Kakaban Lake

Exploring the Wonders of Kakaban Lake: A Stingless Jellyfish Paradise in the Heart of Derawan

The Derawan Islands in Berau Regency, East Kalimantan, hold one of the rarest natural phenomena in the world. Amidst the vast expanse of blue sea lies a ring-shaped island named Kakaban Island. At the heart of this island is Kakaban Lake, an ancient brackish water lagoon that is home to a unique ecosystem found almost nowhere else on Earth. This lake is not just an ordinary water tourism destination; it is a natural laboratory that captivates researchers and nature lovers from all corners of the globe.

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Geological Wonders and Natural Formation

Kakaban Lake was formed through a geological process that took millions of years. Morphologically, the island is an atoll (coral island) that was uplifted from the seabed due to tectonic activity. This uplift process trapped seawater in the middle of the land, which then mixed with rainwater and groundwater seepage over thousands of years.

The result is a brackish water lake of approximately 5 square kilometers, surrounded by dense mangrove forests and steep coral cliffs. Because it is completely isolated from the open sea, the ecosystem within has evolved independently, creating very specific biological conditions that differ from the surrounding waters.

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Unique Biodiversity: Evolution Without Predators

The main attraction of Kakaban Lake lies in its most iconic inhabitants: the stingless jellyfish. Due to its isolation within the lake, without natural predators like turtles or large predatory fish, the jellyfish here have lost their natural defense mechanisms. The stings, usually used to paralyze prey or ward off enemies, have gradually reduced and lost their venom.

There are four species of jellyfish that inhabit this lake:

1. Moon Jellyfish (*Aurelia aurita*): Transparent white, often seen swimming slowly near the surface.

2. Spotted Jellyfish (*Mastigias papua*): Brownish with white spots, the most abundant species.

3. Box Jellyfish (*Tripedalia cystophora*): Very small and harder to find among the mangrove roots.

4. Upside-down Jellyfish (*Cassiopea ornata*): A unique species that rests its bell on the lakebed and directs its tentacles upwards to photosynthesize with the help of symbiotic algae.

Besides jellyfish, the lake's ecosystem is also inhabited by small fish adapted to brackish water, crabs, and vast arrays of algae and sponges attached to the dangling mangrove roots.

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Tourist Experience: Swimming in a "Jellyfish" Ocean

The primary activity at Kakaban Lake is snorkeling. As soon as you immerse yourself in the clear but slightly warm water, you will be immediately surrounded by thousands of dancing jellyfish. It feels like being in another dimension; these gentle creatures will touch your skin without causing any pain. Their jelly-like texture provides a unique tactile sensation.

It is important for visitors to adhere to the swimming etiquette here. Visitors are prohibited from using fins, as strong fin kicks can tear the bodies of the very fragile jellyfish. Furthermore, visitors are forbidden from lifting jellyfish out of the water, as this can kill them within seconds.

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Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Kakaban Lake is during the dry season, between April and October. During this period, rainfall is low, so the lake water remains clear, and sea access to the island is calmer. Specifically, the best time of day is when the sun is strongest (10:00 AM to 2:00 PM), as the jellyfish tend to rise to the surface to bask and photosynthesize, creating a very dense and spectacular sight.

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Conservation and Environmental Protection

As part of the Derawan Islands Coastal and Small Islands Conservation Area (KKP3K), Kakaban Lake is strictly protected. This ecosystem is highly sensitive to changes in water chemistry. Therefore, visitors are strictly prohibited from using sunscreen or mosquito repellent shortly before entering the lake, as chemical residues from these products can pollute the water and poison the jellyfish.

Local governments and communities regularly monitor water quality and jellyfish populations. Sometimes, the lake is temporarily closed to the public to allow the ecosystem time to recover from tourism pressure (recovery period).

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Accessibility and Facilities

To reach Kakaban Lake, the journey usually begins from Tanjung Redeb, the capital of Berau Regency. From there, tourists can head to Tanjung Batu Port via land for approximately 2 hours, followed by a 45-minute speedboat ride to Kakaban Island.

Facilities on Kakaban Island itself are intentionally minimalist to preserve its natural beauty. There is a long wooden pier as an access point, as well as wooden boardwalks that cut through the forest to the lake's edge. In the outer pier area (sea side), there is a stunning dive spot called "Barracuda Point," where divers often encounter thousands of barracudas forming a tornado formation.

There are no accommodations or restaurants on Kakaban Island. Tourists usually stay on Derawan Island or Maratua Island and take day trips (island hopping) to Kakaban. Be sure to bring your own drinking water and take all your trash back to the mainland.

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Conclusion: A World Heritage in Kalimantan

Kakaban Lake is a reminder of how magical the process of natural evolution is. There are only two places in the world with lakes of this characteristic—one in Palau, Micronesia, and the other in Berau, Indonesia. Visiting Kakaban Lake is not just a trip; it is a tribute to the invaluable biodiversity of the archipelago. Preserving its sustainability is a collective responsibility so that future generations can still experience the sensation of swimming with "gentle angels" in the heart of the Kalimantan forest.