E221 - Sailing to Maratua | Indonesia’s Secret Maldives

We depart Tawau, Malaysia and make our way to Nunukan to clear into Indonesia, passing one of the largest seaweed farms we’ve ever seen—thousands of plastic bottles stretching across the ocean. After two days of clearing in, we finally set sail for Maratua, often described as Indonesia’s version of the Maldives… and it does not disappoint. From above, the drone reveals a breathtaking atoll and lagoon, but it’s what lies beneath the surface that truly blows us away. We dive along incredible walls and at the lagoon entrance, battling some of the strongest currents we’ve ever experienced, surrounded by thriving marine life. Back on land, we hire a scooter to explore the island, discovering some of the friendliest villages we’ve ever encountered—endless smiles and greetings everywhere we go. We also venture to Goa Halo Tabung and Goa Gumantung, two hidden cave pools with crystal-clear, emerald-blue water, tucked within dramatic limestone landscapes. To top it all off, we celebrate Joanne’s birthday in one of the most remote and beautiful places imaginable—an unforgettable moment in paradise. Timestamps if you like to Jump Right In: 00:00 Intro 00:29 Leaving Tawau Malaysia 04:48 Clearing out of Nunakan 06:10 Arriving into Maratua 06:41 Drone shots 08:09 SCUBA Diving 13:56 Hiring Scooters 17:31 Goa Halo Tabung 20:17 Goa Gumantung 22:42 Joanne's Birthday WHO ARE WE? Hey there! We’re Chris and Jo, an ordinary Aussie couple living our extraordinary dream aboard our Seawind 1260 since January 2019 and now we continue from 2024 aboard our new 1370! Our adventure began with an unforgettable journey down the east coast of Australia, followed by a sail to the stunning New Caledonia. In 2020, we continued our exploration further north, and by 2021 and 2022, we circumnavigated Australia, discovering breathtaking locations along the way. Having previously owned fishing and water-skiing boats, our passion for sailing deepened after crewing in South Australia, leading us to make the leap into full-time living at sea. We hope to inspire you, just as we were inspired by other YouTube channels, to chase your dreams and explore the wonders of this beautiful world. Join us on our journey, and don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more sailing adventures! #seawind1370 #seawindcats #sailing #sailingboat #sailingyacht #yacht #yachting #yachtinglifestyle #cruisinglife #indonesia #maratua #maratuaisland #scubadiving #scubaadventure