1. Derawan ArchipelagoThe Derawan islands must be everyone’s dream of the perfect tropical paradise: warm, isolated islands with soft white sand beaches fringed with waving palm trees, pristine seas that change color from green to deep blue, and an amazing underwater life of giant turtles, dolphins, manta rays, dugongs and barracudas, stingless jellyfish and sometimes, whales Derawan is indeed one of world’s richest areas in bio-diversity. Small wonder that the Derawan Islands are considered the third best dive destination in the world.
Located just away from the mainland of East Kalimantan in the district of Berau, the Derawan archipelago comprises 31 islands, most well known among these are the islands of Derawan, Maratua, Sangalaki and Kakaban. Here is Indonesia’s largest nesting site of the rare and endangered giant green turtles and hawksbill turtles, where one can daily watch turtles lay their eggs in the sand or swim to sea with the turtles. The entire marine conservancy region covers a total area of no less than 1.27 million hectares.
Here, you can find 460 different species of corals, ranking this area second only to the Raja Ampat Islands in West Papua. The Nature Conservancy and a team of international experts also found more than 870 species of fish here, ranging from tiny pygmy seahorses to giant manta rays. On some days, groups of up to 50 manta rays have been seen feeding together in Derawan’s waters, says the Conservancy.
While on Kakaban, you can find the world's largest and most diverse jellyfish lake, including four unique species of stingless jellyfish one of which can swim upside down. It is for this reason that Kakaban is considered for UNESCO nomination as a World Heritage Site.
The Derawan Islands have a large number of unique and protected species, among which are the coconut crabs, whales, dolphins and dugongs. The coconut crabs are found near the islands of Kakaban and Maratua, while whales and dolphins in particular months can be seen around Semama, Sangalaki, Kakaban and Maratua. Dugongs swim around Pulau Panjang and Semama, and manta rays are found around Sangalaki with pygmy seahorses around Semama and Derawan. Other protected species are the barracuda. There are a total of 28 dive points identified here. Avid divers will need at least 10 days to explore them all.
2. Kumala Island Tourism ParkKumala island is situated in the middle of Mahakam River, passing Tenggarong city, in Kutai Kartanegara district. At first, this 85 hectare island was a sedimentation of mud, forming a land. This island is unique as it looks like a boat in the middle of a river. Before transforming into a modern recreation site, Kumala was a site for hundreds of bekantan (Nasalis Larvatus) and various types of Borneo wild reptiles. Tourist Park of Kumala Island was developed since 2002. Entrance fee to this tourist park is Rp2,000 per person.
Tourist Park of Kumala Island is like a small Disneyland in East Kalimantan. Its location in the middle of an island increases its exotica and different impression when enjoying various facilities provided. The most famous facility is Sky Tower where visitors could see the whole island and Tenggarong city from the 78 meter tall tower. Visitors claim the tower in an aquarium type of hexagonal room which slowly rotates so that they could see all over the island. Other facilities provided among others are bumper cars, Lamin Beyoq, Lamin Mancong, and Lamin Wahau, Merry Go round, Lembuswana statue, fountain pond, Pesut Lake etc.
3. Kutai National ParkKutai National Park (KNP) is a lowland tropical forest in East Kalimantan. KNP has an area width of 198,629 hectares. Its bio-diversity and vegetation makes it a great destination for local as well as foreign nature lovers and researchers. Iron-meranti-kapur (Dryobalanops Spp.) woods, mixed dipterocarpaceae, mangroves and kerangsa are types of vegetations found in KNP.
At present, about 900 types of vegetations in the park have been identified. For local students in its surrounding areas e.g., Bontang and Sangatta, KNP is a facility to learn about the nature. Two locations of KNP frequently visited by tourists are Sangkima and Prevab resorts. Visitors are charged with an entry fee of Rp1,500 for local visitors or Rp15,000 for foreign visitors.
What's better for nature lovers than to trek the earth on foot? KNP allows guided trekking around the area. KNP personnel are always standby at Sangkima or Prevab posts. Alternatively, you can also travel by river using ketinting or motorboat.
KNP has two favorite resorts for tourists and researchers i.e., Sangkima and Prevab. In Sangkima, visitors could see ironwood trees (eusideroxylon Zwageri) with a diameter of 2.47 meter. Visitors can also test their gut by taking a suspension bridge made of ironwoods. In Prevab, visitors could see before their eyes the life of orang utan (Pongo pygmeus) in their original habitat and a restoration process currently takes place following a forest fire in 1997-1998. In addition, KNP also provides opportunity for visitors to see various types of endangered species of animals and vegetations.
4. Kutai Sultan Place (Mulawarman Museum)Kutai Sultan Palace is situated in Tenggarong, the capital city of Kutai Kartanegara district. After the Kutai Sultanate government ends in 1960, its 2,270 m2 palace was then occupied by Sultan A.M. Parikesit until 1971. The Palace was then handed over to the East Kalimantan provisional government on 25 November 1971. On 18 February 1976, the provincial government then handed over the Palace to the Ministry of Education and Culture to be managed as a state museum called Mulawarman Museum (up to now). At present, Sultan Aji Muhammad Salehudin II is recorded as the 20th king of the Sultanate. Visitors can travel around the Palace/Museum on foot, visiting from one room to another storing various historical items. To its right, we will find cemetery of kings and their royal families. Not far from the cemetery, we can drop by to souvenir shops selling their merchandises and stalls selling foods and drinks.
Mulawarman Museum is well-maintained that it provides convenience for visitors when taking museum tour to see the history of sultanate and its historical items. The museum looks strong and is dominated by white color.
5. Mahakam RiverMahakam river is the biggest river in East Kalimantan province. This 920 km long river flows from its upper stream in Kutai Barat to its lower stream in Kutai Kartanegara and Samarinda. Mahakam is very important for most inhabitants in the province as some areas are only accessible by river. Transportation of goods also relies on this transportation means. This river empties itself in Tenggarong, Belayan and Lawa rivers.
Mahakam river flows through three regions namely Kutai Kartanegara and Kutai Barat districts, and Samarinda city. Most of its upper stream areas are only accessible by ketinting or motor boat, or long distance water taxi (ship). Some of its lower streams can also be accessed through land transportation. You can use motor vehicle to travel along the river passing through Samarinda city. You can also walk along the river sides to enjoy its scenery downtown.
When traveling along the river, you will find various social activities performed by local community living along the river sides e.g., transportation of goods and natural resources for inter-island and export purposes, fishing and sales of fishes. In Samarinda, Mahakam riversides are used as rest areas by local community, particularly from afternoon till night. In the afternoon, traders sell various types wof foods and drinks along the riversides. Residents usually watch sunset while enjoying roasted corns, breads etc. More people come during at night.
6. Manggar Segara Sari BeachManggar Beach is a favorite beach for local community and tourists in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan. This beach is clean and has many facilities for visitors’ convenience to rest in this 13,000 square meter beach. East Kalimantan is a unique province. Its capital city is Samarinda but its entry point is Balikpapan. Sepinggan is the main airport in this province. It is situated at Marsma Iswahyudi street. Manggar Beach is easy to reach as it is situated some 22 km from Balikpapan city center or 9 km from Sepinggan. It is situated at Mulawarman street, Manggar subdistrict, Balikpapan Timur district, East Kalimantan 76118. Visitors could easily find Manggar Beach as many signboards are installed in many areas. It will take only 20 minutes by car from Balikpapan. You could also take public transportation no. 7 from Damai bus station and walk 200 meters to the beach.
7. Melawai BeachMelawai Beach is a main beach along Sudirman street, Balikpapan, East Kalimantan. It is a favorite tourist destination in the city center for local community in Balikpapan and is vicinity, and for domestic and foreign tourists. This beach is situated between Semayang Port and Banua Patra Beach. This area is also a center for foods and drinks at nights. Walking along Melawai Beach provides a special excitement, especially during daytime and low tide. We will feel the excitement of touching sands. When you visit the beach at nights, you can find various types of foods and drinks along the beach.
Melawai Beach is an attractive site as it is situated at the city center and is close to Semayang Port in Balikpapan. Beside enjoying the beach, visitors could also see loading and unloading activities at the port, watching ships moving in and out, and enjoying various types of foods and drinks at the beach. During low tide, visitors could walk to Babi island, which is situated in the middle of Melawai Beach.
8. Pampang Cultural ParkPampang Cultural Park is a cultural site to see when traveling to East Kalimantan. Dayak Kenyah tribe live in this area after their migration in 1967 from their original hometown of Apokayan in Malinau district, East Kalimantan. They left their village to stay near urban areas, so that they could obtain education and fulfill their basic needs. At present, not less than 800 members of Dayak Kenyah community live in Pampang village. Dayak Kenyah performing art is held every Sunday from 2 pm to 3 pm. No show is held other than Sunday. Entrance fee is Rp 5.000 per person.
Main objective of tourists visiting Pampang park is to see performing arts shown by Dayak Kenyah children, teenagers and adults. Visitors can also take a village tour on food in Pampang village, mostly occupied by Dayak Kenyah community. Next to Rumah Lamin theater, there is a batik gallery selling various types of Kalimantan batik.
9. Sangalaki, Underwater ParadiseFor those of you who like diving, the beauty and diversity of flora and fauna around Sangalaki Island will attract you to come again and again. This island is located in the Derawan Archipelago, Berau, East Kalimantan. It is one of the best locations for diving and snorkeling in the world, along with Raja Ampat in Papua province. Blowing winds, clean seawater, soft sands, warm sun, beautiful waves, coconut trees, and beautiful afternoons complete the excitement of your diving. Sangalaki‘s underwater scenery facinates everyone who sees it. Manta Alfredi (Pari Hantu), which only exists in Derawan, Barracudas, Stingrays, giant squids, and starfish are only part of the underwater paradise of Sangalaki. Since Manta Alfredi is a very rare animal, many tourists come to Sangalaki to see this very unique animal. This tropical animal looks like a stingray, but both its whiskers work as wings. Popular diving points in this area include Channel Entrance, Coral Gardens, Town, Sandy Ridge, Manta Run, Sherwood Forest, Manta Parade, Manta Avenue, Ridge, Lighthouse, and The Rockies among others. Sangalaki is also known as an island where turtles lay eggs. You could see this unique process during breeding season close-up.
10. Teritip Crocodile Breeding CenterTeritip is a breeding center with the highest number of crocodiles in East Kalimantan. At present, more than 1,450 crocodiles, ranging from estuary crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus), and two endangered species i.e., fresh water crocodiles (Crocodylus siamensis) and supit crocodiles (Tomistoma segellly). These crocodiles are bred in dozens of cages covering a 5 hectare of area. These cages are categorized into four types i.e., cubs, weigh gaining process, young crocodiles and mothers. Each visitor should pay only Rp10,000 per person. It is open daily from Monday through Sunday from 8 am to 5 pm local time.
This Breeding Center is large but you can travel around all cages on foot with no problem. Besides crocodiles, you can also find cages of snakes and monkeys along the way. In addition, two Lampung elephants are ready to take you around The Center.
So far, crocodiles are known as wild and dangerous animals. In this Center, visitors can see these reptiles closer. In addition, visitors can also feed these crocodiles with fishes and chickens. Not the way the late Steve Irwin would've done it, though. Safely out of their reaches, of course.
11. Wanawisata ForestWanawisata Forest is a large park with various types of endangered species of Kalimantan trees. Its interesting layout makes Wanawisata as destination for families, particularly during weekends. This tourism park is open daily from 8 am to 5 pm. Its entrance fee is only Rp.1.000 per person. Wanawisata is usually used as a site for tracking or jogging for those who love the nature. You could walk around in groups and see various types of trees in Wanawisata Forest. Wanawisata Forest is situated 300 to 400 meters away from Soekarno Hatta street, km 10. Its gravel access provides challenges when entering this area. Its shady trees provide cool environment. In addition to a collection of endangered species of local trees, Wanawisata can also be used to hold various group events. A spacious hall is provided in this area.
(references: www.indonesia.travel and www.my-indonesia.info)
