EXPEDITION
INDONESIA
DERAWAN ARCHIPELAGO
WILDLIFE, MINIMUM TOURISM, MAXIMUM OCEAN
SEPTEMBER 16-26TH, 2026
GROUP SIZE:
10 PARTICIPANTS
€ 2200
INSTRUCTORS
Nataliia Rusak
AIDA INTERNATIONAL MASTER INSTRUCTOR
• 8 years of freediving experience
• More than 300 students taught
• Certified breathwork instructor
• Meditation Facilitator
• Fitness trainer with 10 years of experience
Yaroslava Churilova
Assistant freediving instructor (AIDA 4)
• Organizer of tailor-made trips to more than 40 countries worldwide.
• Three years of freediving experience.
• For several years, she has been exploring the underwater world of the Indian Ocean and has personally selected the best locations for our journey.
WHAT'S WAITING FOR YOU
Countless exciting dives in incredibly healthy reefs
Snow-white sandy beaches
Jungle wildlife
Crystal lake
Authentic island life
Amazing underwater world - corals, groupers, parrotfish, erepahs, schools of barracuda and huge zebra sharks
And the undoubted headliner of the trip - WHALE SHARKS
MINIMUM RECOMMENDED LEVEL OF TRAINING:
All you need is a love of the ocean, the ability to stay afloat and a desire to explore the underwater world. Freediving experience is not required.
Our guides are professional freedivers with many years of experience who will gently guide you and make you fall in love with the underwater world. Sports training is not planned. But in order to feel comfortable underwater, we will definitely learn the necessary freediving skills: breathing techniques, relaxation, breath holding, swimming in flippers, diving and even posing underwater.
If you already have experience (minimum level Aida 2 pool) you will definitelyadapt faster and get more pleasure.
PROGRAM
Camp Program
September 16
Arrival day. Overnight stay in Berau
September 17
Getting to know the Island
September 18
Maratua Caves and Reefs
September 19
Jellyfish Lake and Jungle Lagoon
September 20
Whale sharks and crystal lake
September 21
Turtles of Sangalaki Island
September 22
Blue cave and the open sea
September 23
Day off
September 24
Barracuda
September 25
Return to Berau
WHALE SHARKS
Whale sharks off Maratua Island are a rare opportunity to see these giants in their natural habitat. Here they live in the open ocean, and we take a boat to the local fishing platforms (bagan), where they often appear in search of food. They can grow to be 8-12 meters long (and sometimes more), but remain completely calm and safe for people.
The most impressive moment is the waiting: you look into the deep turquoise water - and suddenly a huge shadow slowly rises from below, gradually transforming into a whale shark, leisurely gliding alongside. It is a completely wild encounter with no guarantees, which is why it feels so special and memorable forever.
Every morning we meet on the seashore. Morning yoga, breathing practices, meditations. Basics of freediving, breathing and relaxation techniques, breath hold, pressure compensation – everything to make your dives as comfortable as possible.
In the evening we also offer stretching classes, yin yoga, deep breathing practice, or tea drinking and stargazing.
All classes are aimed at regulating and restoring the nervous system and finding contact with yourself.
But they are not mandatory, and you can always choose to be alone, read, take a walk or just relax by the water.
Daily Program
16.09
Arrival day
17.09
09:00 - 12:00
Arrival on the remote island of Maratua.
12:00 - 16:00
Check-in, light snorkeling on the house reef with turtles and reef fish.
19:00 - 20:00
Evening yoga to relieve tension after a long journey.
18.09
08:00 - 09:00
Morning breathing exercises.
10:00 - 13:00
Depth training
17.10
08:00 - 09:30
Freediving stretching, equalization training
14:00 - 17:00
Depth training
09:00 - 11:00
Static apnea workshop: fundamentals of freediving
Focus on relaxation, comfort zone, learning to enjoy breath-holds
16.10
08:00 - 09:00
Morning yoga, breathing and relaxation practice
15.10
Arrival, welcome meeting, organizational details
HOW TO GET THERE
The final destination by plane is Kalimarau Airport. From Europe, the transfer will most likely be in Jakarta, but other options are possible. Upon arrival, the group gathers and spends one night in Berau. The next morning (8–9 am) we set off by boat to Maratua Island. The journey time is 2.5–3.5 hours, depending on the state of the sea. It is also possible to get to Maratua by plane, but there are few flights from Berau (several per week), so it is recommended to choose a boat trip (included in the price).
VISA
Is issued online, we will provide specific information closer to the trip, as the rules and methods of submission often change.
CURRENCY
It is better to exchange currency at the airport, there is also an exchanger in Berau, on the island there is no exchanger, you can exchange at the hotel, but the rate will be worse.
SIM CARD
You need to buy a Telcomcell sim card at the airport, take this operator, the other one does not work on the island.
WEATHER
Sunny weather, air temperature 30 degrees and above, dry season continues,
rain is not expected. Water temperature ranges from 28 to 31 degrees.
The corals are calm, but currents are predicted at some dive sites.
EQUIPMENT
You will need:
Swimsuit (it is better to have several, as they do not have time to dry overnight).
A rash guard or closed swimsuit is also recommended for protection in the water
and from the sun. A wetsuit up to 2 mm is optional, but not essential.
Panama hat, cap or other headwear.
Sunscreen (preferably safe for corals).
Mosquito spray.
Mask, snorkel, fins and a weight belt.
Anti-itch tablets (if necessary).
A set of first-aid kits, it is recommended to have antibiotic ointment.
Communication: roaming does not work, you need to purchase a Telkomsel SIM card
at the airport upon arrival ($15)
Personal hygiene products.
Towel.
BOOKING & PAYMENT
The cost of the tour depends on the chosen accommodation option
To reserve a place, you must make a deposit 500 euros (in hryvnias for individual entrepreneurs at the exchange rate on the day of payment).
In case of cancellation of the trip before July 15, the funds can be refunded.
In case of cancellation from July 15, the prepayment is not refundable.
Full payment must be made by September 1
WHAT'S INCLUDED
7 depth training sessions
Personalized training recommendations
Daily morning practices by the ocean
Equalization workshops for all levels
Access to the dive center (equipment storage, changing rooms, showers)
Dive setups and weights
Group transportation for scheduled island activities
Group excursion to Mount Teide
Special gifts from Deep Division
ADDITIONAL EXPENSES
Flights. Depending on your departure location, approximately €500 return from most European destinations, depending on your departure city.
Airport transfer from Tenerife South: approximately €70. If schedules allow, we may be able to pick up participants using one of the group rental cars.
Accommodation: approximately €50
per person per night. We can assist you
in finding suitable options.
Personal equipment rental:
from €14/day for a full set and
€74 for the whole camp
Visa (if required)
Optional excursions outside the program
Personal transportation and vehicle rental