Pulau Tiga

The Pulau Tiga Marine National Park has soared to world fame as 'Survivor Island' because of the popular Million Dollar Prize Money TV series 'Survivor' by the CBS TV network, USA. This is the exact island that the entire first series was filmed! The fact that this island was chosen was due to its untouched natural landscape and marine life.

The Pulau Tiga Park covers an area of 15,864 ha and was gazette as a National Park in 1978. As far back as 1933, the main island, together with the two smaller islands of Kalampunian Besar and Kalampunian Damit were designated as Forest Reserve.

Other Islands
There are two more islands in the Pulau Tiga Park, approximately 20 minutes by boat to the north of the main island, Pulau Tiga. They are very different. Kalmpunian Besar is a small sand cay built up from unconsolidated coral fragments, and the shape of the island shifts and changes with the prevailing monsoon winds and currents. Kalampunian Damit (also known as "Snake Island") is celebrated as a breeding ground for the amphibious sea snake Laticauda colubrina, which comes to the shores to lay eggs. The snakes can usually be seen coiled in a tangled mass under boulders or among tree roots.

Pulau Tiga Park

Pulau Tiga's three low, forest covered hills barely up to 100 m in height, are largely the result of the mud flows from the mud volcanoes that have built up the island. Mud volcanoes from where natural gas builds up enough pressure to escape along cracks in the earth's surface, carrying with it mud, water and rocks. Normally the volcanoes bubble fairly quietly, but occasionally more violent eruptions do occur, as happened on Pulau Tiga in 1941 when an eruption of the eastern volcano was heard as much as 160 km away! The outburst smothered almost 30 ha of forest with boiling hot, liquid mud. These mud volcanoes are interesting and must be visited when you are on the island. Directions of trails are available from the Park or Pulau Tiga Resort, and the paths are well maintained and indicated.


Because of its history as a Forest Reserve, Pulau Tiga is one of the very few undisturbed offshore islands left in Sabah, and this is reflected in the luxuriant plant life. The shore is lined by trees with wide crowns and branches spreading low over the sand. Behind the shelter of the coastal fringe lies a fairly open forest of pole-like trees with the two giant 'ranggu,' easily recognized by their grayish-yellow trunks.

A mangrove lagoon with crystal clear waters lies near the Park Headquarters. Animal life on this islands is abundant with multiple species of birds such as the magnificent black-and-white Pied Hornbills, Nightjars, Magpie-Robins, and of course the curious megapodes. Flying foxes roost behind the mangrove inlet. These large, orange-brown bats are a magnificent sight at dusk when they flap slowly towards the mainland in search of fruits for their evening meal.

A troop of long tailed macques frequent the trees and Monitor Lizards are abundant. The Golden Skink is often encountered along the trails. Coral reefs fringing parts of the islands are easily accessible, with some species of corals not found elsewhere on the west coast!

DIVERS HAVEN

Come dive into the silent world of legendary clear waters and explore the 7-km coral reef that surrounds the island. It is home to many marine life including sharks, barracudas, school of colorful coral fish and sea turtles.

Whether you are a snorkel, beginner's diver or certified diver, the Dive Center offers you various underwater adventure to suit your needs. The team of expert instructors and fleet of comfortable dive boat will guide you on an experience you will treasure.
The Dive Center also offer scuba diving courses from a beginner level to a professional Divemaster.

With only one resort on Pulau Tiga, you can guarantee a relaxed and tranquil dive holiday. Pulau Tiga Resort offers PADI dive courses and many dive sites for the novice and experienced divers including some unexplored dive locations. A rich variety of marine life can be seen including nudibranchs, bamboo sharks, cuttlefish, marbled stingray and of course, a visit to nearby “Snake Island” guarantees sightings of banded sea snakes. The surrounding reefs are shallow with healthy coral and water visibility ranging from 6m to 20m. Several species of mammals, numerous birds (including the very rare megapode), a variety of reptiles and amphibians and hundreds of species of insects can be found on Pulau Tiga making it truly wild tropical island.

Package

Departure Time: 5.45pm (don’t be late)

From: Sutera Harbour Marina

Includes: 1 night dive

Price: RM 80

Other Fees: Park fees (RM20 Malaysian or RM50 Non-Malaysian), torch rental at RM30 (unless you want to swim in pitch blackness, but that’s not so much fun)

Overnight Package
Departure Time: 7.30am (don’t be late)

From: Jessleton Point

Includes: return boat transfers, 4 guided boat dives, accommodation in a twin-share standard room (bathroom, aircon, fan), meals (buffet lunch, dinner, breakfast, lunch, tea & coffee & non-alcoholic beverages), guided walk to volcanic mud baths, boat trip to Snake Island, park fees.

Price: RM 517 per person sharing

Other Fees: None! (but if you’re drinking alcohol, that’s gonna cost you).

How To Get There
Pulau Tiga is located about 10 km (6 miles) offshore of Sabah near Kuala Penyu town on the tip of the Klias Peninsula. If you are in Kota Kinabalu, it will take about 90 minutes by road followed by a 20-30 minutes powerboat trip from town (a sub-district of Kuala Penyu) to the island and its marine park. If you are in Labuan, you can take the ferry to Menumbok and then the speedboat to Pulau Tiga. Alternatively, you can also charter a speedboat from Kota Kinabalu or Labuan.

Daily Standard Boat Transfer Schedule
Kuala Penyu to Pulau Tiga Resort: 1000 hrs ; 1500 hrs
Pulau Tiga Resort to Kuala Penyu: 0900 hrs ; 1400 hrs

Links
http://www.impressions.com.my/pulau3/3main.htm
http://www.peregrineadventures.com/South-East-Asia/Trip/Overview.html?trip=Pulau%20Tiga%20Escape&tripid=2908&bhcp=1
http://www.cuti.com.my/tour/info.php?id=1692
http://www.visit-malaysia.com/sabah-wet-tour/survival-island.htm
http://www.pulau-tiga.com
http://www.go2borneo.com/tour.php?browse=product&pid=7
http://www.etawau.com/Island/PulauTiga.htm