World’s Most Beautiful Undersea : Derawan Islands

If you like marine tourism, visit the Marine Conservation Area (MPA) Derawan Islands, Berau, East Kalimantan, newsworthy event. Although only developed into tourist attractions, the potential and beauty of the waters is not inferior to other regions. This region is the sea and mangrove areas are arranged for purposes of sustainable fisheries activities, marine tourism, research, and socio-economic development of society, and the utilization of other marine resources sustainably. There are currently no direct flights to get to this area.

The flight from Jakarta to Balikpapan only to replace the small plane to Cape Redeb, the capital of Berau District. From Cape Redeb using the speedboat to the island Derawan. It took an hour down the river to reach the estuary. Do not be surprised if you see so many step on the chart. This chart is owned by the local population and the number could be thousands. On the island there are several cottages Derawan. Sea water in this area clean and clear with white sand that stretch. Derawan Islands located in the Celebes Sea, on the coast of Berau, East Kalimantan, overlooking the mouth of the estuary of the River known as Kelai and Berau Delta. This archipelago consists of six large group of islands, namely Pulau Derawan, Sangalaki Island, Kakaban, Maratua Island, Long Island, Pulau Samama, and several small islands and coral clusters.
There are 21 islands in the archipelago. Derawan Islands group is only a fraction of the hundreds of islands in the east coast of East Kalimantan islands totaling 248. Of these, 138 did not have the name of the island, two islands of Sipadan and Ligitan lost, belonging to Malaysia. Waters in this island known as one of the diving spot or the best dive sites in the world. Marine tourism and conservation be developed into tourist submarine is famous for coral reefs are very beautiful. By using a snorkel you can enjoy the beauty of coral reefs under the sea because the water is very clear.

Do not need all the way out to sea, about 100 meters from shore, fish and colorful coral reefs can be enjoyed by renting snorkel Rp 50,000 per day. As for scuba equipment rental (self containing breathing underwater apparatus) approximately USD400,000. Series of islands stretching Derawan more than 100mil along the coast of East Kalimantan, is one of the region’s most biologically rich in Indonesia. On the islands of the River Berau water mixes with water from the Celebes Sea to create a unique landscape with the characteristics of a broad river delta toward the scattered reef, the coral reefs and atolls.

Derawan Islands there are more than 460 species of coral. This makes Derawan Islands as areas with the highest diversity of hard coral in the world number two after the Raja Ampat Islands in Eastern Indonesia. The study also notes that there is more than 870 species of fish, ranging from Pygmy seahorses are very small to giant manta rays. Very often found in a large group of manta rays, amounting to 50 tail was visible were foraging in the waters Derawan. Variety of flora and fauna are also found in this area include: 347 species of reef fish; 222 types of mollusks (including 5 types of chemicals); 27 types of crustaceans, 183 species of coral; 7 seagrass species; and other biota such as rare green turtles (Chelonia mydas) , hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), dugongs (Dugong dugori), fish belebele / Napoleon (Cheilinus undulatus], shell clam (Tridacna sp.), and crab crab (Birgus latrd).

Several types of biota significant economic value that exists between different shrimp lobsters, grouper, red fish, kurisi fish, sharks, sea cucumbers, and oysters. Some rock groups, like the Moras, latitude, Malalangun, Gasongan, Baliulin and also in Masimbung Derawan Islands. Waters around this reef ecosystems under the sea has a very amazing. The beauty of coral reefs, the diversity of different types of coral, fish and biota of reefs and white sandy beaches clean the charm of this place. A number of rare animals in Indonesia now East of snail species found in some of these coral islands. This area is also famous for its habitat for green turtle (Chelonia mydas) are rare and the largest in Indonesia. Derawan Islands as one of the richest and most unique in the world could be your next destination. Make sure you schedule it on the next vacation.

Source: Daydaily.com