TIMES SURABAYA, JAKARTA – Nestled within the captivating cluster of islands, Maratua Island unveils not just its pristine beauty but also hosts dozen of natural beaty which will captivate your hearts. One of them is Kakaban Island.

Kakaban is home to four non-stinging jellyfish species – the box jellyfish, moon jellyfish, fire jellyfish, and upside-down jellyfish – a rare spectacle found only in two places globally, the Kakaban Island and the Micronesia Islands in the southeast Pacific.

Another unique attraction surrounding Maratua is Pulau Sangalaki, renowned as a conservation area for turtles where these gentle creatures nest, hatch, and are released into the wild. Visitors can witness these processes firsthand and indulge in snorkeling or diving to explore the enchanting coral reefs and captivating marine life around the island.

Seven distinctive dive spots offer their allure around Maratua, each with its own unique charm. Jetty Dive, Turtle Traffic, Mid Reef, Eel Garden, Hanging Garden, Cabbage Garden, and The Channel Spot promise underwater wonders that beckon to diving enthusiasts.

At the Jetty Dive Spot, divers at depths of 10-25 meters encounter marine life such as harlequin shrimp, mandarin fish, blue octopus, and giant coral reefs. Turtle Traffic spot, at depths of 5-15 meters, features green turtles, hawksbill turtles, lobsters, moray eels, and vibrant coral reefs. Mid Reef showcases thresher sharks, nurse sharks, schools of turtles, stingrays, hawkfish, and seahorses.

Moving to the Eel Garden spot, a breathtaking display of sea snakes, Spanish mackerels, barracudas, and various coral reefs awaits. In the deeper Hanging Garden, divers can marvel at black coral trees, turtle gatherings, and sharks.

Cabbage Garden offers encounters with cute small fish and turtles, while The Channel spot, at depths of 30-40 meters, presents a challenging but rewarding exploration with hammerhead sharks, grey reef sharks, and white-tip reef sharks.

Beyond the underwater wonders, Maratua boasts other natural attractions, including Pulau Derawan, Teluk Harapan, Teluk Alulu, Danau Haji Buang, Danau Labuan Cermin, and karst caves.

The proximity of Maratua to Pulau Kakaban, approximately 30 minutes away, and to Pulau Sangalaki, just about 30 minutes as well, makes it a convenient hub for exploring the richness of the surrounding seas. The journey to Pulau Derawan takes around 1 hour.

The increasing trend of tourists to Maratua is evident, with a notable rise from 4,900 visitors in 2021 during the COVID-19 period to over 6,000 in 2022, and a remarkable surge to more than 19,700 visitors in 2023.

"This indicates that Maratua has become an attractive tourist destination with significant educational and scientific value," notes Akmal Malik,The Acting Governor of East Kalimantan. Explore the wonders of Maratua, where adventure and biodiversity converge in a harmonious embrace. (*)