As the hub of activity in the northern part of Maratua Island<\/strong>, Payung-Payung Village<\/strong> is famed for Haji Mangku Cave<\/strong>, whose water is deep blue and crystal clear, hidden just a few steps from the shore. Many come to swim in the natural pool, jump from the cave rim, or simply hunt for photos. Access is far tidier than a few years ago, making it suitable for first-timers to Maratua<\/strong>. If you want a village vibe, take an afternoon walk through the alleys and chat with locals\u2014it\u2019s a calming experience before you continue island hopping<\/em> to Kakaban<\/strong> and Sangalaki<\/strong> the next day.<\/p>\n Good news: Maratua Airport (RTU, WAQC)<\/strong> now serves the Maratua District<\/strong>, Berau Regency<\/strong>, East Kalimantan<\/strong>. The first commercial landing was in 2017, followed by an official inauguration on October 25, 2018. Its runway is around 1,600 meters, sufficient for short-haul turboprops, shortening your journey. Alternatively, you can enter via Tanjung Redeb<\/strong>, continue overland to Tanjung Batu Port<\/strong>, and take a Speedboat<\/em> to Maratua<\/strong>. These two routes make your holiday plans flexible\u2014just choose what fits your time and budget.<\/p>\n The moment you set foot on Maratua Island<\/strong>, you\u2019ll feel life\u2019s rhythm slow down\u2014just what you need to detox from city noise. The shoreline is long, the water shifts through blue\u2013turquoise gradients, and shady coconut groves line the village edge. In Payung-Payung<\/strong>, locals are friendly and still rely on the sea, so wooden boats coming and going in the bay are a daily sight. Maratua<\/strong>\u2019s magic isn\u2019t only in the sea; its karst landscape forms caves, blue holes, and lagoons<\/em> that look dramatic from the air. It\u2019s perfect if you love a mix of snorkeling<\/em>, leisurely walks, and sunset photo sessions from the village pier. If you\u2019re looking for a place that soothes the heart, this is it.<\/p>\n You can tick off nearby destinations bit by bit, keeping the day relaxed while gaining plenty of new experiences.<\/p>\n To wrap this section simply: enjoy Maratua<\/strong>\u2019s rhythm without rushing. In Payung-Payung<\/strong>, get used to greeting locals, keep things clean, and shop at neighborhood stalls. The more you blend in, the more your holiday feels not just like a stopover but truly a homecoming to nature.<\/p>\n The waters around Maratua Island<\/strong> are a front porch to some of Indonesia\u2019s most renowned underwater sites. Ocean currents deliver nutrients that keep coral thriving and fish congregating. For beginner snorkelers<\/em>, resort jetties and village piers are enough to see live coral and schools of small fish. For experienced divers<\/em>, challenging currents with drop-offs<\/em> and channels<\/em> await at specific points arranged by local operators. Completing the package, island hopping<\/em> from Maratua<\/strong> reaches Kakaban Island<\/strong> with its non-stinging jellyfish lake, and Sangalaki Island<\/strong>, known for mantas and turtle conservation. This combination enriches your trip without changing bases multiple times. (source: Global Conservation<\/a>)<\/p>\n Balance your dive days\u2014mix the easy with the challenging.<\/p>\n Bottom line: don\u2019t try to chase every spot at once. Listen to local operators, check the daily weather, and prioritize safety. The more patient you are, the more surprises you\u2019ll find beneath the surface.<\/p>\n Getting to Maratua Island<\/strong> is now much simpler. The fastest option is to fly to Maratua Airport (RTU)<\/strong> right on the island. The airport has a runway of about 1,600 meters and serves short-haul turboprops connecting cities in Kalimantan and nearby areas on certain schedules. If you prefer a more gradual journey, a popular route is to fly to Tanjung Redeb<\/strong>, continue overland for about 2\u20133 hours to Tanjung Batu Port<\/strong>, then take a Speedboat<\/em> to Maratua<\/strong>. Whichever you choose, confirm boat schedules and weather, especially during windy seasons. This flexibility makes it easy to tailor your itinerary to your leave days and budget.<\/p>\n Choose according to your time and travel style.<\/p>\n In short, pick the route that relaxes you most. If time is tight, landing at RTU<\/strong> is a winner. If you enjoy layered journeys and want to savor the overland\u2013coastal route, the Tanjung Redeb<\/strong> and Tanjung Batu<\/strong> combo feels more adventurous.<\/p>\n Staying on Maratua Island<\/strong> means waking up to the sea. But if you arrive at night or need to catch an early flight, staying in Tanjung Redeb<\/strong> as a transit town is practical. Below are relevant options we\u2019ve matched with current accommodation directories, aligned with addresses in East Kalimantan<\/strong> and Berau Regency<\/strong>. Tip: contact properties well in advance, especially in peak season, and ask about pier or airport transfers.<\/p>\n In short, staying in Maratua<\/strong> gives you an uninterrupted waterfront experience, while Tanjung Redeb<\/strong> is practical for a tighter travel rhythm. Choose according to your style.<\/p>\n One advantage of staying in Maratua<\/strong> is how easily you can reach iconic islands in the Derawan Archipelago<\/strong> in a single day. The common pattern: depart in the morning, stop at Kakaban<\/strong> for snorkeling<\/em> in the jellyfish lake, continue to Sangalaki<\/strong> for mantas and turtle education, then drop by Derawan Island<\/strong> for a relaxed lunch and souvenir shopping. This way you combine underwater experiences, conservation, and lively village vibes in one efficient loop. Bring enough cash and a Dry bag<\/em> to keep belongings safe.<\/p>\n The key is to stay flexible with currents and weather. Let local guides decide the best order so you get maximum visibility and a safe trip.<\/p>\n To keep your holiday smooth, don\u2019t overlook these small details with big impact. First, the weather: in eastern Borneo<\/strong>, wind and currents can shift, so always check the daily marine forecast and don\u2019t push it if conditions aren\u2019t favorable. Second, connectivity and cash: internet signal can fluctuate, especially in remote areas, and EDC<\/em> machines can be unreliable. Carry enough cash and keep some aside for boats and meals. Third, boats and flights don\u2019t always run daily, so plan a buffer day<\/em> for arrival or departure.<\/p>\n If you keep these tips in mind, the rest is to enjoy. Maratua<\/strong> teaches us to slow down, feel the sea air, and return home with stories full of sweet surprises. Eksplorasi Pulau Maratua Payung-Payung: gua biru, island hopping ke Kakaban dan Sangalaki, plus akses Bandara Maratua RTU yang praktis.<\/p>","protected":false},"featured_media":13228,"menu_order":0,"template":"","wilayah":[668],"kategori-destinasi":[772],"class_list":["post-13227","destinasi","type-destinasi","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","wilayah-kalimantan-timur","kategori-destinasi-pulau"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/destinasindo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/destinasi\/13227","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/destinasindo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/destinasi"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/destinasindo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/destinasi"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/destinasindo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13228"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/destinasindo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13227"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"wilayah","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/destinasindo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wilayah?post=13227"},{"taxonomy":"kategori-destinasi","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/destinasindo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/kategori-destinasi?post=13227"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Highlights of Maratua Island<\/strong> in Payung-Payung<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"Maratua](\"https:\/\/destinasindo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/dji_fly_20230818_214810_546_1692409962715_photo-768x1024.webp\" "\\"\\"")
<\/p>\nMust-Visit Spots on Maratua Island<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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snorkeling<\/em> and Diving<\/em> Guide in Maratua<\/strong> and Surroundings<\/h2>\n
![\"Maratua](\"https:\/\/destinasindo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/dji_fly_20230822_062732_687_1692710622738_photo-1024x768.webp\" "\\"\\"")
<\/p>\nBest Underwater<\/em> Locations<\/h3>\n
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Access and Transportation to Maratua Island<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Best Routes<\/h3>\n
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Accommodation Recommendations on Maratua Island<\/strong> and in Tanjung Redeb<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"Maratua](\"https:\/\/destinasindo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_0592-1024x768.webp\" "\\"\\"")
<\/p>\nStaying on Maratua Island<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Comfortable Transit in Tanjung Redeb<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Island Hopping<\/em> from Maratua<\/strong>: Kakaban<\/strong>, Sangalaki<\/strong>, and Derawan<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"Maratua](\"https:\/\/destinasindo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/P1120265-1024x768.webp\" "\\"\\"")
<\/p>\nOne-Day Itinerary<\/h3>\n
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Practical Tips for Visiting Maratua Island<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Important Notes<\/h3>\n
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","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"