Berau is a regency in the East Kalimantan province of Borneo. It lies just to the east of the regency capital of Tanjung Redeb and is the jumping off point for visits to the Derawan Islands.
Berau is one of the more sparsely populated regencies in East Kalimantan Province and was established under the Berau kingdom in the 14th century. Its capital, Tanjung Redep, was an important port during WWII and is the main land attraction in the area. It features several ancient buildings, including the teakwood Sambaliung Palace and the Gunung Tabur Palace.
The main attraction of a visit to Berau, however, is the scope for snorkeling and scuba diving. The beautiful Derawan Islands are just a couple of hours away by speedboat and feature miles of coral reefs and several excellent dive spots. Sangalaki, Maratua, and Kakaban are also part of these islands. Another major attraction in the region is the Kayan Mentarang Reserve.
Getting There & Away
Tanjung Redeb Airport receives flights from Balikpapan (the main airport in East Kalimantan with connections to Jakarta) and from Tarakan in the north. Balikpapan is several hundred kilometers and an all-day journey by bus from Berau. Speedboats serve the Derawan Islands, 100kms to the east of Tanjung Redeb.