Maratua - Extra Divers Nabucco Island

Extra Divers Nabucco Island is established in the heart of the Maratua Atoll, providing a gateway to some of the most diverse marine environments in the Derawan Islands. Operating since 2001, the centre is positioned to serve divers looking for everything from high-energy pelagic encounters to the quiet detail of a macro reef.

Getting to the centre involves a flight to Berau, followed by a vehicle transfer to the pier and a 3 to 4-hour boat journey along the Berau River. Once you arrive, you can choose from several accommodation styles across Nabucco, Virgin Cocoa, and Nunukan Islands, ranging from local-style bungalows to luxury designer suites.

The centre is affiliated with both SSI and PADI, ensuring that training standards meet international requirements for all certification levels. The team is professional and capable of guiding divers through a wide range of environments, from shallow reef flats to deeper atoll walls.

Instruction and guidance are conducted in English, German, and Indonesian. This multilingual approach makes the centre a reliable choice for international divers looking for clear communication during technical briefings or training sessions.

The training programme is comprehensive, catering to everyone from those taking their first breaths underwater to professional-level divers. You can complete your Open Water Diver course or progress through various SSI and PADI specialties.

For those looking to advance their career, the centre offers Divemaster training. The instructors are equipped to handle a full range of specialties, ensuring that your progression through the SSI and PADI systems is handled with professional precision.

The centre operates three boats, including comfortable dive boats and speedboats designed to reach the various sites of the atoll efficiently. These vessels allow you to access the legendary sites of the Maratua Atoll within 5 to 20 minutes of leaving the shore.

Safety is a priority on all trips, with radio, oxygen, and first aid kits carried on board. For those looking to extend their time underwater, night dives are a regular part of the centre's programme.

The centre provides a range of equipment for hire, including high-quality kit from Aqua Lung. Whether you are travelling light or need a full set of gear, the available inventory covers the essentials for both recreational and specialty diving.

For those using extended no-decompression limits, Nitrox is available on-site. The centre also ensures that safety equipment, including oxygen and first aid kits, is readily accessible for all diving operations.

The area is a magnet for large pelagics and reef residents. You can expect to see great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda), jacks (Carangidae), tuna (Thunnus), and various species of reef sharks (Carcharhinus), including whitetip reef sharks (Triaenodon obesus) and grey reef sharks (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos). Large rays, including eagle rays (Aetobatus) and giant stingrays, are also frequently encountered.

On the reef, the scenery is defined by a rich tapestry of hard coral (Scleractinia) and soft coral (Alcyonacea), with sea fans (Gorgoniidae) providing structure for various reef fish. Sea turtles (Cheloniidae) are a common sight throughout the atoll, moving between the different reef systems.

For macro enthusiasts, the biodiversity is exceptional. You can find nudibranchs (Chromodoris willani), pygmy seahorses (Hippocampus bargibanti), frogfish (Antennarius), and various species of scorpionfish (Scorpaenidae). Look closely among the corals to find ribbon eels, harlequin shrimps, cuttlefish (Sepiidae), and leaf scorpionfish.

The diving is primarily conducted via boat trips to the atoll and the surrounding channels. While specific seasonal conditions are not detailed, the proximity of the sites to the centre allows for efficient daily diving schedules.