Nunukan Island Resort

Nunukan Island Resort has a small island to itself on the outer reef of the Maratua atoll in East Borneo. A bridge of about one kilometre links it to Virgin Cocoa, its sister resort. It takes a flight and a boat ride to get here, and the reef starts at the end of the jetty.

The resort is open ten months a year and closes in January and February.

Getting There

Fly to Berau, through Balikpapan or on the direct Batik Air flight from Jakarta. The resort’s shuttle boat leaves Berau every Wednesday and Saturday, around lunchtime and no later than 3pm, and the crossing takes 2.5 to 3.5 hours depending on the sea. It returns every Tuesday and Friday at 8am. On other days a private boat can be arranged, and transfers from Derawan are possible on request.

The Accommodation

There are 20 beachfront bungalows for up to 40 guests, all built from local materials and all facing the lagoon and the sunset. Each has air conditioning, a fan, a mosquito net, a minibar, a veranda and a hot and cold shower. Starlink Wi-Fi is free.

You choose between two meal plans:

• Half Board: breakfast with fresh juice, tea and coffee, and a four-course dinner.
• Full Board: the same, plus a three-course lunch.

The kitchen mixes Indonesian and international dishes, and there are three main courses to choose from at lunch and dinner. Vegetarian and vegan meals are easy to arrange if you ask ahead.

Diving

The dive centre sits at the start of the main jetty. The house reef runs for four kilometres along the outer edge of the atoll, so most dives start a few minutes from the island. The resort runs three dives a day, plus half-day trips with two dives and day trips with three. Early morning and night dives are on request, and nitrox is available.

On the reef you look for pygmy seahorses, nudibranchs and leaf fish, and you often see sharks, rays, barracuda, jacks and turtles. Big Fish Country, a channel 25 minutes away by boat, is known for eagle rays, sharks and a large school of barracuda. Day trips go to Karang Muaras, where thresher sharks are sometimes seen, to Sangalaki for its manta rays and coral garden, and to Kakaban. Whale shark trips run when the weather allows.

The nearest decompression chamber is at Tanjung Batu, about 2.5 hours away by boat, so bring dive insurance that covers evacuation.

If You Do Not Dive

The best-known trip is the jellyfish lake on Kakaban, where a short jungle walk leads to a brackish lake full of jellyfish that do not sting. You can also snorkel the house reef from the dive boat or walk across to Virgin Cocoa. On the island there are massages and cooking classes with the kitchen team, and village visits can be arranged.

Planning a trip to Indonesia? Contact us now and we will check dates and rates at Nunukan Island Resort for you.