Nunukan Island Resort

You come here for an island stay with the sea doing most of the scenery work. Nunukan Island Resort sits directly on the beach, with a private stretch of white sand, a garden and rooms that open towards the sea or a lake. There is enough space to step away from the dive timetable without turning the holiday into a complicated expedition.

The atmosphere suits couples particularly well, but families are welcome too, and children of all ages can stay. The practical difference is the combination of an integrated dive centre, a restaurant, a bar and a private beach in one place. You can spend the day underwater, then move from shower to balcony to dinner without having to organise the evening around another transfer.

English is spoken by the hotel team, alongside German and Indonesian. That matters when you are arranging arrivals, meals or the details of the next day rather than trying to explain everything through hand signals.

The resort is on Maratua Atoll, in Maratua Atoll, Indonesia, on Maratua Island in East Kalimantan. It is a true beachfront address, with direct access to a white-sand beach, sun loungers and parasols. The setting is coastal and reef-oriented rather than town-based, so the sea is the immediate neighbour.

Maratua Airport is 10 miles away. Turtle Area is 11 miles away, giving you a nearby natural point of interest when you want a change from the beach and the dive schedule. The resort also organises boat excursions, including trips around Nunukan.

The island location shapes the stay. Meals, drinks, rest and water-based activities are centred on the resort, while the airport transfer needs arranging with the property. There is an airport shuttle service, available privately or as a shared service depending on the arrangement made with the resort.

The rooms are built around the things that become useful once you are back on dry land: air conditioning, a ceiling fan, a private bathroom with a shower or bath, a refrigerator, a minibar and somewhere to sit. A desk is there too, should you need to deal with a message before the phone goes back into hiding. Free toiletries, towels, linen and a wardrobe keep the practical business covered.

For two people, a deluxe sea-view double room with a balcony is the obvious choice if the view and outdoor space matter to you. The balcony gives you somewhere to sit with a drink while the light changes over the water. If three divers are travelling together, the triple room keeps the sleeping arrangements straightforward with three single beds; families can also use the family-room options.

Solo divers have a single room with a sea view, while couples who want a balcony can choose a double room with one. The more budget-conscious double option keeps the same room size shown for the other categories, but without the balcony or sea-view emphasis. All rooms have air conditioning and a fan, which gives you two ways to make the room comfortable after a warm day outdoors.

Daily housekeeping, room service and free Wi-Fi are available. A safety deposit box is also provided, useful for the small collection of items that should not follow you into the water.

The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, with Asian, Indonesian and Western cooking on the menu. The kitchen works with fresh local ingredients and presents the food as refined and healthy rather than as heavy fuel for a very active week. Breakfast is à la carte, with continental, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, Asian and American choices.

Vegetarian and vegan dishes are available, and special-diet menus cover vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free requirements. Children’s meals are also available. That gives you room to keep breakfast simple before a morning departure, or make dinner a proper part of the evening rather than an afterthought.

There are two bars. Breeze-Lounge looks out over the ocean and focuses on cocktails, wine and champagne; Pool-Bar sits beside the swimming pool and serves smoothies, fruit juices and cocktails. The resort also has an on-site coffee shop, while the minibar gives you something cold without requiring a walk across the grounds.

You can book half-board or full-board arrangements. Room service is available as well, which is handy when the sensible plan is food, hydration and an early night.

The private beach is the main place to slow down when you are not in the water. White sand, sun loungers and parasols give you an easy base for reading, talking or simply watching the sea without having to turn relaxation into an activity. The garden and terrace add a little variety when you want shade or a different view.

Yoga classes are free and take place twice a day. A massage service covers full-body, back, neck, head, hand and foot massages, so you can choose between a proper reset and a more targeted bit of post-dive maintenance. The spa is also available for massage treatments.

For something more active, beach volleyball and boccia are available on land. Snorkelling and water-sport facilities are offered on site, and boat excursions provide a way to see more of the surrounding area. Board games and puzzles are there for the occasional weather-bound afternoon or the evening when nobody has the energy for anything more ambitious.

Plan the arrival rather than treating it as a detail to sort out on the way. Maratua Airport is 10 miles from the resort, and an airport shuttle service is available through the property. You can also use the resort’s shuttle service for transfers arranged around your stay; book the relevant service directly with the hotel.

Check-in runs from 12:00 to 18:00, and you need to tell the property your expected arrival time in advance. Check-out runs from 05:00 to 18:00, which leaves room for an early departure if your onward journey starts before breakfast has properly got going.

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property, with the resort also listing it in the Deluxe Bungalows and communal areas. Air conditioning, a fan, a refrigerator and a minibar are in the rooms. Laundry and ironing services are available, as is room service, while a doctor can be requested if medical assistance is needed.

The resort accepts cash, euros, Indonesian rupiah and US dollars. Power is 220V, with Type C and F sockets. Children of all ages are welcome, children aged 12 and over are charged as adults, and cots for children aged 0 to 2 can be requested. Pets are not allowed.

The resort uses solar energy as part of its power supply. Rainwater is collected, and wastewater is treated before it leaves the site.

Composting is also part of the operation. These are practical measures for an island resort, where energy and water have to be managed on the spot rather than taken for granted. The aim is simple: keep the beachfront and reef setting functioning while you are here to enjoy it.