MARITIMEPOSTS.COM – Dear readers, the northern reaches of East Kalimantan hold an extraordinary maritime wealth.
From the Mahakam Delta, the waters of Kutai Kartanegara, Bontang, East Kutai, all the way to Berau, stretches an important habitat for a remarkable array of marine megafauna.
The coastal zones, seas, and islands across this region seem to form a natural stage for the thriving life of large marine species that remain well preserved. This ecological richness makes East Kalimantan one of Indonesia’s most impressive maritime landscapes.
For divers and ocean enthusiasts, the waters surrounding Pulau Miang, the Talisayan area, and the vicinity of Derawan Island offer a rare experience: encountering the majestic whale shark up close.
The appearance of whale sharks in these waters is no longer considered uncommon. Their presence is a strong indicator that the marine ecosystem in the area still maintains healthy productivity and ecological balance.
In recent years, various rewilding and conservation reinforcement efforts have also continued to safeguard the sustainability of these important species and their habitats.
Not only that, divers in East Kalimantan have frequently documented encounters with leopard sharks, a species that is even relatively rare in biodiversity hotspots such as Raja Ampat.
Over the past few years, ongoing rewilding initiatives and conservation strengthening programs have played an essential role in preserving these critical marine ecosystems.
The wonders of East Kalimantan’s seascape have left a profound impression on many who come to live there.
At first, there was concern because Samarinda was perceived as being far from the sea. For someone deeply connected to maritime life, the idea of living far from the coast felt almost unimaginable.
Yet reality brought an unexpected and beautiful surprise.
East Kalimantan turned out to possess marine riches far beyond expectations. Its seas are vast, its ecosystems abundant, and its coastlines full of life.
“At that time, I thought Samarinda was too far from the ocean — how could I possibly live there?” the writer recalled. “But Allah is truly Most Kind. I was given far more than I had ever imagined. Alhamdulillah.”
This reflection serves as a reminder that Indonesia still holds many natural landscapes filled with extraordinary ecological wonders.
East Kalimantan is not only about forests and mining. It is also about rich seas, enchanting islands, and underwater life that stand as a precious gift for the future of Indonesia’s marine conservation.
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Written by Auliansyah Nauap