You look down, to the left and then to the right, the sight is the same. Jellyfish as far as the eye can see.

Four different species of jellyfish fill Lake Kakaban — moon jellyfish (Aurelia aurita), spotted jellyfish (Mastigias papua), box jellyfish (Tripedalia cystophora), and the upside-down jellyfish (Cassiopea ornata). It’s a spectacular sight and a truly peaceful experience. If you haven’t had the chance to swim among non-stinging jellies, this just may be your opportunity.

Kakaban Island, located roughly 25-40 minutes from one of the surrounding islands that make up the Derawan chain is proving to be a hot spot for jellyfish tourism.

Besides arranging a private speedboat from neighboring islands Sangalaki, Maratua or Derawan, this adventure can be experienced with a guide from aboard the Raja Ampat Aggressor. One of the only liveaboards currently running scheduled trips through the Derawan Islands.

It’s important to remember that no matter who you choose to venture to Kakaban Lake with, keeping human impact low is a top priority. No sunscreen, fins or diving gear should be worn in the lake, other than a mask and snorkel. Seemingly harmless mask defog should also not be used. Anything introduced to the lake environment could be a potential threat to these creatures. By tourists taking these precautions, this can hopefully be a lake that is experienced by jelly enthusiasts for years to come.