Turtle Traffic

Turtle Traffic is a reef dive site near Maratua Island in the Derawan Archipelago, East Kalimantan, Indonesia, renowned for the exceptional density of green and hawksbill sea turtles on a single reef.

Overview

Turtle Traffic earns its name from the sheer volume of turtle encounters — PADI’s site description quips that “if you can count the turtles on a single dive then it is not a normal dive,” and one diver account on Undercurrent counted more than 40 turtles in a single dive. Green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) are the most common species, found resting beneath large coral heads and table corals; hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) are also regularly spotted feeding on soft corals and sponges. Bluewater Dive Travel describes the site as featuring “sand channels and massive coral bommies” where turtles rest in crevices, particularly during low tide. The site is calm and shallow — maximum 15 metres — making it accessible to entry-level divers and snorkellers.

Marine Life

• Green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) — resting under table corals and coral heads
• Hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) — feeding on soft corals and sponges
• Moray eels in crevices between bommies
• Mantis shrimp in sand channels
• Lobsters under coral overhangs
• Nudibranchs and flatworms on coral surfaces
• Bumphead parrotfish (periodic, passing aggregations)

Dive Profile

The site is shallow reef with coral bommies and sandy channels to a maximum of 15 metres. Most diving occurs between 5 and 12 metres where turtle density is highest. Currents are mild. Visibility is typically good. Bottom time is extended by the shallow depth. Low tide is recommended by local operators for maximum turtle sightings, when turtles shelter in crevices and under table corals.

Entry and Exit

Boat dive only. A short boat ride from Green Nirvana Maratua Resort or Maratua-based operators. Entry is at the reef edge with a slow descent along the bommies.

Tips

• Dive at low tide when turtles are resting under corals and crevices — they are easier to approach and less likely to move away.
• Move slowly and breathe quietly — turtles on this reef are accustomed to divers but will swim off if approached too rapidly.
• Look under large table corals first — green turtles frequently wedge themselves underneath in groups.
• Hawksbills tend to be found on the bommie slopes where they feed on sponges and soft corals.

Safety Considerations

This is a beginner-appropriate site with minimal current and shallow depth. Standard reef diving precautions apply; maintain buoyancy control to avoid accidental contact with corals or turtles. Turtles are protected under Indonesian law — do not touch, ride, or obstruct their path to the surface.

Photography

Turtle Traffic is one of the best turtle photography sites in Kalimantan. Shooting upward against blue-water backlighting captures turtles in silhouette above the bommies; shooting laterally at turtle level in clear water produces full-body portraits. A wide-angle lens at 16–20 mm works well. The presence of multiple turtles in frame simultaneously is common here, unlike most other turtle sites.

Site Information

• Location: Maratua Island vicinity, Derawan Archipelago, East Kalimantan, Indonesia
• Entry Type: Boat dive
• Site Type: Reef
• Difficulty Level: Beginner
• Maximum Depth: 15 meters

Additional Resources

• Last Updated: 2026-05-17

Sources: PADI – Turtle Traffic, Bluewater Dive Travel – Derawan Islands, Scuba Junkie Sangalaki – Best Kept Secret, Green Nirvana Resort – Fun Dives. Last updated 2026-06-27.