Derawan — Turtles, Snorkeling & Quiet Beaches
Arrived early, just me and my partner. Sea calm. White sand glowing in the morning sun. Coffee brewing. Rolled cigarette ready. Pure presence. No rush, no distractions. Just the beginning of a quiet adventure.
Snorkeling with the Reef
Water warm. Coral alive with colors. Fish darting in patterns I can’t name. Breathing slow. Feeling tiny. We drifted over coral gardens. No rush. No crowd. Only the current guiding us. Every glance underwater felt like discovering a secret world.
Surfacing, we laughed quietly. Shared a puff of smoke while floating on our backs. The morning sun painted the water gold. Each bubble, each ripple, each small fish seemed like part of a slow rhythm, a meditation in liquid form.
Night Walks and Turtle Sightings
After snorkeling, night falls fast. Beach dark but safe. A turtle comes ashore. Lays eggs. We watch quietly. No flash. No sound. Only respect. My partner whispers, “This is why we come.” I nod, rolling a cigarette while sitting on the sand, feeling the universe slow down.
Moments with the Locals
A local fisherman joins us. Talks about turtles, tides, and keeping the beach peaceful. He laughs at my cigarette, asks for a puff. I laugh back. We share coffee brewed over the tiniest stove I’ve ever seen. Simple, honest, quiet moments — lessons in presence, in noticing what matters.
Reflections on Silence
Silence here is not emptiness. It’s alive. Every wave, every turtle, every laugh carries it. Some places demand patience. Some places reward awareness. Derawan doesn’t shout. It whispers. It invites those who want to slow down, breathe, and see life in small, sacred moments.
Related journeys: Pulau Lengkuas, Pulau Weh