Derawan 5D4N Package: What’s Included

How to read this: Maratua Resort is an independent concierge guide — we curate and compare dive resorts and island stays in the Derawan archipelago, then arrange your booking through a vetted operating partner. We do not own or operate the resorts, and resort or brand names are used only as neutral examples, not claims of affiliation. Prices are by quote and vary by resort, season and party; figures here are indicative. Flights, transfers and dive seasons change — confirm before you travel. This is general information, not a binding offer.

A derawan 5d4n package is a five‑day, four‑night Derawan Islands itinerary built slowly enough to cover Maratua, Kakaban, Sangalaki and turtle spots without frantic transfers. In practice, a derawan 5 days 4 nights plan usually means three full usable days on the water plus two half‑days for arrival and departure, routed through Berau with a speedboat out to the outer islands.

As Maratua Resort, we act as an independent, editorial guide and concierge across the Derawan archipelago — not a dive operator and not an OTA. We help you understand what a realistic 5D4N Derawan long itinerary looks like, what’s normally included, what tends to be extra, and then match you to a vetted on‑site partner to run the trip.

Why 5D4N beats a rushed Derawan trip

Most visitors underestimate the distances in the Derawan group. Maratua, Kakaban and Sangalaki sit well offshore in the Sulawesi Sea, and every transfer costs time and sea conditions.

A 5D4N Derawan plan is usually the first itinerary length that feels unhurried for:

Maratua channel and wall diving
A proper half‑ or full‑day at Kakaban
A separate day focused on Sangalaki manta, plus relaxed turtle snorkeling near Derawan or Maratua

Anything shorter typically forces hard choices.

What three full days actually let you do

With a realistic 5D4N frame, you can normally fit:

5–8 boat dives around Maratua and nearby sites
1 Kakaban visit (non‑divers: lake + reefs; divers: reefs plus optional lake visit)
1 Sangalaki visit, with manta chances plus reef or macro
1–2 unhurried turtle sessions off Derawan or Maratua’s shallows
Slow evenings, not sprinting in after dark from long crossings

By contrast, a squeezed 3D2N or 4D3N stay often means:

One meaningful day of diving,
Or a single combined “express” Kakaban–Sangalaki day with minimal time in each,
And very little margin for wind, swell or flight delays.

Why the Berau–Maratua transfers matter

Most extended Derawan trip packages run via:

Flight into Berau (BEJ)
2–3.5 hour speedboat to your island (Derawan / Maratua route and sea state dependent)

On a 5D4N pattern:

Day 1 is realistically “half‑day + sunset” after transfers
Day 5 is usually “breakfast + boat + airport”

That leaves three full field days — enough to sequence islands in a logical way without stacking long crossings back‑to‑back.

A sample 5D4N Derawan day‑by‑day flow

This is a pattern, not a fixed package. Exact timing varies by tides, weather and your diving experience, and is always set by the operating partner who runs your boat.

Day 1 – Berau arrival and transfer to the islands

Land at Berau (morning/midday is best for same‑day boat)
Meet your transfer and head to the harbor
2–3.5 hour speedboat to Derawan or Maratua
Check in, gear fitting, dive briefing
Optional: house‑reef check dive or relaxed turtle snorkel before sunset
Early night after travel day

If your flight arrives late, you may overnight in Berau and move by boat the next morning. On 5D4N this is still manageable without cannibalising too much time on the islands.

Day 2 – Maratua walls and channels

If you are staying on Maratua or doing a Maratua‑focused dive package, the first full day usually looks like:

Morning: 2‑tank boat trip to Maratua’s outer walls or channels
Lunch back at the resort
Afternoon: 1 additional boat dive or relaxed shore dive
Sunset: house‑reef snorkel; turtle, reef fish and occasional bumphead parrotfish sightings are all realistic, though never guaranteed
Evening: logbook, early rest

Non‑divers can:

Join the boat for snorkel‑friendly reefs
Or stay near the jetty for turtle and reef‑flat snorkeling in safe conditions

Day 3 – Kakaban: lake and outer reefs

A classic 5D4N Derawan long itinerary uses the middle day for Kakaban:

Morning: speedboat from Maratua/Derawan to Kakaban (usually 30–60+ minutes depending on start point and sea)
Late morning: guided visit to the Kakaban jellyfish lake via the boardwalk and stairs
Midday: picnic or simple lunch on or near the island
Afternoon: 1–2 dives or snorkel sessions on Kakaban’s outer reefs, often walls with pelagic life and schooling fish
Return to your base before dark

Some operators will reverse this (reefs first, then lake) depending on crowds and weather. For safety and conservation, you typically:

Do not wear fins in the lake
Use reef‑safe sunscreen or cover up instead
Follow no‑touch, no‑chase guidelines with the jellyfish

Day 4 – Sangalaki mantas and turtles

The next “anchor” day in a 5D4N Derawan 5 days 4 nights trip is Sangalaki:

Early start: speedboat to Sangalaki (approx. 45–90 minutes from Maratua / shorter from Derawan)
Morning: 1–2 dives or snorkels at manta cleaning stations (sightings are never guaranteed, but this is one of the region’s better spots in season)
Possible beach visit and turtle‑nesting education stop if available and permitted
Afternoon: additional reef or macro dive/snorkel on the way back

If conditions are poor for mantas, your operator may pivot to more sheltered reefs or an alternative island stop. 5D4N gives some flexibility across Days 3–4 to swap Kakaban and Sangalaki depending on weather and current.

Day 5 – Easy morning and departure

Breakfast, packing and final island photos
Settle bills for extras (drinks, add‑on dives, conservation fees, rentals)
Speedboat back to Berau
Transfer to airport, usually for afternoon flights onward

If your flight is very early, the speedboat time may be set uncomfortably early; this is a good reason to share your exact flight details when planning.

What’s typically included in a Derawan 5D4N package

Because we are not the operating company, we do not publish one fixed “Maratua Resort package”. Instead, we see a pattern for what most serious operators include on a 5D4N Derawan plan, and we help you compare.

Below is a general pattern for trips routed via Berau and focused on Maratua / Kakaban / Sangalaki.

Core elements usually included

Most extended Derawan trip packages in this length will bundle:

Accommodation (4 nights)
Private room in an island guesthouse, resort or over‑water bungalow tier, depending on budget
Daily housekeeping in mid‑range and above
Board (meals)
Full board is common: breakfast, lunch, dinner in a simple buffet or set‑menu format
Tea, coffee and drinking water included
Boat transfers
Shared or private speedboat from Berau harbor to your island base, return
Harbor or local government fees sometimes rolled into the package, sometimes charged on site
Diving or snorkeling program
A set number of boat dives or guided snorkel trips (for example, 6–8 dives over three days is common for divers)
Standard dive boat use, guide, and weights/tanks
Island‑hopping days to Kakaban and Sangalaki, if included, usually counted within that dive/snorkel quota
Basic dive services
Use of rinse tanks and drying areas
Dive guiding in small groups where possible
Taxes and basic service charges
Local accommodation tax
Service charges, if the resort applies them

Price ranges (not fixed rates)

Instead of invented menu prices, here is the kind of range we see for serious 5D4N Derawan dive packages, last verified June 2026:

Budget guesthouse + simple dive/snorkel bundle:
Approximately IDR 6–9 million per person (twin‑share), excluding flights, depending on season and exact inclusions.
Mid‑range island resort with full‑board + 6–8 dives:
Approximately IDR 9–16 million per person (twin‑share), excluding flights and high‑end gear rental.
Higher‑end over‑water or villa stay + private or semi‑private diving:
Approximately IDR 16–28+ million per person, highly dependent on group size, room category and boat exclusivity.

These are broad reference ranges only. Once we know your dates, diver/non‑diver mix and preferences, we request a tailored quote from a vetted on‑the‑ground operator.

What’s usually extra on a 5D4N Derawan plan

Many travellers assume a “package” is all‑inclusive. In Derawan, it almost never is. Here is what you should budget for on top.

Dive‑specific extras

Equipment rental
BCD, regulator, wetsuit, fins, mask are often charged per day or per dive if you don’t bring your own
Computers are almost always extra
Nitrox (if available)
Often a per‑tank supplement or per‑day flat rate
Not universally offered; we can flag which partners provide it
Extra dives beyond package quota
Night dives, extra afternoon dives or special excursions usually cost more
Private guide or small‑group surcharges
For photographers or less experienced divers wanting 1:1 or 1:2 guiding

Non‑diving and surface extras

Flights to/from Berau
Almost never part of the package; you or your agent book these separately
Alcoholic drinks and soft drinks
Often not included in full board; water, tea and simple coffee generally are
Specialty coffees or à la carte snacks
Charged as ordered
Rental of SUPs, kayaks or similar toys (if offered)
Laundry (for longer stays; some properties include a small laundry allowance, others do not)

Fees and conservation contributions

Derawan’s islands include protected areas and village‑managed zones. Depending on exact location, you may see:

Marine park or island entrance fees (e.g. Kakaban, Sangalaki)
Village or local conservation levies per person or per visit

Some operators pre‑bundle these. Others collect in cash on arrival or on the boat. We will flag which structure your quote uses so you can carry appropriate cash.

Single supplements and child policies

If you travel solo or with children:

Single occupancy is often 20–60% more than the per‑person twin‑share rate.
Children’s pricing varies widely: some resorts offer reduced non‑diver rates; others charge by bed use.

We clarify this line‑by‑line before you commit.

Typical inclusions vs extras at a glance

Included on most 5D4N Derawan packages: 4 nights accommodation (twin‑share), full‑board meals, transfers Berau–island–Berau, standard dive/snorkel program with guide, tanks and weights, basic taxes.
Sometimes included, sometimes extra: Marine park fees, village levies, coffee/tea outside meal hours, Kakaban lake fees, simple refreshments on boats, airport pick‑up vehicle versus direct harbor rendezvous.
Usually extra: Flights, alcoholic drinks, rental dive gear, nitrox, night dives, private guiding, laundry, staff tips, travel insurance.
Rarely included: Full‑coverage dive insurance, camera gear rental, specialty courses beyond basic guided fun dives.

How a 5D4N Derawan package compares to shorter stays

To help you sanity‑check if 5D4N is the right length for you, here’s a rough comparison.

Trip length	Usable full days	Typical focus	Best for
3D2N	1 full day	One island (usually Derawan or Maratua) plus turtle snorkeling.	Quick taste, tight schedules, non‑divers.
4D3N	2 full days	Maratua or Derawan base with either Kakaban or Sangalaki, rarely both.	First‑timers okay with skipping one outer island.
5D4N	3 full days	Maratua diving plus separate Kakaban and Sangalaki days on a calm timeline.	Divers and active snorkelers wanting a rounded “four islands” feel.
6–7 nights	4–5+ full days	Deeper Maratua coverage, repeat manta or Kakaban days, macro focus days.	Enthusiast divers, photographers, those flying far.

If you are already leaning toward a 5D4N Derawan long itinerary but are unsure how to apportion days between diving, jellyfish lake and mantas, you can plan your trip with us over email or WhatsApp (+62 811 3823 875). We’ll sense‑check your ideas against tides, transfer timings and boat reality.

How we tailor and quote a Derawan 5D4N package

We are an editorial guide and concierge, not a resort brand in disguise. Our role is to define your priorities clearly, then request precise offers from a small handful of operators we know on the ground in Derawan, Maratua, Kakaban and Sangalaki.

1. Clarifying your profile and priorities

We start with a few blunt questions:

Who is travelling (divers vs non‑divers, ages, experience)?
Rough budget per person, excluding flights?
Must‑do islands (for some, Sangalaki mantas; for others, Kakaban lake or Maratua channel)?
Travel month and flexibility on dates?
Preference for simple local guesthouse vs more polished resort?

This determines whether a 5D4N derawan 5 days 4 nights plan is actually optimal — or whether you should stretch to six nights, or downshift to four if you’re time‑poor.

2. Matching you with the right operator

We then:

Filter for partners who can realistically deliver your wish‑list at that time of year, from that base island.
Sanity‑check boat run times so your Kakaban and Sangalaki days aren’t excessively long.
Ensure dive‑group ratios and safety standards are aligned with your comfort level.

You receive a transparent breakdown of what’s included and what’s not, for each candidate offer.

3. Quoting in ranges, not invented “from” prices

Because rates shift with season, fuel, and local costs, we avoid static price lists. Instead, we:

Share current range expectations (as above) so you know immediately if an offer feels off.
Request a date‑specific written quote from the operator.
Help you question anything that’s unclear (e.g. “Are Kakaban fees included?” “Is gear rental per day or per dive?”).

If you proceed, your booking and payment are handled directly with our vetted partner; no one can pay to change what we publish, and if you book through them, they may pay us a referral fee at no extra cost to you.

4. Fine‑tuning your 5D4N derawan plan

Once you choose an offer, we can help you:

Sequence dive, Kakaban and Sangalaki days to give you rest between long boat rides.
Add or remove dives so both divers and non‑divers are happy.
Prepare for practicalities: cash for local fees, realistic packing list, and arrival/exit timing for Berau.

To start shaping your own extended Derawan trip package, you can plan your trip or message us via WhatsApp on +62 811 3823 875 with the word “5D4N Derawan” and your target dates.

FAQs: Derawan 5D4N package

Is 5D4N enough to see Maratua, Kakaban and Sangalaki?

For most active travellers, yes. A 5D4N frame gives three usable full days, which is typically enough for one Maratua dive day, one Kakaban day and one Sangalaki day, plus relaxed turtle snorkeling. You will not exhaust every dive site, but you will get a rounded feel for the four main islands without rushing every transfer.

Can non‑divers enjoy a Derawan 5D4N package?

Non‑divers do well on 5D4N as long as the program is tweaked for them: more guided snorkeling, more time at Kakaban lake and Sangalaki beaches, and perhaps fewer deep‑focus dive sites. We can ask operators to run mixed boats or separate snorkel guides depending on your group.

What is the best month for a 5D4N Derawan trip?

There is year‑round diving across Derawan, Maratua, Kakaban and Sangalaki, with many travellers favouring the drier, typically calmer months between roughly March and October. Conditions and wildlife are never guaranteed; trip timing should also factor in your home‑country holidays, international flights and tolerance for rain and swell.

How far in advance should I book a 5D4N Derawan package?

For mid‑range and popular operators, 3–6 months’ notice is sensible for peak periods and long weekends. Outside local holidays, 1–3 months can still work. Very specific room types (for example, over‑water bungalows) and large groups benefit from longer lead time.

How do I get a tailored quote for a Derawan 5D4N package?

Send your dates, group size, diver/non‑diver mix and rough budget via plan your trip or WhatsApp us on +62 811 3823 875 with “Derawan 5D4N quote” in the message. We’ll match you with a suitable operator, clarify what’s included, and help you compare offers before you commit.