Diving Kakaban Island

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Kakaban island is part of the Derawan Islands, East Kalimantan, Indonesia The island has an area of 774.2 hectares (1,913 acres) and is quite steep with limestone cliffs covered with dense jungle right down to the water's edge and few beaches. The wall drops to 180 metres (590 ft) and currents can be strong with upwelling, downcurrent and reversing directions. The most distinctive feature is the huge brackish water lake in the middle of the island, in the local dialect Kakaban means "hug" as the island hugs the lake from the surrounding seawater.

In the middle of this island is a mangrove-fringed lake, slightly above sea level, where thousands of non-stinging jellyfish live making it interesting for diving. The jellyfish consist of four different species which have lost their natural defense system because of the lack of major predators in the lake. Similar lakes exist in thePhilippines ( Siargao ) Palau, with Jellyfish Lake being the best known.

The lake has warm brackish water and the bottom is covered with marine green algae. There are other animals living here, some sea cucumbers, gobies, sea anemones, tunicates, crustaceans, nudibranchs, orange purple clams and yellow clams on the branches, and snakes.

The lake is at most 17 metres (56 ft) deep with poor visibility and is 10 minutes walk from the beach. Kakaban was probably uplifted during the Holocene and sea water was trapped turning the area and formed a landlocked marine lake. The water is now a mixture of salt water and sweet water from the rain.

Stingless Jellyfish

In general, people feared to jellyfish because they have stings and fatal, but there are jellyfish that do not have stings. Ornate Cassiopeia is their name. Generally known by the name Stingless jellyfish. This change is due to the natural evolution of life on the habitat of these jellyfish. Living in close environment make the jellyfish do not have threat from vertebrate. Therefore this type of jellyfish do not need stings to protect themselves.

Not only that, these jellyfish will also issue a colorful light when it was getting dark. This jellyfish swim upside down with tentacles facing upwards. This is because a closed environment, so that food in the water becomes limited. Therefore, the jellyfish do simbioses mutualism with algae. Algae need sunlight to produce food. In the world, there are only two places which is the origin habitat of this type of jellyfish. Kakaban Island in Indonesia and Palau, Micronesia.

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How to get there 

- Flight Jakarta-Tarakan; Tarakan-Jakart: 2-way, Rp. 1.3Million/person

- Airport tax Jakarta: Rp. 40K

- Airport Tax Juwata Tarakan: Rp. 30K

- Juwata Airport to Pelabuhan SDF: Rp. 50K

- Speed Boat Tarakan - Tanjung Selor: : Rp. 85K

- Public Transport Tanjung Selor – Berau: Rp. 70K

- Public Transport Berau – Pelabuhan Tanjung Batu: Rp. 60K

- Speed Boat Tanjung Batu – Derawan: 250K(available for 5 person)

- Motel/Hotel at Derawan: Rp.75-450K

Southeast Asia yacht charter

Not everyone can afford a yacht. and the hassles of ownership scare away some who can. But it's getting easier to charter in the region, whether you're ready to spend US$500 or- if your pockets go deeper than ours-US$500,000 (him: team up with friends and split the cost). 
Among the factors in your favor: more yacht owners. disenchanted with overcrowding in the Caribbean and Mediterranean. are docking and renting out their vessels in Southeast Asia. What's more, the region is blessed with some of the most- the most, many contend- stunning cruising areas in the world. from the turquoise seas and limestone karsts of the Andaman to the sand-fringed monsoon forests of Saleh Bay. in Indonesia. 

Keep in mind that the possibilities arc nearly endless. with the craft, duration, destination and often even the broker- a s ingle yacht can deal with many- all up to you. Read on for some luxury chartering possibilities all with (captain and crew included (and in some cases optional). 

Indonesia 
Italian motor yachts with chic leather sofas? State-of-the-art marinas? While these have yet to arrive in Indonesia, the archipelago's stunning cruising waters, especially east of Bali, and rich cultural di versity are within reach thanks to some unusual yet delightful charter options. 

Try the KLM Atasita, a 38-mcter double-masted sailing schooner that provides top-notch comfort and style- and is built locally. The design inspiration comes from the pinisi schooners that powered the spice trade centuries ago and still plr the waters today. On board arc five spacious air conditioned cabins with big picture windows, a bar with a Russian marine clock. diving equipment and a main deck that's almost as big as a badminton court.

The Arasira is chartered by Jakarta-based outfit SongLine Cruises (62-21/787-5021; songlinecruises.com; US$4.000 per day, 10 guests maximum), whose sister company SongLine Yachts built the yacht in 2007. Try a seven- night cruise starting from Serangan Island, accessible by road bridge off Bali's southeast coast. and head to Komodo National Park. where you can disembark and wander amid the namesake lizards in their natural habitat. Stops along the way include the up-and-coming Gili Islands, with their blindingly white beaches. and excellent diving and snorkeling. and. at the mouth of Saleh Bay. off Sumbawa, the still-under-the-radar Moyo Island- the setting for the luxurious Amanwana resort- blessedwith a monsoon forest and a three-tiered waterfall.

Singapore
The Linn City is the perfect place to stretch your sea legs. Not only is a yacht-filled marina never far away. but it doesn’t take long to reach destinations such as Malaysia's Pulau Tioman or Indonesia’s Riau Islands, which offer pristine beaches and great diving. But what’s especially fun about chartering in Singapore is how quick and convenient it can be. For some boats, you can even buy slots via Pay Pal- take the 11.6-meter Jobel (ON£15 Luxury Yachting; 65/ 6274-0 175; one15luxuryyachting.com: 5$2.688 for a six-hour weekday Slot, 10 guests maximum), docked at Sentosa Island's ONE 15 Marina Club. just a quick cab ride from downtown.

The fully air-conditioned motorboat has two cabins with double beds. ami an entertainment system with a 19-inch LCD TV. DVD player and interior speakers that stream music to the outdoor deck. Dining is alfresco, and while you can bring your own food and wine sails corkage, you can also order upscale fare in advance- think sautéed Alaskan king crab with linguine and chili- from the marina's Latitude Bistro. A typical jaunt heads first to the Southern Islands, where guests can swim. fish or explore on land. and then cruises past city-skyline highlight like the Singapore Flyer and Marina Bay Sands- the scene is especially beautiful at dusk. as the building's light up and the sun fades away.

Malaysia
The Langkawi Archipelago. a sprinkling of about a hundred islands in the Andaman Sea. has stunning bays and beaches as well as sublime luxury resorts. such as the waterfront Casa del Mar and the rainforest-nestled The Andaman. Both on Langkawi island. Take it all in from the Jojo. a 25 meter motor yacht with alfresco dining and an upper deck offering 360-degree views. Indoors. the master cabin has a walk-in wardrobe and Jacuzzi. while the saloon includes a 42-ineh TV complete with karaoke system. (Don’t worry about waking the neighbors- there arc none.)

Simpson Marine (60-4/966-8188; simpsonmarine.com; RM38.000 per night. eight guests maximum) offers overnight cruises on the charter. starting at Langkawi's Telaga Harbour Marina. Graced with a jet ski. a dinghy. Fishing equipment and snorkeling gear. you'll make the most of the area's stunning natural attractions: stop by the Kilim River to explore lush mangroves. emerald lagoons and feed eagles: splash around on Pul au Beras Basah. an undeveloped island with crystal1ine waters and secluded beaches; and discover the forest-covered Pulau Dayang Bunting. rich in wildlife and believed by locals to bestow fertility upon visitors- the hills behind a lake at its center take the shape of a pregnant woman lying on her back.

Thailand
Just off Thailand's west coast in the Andaman Sea, Phuket has a profusion of marinas and luxury villas matched by a dizzying array of chartering options. where to begin? For starters, check out an overnight cruise on the Andara (66 -76/338-777; andarayachts.com; US$9.000 from 3 p.m. to 11 a.m.; eight guests maximum), a 28-meter Italian yacht you'll find at the Yacht Haven Marina on the island's north side. The Four cabin cab in boat exudes Style. from the spacious earth-toned main lounge to the chic open-air flybridge. with oversize wooden tables and wide cushioned recliners for sipping cocktails. The comfy seating extends to the front exterior where about the only thi ng between you and water is the wind and a bit of sea spray.

Heading out into Phang Nga Bay. one of the world's most beautiful cruising areas. you’ll glide past giant limestone formations that rise from the calm waters like surreal. monumental artworks. But your main destination might be even better. Turning northwest. you'll find the Similan Islands. with sugar-sand beaches. dazzlingly clear water and world-class diving sites. The underwater sightseeing takes in massive schools of colorful tropical fish and vast stretches of even more colorful soft coral- don't miss Christmas Point. on Koh Bangru. where divers can swim through a series of dramatic archways. Non-divers can head to Koh Miang, home to the Similan Marine National Park office. for superb snorkeling just off the beach.