Top Things to do in Berau
What to do and see in Berau, Indonesia: The Best Places and Tips
Discover the best top things to do in Berau, Indonesia including Segah River, Biduk-Biduk Beach, Baitul Hikmah Great Mosque, Tasik Divers, Kaniungan Besar Island, Mount Tabur Sultanate Palace, Pasar Sanggam Adji Dilayas, Cendana Park, Labuan Cermin Lake, Sambaliung Palace.
Restaurants in Berau
1. Segah River
Overall Ratings
4 based on 26 reviews
Reviewed By youke_worldwide - Singapore
So this is the river that runs around the entire town. It is a bit dirty so the water is brownish. However, it is very nice to have this river run through the centre of the town. There are barges that fill the river and its nice to take a walk along the river especially in early morning. The view of the sunrise along the river is absolutely beautiful.
2. Biduk-Biduk Beach
Overall Ratings
4 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By Ector70 - Berau, Indonesia
The atmosphere is still very natural, not too many tourists who come to this place so that the natural conditions are still peacefully quite . Nothing to do at this place because not too many facilities available within surrounding area. Come, sit and enjoy the beauty of nature around the beach, that's all.
It takes about 7 hours by car from Tanjung Redeb - Berau to be able to get to this place, so think of it before you go. This is related to your day of travel.
3. Baitul Hikmah Great Mosque
Overall Ratings
4 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By youke_worldwide - Singapore
It was amazing when we got to Berau that we would see such a beautiful mosque. It is very big and impressive, considering the size of Berau. The mosque is inside a large compound and even has a radio station inside. It is painted a lovely Emerald green colour and looks very tranquil especially at night when the mosque is lit up. It is not as luxurious as some of the mosques I have seen in the Middle East but it is bright, marble flooring inside and a large chandelier. The windows are these geometric shapes with stained glass which gives a lovely tranquil feel inside the mosque.
There are four minerats. The whole place was locked down so we approached the office who kindly opened up the elevator. The tower is 70 metres high and can look over the whole of Berau. This is the highest point of the city so we can see all the three towns that make up Berau.
4. Tasik Divers
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By expatjakarta - Jakarta
We booked the diving/snorkelling trip for the stay at the Lapatua Resort on Derawan Island (the diving office is located at the resort). E-Mail communication was quick and easy and all was organised when arrived for the next day diving.
Did three dives and snorkelling at Kakaban jelly fish lake.
Excellent boat, equipment and dive masters (we were 5 divers, 2 dive masters).
Thank you Christ, the manager of the dive centre for great service.
5. Kaniungan Besar Island
Overall Ratings
4 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By aqida s
Great sunset, clear water and beautiful underwater for snorkel.for better experience, try to stay at least one night in the only one cottage here.
6. Mount Tabur Sultanate Palace
Overall Ratings
4 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By youke_worldwide - Singapore
Gunung Tabur is about 20's drive from Berau or 5 minutes by speedboat; the reason is because we have to cross the river by this bridge is a little bit further then the central of town.
This was actually rebuilt as a temporary shelter after Japanese world war. However, it is very charming, no thanks to the 99 year old princess who lives in the smaller house. She welcomed us to a simple house where she lives with her 103 bedridden sister. They are the children of the last king and their brother was killed by the Japanese during World War 2. They live in the smaller house filled with memorabilia of their live as princesses such as their family heritage and family photos.
Both the smaller house and the museum have a yellow theme. Once we enter the museum, we are in the throne room. Next to it, there are various bedrooms, all with yellow bedsheets. The kitchen is interesting - they show how they use to filter the water previously. There is a baby room and they explained how they weighed their babies with cooling fruits on the other side. There are also armoury which they used such as the canons and ceremonial knives. There are also snippets of ordinary life such as dayak beading.
Would recommend a visit to this place as an introduction to the history of this area.
7. Pasar Sanggam Adji Dilayas
Overall Ratings
4 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By youke_worldwide - Singapore
This market is a little out of the central part of Berau and this is one of the biggest markets I have seen. This is where all the locals go and if you are a foreigner, you may also be getting the "foreigner" price. It is divided into the dry goods, wet goods as well as normal foodstuff. There is also a food court and small amusement park for kids. Everything is segregated nicely.
If you want to buy cheaper stuff come 5am to 7am to catch the open market. The stalls are set up rent free so things are cheaper. If you go into the dry market, there are a lot of things. Rows of salted fish, beans sold in open bags, really big prawns etc, it is a nice experience just to walk through as well.
8. Cendana Park
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By youke_worldwide - Singapore
This is quite a small park in front of the Walikota office. It is nice to have a small garden to walk around especially during the evenings when all the families with young children to come for walk. The park is small but its nice to have somewhere to go. It is also a little cheesy because there are fake deer, elephant etc statues scattered around the park. There is also a small Fountain.
It is located next to a tennis court but unfortunately its only for government officials so the public cannot rent an office there.
9. Labuan Cermin Lake
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 37 reviews
Reviewed By Adrianus D - Sengata, Indonesia
The Labuan Cermin Lake is situated at Mangkalihat Peninsula, on East Kalimantan coastal line, near Biduk-biduk village, in Berau Regency. It can be reach from Tanjung Redeb approximately 6 hours by MPV car. Another route from Bontang takes 10 hours to get here.
To enter Labuan Cermin Lake you have to go to ticket box at the pier. The ticketing staff would then arrange a motor boat transport for 5-8 people, cost you IDR 100.000,- two ways. Spend 1-2 hours minimum during the visit. Prepare yourself with bathing suit and towel; comfortable footwear; camera with water splash protection; drinks and cookies as you like. Live vest will be provided by the boat master.
Enjoy the beautiful scenery and quiet surroundings of Labuan Cermin. I think it was the unique geologic setting that makes this place special. From the hinter land, there was a carst topography with caves and underground rivers. Several rivers flows to the sea, the fresh water meets salt water to create a unique turqoise-green color of very clear water surrounded by kart hills.
Spend som time to swim and enjoy the clarity of the water... Use snorkle and googles to get better vision of the lake bottom. If you are lucky, you may find fish schools swimming near the lake bottom. Take your time, find beautiful spots, and explore.
Tips for taking photo: stand up on the boat and ask somebody to take the picture, with turqoise water on the foreground and forrested caves on the background. Make sure the boat image reflected by the lake water captured in the photo. Best time to visit is between 10 am to 2 pm.
10. Sambaliung Palace
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By youke_worldwide - Singapore
Keraton Sambaliung was built in 1810 by Sultan Alimuddin, also known as Raja Alam. It faces opposite Kelai riverbank and faces a nice picture of the Berau town with the houses on stilts. The palace is yellow, a mirror image of the Gunung Tabur Palace located opposite the river. The gate was closed when we came but it is open to the public so we just walked in. Admission is free. Staff inside are very welcoming and actually the person we talked to was the grandchild by wife no 13. They were very friendly, bringing us around and showing us photos of people who had come before.
The total compound is 100 m by 40m. According to them, this is the most authentic palace around because a lot of them were bombed during the Japanese occupation. The last king had 13 wives and 57 children. There is a photo of President Jokowi with the son of the last king. The reception hall is big filled with the throne and pictures of important people. The harem is very big but completely empty now as the children have taken away most of the stuff. They use to rear crocodiles here so there is a 7m stuffed crocodile in the garden. There is a meditation room on the second floor which is very peaceful.
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