. If the weather is bad this trip may last longer. The local diveguides know the dive sites very well. However we were a bit unlucky. Our guide was totally unmotivated and became only active when signalling to come up after excactly one hour under water.

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