Maratua - Extra Divers Virgin Cocoa

Extra Divers Virgin Cocoa is situated on a private, eight-hectare island in the Derawan archipelago. The centre is positioned directly at a private jetty, allowing you to move from your accommodation to the dive boat with ease. It is a location designed for those who want to stay close to the marine environment without the crowds.

The island itself is integrated into the natural landscape, with construction that avoided felling trees. Modern eco-friendly systems, including rainwater harvesting and wastewater treatment, are in place to manage the island's resources responsibly. A long jetty connects the site to the neighbouring island of Nunukan, making it easy to explore the area on foot.

The centre is set up to support a seamless diving experience, with a dedicated reception area and a specialised equipment room. You will find ample drying space and dedicated rinse stations to look after your kit after every outing.

Accommodation on the island consists of 18 bungalows and several suites, all built from sustainable materials. These are located directly on the beach, offering a quiet atmosphere for relaxing between dives.

The centre provides a dedicated equipment room and rental gear for those not travelling with their own kit. On-site facilities include specific rinse stations to ensure your regulators and BCDs are properly cleaned after saltwater exposure.

For those staying on the island, the bungalows are equipped with air conditioning, ceiling fans, and safes for your valuables. Each unit also includes a private terrace and a kettle for convenience.

The house reef is a vibrant ecosystem built upon a foundation of hard coral (Scleractinia) and soft coral (Alcyonacea), with sea fans (Gorgoniidae) adding structure to the seascape. You will encounter a high density of reef fish, including various butterflyfish (Chaetodon), triggerfish (Balistidae), and parrotfish (Calotomus).

Larger pelagics are a regular presence in these waters. You can expect to see various species of sharks, including whitetip reef shark (Triaenodon obesus), grey reef shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos), and blacktip reef shark, as well as nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum). Schools of jack (Carangidae), trevally, and tuna (Thunnus) frequently move through the area.

In the sandy areas and around the reef edges, you will find sea turtles (Cheloniidae) and various rays, including giant stingrays and eagle ray (Aetobatus). Large fish such as the humphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon) and great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda) are also notable residents.

For those interested in macro life, the reef hosts a variety of smaller organisms. Look out for nudibranch (Chromodoris willani), pygmy seahorse (Hippocampus bargibanti), frogfish (Antennarius), and various scorpionfish (Scorpaenidae). You may also spot ribbon eels, harlequin shrimps, cuttlefish (Sepiidae), and leaf scorpionfish among the coral structures.

The island's accessibility is influenced by the tides; swimming in the sea near the beach is only possible during high tide. The boat transfers from Berau require careful timing, as departures must occur by 3:00 PM to ensure you arrive at the island in daylight.