Occupying the southern major portion of Borneo, Kalimantan is a frontier of untamed rainforests, rich rivers, and untouched island systems. Far off the standard tourist radar, this region rewards adventurous travellers with rare wildlife encounters and pristine coral reefs. This dedicated guide organises essential transit diaries and destination reviews—from tracking river dolphins to reaching remote sands in East Kalimantan—to help you seamlessly map your Borneo itinerary.
🇯🇵 この記事を日本語で読む: 【カリマンタン観光ガイド】ボルネオ島のジャングル・リバークルーズと秘境マラトゥア島への行き方
- Change the Plan! Why and How We Get to Balikpapan from Makassar
- How to Get from Balikpapan to Kotabangun via Samarinda
- Watching Dolphins in the Mahakam River and Visiting Stilted Villages: Rural Kalimantan
- Kota Bangun to Samarinda by Bus: This is What we Experienced a Independent Travellers
- Island Transit: Flying from Samarinda to Berau en Route to Maratua Island’s Turtle Sanctuaries
- How to Get Maratua from Berau by Public Transport: Practical Details about Speedboat
- Honest Review of Snorkeling in Maratua Island: Is it Worth Doing?
- Maratua Island to Tarakan via Derawan and We Ran Out of Petrol!
- River Highway: Surviving Overloaded Local Speedboats Between Tarakan and Nunukan
Change the Plan! Why and How We Get to Balikpapan from Makassar
Our original plan for this trip was to go to Florence, but as we couldn’t get a ferry ticket, we had to change our plans. We decided to head for Kalimantan instead. Here, we’ve summarised our dilemma in Makassar and our journey to Balikpapan.
How to Get from Balikpapan to Kotabangun via Samarinda
A complete overland journey tracking a long-distance local bus run from coastal Balikpapan straight into inner Kota Bangun. It maps out ticketing locations, terminal switches in Samarinda, and practical packing hacks for intensive jungle highway bus rides.
Watching Dolphins in the Mahakam River and Visiting Stilted Villages: Rural Kalimantan
A magical look into tracking rare, wild freshwater dolphins along the Mahakam River and wandering through timeless stilted eco-villages. This diary captures the unique, water-centric lifestyle of rural Kalimantan far away from major cities.
Kota Bangun to Samarinda by Bus: This is What we Experienced a Independent Travellers
A practical overland route breakdown for heading down from the river hub of Kota Bangun back to central Samarinda. It provides clear expectations on vehicle choices, bumpy road conditions, and realistic travel times for independent backpackers.
Island Transit: Flying from Samarinda to Berau en Route to Maratua Island’s Turtle Sanctuaries
Reaching the far-eastern edges of East Kalimantan requires multi-leg logistics. This segment reviews flying with Wings Air to Berau before jumping onto regional speedboats toward Maratua Island.
How to Get Maratua from Berau by Public Transport: Practical Details about Speedboat
The essential 2026 transit blueprint for booking regional speedboats from Berau directly to Maratua Island. This practical checklist details up-to-date schedule patterns, fair pricing benchmarks, and terminal ticketing tips for a smooth transfer.
Honest Review of Snorkeling in Maratua Island: Is it Worth Doing?
The definitive underwater field guide to exploring the marine treasures of remote Maratua Island. It highlights pristine shore-entry points, sea turtle hot spots, and visibility expectations for self-guided ocean lovers chasing top-tier reef health.
Maratua Island to Tarakan via Derawan and We Ran Out of Petrol!
A dramatic ocean transit log following our return route from Maratua to Tarakan, which features an unexpected engine stall due to running out of fuel at sea. It delivers crucial survival lessons on dealing with unpredictable island logistics.
River Highway: Surviving Overloaded Local Speedboats Between Tarakan and Nunukan
A raw look at taking public coastal transport in North Kalimantan. This boarding review tracks the chaotic reality of riding packed passenger vessels up to the border gateway of Nunukan.
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