Derawan

 

A string of small islands lines the edge of the continental platform of East Borneo, where the massive deltas of the rivers lose the influence of their murky waters and the visibility improves. Outside, deep water surrounds two large atolls and a very peculiar island with a massive land-locked lake fringed by mangroves in its interiors, where four different species of stingless jellyfish coexist.

 

 

In a good week, this route provides the opportunity to spot the big five: thresher shark, hammerheads, grey reef sharks, mantas and whalesharks. The last ones come attracted by the little anchovies captured by the large outrigger boats fishing at night with the help of lights.

 

 

Diving happens mostly in walls and slopes, with the occasional sandy plateau as well, and display huge barrel sponges, large sea fans, and beautiful hard coral gardens in the shallows, apart from huge schools of jacks and barracudas amongst other species of reef fish. Sea turtles lay their eggs in the rookeries of this region, and together with a couple of canyons and caves, it all makes for a perfect diving safari.