Derawan Islands

Derawan Islands (Indonesian: Kepulauan Derawan) are in the province of East Kalimantan in Indonesia. They include Derawan, Sangalaki, Kakaban, Maratua, Panjang, and Samama Island and submerged reefs and islets. They are located in the Sulawesi Sea, on the coastal shelf of East Kalimantan (2°17′N - 118°13′E). The islands are part of the Berau Regency.

Derawan islands is a part of Coral Triangle, which contains one of the richest marine biodiversity on earth. Located in a biodiversity hotspot, the Derawan Islands feature 872 species of reef fishes, 507 species of coral, and invertebrates, including protected species (5 giants clam species, 2 sea turtles, coconut crab, etc.). Some of the islands harbor the heavily exploited turtle eggs and yet the largest green turtle nesting site in Indonesia. (Source)

There is no direct international flight to Derawan. The only one international airport in East Kalimantan is Sepinggan at Balikpapan. From Balikpapan we could choose to go to Tarakan or Berau with smaller plane. But there is no flight to Derawan. 

So if you choose to go to Tarakan, you must continue the journey with 3 - 4 hours across the sea by speed boat. If you choose to go to Berau, you must go to Tanjung Batu first by land transportation (it's about 2 hours long from Berau) and then take 30 minutes journey by speed boat to Derawan. 

If you want to go by land transport from Balikpapan, you will take about 750 km to reach Tanjung Batu and then take 30 minutes journey by speed boat to Derawan. It is a long and hard way. It could take 16 - 24 hours long because of the condition of the road. The path is Balikpapan - Samarinda - Bontang - Sangatta - Muara Wahau - Berau - Tanjung Batu. 

Note there is no ATM on the island and changing money is not guaranteed. You need to bring all your cash with you. There are ATM s in Berau.(Source)

Route:
From (by plane) Jakarta/ Bali - Balikpapan/ Samarinda - Berau - Tanjung Batu (from Berau to Tanjung Batu 2,5 hrs - 3,5hrs) by travel and it cost around Rp.75.000,. per person - (from Tanjung Batu to Derawan, 30-40 mins)nDerawan Islands (by speed boat, it cost around Rp.100.000,. one way or rent boat Rp.3.900.000