East Kalimantan (Indonesian: Kalimantan Timur abbrv. Kaltim) is 
the second largest Indonesian province, located on the Kalimantan region on the east of Borneo island. The resource-rich province has two major cities, Samarinda (the capital and a center for timber product) and Balikpapan (a petroleum center with oil refinery). Ever since Indonesia opened its mineral and natural resources for foreign investment in 1970s, East Kalimantan province has experienced major boost of timber, petroleum and other exotic forest products. The state-owned petroleum company Pertamina has been operated in the area since it took control oil refinery from the Royal Dutch Shell company in 1965.
The population is a mixture of people from the Indonesian archipelago with Dayaks and Kutai as indigenous ethnic groups living in rural areas. Prominent other migrant ethnic groups include Javanese, Chinese, Banjarese, Bugis and Malays, of which mostly live in coastal areas.
History
This province known as the location of the oldest Hindu kingdom in Indonesia, Kutai, the existence of which is attested to by a stone manuscript, or Prasasti, which is now kept in the National Museum in Jakarta. The manuscript is written in the Pallawa alphabet and the Sanskrit language. The replica of this manuscript can be seen in the Governor's Office in Samarinda.
Inscriptions on seven stone pillars (yupa posts) erected in the fifth century BCE on the command of a local ruler, King Mulavarman, records his victories, his generosity to brahmins, his princely genealogy
Administration
East Kalimantan is divided into 10 regencies and 4 cities.
The regencies are:
1. Pasir Regency
2. Penajam Paser Utara Regency
3. Kutai Kartanegara Regency
4. West Kutai Regency
5. East Kutai Regency
6. Bulungan Regency
7. Berau Regency
8. Malinau Regency
9. Nunukan Regency
10. Tana Tidung Regency
The cities are:
1. Balikpapan
2. Samarinda
3. Bontang
4. Tarakan
Ecology
The main problem in this province is the illegal logging which destroyed almost all the rainforest. Less than half the original rainforest still remains, in places such as the Kayan Mentarang National Park in the northern part of the province.
Economy
East Kalimantan heavily depends on earth resources activity such as oilfield exploration, natural gas, as well as coal and gold mining. Balikpapan has an oil refinery plant that was primarily built by Dutch governance before World War II, destroyed during World War II, and rebuilt by Indonesia Governance.
Other developing economic sectors includes agriculture and tourism. East Kalimantan has several tourist destination such as Derawan Islands in Berau Regency, Kayan Mentarang National Park ini Nunukan, Crocodile Husbandry in Balikpapan, deer husbandry in Penajam, Dayak's (native Kalimantan people) Pampang Village in Samarinda and many others.
The main problem to developing economic growth is lack of transportation infrastructure. Transportation depends on traditional boats connecting coastal cities and areas along main river, Mahakam River.
Balikpapan City of East Kalimantan Travel Guides
Balikpapan is a seaport city on the eastern coast of Borneo island in the East Kalimantan province, a resource-rich region well known for its timber, mining and petroleum export products. Two harbors, Semayang and Kariangau - ferry harbour, and the Sepinggan International Airport are the main transportation access to and from the city.
Geography
The topography of the municipality of Balikpapan is generally hilly (85%), with only small areas of flatland (15%), particularly along the coast and surrounding the hilly areas. The hills are less than 100 meters higher than the adjacent valleys. The altitude of Balikpapan ranges from 0 to 80 meters above sea level.
Most of the soil in Balikpapan contains yellow-reddish podsolic soil and alluvial and quartz sand, making it extremely prone to erosion.
History
Prior to the oil boom, Balikpapan was an isolated Bugis fishing village. The etimology of Balikpapan name (lit. balik is behind and papan is a plank) came from a folk story where a local king threw his newborn daughter into the sea to protect her against his enemies. The baby was tied beneath some planks, which were discovered by a fisherman.[citation needed]
In 1897, the first drilling of oil began by a small refinery company. Roads, wharves, wharehouses, offices, barracks and bungalows construction started when a Dutch oil company arrived in the area. On January 24, 1942, Balikpapan became a war theatre between Japanese army and the Allied Forces in which the oil refinery and other facilities were heavily damaged. Several campaigns followed until the 1945 Battle of Balikpapan which concluded the Allied Forces' Borneo campaign after which they took control of the Borneo island.
Extensive wartime damaged almost total oil production in the area and a major repairs were performed by the Royal Dutch Shell company. Shell continued operating in the area until Indonesian state-owned Pertamina took it over in 1965.[1] Having lack of technology, skilled manpower and capital to explore the petroleum region, Pertamina sublet petroleum concession contracts to multinational companies in the 1970s.
Being the only oil refinery site in the region, Balikpapan emerged as a revitalized center of petroleum production. Pertamina opened its regional headquarter in the city, followed by branch offices establishment by international oil companies. Hundreds of labourers from other part of Indonesia and skilled
expatriats as managers and engineers, flocked into the city.
Administration
Balikpapan is bordered by the following:
* Kutai Kartanagara Regency (in the North)
* Makassar Strait (in the South and East)
* Penajam Paser Utara Regency (in the West)
Demographics
During the Suharto administration, Indonesia faced unprecedented growth of economic expansion by promoting foreign investments, particularly in the exploitation of natural and mineral resources. Although the policy was heavily criticized for uncontrolled environmental damages and corrupted bureaucrats and politicians, it significantly boosted urban development in resource-rich cities. In 1970s, Balikpapan experienced 7% population growth annually when exports of timber and petroleum increased dramatically.
Transportation
Balikpapan's airport is the Sepinggan International Airport. This is the second busiest Indonesian airport after Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and permits large aircraft.
Airlines currently using the airport are Lion Air, Merpati Airlines, Batavia Air, Kartika Airlines, Sriwijaya Air (domestic routes), and Garuda Indonesia, Air Asia, and Silk Air (International routes).
The airport is one of the five principle sites in Indonesia where Muslims begin the pilgrimage to Mecca, the "Hajj". Between 1996 and 1997, the airport served over 4,500 East Kalimantan pilgrims, and from 1997 to 1998, it served pilgrims from East Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, Central Sulawesi, and North Sulawesi.
Other than the airport, Balikpapan also has a seaport called "Semayang" which has many destinations to Surabaya, Makasssar, Jakarta, Pare-Pare, and Manado. in 1990s, transportation using ships was very popular. But after the booming of so many new airlines with very cheap price, people now prefer travelling using airplanes to the ships.
The ferry is also another alternative for travelling to other places within coastal areas in East Kalimantan, such as Penajam
Most people arrive by air. There are frequent flights from Jakarta, as well as commercial services from Surabaya, Banjarmasin and Makasar. There is also an international flight from Singapore operated by Silk Air a few times a week.
The airport, Sepinggan, is located on the coast just outside of the city. Airport taxis operate from the terminal; there is a fixed fare depending on the destination.
by Land can be accessed from Samarinda, Bontang And Banjarmasin by land trough 2 bus terminal From Samarinda, Bontang by Terminal Batu Ampar, and From Banjarmasin from the other terminal in the Batu Ampar District.
By sea can be accessed from semayang seaport that serves cruises from makassar, pare pare, tarakan, surabaya, and other eastern parts of Indonesia. this port is one of the busiest port in Indonesia it served cargo ship not only from indonesia and south east asia but as long as china, it served as gateway to borneo. You can also access Kalimantan Timur from Tawau / Malaysia. From Tawau there is a boat to Tarakan. From there another one to Nunukan in Berau district. You need a visa to enter indonesia on that port (Visa on arrivel is not available) but there is an consulat in Tawau which seems to do visas quite quick.
Place to Stay:
* Dusit Hotel
* Bahana Surya / Blue Sky Hotel probably the best place in town. With a nice swimming pool
* Hotel Benakutai
* Grand Senyiur Hotel
* Hotel Bhatera from 400.000 IDR
* Hotel Murni a cheap option
* Town House Bukit Damai Indah
Samarinda City - East Kalimantan Travel Guides
Samarinda is the capital of the Indonesian province of East
Kalimantan (Kalimantan Timur) on the island of Borneo. The city lies on the banks of the Mahakam River. As well as being the capital, Samarinda is also the most populous city in East Kalimantan with a population of 562,463 (2000) and as such is used by many as a gateway to the more remote regions of the province such as Kutai Barat, Kutai Kartanegara and East Kutai. Reaching these areas usually involves travel by river as the most efficient means. Although it has status as the capital of kalimantan Timur Province, some of government public service centre is located in Balikpapan, such as Police, Indonesian Army District VI of Tanjung Pura, and Pelabuhan Indonesia (Port Transportation).
Transport into Samarinda itself is facilitated by an airport, Temindung and a port, however, there are plans to relocate both the airport and port soon.
History
When the Gowa War began, the Dutch under Admiral Speelman's command attacked Makassar from the sea. Meanwhile, the Netherland's local ally Arupalaka led a ground attack. The Kingdom of Gowa was forced to surrender and Sultan Hassanudin made to sign the Bongaya Treaty on November 19, 1667.
The treaty did not quell all trouble for the Dutch however, since the Bugis from Gowa who did not want to surrender, continued their struggle using guerilla tactics. Some Buginese moved to other islands close by such as Kalimantan. A few thousand people led by Lamohang Daeng Mangkona or Pua Ado I, moved to East Kalimantan, known then as Kutai, where they were welcomed by the local Sultan.
The Sultan of Kutai gave the migrants land in Kampung Melantai around the Karang Mumus River, now known as Kampung Selili, where they proceeded to establish farms and fisheries. In payment, the Bugis people promised to help the Sultan defend Kutai whenever needed.
The name Samarinda originates from the description of the way in which the Bugis houses were constructed. At that time the custom was that all houses were built on a raft and generally had the same height. This had important social relevance, symbolising equality between residents; no person house, and thus no person was seen as higher or lower than another. They named the settlement 'Samarenda', meaning 'equal in height'. After hundreds of years of use the pronunciation 
of the name changed slightly and the city became known as Samarinda.
The arrival of the first Bugis on 21 January 1668 was chosen to mark the city's anniversary. Samarinda is known for its traditional food amplang, as well as the cloth sarung samarinda. The city also has a bridge connecting the two river banks, called The Mahakam Bridge.
Regencies
Kutai Kartanegara • West Kutai • East Kutai • Pasir • Penajam Paser Utara • Bulungan • Berau • Malinau • Nunukan • Tana Tidung Coat of East Kalimantan
Cities Samarinda (capital) • Balikpapan • Bontang • Tarakan Towns Tenggarong • Sendawar • Sangatta • Tanah Grogot • Penajam • Tanjung Selor • Tanjung Redeb
Islands Derawan Islands • Sebatik Island • Tarakan Island • Kakaban • Bunyu
Airports Sepinggan, Balikpapan • Temindung, Samarinda • Juwata, Tarakan • Berau • Tanjung Harapan, Bulungan • Nunukan • Datadawai • Long Bawan • Long Apung
Rivers Mahakam River • Sesayap River • Lawa River
Mountains Mount Ilas Bungaan • Mount Ilas Mapulu • Mount Kemul
Upriver Mahakam Expedition - East Kalimantan Travel Guides
Kalimantan is the correct name for the Indonesian portion of the island known generically as Borneo. The Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak and the famed country, Brunei Darussalam constitute the remaining portions. Kalimantan is divided into four regions: East, West, Central and South Kalimantan. In East Kalimantan, the Mahakam River is the main route of access into this land of mystery, lore and vast eco-tourism. The former headhunters, the Dayaks traditionally live in communal longhouses called Lamin or Umaq Daru.
Steeped in tradition, the interior of the longhouse is typically divided into separate family quarters with a communal area connecting each of the quarters and therefore each of the families. It is in these communal areas that village meetings are held and ceremonies performed, thereby reinforcing the strong tribal bonds that have kept the Dayaks alive in the face of rapidly advancing 20th century technology.
The more remote and traditional tribes-people have pierced earlobes, which over the years have become stretched by the weight of heavy gold or brass rings, and beautifully elaborate tattoos. Local jewelry and designs are intricate and powerful, often giving messages to be passed down from generation to generation. The former headhunters; the large, remote orchid forests; the villages with "streets of wood"; and the ecologically interesting terrain create a journey surpassing all imagination and expectations. This is a journey back in time designed for the hearty explorer and eco-tourist.
DAY 1 - BALIKPAPAN / LOA JANAN
Transfer from Balikpapan to Loa Janan to board your "house-boat" for the start of the journey up the Mahakam river. Traveling along the extensive Mahakam river system, which has carved its way through the jungles and flatlands constantly reshaping and nourishing the land, is a fascinating adventure. The people, once believed to be headhunters, live in remote areas and along the rivers maintaining their beliefs in the supernatural and ancestral worship. Overnight on board. (Dinner)
DAY 2 - MUARA MUNTAI / TANJUNG ISUY
Tea with the Dayaks, the renown, former head hunters of Borneo, awaits you today. Visit Muara Muntai and its local floating market. A festive celebration with the Dayak village at Tanjung Isuy will crown this day. Be ready – Everyone Participates. Overnight on board. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
DAY 3 - TANJUNG ISUY / TENGGARONG
Travel from Tanjung Isuy to Tenggarong. Visit traditional long houses and explore the life of the Dayak villager. Birds, scenery, sights, and sounds abound - enjoy your time with nature and creation. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).
DAY 4 - TENGGARONG / BALIKPAPAN
Visit the former Palace of the Sultan of Kutai, now an excellent museum. Note the gifts, origins and art on display. Journey down-river at a pace much faster than before as you now travel with the river. Arrive in time for dinner in Balikpapan.(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).
DAY 5 - BALIKPAPAN/ ONWARD JOURNEY
Bid farewell to Kalimantan as you are transferred to the airport for your onward journey and continuing visit to Indonesia. (Breakfast).
Sangalaki - Derawan - Maratua Islands - East Kalimantan Travel Guides
DIVE SITES OF SANGALAKI - DERAWAN - KAKABAN AND MARATUA ISLANDS
Sangalaki
The tiny island of Sangalaki was opened for diving in 1993, it is famous for large groups of mantas that come here to feed on the plankton. Sangalaki's shallow reef system extends over 200 meters from the island, apart from some steep coral ridges in places, generally falls away gradually and most diving is undertaken in water up to a depth of 25 meters.
Sangalaki and it's surrounding reefs are protected as an Indonesian Marine Park. Without the destructive effects of explosives and cyanide fishing, Sangalaki has remained a pristine example of an untouched tropical marine ecosystem. The island itself is a breeding ground for green turtles. At night female turtles come ashore and lay their eggs and small baby turtles can be seen regularly as they hatch and desparately struggle their way to the sea whilst dodging hungry birds.
Sangalaki can be reached via Balikpapan, Indonesia or via Tawau, Sabah by an hour flight to Berau and two hour boat ride down the scenic Berau River.
The Dive Sites
To the east of the island are Manta Avenue, Manta Parade and Manta Run - where the manta rays can be found feeding, gills wide open, on a rich supply of plankton minutes from the beach. The mantas can sometimes be seen cruising down these manta highways, whilst other rays forage around for food under the sand together with the goatfish. Their wing tips break the surface at regular intervals as they circle around you. They prefer to swim close to the surface, so snorkeling or free diving is also a good way to interact with them. The best time to see them seems to be full moon when there might be as much 20 mantas hovering over the cleaning stations.
Manta Avenue starts just east of the The Lighthouse where 
the coral steps its way down to the first sandy tracks which is an ideal environment for the beautifully coloured Fire Goby, Elegant Fire Goby and Dancing Goby together with the Jaw Fish and Ribbon Eels. There are also two small wooden boat wrecks here. Across the marine highways at Manta Avenue and Manta Parade, the coral reef forms into an intriguing set of ridges, appearing to rise and fall like hilltops. These isolated reefs form mini ecosystems abounding with life in all its complexity.
As Manta Parade joins into Manta Run, the underwater terrain flattens out to reveal numerous coral outcrops and bommies of various 
shapes and sizes. Each is adorned with colourful soft corals and sponges, usually topped with an elaborate display of Feather Stars and Gorgonians. With their overhangs and crevices, these underwater tenement blocks provide the ideal environment for Leaf Fish and Frogfish, which prey on unsuspecting Cardinal Fish. Sandy Ridge lies at the end of Manta Run and is home to the Garden Eels, Cuttlefish and some gloriously coloured Gobies and Nudibranchs.
To the west of the island are the dive sites at Coral Gardens and Turtle Town. Here turtles can be seen frolicking around and cavorting with one another. The turtle mating season is generally all year round.
Kakaban
Kakaban island lies around 20 minutes from Sangalaki and offers 2 very different diving experiences.
In addition to some spectacular wall diving, where pelagics can be found, Kakaban also features a massive landlocked marine lake supporting 4 different species of non-stinging jellyfish and some marine life not found anywhere else in the world. These include the upside down Cassiopeia ornate, Mastigias Papua, Aurelia Aurita and Tripedalia Cystophora. These jellyfish are quite special; unlike their sea-living counterparts, they have been living in a lake, protected from their natural predators such as turtles and barracuda. Through time therefore, they have lost their ability to sting simply because they have had no need for them.
The island is a coral atoll that has been uplifted by geologic
al forces, turning the lagoon into a landlocked lake. The 5 square-kilometer lake, surrounded by a 50-meter ridge, occupies most of the interior of this uninhabited island, which has been declared a government nature reserve. The shoreline is fringed with a tangle of mangroves. Their sturdy roots are carpeted with sponges, seaweeds and tunicates. Visibility is around 10-12 meters and at its deepest point the lake is 18 meters with tidal amplitude of about 0.2m, this is a result of a network of underground fissures that connect to the ocean. Marine creatures found here include brilliant blue flatworms on the mangrove roots together with tiny molluscs and colonial bivalves. The shy file snake, a non-poisonous fish eating snake, prefers a darker habitat under the roots, where it waits for the schooling cardinal fish and gobies. A green marine algae dominates the lakebed and provides a foothold for a voracious jellyfish eating sea cucumber. This truly is a biological paradise.
The Dive Sites
Around the outer rim of the island steep limestone cliffs drop to the waters edge which then plummets to around 200 meters deep in places. This underwater terrain makes for some great drift wall diving. Barracuda Point offers an exhilarating drift dive as it follows the top of a sheer wall around the point. The two walls do not exactly meet at a corner, they taper off into the depths. As the corner beckons, the concentration of pelagic sea life intensifies. Swirling school of chevron barracuda and big eye trevally fill the sea, with tuna and shark sightings also common.
Blue light 
cave is for experienced divers since the exit is quite deep. The cave starts at a hole accessible at low tide on the top of the wall at 2 meters and descends through a narrow chimney. At about 21 meters the chimney opens into a large cavern with the bottom at 30 meters. Swimming along the ceiling of the cave for about 120m is also possible and as you approach the exit of the cave, the blue light of the sea can be seen. The exit is a long vertical crack in the wall and about 2 meters wide which lies at 44 meters, there is also another exit at 64 meters. The dive is finished on the wall.
Derawan
Derawan has several diving terrains ranging from walls to caverns and fringing reefs. The pear shaped island is closer inland so visibility often isnt as good, this shouldnt deter the macro enthusiast though. One of the more popular spots is the excellent house reef beneath the jetty where the shallow water plays home to all manner of critters such as cuttlefish, lobster, ghost pipefish, seahorses and nudibranchs. Blue Trigger Wall is where a number of red-toothed triggerfish can be found, it drops down to around 20 meters. The island is also popular with green turtles that use it as a breeding ground laying their eggs at night.
Samama
Samama island is also very close to Sangalaki and Kakaban so is easily accessible from both. The dive sites here have been described as an underwater naturalists dream teeming with macro life. The waters surrounding Samama are shallow and ideal for beginners and photographers looking to capture that magical undersea lighting. Large swathes of colourful soft corals and sponges intermingled with hydroids and sea whips give way to massive cabbage, staghorn and plate coral colonies. Around the edges of the sand patches iridescent blue ribbon eels can be seen along with many juvenile fish that take shelter in the islands mangrove root system labyrinths. Pygmy seahorses have been found here and there are myriad nudibranchs to be discovered.
Maratua
Maratua is an island with a massive lagoon situated around an hour away from Sangalaki. The island rims part of the lagoon the rest of which is surrounded by coral reef. There are several impressive drop offs and a great drift dive can be done through the channel into the lagoon. The channel entrance is at 27 meters and strong currents sweep by attracting large pelagics such as eagle rays, mantas, barracuda, tuna, mackerel and sharks. Best time to dive the channel is on an incoming or slack tide where marine life reaches a crescendo of activity. Coral growth is not as spectacular here due to the strong currents, diving should also be carefully planned. The island is inhabited hence unfortunately some of the reefs have been fished.
Nabucco is a recently developed island inside Maratua lagoon. It is a good dive spot for critters such as frogfish, shrimps, scorpionfish, ghost pipefish, mandarin fish and nudibranchs.
Derawan Island Dive Resort - East Kalimantan Travel Guides
DERAWAN ISLAND DIVE LODGE AND RESORT
The terrains at Derawan are varied - from 
walls and fringing reef to caverns, big Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas), whitetip, leopard and nurse sharks, schooling barracudas, napoleon wrasses, cuttle fish, spanish mackerel, jacks and batfishes, and ornamentalreef fishes hang out in record densities and diversity. Dr. Carden Wallace of the museum of the Tropical Queensland found over 50 species of Acropora hard coral on one reef.
Not only it is possible to dive with turtles; are also found coming on land every night to procreate; hatchlings are often encountered just below the cottages and restaurant. My favorite site, however is just on the door step- beneath the pylons of the 280 m long jetty. Here I have found some of the m
ost mind-boggling and bizzare critters I have seen in years; luminous multi coloured dumpling squids, pairs of 3 ft (1 m) crocodile fishes, finger sized purple crayfish, squat lobsters, decorator crabs, sea horses and unidentified species of worms, tunicates; dwarf scorpionfishes and also ghost pipe fish.
The quality of diving around Derawan is indeed what divers dream about I have been back four times and I will be back again, again and again. Michael AW.
Facilities
* Sixteen standard traditional Kalimantan stle cottages are equipped with aircondition ; private bathroom and toilet; one double spring bed and one single spring bed. Four Deluxe rooms are equipped with aircondition; private bathroom; toilet and hot water;
two double spring beds. There are also 7 VIP cottages with 2 rooms in each cottages equipped with aircondition; very nice bathroom, toilet and hotwater; 2 double spring beds; shared lounge room; TV; Audio; Kitchen; microwave and freezer.
* Two big generators provide 24 hours electricity 240 volt with horizontal point. Converter 110 volt is also available at the camera room.
* There are 4 transfer boats which will make comfortable to our guest during their stay. There are 4 transfer boats @ 2 x 115 Hp Yamaha Outboard engine which can also be used for diving with capacity of 5 divers. This transfer boat is used for transferring divers from Berau - Derawan - Berau. Two diving boat with Yamaha outboard engine @ 2 x 85 HP; length - 7 meters; capacity = 8 divers. One fiberglass diving boat with Yamaha outboard engine 2 x 115 HP; length = 9 metera; capacity = 14 divers.
* E 6 Slide Processing machine will help photographers to see the result quickly and share the great underwater pictures.
* A very nice bar & restaurant above the water serves excellent grill/ fired fishes; chicken or meat. Our Chefs and waiters will also feel happy to serve your suggestion foods. The bar will make you easy to order mix alcohol drink. What a great place!.
* Our dive shop will help you with rental gears; lockers; showers. The staffs and our 7 divemasters will help you fixing your equipment for everydive. Our 2 mariner Bauer compressors provide a pure and dry filtered air filling the 150 K Valve tanks for your dives.
* The minishop sells many daily utilities; snacks; film; baterai; T shirt and also books.
In one resort you see all great macros to big fishes & the magnificent Manta Rays.
HOW TO GET THERE:
Getting to Balikpapan
I. From Balikpapan
Divers can reach Balikpapan from Singapore; Jakarta; or Denpasar - Surabaya.
Silk Air serves SIN-BPN-SIN every Mon/Fri (Afternoon arrival); & Wed/Sat ( Morning arrival)
*Balikpapan – Berau – Balikpapan :
is served by DAS & Kalstar ( Mon – sat). Airfare = USD. 190 includes airport tax; porter ; 25 Kg baggages and handling services. Excess baggage = Rp. 9500/Kg (about USD.1.2). Divers can handcarry 1 – 2 small bags to reduce the overweight cost.
BPN - Berau DAS 3200 1115 - 1245
Berau - BPN DAS 3201 0855 - 1045
II. From Tarakan
Malaysian Airlines (MAS) flies from Tawao to Tarakan every Monday and Thurday. Public ferry also serves Tawao to Tarakan everyday. Handling fee arriving from Tarakan = USD. 35/person return.
DIVE DERAWAN PACKAGES.
( In US Dollars ; min. 4 divers ) Validity : 31 Dec 2008
| Duration | Standard | Deluxe Room | VIP Room | Suite | Incl. |
| 4 days/3 nights | 543 | 571 | 625 | 719 | 1 x |
| 5 days / 4 nights | 763 | 802 | 877 | 1,008 | 2 x |
| 6 days / 5 nights | 924 | 970 | 1,063 | 1,222 | 3 x |
| 7 days / 6 nights | 1,144 | 1.203 | 1,316 | 1,513 | 4 x |
| 8 days / 7 nights | 1,305 | 1.370 | 1,502 | 1,682 | 4 x |
| 9 days / 8 nights | 1,467 | 1.540 | 1,687 | 1,889 | 4 x |
| 10 days / 9 nights | 1,629 | 1.710 | 1,873 | 2,097 | 4 x |
| Extention stay after 10D/9N | US$ 120 /N. Std. room /$.130/N. Dlx. room/ $.145/ N.VIP |
| Extra Sangalaki/Kakaban | US$ 160 / boat max. 6 divers; $.250 / boat max. 10 divers |
| Extra Maratua island | US$ 200 / boat max. 6 divers; $.300 / boat max. 10 divers |
| Single room extra charge | US$ 35 / N for std/Dlx & $.50 / N for VIP |
| Non Diver | Less 15% from the above package price. |
| Single diver | Less than 4 persons; extra boat transfer : $100 for 3 persons;$200 for 2 |
RENTAL EQUIPMENT (USD /Day)
| No. | Item | Daily Rate (USD) |
| 01 | BCD | 10.00 |
| 02 | Regulator | 10.00 |
| 03 | Wetsuit | 5.00 |
| 04 | Booties | 2.00 |
| 05 | Fins | 3.00 |
| 06 | Weight Belt (3Kg) | 2.0 |
| 07 | Lighting + battery | 5.00 |
| 08 | Tank + air fill | 10.00 |
| 09 | Masker | 2.00 |
| 10 | Snorkel | 1.00 |
Inclusions:
-
Boat Transfer Berau - Derawan - Berau. The price does not include the airfare.
-
Accommodation (twin-share basis), meals and drink; except beer & soft drink.
-
Diving, tanks, weights and guide.
-
The price excludes diving / snorkeling gears and airfare. Gear rental for guest 50% off.
Nabucco Dive Resort - East Kalimantan Travel Guides
ABOUT NABUCCO ISLAND
Did you ever dream about your own "Robinson Island"? Spending holiday far away from civilisation, from hectic and stress, from noise and every-day-life? We found the paradise, located northeast of Indonesian Kalimantan (Borneo) in the Celebes Sea.
To be found next to Derawan, Sangalakki and Maratua - well known under divers - the protected Nabucco Island with a size of only 20.000 m2 offers pure nature. This is the home of one of the last populations of coconut crabs as well as many other very rare species. While doing trips to Maratua you can observe apes, bats, and diverse clases of birds in its natural environment.
The resort was set around the existing flora - no single palm, no single tree was cut. Nabucco Island shows the perfect coexistence of luxury and ecological thinking: the sewage is disposed environmental tolerably, sweet water is obtained by solar energy. The room furnishing with finest regional wood and lifelike materials complete the natural exclusivity.
Our manager Birgit Schlewek is doing her best to read every wish from your eyes and make you stay an extraordinary and unforgettable holiday. Due to her former activity as chef in diverse five-star-hotels she will alsoculinaery pamper you with Asian as well as Indo-pacific specialities, prepared from fresh ingredients like fish, meat, vegetables and fruits only. Gustav from Sulawesi is our Chef, he is former chef of Novotel Sulawesi. The morning starts with a rich breakfast from fresh juices and self-baked bread, typical light Asian dishes are offered for lunch and a fantastic 5-course menu is waiting for dinner. Vegetarian dishes are available as well. To round up a perfect day you can relax with a glass of our well-sorted wine range or a light fruity cocktail.
The modern Extra Divers Nabucco Island with reception, drying and storeroom is equipped with the latest Aqualung utensils. Our well experienced guides will take care for unforgettable diving adventures. The best spots are almost directly in front of your hut - diver's dream become reality with swarms of eagle rays, hammerhead sharks, tunas, turtles and many more. Also macro-photographer will find the places around Nabucco Island a very good place to hunt for subjects. Sangalakki,where manta rays can observed daily, is just a 50 min lasting boat ride away, and at Kakaban and Maratua you can admire the flora and fauna of the very rare sweet water lakes. The dive site around Nabucco Island are rightly some of the best worldwide - there must be a reason for the natives to call it "big fish country"!.
Location
About 40 km east of Berau district, East Kalimantan, Indonesia. You will feel like Robinson Crusoe finding a new place; quite; pure nature; no cut trees; all you hear is natural sound which takes your stress away. The unique creatures; Coconut Crab, black native lizard; crawl for food at night. You can see them on the pathway but must be quiet because they are afraid of human. The fantastic Collibries; King Fisher's wing movement is amazing. Canoing inside the lagoon is so cools; clear light blue colour;white sand will sooth your eyes. Excursion to meet with the native Maratua island and find yourself that they are very friendly. In one place you see all; above and underwater; for diver and non diver; for you and your family. Sooo Cools!
Accommodation
17 rooms for 34 persons (8 double and 1 single bungalows) seaview or
gardenview, all with balcony equipped with shower, toilet, minibar, mosquito net. At the moment only 10 rooms with Aircondition.
Supporting activity.
Safety box; reading corner; bar and also boutique.Asian massage; excursion to see the native Maratua island. Those supporting activity will make your diving holiday as a complete great diving holiday; above and underwater.
Electricity.
220 volt with 2 horizontal roundpin type connector; adaptor is also available.
Restaurant.
Special built restaurant serve you delicious western and asian foods. Big breakfast will give you a lot of energy and 5 courses dinner menu will satisfy you after your great dive before going to bed. Mineral water can be purchased around USD 2 and refilling mineral water is USD. 1 . This system will help to minimize the plastic rubbish on the island. Soft drink and alcoholic drink is available. If you bring your own alcoholic drink, Please do not drink at the restaurant area.
Diving activity.
Managed by professional persons from Extra Diver; equipped with 15 full diving equipment in each sizes; 70 aluminium 12 L tanks with Din / Int valve; oxygen tank; rental dive computer and underwater camera are available at the resort. We also provide children diving equipment for them to do Discover diving to see the great underwater life preparing for them to take the Junior Openwater Diving course.
Nabucco 
diving boat will bring you out for diving around Sangalaki; kakaban and Maratua island to see the underwater life ; from macro to big fishes; non stinging jelly fishes and also the magnificent manta rays. Snorkeling and diving with manta rays at Sangalaki island is an unforgetable memory; can you imagine when you are circled by mantas ?. Kakaban island has also its own power to increase your andrenalin besides its unique Non Stinging Jellyfish. Night dive at Nabucco Jetty is also easy and excellent dive for the nocturnal sea life. Imagine you are sitting on a ring seat; The big fish country channel is look like an underwater Colosseum at 30 Meter; beneath you – an abyssal plunge beyond the depths of mortal endurance. Then the greatest show begin with the uncountable Barracudas; looks like a huge tornado swirling close to you ; Eagle rays; Big tooth Jacks; Dog Tooth Tunas; snappers; Groupers and also sharks. The light house; shark city; dolphin parade and lobster cave will make your dive a loving memory. You will be back again and again.
HOW TO GET THERE
From Singapore / Jakarta you can reach Balikpapan very easily. From Jakarta it is better to take morning flight between 06.00 – 08.00 AM Jakarta time with Bouraq; Lion Air, Kartika Air, Air Asia, Adam Air and Garuda Indonesia, so you can connect nicely with Kalstar/DAS Balikpapan – Berau 10.45 - 12.10
Silk Air/Singapore Airlines has daily flight to Balikpapan. At the mean time taking Mon/Wed/Thu and Saturday Singapore – Balikpapan 07.55 – 10.15 is the best so you can connect with flight Balikpapan to Berau by DAS/Kalstar at the same day. My staff will always at Balikpapan and Berau / Tarakan airport to meet you upon your arrival, help cheking in and reconfirmation. For Arriving via Tarakan : There is a handling fee at USD. 35/return
This is Kalstar Balikpapan – Berau – Balikpapan daily flight
| BPN - BEJ | Kalstar | 10.45 - 12.10 |
| BEJ - BPN | Kalstar | 07.00 - 08.30 |
Airfare = $ 190/pax (include tax, porter, handling in Balikpapan & Berau + 25 kg baggage)
For extra luggage = Rp 9500/kg (around US$1,2/kg), you can handcarry 1-2 small bags to reduce the excess baggage
PRICE LIST
I. ACCOMMODATION :
| Room Type – Fullboard Basis | Perperson-Pernight (USD) |
| Single | 120 |
| Double | 90 |
| Triple | 83 |
| Children 2 – 11 Years old | 50 |
Note:
1. Fullboard basis without drink except for breakfast ( Tea;coffee and juice)
2. Airconditioned room need additional supplement USD$5 per person - per night
3. Children will share room with parent with extra bed 1,80 m.
4. Snorkeling by boat at Maratua island : USD 5/trip and S/K Island : USD 15/trip
II. DIVING : (include : boat, tank, weights , belt and guide)
| 10 dives | 20 dives |
| $ 420 | $765 |
Note :
1. Sangalaki/Kakaban/light house dive trip will be arranged by the resort manager depending on the situation.( normally 3 trips perweek)
2. Sangalaki & Kakaban only 2 dives available pertrip. But on the same day early morNing dive or night dive possible
III. BOAT TRANSFER : (MAX 8 PAX)
| Destination | Price per boat |
| Berau – Nabucco – Berau | $ 550 |
| Tarakan – Nabucco – Tarakan | $ 650 |
Note :
1. Handling cost for arriving via Tarakan = USD. 35/person
2. To minimize the boat transfer cost please ask the joining boat transfer
IV. AIRFARE :
| Destination | Price per boat/person |
| Balikpapan – Berau : 10.45 - 12.10 | USD 190 |
| Berau – Balikpapan : 07.00 - 08.30 | USD 190 |
Include : airport tax, porter, 25 kg baggage and handling in Balikpapan and Berau
all price valid until 01 November 2006
