Derawan Islands

• Currents: points and wall corners can run hard. If your operator briefs a negative entry or strict depth plan, follow it.
• SMB discipline: carry and know how to deploy a surface marker buoy. Boat pickup is common on drift dives.
• Buddy and guide proximity: separation in current can escalate quickly. Stay close and agree on lost-buddy procedures.
• Surface conditions: if crossings are rough, expect sheltered-site substitutions. Do not pressure operators to run unsafe routes.

Medical facilities on the islands are limited to small clinics. Serious cases typically route back to Berau mainland and onward to larger hospitals. Operator materials for the Derawan area commonly cite Balikpapan as the nearest established recompression chamber location, with travel time potentially very long from the islands. Some resort documents also mention a newer chamber in the Tanjung Batu area that may be available.

Practical takeaways:

• Bring dive insurance that covers evacuation and chamber treatment.
• Confirm oxygen availability on dive boats (many operators carry O2).
• Keep a conservative dive profile and leave extra surface interval before flying.

Derawan is widely described as a marine conservation region and includes areas formally designated as the Berau MPA.

• Do not touch, chase, ride, or feed mantas, turtles, or other wildlife.
• Keep fins off the reef and maintain neutral buoyancy near walls.
• Use reef-safe sunscreen and reduce sunscreen use with a rashguard when possible.
• Follow local rules in sensitive areas like Kakaban's lake (commonly no fins and no sunscreen).

Support conservation-positive operators, respect community-managed fees, and remember that many sites are tied to local livelihoods.