Barracuda tornado
Thousands in a vortex.
Deffy Kuswanto — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Deffy Kuswanto — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Deffy Kuswanto — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Deffy Kuswanto — CC BY-SA 4.0
A horseshoe- or U-shaped coral island around a calm inner lagoon of turquoise water in the Derawan archipelago. It is among Indonesia's best-known dive sites, thanks to the currents around the lagoon's mouths that draw huge schools of fish, most famously the barracuda tornado, when thousands of barracuda circle in a vortex. The island has resorts with water bungalows, small fishing villages, inner lakes and water caves for swimming. Snorkelling is excellent here, with turtles and reef fish. A small airport sometimes links it to Berau. There is no fee to visit the island; the boat from Derawan is priced by agreement, or you stay at its resorts. Diving requires certification and an accredited centre. It can be a day trip from Derawan with Kakaban, or a two-night stay for lovers of diving and total calm.
Thousands in a vortex.
Calm turquoise water.
Quiet resorts.
Derawan archipelago, about an hour by boat from Derawan
Yes: snorkelling, inner lakes and beaches are enjoyable, though its most famous sight, the barracuda tornado, is for divers.