Derawan & Sangalaki⚠ data unverified
Indonesia · Asia · Celebes Sea
3.7
/ 5
★★★★☆
Drift diving with a well-rounded site — a great fit for most divers.
Level Intermediate
Marine life
4.0
Visibility
4.0
Accessibility
3.3
Facilities
3.0
Pros
- Excellent visibility up to 20 m
- 3 standout marine species
- Best conditions in Oct–Apr
Cons
- Moderate currents can pick up
Best for
Plan your trip
$$$🛏️
Suggested stay
1–2 days
💸
Cost level
Relative cost $$$ · ≈ $64/day
Developed dive town, but options are limited and prices average.
🏨
Where to stay
Day-boat diving based at a dedicated dive resort or dive centre. A manageable dive base with a handful of operators.
🧭
Real daily cost in Indonesia
Around $64/day per person · food $23 · hotel $58
Good to know
- Moderate current that makes for an easy, relaxed drift.
- An Advanced Open Water certification is recommended.
- Prime season is Oct–Apr.
📷 Nanosanchez · CC BY-SA 4.0
Depth
3–30 m (10–98 ft)
Visibility
20 m (66 ft)
Water temp
27–30°C (81–86°F)
Current
Moderate
Best season
Oct–Apr
Certification
Open Water
Dive shops
4
Why go
Derawan & Sangalaki is a reef site in the Celebes Sea off Indonesia, offering coral reefs and drift dives across its waters. Dives run to 30 m with around 20 m visibility, moderate currents and sea temperatures of 27–30°C. Marine highlights include manta rays, turtles and stingless jellyfish lake. Best season is Oct–Apr, typically reached by boat. A good choice for divers with some experience. Open Water certification is sufficient for most sites here.
Site type
ReefDrift
Access
Boat
Came hoping for manta rays, and it delivered. The 20 m visibility kept everything sharp.
Solid choice for intermediate divers. With a range down to 30 m there's room to work without pushing boundaries.
Really enjoyed it. Just watch your buoyancy when you drop in.