Nabucco Island Resort

Overview

Nabucco Island Resort combines family atmosphere with a stripped back island resort to create an ecologically focused diver’s retreat in the heart of the Celebes Sea. This intimate resort has access to top dive sites around Maratua Atoll, including Big Fish Country with various species of sharks and schooling barracuda. Vibrant reefs and macro subjects can also be found nearby at Kakaban Island. 

Accommodation 

The resort features just 18 rooms, split into 12 bungalows. All built in a traditional style, with private terrace, air-conditioning, minibar, mosquito net, and en suite bathroom. The Garden Rooms are set in the lush grounds with a peaceful atmosphere, whereas the Seafront Rooms provide direct access to the white sand beach and ocean views. The Suites offer extra space with a modern interior, coffee machine and hammock. 

Facilities

The spacious, open-air restaurant is built on stilts over the tranquil lagoon. Breakfast and lunch are cooked to order from the à la carte menu, while dinner is typically a 5-course set menu. Dietary requirements and requests can usually be accommodated with sufficient notice. The Nabucco Bar has sunset views, perched on a rocky outcrop. 

Snorkelling is available from the beaches dotted around the island and the resort's jetty, access points vary throughout the day depending on the shifting tides. For nature lovers, the island is home to coconut crabs, medium-sized monitor lizards, colourful kingfishers, flying foxes, and various species of lizard. 

Location

Nabucco Island Resort is situated next to Maratua Atoll, off the east coast of Borneo’s Kalimantan, in the Celebes Sea. The resort is access by speedboat, twice a week, from Berau. The port town of Berau is reached by domestic flight from Balikpapan, an overnight is required on both arrival and departure.

Dive info

All of Indonesia’s remote locations mean that dive sites are rarely crowded, marine life is abundant with an almost water tight guarantee of seeing something new each day. East Kalimantan offers that rare combination of big and small underwater life.

The Derawan Islands are in the province of East Kalimantan in Indonesia. They include Derawan, Sangalaki, Kakaban, Maratua, Panjang and Samama Island and submerged reefs and islets. They are located in the Sulawesi (Celebes) Sea, on the coastal shelf of East Kalimantan.

Located in a biodiversity hotspot, the Derawan Islands feature 872 species of reef fishes, 507 species of coral, and invertebrates including protected species such as giant clam, two different sea turtles and coconut crab. Some of the islands harbour the largest green turtle nesting sites in Indonesia. Travel between the months of September - November for increased likelihood of seeing larger species.

MARATUA ISLAND

Situated in Maratua Atoll itself, the namesake island features specular outer and inner reefs, fast channels and calming drifts. Barracuda abound in the right currents and thresher and grey reef sharks have been spotted, if you can take your eyes off the turtles and eagle rays.

Kakaban Island

Situated in the interior of Kakaban island and one of only two non-stinging jellyfish lakes in the world, this is a must dive, or snorkel if you prefer. The strange experience of diving in near motionless, brackish water with these strange medusa (not one, but 4 species!) remains a very unique experience in the diving world. The site is reached with a 15 minute walk inwards from shore (not in your dive kit).

The outer perimeter of Kakaban island, as you would expect, offers a handful of dive sites with great coral growth and pelagic sightings.

Sangalaki Island

A so far reliable spot for seeing manta rays, this island has ‘mobile’ feeding and cleaning stations shifting in line with the currents. If these marine giants are not cute enough for you, the island also runs a government managed turtle nursery where a visit may be organised locally for a small fee.

Derawan Island

Derawan Island itself offers a selection of fantastic sights, offering that wonderful mix of drift dives or muck dives! 

Enjoy a refreshing swim and snorkel just a step from your door.

As this is Indonesia, it goes without saying that macro fanatics will not be disappointed. Some recent spots are satomi pygmy seahorses, a variety of ghost pipe fish, blue ring octopus and frogfish.

How do I get there?

Singapore Airlines, into Balikpapan via Singapore. On arrival in Balikpapan, a wait for a couple of hours in the airport’s comfortable lounge, or an overnight in a local hotel, may be required so that the connecting internal flight can meet all the arrivals. 

Internal flight, Balikpapan to Berau - 45 minutes. Here you're met on arrival and transferred to a nearby jetty, the 2-3 hour boat journey is scenic as it passes settlements, plantation and jungle before crossing the Celebes Sea to reach the resort. Your feet will get wet on arrival! 

Alternative flights via Kuala Lumpur or Jakarta may be available. 

Dive prices

Extra Divers Virgin Cocoa 

The experienced and reputable team of Extra Divers, perhaps more familiar to some from their long-standing operations in Egypt, Oman, and Bali, welcome you to experience some of the best diving of your life. 

The diving centre uses speed boats for the full and half-day trips, while smaller 'water taxis’ will provide access to the extensive house reef. Diving is guided in very small groups, wherever possible. 

The house reef is a 4-kilometre stretch of outer reef rich with life, this can be dived dawn into the night. It's possible to see anything from pygmy seahorses and leaf fish to sharks, rays, turtles and jacks. Macro fans can enjoy a variety of nudibranchs, blue-ring octopus and frogfish.   

The close-by sites in the Maratua Atoll feature colourful walls and racing channels. The famous site “Big Fish Country” is a short 25-minute boat ride from the resort, where it's possible to see huge schools of barracuda, a variety of sharks and the odd eagle ray. Virgin Cocoa's outstanding location offers the chance to see mantas and thresher sharks close to Sangalaki Island, while Kakaban Island is home to the inland lake filled with millions of non-stinging jellyfish.

Dive Pack Prices

A package of 10 house reef dives, including a guide, typically costs £440, there's then a local supplement if you wish to go further afield on a half or full day boat trip. Extra Divers Cocoa Virgin have both 10L and 12L tanks, Nitrox is complimentary for qualified divers. Equipment is available to rent and the dive centre can conduct a variety of scuba courses.

Extra Divers Nabucco

Extra Divers Nabucco have the famous Big Fish County channel right on their doorstep. The fully-equipped dive centre is positioned on its own jetty and offers up to four boat dives per day from one of three comfortable fibreglass boats. The welcoming and experienced team are ready to share some of the best dive sites in the Celebes Sea. 

Divers visiting the area may see various species of sharks, huge schools of barracuda, manta rays, eagle rays, leopard sharks, and turtles. If luck is with you, it’s also possible to spot hammerhead sharks, tuna and elusive sailfish. For macro enthusiasts, the dive sites around Kakaban Island should deliver with colourful reefs, seahorse, nudibranch, and frogfish. 

Dive Pack Prices

A package of 10 boat dives, including a guide, typically costs £465, there's then a local supplement if you wish to go further afield on a half or full-day boat trip. Extra Divers Nabucco have both 10L and 12L tanks, Nitrox is available at supplement cost. Equipment is available to rent, and the dive centre can conduct a variety of SSI courses.   

Resort info

Climate

Mid January - June are semi dry
July - August southerly wind, can be choppy
September, October and mid November are said to be the best months to travel
Mid November to Mid January rainy

Time

East Kalimantan is GMT / BST +7 or +8 hours

Currency

Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) in used in East Kalimantan.

Land Clothing

If you are venturing any further, we recommend modest dress with loose fitting clothing. Natural fabrics are more comfortable.

Travel info

Flights 

International:
Best flight option into Balikpapan is with Singapore Airlines

Internal flight:
Balikpapan - Berau flights: 45 minutes

On arrival, there may be a wait in Balikpapan’s comfortable lounge or an overnight in a local hotel. This is the same for the return journey. 

Passports and Visas

When travelling to Indonesia, you should have at least 6 months validity on your passport. British nationals and nationals of nearly 100 nations are eligible for a 30-day visa for Indonesia, which you can access this on arrival, but the most efficient way is to apply online beforehand. Pay and receive your QR code, which speeds your entry process. An online customs declaration is also required; again this can be completed in the days before you arrive, speeding up your flow through the airport. 

Vaccinations

There are no compulsory vaccinations but standard protection against typhoid, tetanus, hepatitis A and polio is advisable. Always confirm current recommendations with a travel clinic or GP and take advice concerning malaria. Remember that your stay in Raja Ampat will take you away from major healthcare centres. Ensure you have the medications that you need, and consider taking emergency supplies of medications if you are prone to specific ailments. 

Prices

At Regaldive, we offer tailor-made scuba diving holidays to Indonesia, including flights from the UK, transfers, accommodation and your scuba diving activities.

The price panel above provides an indication of a lead-in price for your holiday, based on the cheapest time to travel. Prices shown are per person, and based on two persons sharing. 

Our friendly and experienced team can arrange holidays of varying durations for singles, couples, friends and dive clubs. We can also advise you on the best time of year to travel to maximise your scuba diving experience, and receive the best value for money. Flights from regional UK airports may be available, depending on your destination and date of travel.

We can also arrange extensions to your diving or snorkelling holiday, including cultural tours, nature and wildlife-focused activities, plus city breaks.

Please call 01353 659999 or e-mail Regaldive, using the link below, for a quotation.

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At Regaldive we are committed to offering you the best possible value for money on all our diving holidays. That's why we offer you a price match promise. Learn more about our promise to you.

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