Virgin Cocoa, Derawan, Sangalaki and Maratua
per person, half board
Overview
- Year-round mantas, cool macro creatures, and a thriving coral reef ecosystem
- Intimate, personalised service with a focus on tranquillity
- Unlimited exploration on the house reef, and day trips to some of Indonesia’s least explored dive sites
- Rustic-chic relaxed beach ambience, with bespoke details like designer furnishings and candlelit dinners
Offering a wellness-inspired escape from it all, this beautiful resort set amongst swaying coconut palms is the perfect place to relax and reset. Virgin Cocoa is almost too good to be true, with indulgent massage and spa services, daily yoga and mindfulness offerings, and healthy meals, all set against a stunning backdrop of white sand and azure ocean. Add in world-class diving and an expansive house reef consisting of seven individual sites, and you have everything you need for an exceptional dive getaway.
Rooms
- Item 1 of 2
Superior bungalow
1 x King bed, sleeps 2
Air conditioning, Ensuite bathroom, Fan...from $176 /night - Item 1 of 2
Deluxe bungalow
1 x King bed, sleeps 2
Air conditioning, Ensuite bathroom, Fan...from $220 /night
Resort checklist
Meal plans:
- Half Board
- Full Board
Dive experience requirement
To dive more advanced sites such as Big Fish Country, guests are required to have logged more than 40 dives, or can do so at the discretion of the dive team at Virgin Cocoa.
Reviews
Anastassia P
Amazing resort, kindest people, great accomodation, great food. Perfect getaway !
Diving in Derawan, Sangalaki and Maratua
Whale sharkNot frequently
SharksFrom February to December
Leopard sharkNot frequently
Thresher sharkNot frequently
Manta RaysFrom March to December
TurtlesFrom February to December
BarracudaFrom February to December
Bumphead parrotfishNot frequently
TrevallyFrom February to December
Exotic cuttlefishNot frequently
Rare OctopusFrom November to December
The Derawan Islands have something to offer every diver - from ‘muck’ and critters, to mantas, turtles and sharks. The islands' mix of different habitats combined with the currents that flow between the Java and Celebes Seas, have produced the perfect conditions for an extraordinary number of species - and some exhilarating diving.
Derawan diving
The shallow reefs around Derawan and closer to the mainland might have lower visibility, but they offer divers plenty of sought after critters. Seahorses, flamboyant cuttlefish, blue-ringed octopus and ghost pipefish are all often found on Derawan’s dive sites. Also nearby are whale sharks that gather around fishing platforms known as bagans.
Sangalaki diving
Further away from the mainland, the visibility improves and the diving switches to bigger animals! Sangalaki’s diving highlights include well-known manta ray congregations but the island is also a great place to go diving with friendly broadclub cuttlefish. Visitors to Sangalaki will also love diving the beautiful reefs and wonderful macro life, or encountering the many turtles which nest on the island.
Kakaban diving
Kakaban’s diving features sharp drop-offs and strong currents. Several dive sites are well known for shark sightings, especially of leopard sharks, grey reef sharks and the occasional hammerhead. Diving among Kakaban’s sea fans is also a great opportunity to search for pygmy seahorses.
The interior of Kakaban hides something a little different. Visitors will find an isolated, brackish lake filled with stingless jellyfish, unusual gobies and even sea snakes. Divers can carry their tanks through the jungle, or simply grab snorkels and masks, and spend an hour or two drifting through clouds of jellyfish.
Maratua diving
Maratua’s diving is dominated by currents and big schools of fish. At the mouth of the eastern channel divers will find one of the largest schools of barracuda they ever likely to see! Diving around Maratua Island is ideal if you are into shark spotting, and eagle rays and bumphead parrotfish can also often be seen.
