Maratua Island

Unique Morphology and Landscape

Geologically, Maratua Island is a giant atoll. Unlike volcanic islands in other parts of Indonesia, Maratua is dominated by karst rock formations that create low cliffs and exotic natural caves. Its curved shape forms a giant lagoon in its center, where calm turquoise seawater meets vast stretches of fine, powder-like white sand.

The coastline is adorned with dense coastal vegetation, from towering coconut trees to mangrove forests that act as a natural defense against erosion. In some spots, visitors can find the phenomenon of "lakes in the middle of the island," formed by seawater seeping through karst rock crevices over thousands of years, creating a unique brackish water ecosystem.

Biodiversity: Home to Green Turtles and Underwater Riches

Maratua Island is located within the Coral Triangle, meaning this region boasts the highest marine biodiversity on the planet. One of Maratua's most iconic natural features is its role as a nesting habitat for Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas) and Hawksbill Turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata). Visitors can easily spot large turtles swimming freely right beneath the guesthouse jetties or while snorkeling around the coast.

Beneath the water's surface, its coral reef ecosystem is home to thousands of tropical fish species, from barracudas forming tornado-like formations and colorful mandarin fish, to eagle rays. For professional divers, Maratua offers the challenge of strong underwater currents in certain spots, which paradoxically become an attraction by bringing nutrients for large pelagics like black-tip and white-tip reef sharks.

Outdoor Activities and Exciting Experiences

Exploration on Maratua Island is not limited to water activities. Its unique landscape allows for a variety of outdoor pursuits:

1. Diving at "The Channel": This is Maratua's most famous dive spot. Here, divers can witness large schools of barracuda and sharks swimming against the current. This experience provides a rare adrenaline rush.

2. Exploring Haji Mangku Cave: Located in the middle of the karst forest, this cave features a clear, deep blue brackish water pool. Visitors can try cliff jumping from the cave's edge or simply swim and enjoy the cool water behind the majestic rock walls.

3. Island Hopping to Kakaban and Sangalaki Islands: Maratua is an ideal departure point for visiting Kakaban Island, famous for its stingless jellyfish lake, and Sangalaki Island, a conservation center for turtles and a habitat for Manta Rays.

4. Enjoying Sunset at the Long Jetty: Given its geographical position, Maratua offers dramatic sunset views. The orange light reflecting on the calm lagoon creates a stunning visual harmony.

Best Time to Visit

Maratua's climate is influenced by the seasonal patterns in Kalimantan and the Sulawesi Sea. The best time to visit is from April to October, during the dry season. During this period, the sea tends to be calm with underwater visibility reaching 20 to 30 meters, ideal for diving and underwater photography.

Conversely, from December to February, sea waves can become quite high due to the influence of monsoon winds, which may affect sea transportation schedules. However, for turtle watchers, year-round is a good time as the turtles here are resident and do not migrate far.

Conservation and Environmental Protection

As a region with a sensitive ecosystem, Maratua Island is designated as part of the Berau Coastal and Small Islands Conservation Area (KKP3K). Environmental protection is highly emphasized here. Local communities and resort operators work together to preserve coral reefs by prohibiting fishing with explosives or cyanide.

Conservation efforts also focus on protecting turtle nests from natural predators and human activities. Tourists are strongly advised not to touch turtles while diving, to use reef-safe sunscreen (oxybenzone-free), and to minimize the use of single-use plastics as waste processing facilities on the island are still very limited.

Accessibility and Supporting Facilities

Despite being on the outermost border, access to Maratua Island is now increasingly convenient. There are two main routes:

• Air Route: There are pioneer flights available from Balikpapan or Samarinda directly to Maratua Airport. This is the fastest route, although schedules are not daily.
• Sea Route: Tourists can fly to Kalimarau Airport in Tanjung Redeb (Berau), then continue with a 2-hour land journey to Tanjung Batu harbor, followed by a speedboat ride of approximately 1 to 1.5 hours.

Maratua's facilities are quite adequate to support tourism activities. There are various accommodation options, ranging from local homestays in villages like Desa Bohe Bukut and Payung-Payung, to luxurious overwater resorts (water villas). Each resort generally provides a complete dive center with internationally certified instructors.

Maratua Island is a tangible testament to Indonesia's extraordinary natural wealth. The combination of its unique atoll structure, world-renowned underwater biodiversity, and local wisdom in preserving nature makes Maratua not just a tourist destination, but a natural laboratory that must continue to be preserved for future generations.