How to get from Berau to Derawan Islands

Planning to explore the Derawan Islands from Berau? This guide walks you through every step from Kalimarau Airport and Tanjung Redeb to the jetties of Derawan, with options for every budget and travel style.

At A Glance (Berau to Derawan Islands)

Which Option or Route Should You Choose?

• Fastest / Most Convenient: Option #1 – Private Car/Taxi + Speedboat gets you from Kalimarau Airport or Tanjung Redeb to Derawan in roughly 3–3.5 hours with the fewest changes.
• Cheapest / Most Economical: Option #2 – Shared Minivan + Local Boat is best if you are travelling light, don’t mind basic comfort, and want to pay local-style fares.
• Most Relaxed / Hassle-Free: Option #3 – Pre-Booked Transfer or Dive Package is ideal if you prefer everything arranged in advance (especially if you are carrying dive gear or travelling with kids).

How to Book and Practical Tips

• Book flights into Berau (BEJ): Most visitors connect via Balikpapan, Surabaya, Jakarta or other Indonesian hubs. Compare routes and carriers on Booking.com Flights, then cross-check deals to Berau on Trip.com or routes like Balikpapan–Berau on 12Go.
• Reserve accommodation early: Places on Derawan are limited, especially during local holidays. Check options in Berau and on the islands on Berau-region stays and Derawan Island stays.
• Arrange ground transfers in advance: Ask your hotel or guesthouse in Berau or Derawan to pre-book a car and boat combo. For big city legs (Jakarta, Balikpapan, Surabaya) you can also pre-book private airport transfers with services like Welcome Pickups or GetTransfer, while within Indonesia ride-hailing apps such as Grab and Gojek are widely used in major cities.
• Stay connected: Coverage around Berau and Derawan is improving but can still be spotty. Consider a local SIM or travel eSIM; you can pre-order Indonesian data packages that also cover Kalimantan via Klook Indonesia SIM & Wi‑Fi.
• Sort out cash before the islands: ATMs are available in Berau but not reliably on Derawan. Withdraw enough rupiah in Balikpapan, Jakarta or Berau before boarding the boat. If you have a long layover in a big city and lots of bags, check secure luggage storage points through Radical Storage.
• Consider add-on Borneo adventures: If you want to combine Derawan with orangutan or jungle trips, browse multi-day Borneo tours on GetYourGuide’s Borneo jungle trips before or after your Derawan stay.
• Think about onward transport and scooters: If you plan to explore other Indonesian islands before/after Derawan, you can compare car and scooter rentals in major hubs through BikesBooking or use car hire options in Indonesia via Booking.com Car Rental.

🚤 Option #1 — Private Car/Taxi + Charter Speedboat (Fastest, Most Convenient)

Fast Door-to-door Higher cost

• Overview: From Berau’s Kalimarau Airport (or your hotel in Tanjung Redeb), travel by private car or taxi ~2–3 hours to Tanjung Batu harbor, then continue by charter speedboat ~30–45 minutes to Derawan. This is the classic, quickest route.
• Typical schedule & duration: If your flight lands in Berau before midday, you can usually reach Derawan by mid–afternoon. Allow ~3–3.5 hours total from airport pickup to arrival at your pier on Derawan.
• How to book (with price): Arrange a car through your hotel/guesthouse, a local travel agency, or your Derawan accommodation. Expect around IDR 500k–900k per car (1–4 people) for the 2–3 hour drive, and roughly IDR 350k–600k per chartered boat (1–4 people), depending on bargaining, season, and time of day. Flights into Berau can be compared and booked via Booking.com Flights, Trip.com, or routes like Balikpapan–Berau on 12Go.
• Pros: Fastest and most comfortable; you leave when you are ready; no need to change vehicles multiple times; best option when travelling with luggage or in a small group.
• Cons: More expensive than local transport; prices may rise during high season or in bad weather; you need to coordinate car and boat timing.
• When it works best: For flights landing in Berau before early–mid afternoon, for divers with heavy gear, for families, or if you value your time over squeezing every rupiah.

Step-by-step: Private Car/Taxi + Speedboat

1. Fly into Berau (Kalimarau Airport, BEJ): From Jakarta, Surabaya or Balikpapan, choose a morning or late–morning flight so you arrive before early afternoon. Use aggregators such as Booking.com Flights, Trip.com, or 12Go to find schedules and compare airlines.
2. Meet your driver at Kalimarau: Arrange in advance with your hotel or Derawan homestay so a driver waits in the arrivals area with your name. If you have not pre-booked, ask at the official taxi counter inside the terminal, or check if ride-hailing apps like Grab or Gojek show any cars in the area (coverage can be limited, so do not rely solely on them).
3. Drive Berau → Tanjung Batu harbor: The road is mostly paved but can be winding with trucks and palm-oil traffic. Expect ~2–3 hours with at least one short rest stop. Confirm with your driver that you are heading to “Pelabuhan Tanjung Batu” for boats to Derawan.
4. Board your charter speedboat: Your resort or driver may have already coordinated the boatman; otherwise, ask at the pier shelter. Agree clearly on price, destination (Derawan), and whether the fare is per boat or per person before boarding.
5. Ride to Derawan Island: The crossing usually takes ~30–45 minutes depending on sea conditions and the boat type. Sit toward the back for a slightly drier ride; keep valuables in a dry bag.
6. Arrival and check-in: Most accommodations have their own small jetty. If not, you’ll be dropped at the main village pier and can walk a few minutes to your guesthouse or ask for a short ojek (motorbike taxi) ride.

Getting to the main embarking points (Tanjung Batu Harbor)

• From Kalimarau Airport to Berau town: Official airport taxis wait outside arrivals and usually operate on a fixed tariff. If you are breaking the journey overnight, ask to be dropped in Tanjung Redeb at your hotel (for example, one of the central hotels listed on Berau accommodation listings).
• From Berau town to Tanjung Batu harbor: Your hotel can call a car and driver, or you can arrange one through a local travel agency. Ask for a morning departure (around 7–9 a.m.) to catch calmer seas and earlier boats.
• Ride-hailing apps: Grab and Gojek are ubiquitous in large Indonesian cities. Around Berau, coverage is more limited, but you may still occasionally find drivers. Use them for short hops in town if available, but do not depend on them for the long transfer to Tanjung Batu.
• Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap

🚐 Option #2 — Shared Minivan + Local Boat (Budget-Friendly, More Local)

Low cost Local experience Less comfort

• Overview: From Berau town, take a shared minivan (often called a “Kijang” or travel) to Tanjung Batu, then a seat on a local boat to Derawan. It is slower and more basic than a private transfer but much cheaper.
• Typical schedule & duration: Minivans usually leave in the morning, once full, and take about 2–3 hours to Tanjung Batu. Boats depart when enough passengers gather; the total journey including waiting is typically 3.5–4 hours.
• How to book (with price): Ask your guesthouse in Berau to reserve a seat. Expect around IDR 70k–120k per person for the minivan and roughly IDR 100k–150k per person for a spot on a shared wooden boat or small speedboat. Pay in cash directly to the driver and boat operator.
• Pros: Cheapest option; good chance to meet locals; more flexible if you are travelling solo and have time.
• Cons: Departures depend on filling the vehicle/boat; less space for luggage; fewer safety and comfort extras (lifejackets and dry storage may be limited).
• When it works best: For solo backpackers or very budget-conscious travelers with small bags who do not mind some uncertainty and waiting.

Step-by-step: Shared Minivan + Local Boat

1. Overnight or arrive in Berau town: If your flight gets into BEJ late, plan to spend the night in Tanjung Redeb. Browse central options on Berau stays and choose somewhere within easy reach of the minivan meeting point your host recommends.
2. Ask your host about departure times: The day before, confirm when and where the minivans to Tanjung Batu depart. Often, the driver will pick you up directly from your hotel or at a simple roadside office.
3. Ride the minivan to Tanjung Batu: Expect simple bench or car seating, no air-con in some vehicles, and frequent stops to pick up or drop off passengers. Keep valuables with you and small change ready for snacks and toilet stops.
4. Find the local boat to Derawan: At Tanjung Batu pier, ask for the next boat to “Pulau Derawan”. Locals will usually point you to the right vessel. Double-check the fare, whether it is per person, and if lifejackets are available.
5. Pay on arrival: On Derawan, pay your fare if not already collected on board, then walk to your guesthouse or ask staff to meet you at the pier.

Getting to the main embarking points (Berau town and Tanjung Batu)

• From Kalimarau Airport to Berau town: Take an airport taxi or pre-arranged pickup to central Tanjung Redeb. If you want to keep costs low, consider sharing with other travellers arriving on the same flight.
• Finding the minivan: Your hotel or homestay will know the usual departure corner or office; they may even call the driver for you. In some cases, minivans circulate through town to collect passengers.
• At Tanjung Batu: The village is small and the pier is the obvious focal point. Look for groups of people waiting with bags; boats to Derawan typically leave from the main jetty area.
• Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap

🧳 Option #3 — Pre-Booked Transfer or Dive/Island Package (Hassle-Free)

Stress-free Door-to-door Package pricing

• Overview: Many dive resorts and tour operators around Derawan, Maratua, and Sangalaki offer packages that include airport pickup in Berau, car transfer to Tanjung Batu, and boat to your lodge. You just show up at Kalimarau and let them do the rest.
• Typical schedule & duration: On arrival day, you are usually met at the airport late morning, drive ~2–3 hours to Tanjung Batu, then continue by speedboat ~30–45 minutes. You may share the boat with other guests whose flights arrive around the same time.
• How to book (with price): Compare Derawan-area resorts and tour packages (often 3D2N or longer) on hotel platforms like Derawan Island stays and through specialist operators. As a rough guide, packages that include transfers, accommodation and some meals commonly start from around IDR 1.5m–3m per person for a few days, depending on room type and inclusions.
• Pros: Every transfer is pre-arranged; you have a clear meeting time and place; great if you are nervous about language barriers or travelling with children or dive gear.
• Cons: Less flexibility if you want to linger in Berau town; you are tied to fixed departure times; last-minute changes may be harder.
• When it works best: For dive trips, short holidays when you want to maximise time in the water, or if you simply prefer to pay one operator to organise everything from airport to overwater bungalow.

Step-by-step: Pre-Booked Transfer or Package

1. Choose and book your resort or tour: Research Derawan, Maratua, or Sangalaki resorts and pick one that explicitly includes transfers from Berau. Read the fine print about what is covered and which flights they recommend you arrive on.
2. Send your flight details: Once flights are confirmed, email or message your resort with your arrival/departure times so they can group you with other guests and plan the car/boat schedule.
3. Meet the representative at Kalimarau: On arrival in Berau, look for a staff member holding a sign with the resort or tour-company name. They will guide you to the car or minibus and help load luggage.
4. Transfer to Tanjung Batu and board the boat: Relax for the 2–3 hour drive, then follow staff instructions at the harbor. You may share a larger speedboat with other guests; lifejackets should be provided.
5. Check in at your resort: On arrival, you will normally be welcomed with a drink and brief orientation about dive schedules, snorkelling trips and island rules, so you can start enjoying the archipelago immediately.

Getting to the main embarking points (Kalimarau and Tanjung Batu)

• Before you fly: Check the official Derawan Archipelago information from Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism to confirm current access routes and seasonal conditions, then match your flights to the resort’s recommended arrival window.
• At Kalimarau Airport: If flights are delayed, stay in touch with your resort via messaging apps or phone. Airport staff or your resort’s representative will usually adjust boat departure times accordingly.
• For add-on days in big cities: If you are spending time in Balikpapan, Jakarta or Surabaya before or after Derawan, consider pre-booking airport transfers via Welcome Pickups or GetTransfer, and using Grab or Gojek for in-city rides.
• Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap

FAQ (Berau to Derawan Islands)

Can I travel from Berau to Derawan in a single day?
Most travellers arrive in Berau in the morning and head straight to Tanjung Batu for an afternoon boat, reaching Derawan by mid to late afternoon. If your flight lands late in the day, plan to sleep in Berau and continue the next morning.

How long does the journey from Berau to Derawan take?
Allow around 2–3 hours by car from Kalimarau Airport or Tanjung Redeb to Tanjung Batu, plus 30–45 minutes by speedboat to Derawan. Door-to-door, a straightforward private transfer usually takes about 3–3.5 hours in good conditions.

How much should I budget for the Berau–Derawan transfer?
For a private car and charter boat, expect roughly IDR 850k–1.5m total for 1–4 people when you combine the car and boat. Using shared minivans and local boats can bring that down to around IDR 200k–250k per person. Package tours that include transfers, accommodation and some meals will cost more but cover nearly everything.

Are there ATMs on Derawan Island?
ATMs on Derawan itself are limited or unreliable. Plan to withdraw cash in Berau (or earlier, in Balikpapan or Jakarta) and bring enough rupiah for boat transfers, accommodation balances, park fees, meals and activities.

Is the boat crossing to Derawan safe?
Boats between Tanjung Batu and Derawan are short-hop coastal crossings, and operators make this trip daily. However, seas can be choppy in windy or rainy weather. Choose reputable boatmen, insist on lifejackets, and avoid travelling in the late afternoon if storms are forecast.

When is the best time of year to go from Berau to Derawan?
Generally, the drier months (roughly April–October) offer calmer seas and better underwater visibility, though conditions vary from year to year. During the wetter months, crossings can still be made, but you may encounter rougher water and occasional delays.

• useful references:
• https://www.indonesia.travel/us-en/destination/1/east-kalimantan/derawan-archipelago—eksotisme-kepulauan-derawan-surga-tersembunyi-yang-menawan
• https://kalimarau-airport.com/
• https://hubud.kemenhub.go.id/hubud/website/bandara/259
• https://www.bmkg.go.id/cuaca/maritim/pelabuhan

This guide was researched and written by Jacob, and it was last updated on August 28, 2026. 0 people found this post useful.

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