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Weather in Tarakan
Northern Borneo island of diverse marine wildlife
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About Tarakan
Tarakan functions as a northern Borneo island oil port and strategic naval position, with surprisingly diverse marine wildlife and mangrove ecosystems nearby. This frontier island combines industrial infrastructure with pristine nature reserves.
Best months to visit
Year-round
Language
Indonesian, English
Things to do in Tarakan
Mangrove kayaking and wildlife spotting tours
Marine park snorkeling on island reefs
Bird watching for Borneo endemic species
Local fishing village boat tours
Fish market and trading observation
Island circumnavigation motorcycle rides
Weather by month
Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.
January
28C
Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.
February
29C
Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.
March
29C
Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.
April
29C
Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.
May
29C
Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.
June
29C
Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.
July
29C
Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.
August
29C
Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.
September
29C
Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.
October
29C
Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.
November
29C
Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.
December
29C
Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.
Tarakan is a small island city off the coast of North Kalimantan, best known to travellers as a stepping stone to the Derawan Islands and the wildlife-rich mangrove forests of the Sebuku-Sembakung delta. It has its own quieter appeal too — a relaxed pace, decent seafood markets, and proximity to coastal mangrove reserves where proboscis monkeys and migratory birds can be spotted without the crowds of more famous wildlife sites.
Best areas to stay in Tarakan
Tarakan City Centre
The main commercial area with hotels, markets, and the port from which boats depart for the Derawan Islands and coastal towns.
Mangrove Conservation Area
A boardwalk reserve within the city where proboscis monkeys and hornbills can often be seen, a convenient wildlife stop before or after onward travel.
Karang Anyar Beach
A local beach area popular for sunset views and casual relaxation, a short distance from the city centre.
Tarakan Port
The departure point for speedboats to Derawan, Maratua, and other islands of East Kalimantan's coast.
Getting to Tarakan
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Flights
Fly into Juwata International Airport (TRK) via Jakarta and Balikpapan or Surabaya.
⏱
From London
~20-22 hours total journey time from London via Jakarta
🚕
Getting around
Taxis and becak cover the compact city centre; speedboats from the port connect onward to the Derawan Islands.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Tarakan?
May to September is driest, useful for onward boat connections to the Derawan Islands which can be affected by rougher seas in other months.
How do I get to Tarakan?
Fly direct to Juwata International Airport (TRK) from Jakarta, Balikpapan, or Surabaya, with onward boat connections to Derawan and other coastal destinations.
What is there to do in Tarakan?
Visit the Tarakan mangrove conservation area to spot proboscis monkeys close to the city, browse the lively fish markets, and use Tarakan as a transit base for onward boats to the Derawan Islands.
What food is Tarakan known for?
Seafood is the obvious focus given the island setting — fresh fish, prawns, and crab feature heavily in the markets and local restaurants.
Is English widely spoken in Tarakan?
Limited — Tarakan functions mainly as a transit and trading hub, so basic Indonesian is useful, though it's improving as more travellers pass through en route to Derawan.
Traveler reviews
★★★☆☆
Mainly passed through here on the way to Derawan, but the mangrove walk in the city was a nice surprise — saw proboscis monkeys without having to go far at all.
Hans P. · July 2024
★★★☆☆
A practical stopover with decent seafood markets. Not much to detain you for long but useful as a base before the boat to the islands.
Nina K. · August 2024
★★★★☆
Better than expected for an overnight stop — the seafood at the local market was excellent and the mangrove reserve close by was a good way to fill an afternoon before our onward boat.
Fajar S. · May 2023
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