Beginners Friendly Dive Trip
Maratua, Indonesia
LAND BASED – Sienna RESORT
Diver Requirements
- Minimum Open Water Diver certification required.
- At least 20 logged dives are recommended for certain sites.
- Dive Masters will advise on site suitability based on your experience.
Trip Type: Fun Diving | 26th February – 4th March 2027
Welcome to Maratua, Indonesia
Where every dive feels like a discovery.
Tucked away in Indonesia’s Derawan Archipelago, Maratua is an underwater world of vibrant coral gardens, dramatic channels, and extraordinary marine encounters. From schools of barracuda and cruising reef sharks to graceful manta rays and sea turtles, every dive brings something different.
Explore the reefs of Maratua, discover Kakaban’s famous stingless jellyfish lake, and experience the marine wonders of Sangalaki. Combined with turquoise lagoons, white sand beaches, and lush tropical surroundings, Maratua offers an unforgettable island diving experience.
Where You’ll Be Diving
Maratua
Known for vibrant coral gardens, dramatic channels, turtles, manta rays, reef sharks, and schools of barracuda.
Kakaban Island
Home to the famous stingless jellyfish lake, along with dive sites such as Kalapa 2, Tanjung Kalapa, and Barracuda Point.
Sangalaki Island
Famous for manta encounters, turtle conservation areas, and colourful coral gardens, including the Manta Cleaning Station and Manta Run.
Itinerary
26th February | Arrival & Check Dive
- Pick-up from Berau Airport and transfer to the speedboat harbour.
- Approx. 2.5-hour boat ride to Sienna Resort.
- Lunch, check-in and dive form completion.
- Dive 1: Small Fish Country, check dive.
- Sunset coffee break and optional canoeing.
- Dinner and dive briefing.
27th February | Coral Reefs & Channelss
- Breakfast at the resort.
- Dive 2: Coral Mountain Bay.
- Dive 3: Fuselier Alley / Second Channel.
- Lunch at Sienna Resto.
- Dive 4: Leo Point.
- Free time, coffee break, dinner and dive briefing.
28th February | Turtles & Big Fish Country
- Breakfast at the resort.
- Dive 5: Gorgonzola.
- Dive 6: The Big Fish Country / The Channel.
- Lunch at Sienna Resto.
- Dive 7: Turtle Bay.
- Free time, coffee break and dinner.
1st March | Kakaban Island Expedition
- Breakfast at the resort.
- Dive 8: Kalapa 2, Kakaban Island.
- Surface interval: snorkelling with stingless jellyfish at Jellyfish Lake.
- Dive 9: Tanjung Kalapa.
- Lunch at Kakaban Island jetty.
- Dive 10: Barracuda Point.
- Return to resort, optional night dive and dinner.
2nd March | Sangalaki Manta Experience
- reakfast at the resort.
- Dive 11: Manta Cleaning Station, Sangalaki Island.
- Surface interval at the island’s turtle conservation area.
- Dive 12: Manta Run.
- Lunch at Sangalaki Island jetty.
- Dive 13: Coral Garden.
- Return to resort, optional night dive and dinner.
3rd March | The Grand Finale
- Breakfast at the resort.
- Dive 14: The Big Fish Country / The Channel.
- Surface interval on the dive boat.
- Dive 15: Lighthouse.
- Lunch at the resort and surface interval.
- Dive 16: Gorgonzola Point (Optional), subject to the 18-hour pre-flight interval.
- Gear wash and drying, coffee break and dinner.
4th March | Departure
- Breakfast at the resort.
- Check-out and preparation for departure.
- Transfer by boat and road to Kalimarau Airport, Berau.
- The trip concludes. See you on your next Orca adventure.
Note: Itinerary subject to weather and safety considerations.
What You’ll experience
Accomodation
Sienna Resort, Maratua
Your island home between ocean adventures. Set amid turquoise waters and lush tropical greenery, Sienna Resort offers a comfortable base for exploring Maratua’s spectacular underwater world. Enjoy relaxed evenings by the water, kayaking, island exploration, and coffee breaks between dives.
Accommodation Options
Kakaban Water Villa
Wake up to lagoon views and the calming rhythm of the sea. Kakaban Water Villas offer an immersive island stay, perfect for unwinding between dives.
Sidau Cottage
Nestled amidst lush greenery, Sidau Cottages offer a tranquil retreat just steps from the beach and dive centre.
Why divers love it:
- Stay in comfortable Sidau Cottages or scenic Kakaban Water Villas
- Direct access to Maratua’s crystal-clear lagoon
- Convenient on-site dive centre and boat departures
- Daily meals, refreshments, and sunset relaxation spaces
Cost Breakdown
Standard Room (Twin Sharing): INR 1,19,000 + Taxes
Deluxe Room: Available on request. Ask us for upgrade options.
What’s Included
- 4N/5D at Seaventures Dive Rig (A/C Standard Room, twin-sharing)
- 3 meals daily + tea, coffee, and water
- Roundtrip transfers: Tawau – Semporna – Dive Rig
- ~14 dives, including 1 day at Sipadan (subject to permit)
- 1 night dive (certified divers only)
- Unlimited buddy dives on the house reef
- Tanks, weights, and belts
- Complimentary WiFi
What’s Not Included
- International flights & visa
- Dive gear rentals (BCD, fins, wetsuit, etc.)
- Sipadan permit fee (MYR 350 per diver/day)
- Sipadan entrance fee (MYR 100 per person/day)
- Dive computer (mandatory – rent or bring your own)
- Alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, snacks
- Personal expenses, souvenirs, and tips
- Dive & travel insurance (mandatory)
Gear Rental
Let us know in advance to reserve gear.
Payment & Cancellation
Payment Terms
- 50% deposit to confirm
- Balance due by 10th May 2025
Cancellation Policy
- No refunds on cancellations or no-shows
- No refunds for missed dives/services
- All payments are non-refundable and non-transferable
Faqs
26th February – 4th March 2027 (6N/7D), exploring Maratua, Kakaban and Sangalaki.
Yes. Dive insurance is mandatory for all Orca Dive Club trips. Travel insurance is strongly recommended to cover emergencies, evacuations, cancellations, delays and lost belongings.
A minimum Open Water Diver certification is required. At least 20 logged dives are recommended for certain sites. Dive Masters will advise on site suitability based on your experience.
Yes. Night dives are optional and available at an additional cost, subject to availability and conditions.
30% advance is required to secure your spot, and the remaining 70% balance is payable 3 months before departure.
More than 6 months before departure: Full refund of the 30% advance, less bank charges. Between 6 and 3 months before departure: The 30% advance is non-refundable. Less than 3 months before departure: 100% of the trip payment is non-refundable. No-show or early departure: No refund.
Flights and visa fees, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages, personal scuba diving equipment and rentals, DAN short-term dive insurance and travel insurance, Talisayan Whale Shark Trip, additional dives, night dives, dive guide and island service tips, additional hotel stays, meals and beverages outside the package, and personal or incidental expenses.
Yes. Regulators, BCDs, fins, masks, wetsuits, dive computers and other equipment are available at additional costs.
No. The optional Talisayan Whale Shark excursion costs USD 95 per person, subject to a minimum of 6 participants.
Yes. Dive sites and schedules may change due to weather, sea conditions or local regulations.