Nabucco Island Resort
Location
Located off the eastern coast of Borneo, in the heart of the Sulawesi Sea, the two-hectare island of Nabucco is a true paradise. It features 18 rooms spread across 12 bungalows, all built in a traditional local style. Around the island, you’ll find several small sandy beaches perfect for relaxing. However, due to the tides, swimming is sometimes only possible from the jetty – a favourite spot for snorkellers who want to explore the vibrant underwater world directly from the shore.
This exotic resort combines the charm of untouched nature with a welcoming, family-like atmosphere. The entire resort was carefully designed to follow the natural contours of the island, rather than altering the landscape to fit the buildings. This eco-friendly approach has helped preserve the island’s unique wildlife, including rare coconut crabs, medium-sized monitor lizards, colourful kingfishers, flying foxes, and various species of lizards, all of which still call Nabucco home.
More about the destination
Facilities
Our reception offers a safe for your valuables, a cosy reading corner with a book exchange, as well as internet access and a telephone. For sociable evenings, head to our Sunset Bar, where you can relax with a drink and share the day’s adventures.
In the open-air restaurant, you can enjoy fresh, locally inspired and international dishes, while the boutique stocks small souvenirs and practical travel essentials. For those who like to stay active on land, there’s a volleyball court right on the beach.
Accommodation
Our spacious bungalows are available in three categories: Suite, Seafront Room, and Garden Room. All accommodations come with a private terrace equipped with sun loungers, air conditioning, ceiling fan, minibar, mosquito net, and an en-suite bathroom with shower and toilet. Hot water is provided in an eco-friendly way through solar energy.
The Suites offer extra space, modern interiors, a personal coffee machine, and a hammock for ultimate relaxation. Both the Suites and Seafront Rooms provide direct access to the beach – and even to the sea itself at high tide.
Set slightly further back, the Garden Rooms are nestled in lush tropical gardens, providing a peaceful, nature-focused atmosphere.
Sport & Wellness
Included: Beach volleyball, relaxing moments in the library, wildlife spotting on the island, snorkelling from the jetty, and exploring the nearby sandbanks.
At an additional charge: Diving with the Extra Divers Nabucco, excursions to local villages on the neighbouring island of Maratua, or soothing Asian massages on request.
Catering & Culinary
Our kitchen serves a daily, diverse mix of Asian and Western dishes. Of course, vegetarian options are available, and we are happy to accommodate food allergies. Most dishes are prepared using fresh ingredients – with some fruits and vegetables even grown in our own garden.
Half board: Hearty continental or Asian à-la-carte breakfast and a 5-course dinner in the evening.
Full board: Includes an additional à-la-carte lunch.
Payment on-site
All additional expenses (drinks, extra dives, tips, etc.) can be paid in cash using IDR, EUR, or USD. Please make sure that foreign banknotes are in excellent condition – only USD bills from 2009 or newer, without any damage, are accepted.
Unfortunately, credit card payments are not possible.
Environement
Our resort is perfectly integrated into its natural surroundings – not a single tree was cut down during construction. Hot water is provided in an eco-friendly way via a solar system, while a dedicated wastewater treatment and composting system, as well as a rainwater collection system, ensure sustainable operations.
Journey
Arrival via Jakarta or Balikpapan airport, from there by domestic flight to Berau.
From there it is a 3-4 hour speedboat ride to the island. Depending on flight times, an overnight stay in Jakarta may be required on arrival and departure.
Boat transfer:
The boat leaves from Berau (Kalimarau Airport) on the following days:
• Arrival: Saturday and Wednesday
• Departure: Saturday and Tuesday
The boat trip takes about 3 hours. The boat is very comfortable, offers space for up to 20 people and has an on-board toilet.
Important notes:
• The boat must leave Berau by 3:00 PM at the latest to arrive in Maratua in daylight.
• For departure, the earliest departure time from Berau should be around 12:00 PM to allow for a relaxed transfer.
Recommended flights:
Arrival:
From Jakarta:
• CGK-BEJ ID6340 04:45/08:15 (daily flights)
• CGK-SUB ID6548 08:00/09:30 > SUB-BEJ ID6346 10:50/13:45 (daily flights)
From Balikpapan:
• SIN-BPN TR223 18:40/21:05 (Friday) > Overnight stay in Balikpapan > BPN-BEJ QG1402 10:20/11:35 (Saturday)
Departure:
To Balikpapan:
• QG1403 12:05/13:25 (daily flights)
To Singapore:
• BEJ-BPN QG1403 12:05/13:25 > BPN-SIN TR223 18:40/21:05 (Friday only)
To Jakarta:
• BEJ-SUB ID6347 14:25/15:25 > SUB-CGK ID7502 18:40/20:00 (daily flights)
Note for guests from Singapore:
Since the Scoot flights from Singapore to Balikpapan are only offered three times a week and often do not harmonize with the boat schedule, we recommend a stay of about 2 nights in the Samboja Lodge. A perfect opportunity to experience the jungle and the orangutans. On request, we will gladly take over the booking.
(As of May 2025, subject to change)