Pulau
Tenggol
Pulau Tenggol is about one hour by speedboat from Kuala Dungun (a small
coastal town 145 kilometres north of Kuantan, Pahang). The waters are
among the deepest in east coast Peninsular Malaysia with most dive sites
bottoming out at 30 metres. Large rocky outcrops and the boulder-like
terrain dominate the seascape.
Pulau
Tenggol Bay or Tokong Air Tawar
The well-sheltered bay is excellent for checkout dives and night dives
from the shore. Depth gradually increases down the gentle slope to about
20 metres. Hard corals dominate the terrain with sporadic soft corals
adding a touch of colour to the monochromatic seascape. It is also one
of the favourite sites to locate a diversity of nudibranchs.
Shy garden
eels can be observed towards the right of the bay at about 18 metres
depth on the sandy bottom. Lots of chromis, fusiliers and butterflyfish
inhabit the coral garden. Nocturnal animals include the spanish dancer
(large nudibranch swimming in midwater), moray eels and crabs.
Batu
Tokong Laut
One of the more popular sites for advance divers seeking out schools
of fish. Located in the open sea, the boulder-like terrain features
interesting swim through tunnels and crevices for divers to explore.
Some of the fish sighted include batfish, fusiliers, jacks and kingfish.
Batu
Tokong Kamudi
Extending down to slightly more than 30 metres, the seascape has a good
mix of hard and soft corals. Christmas tree worms carpet the face of
porite mounds. Expect to see lots of sea anemone, nudibranchs, butterflyfish,
wrasses, parrotfish and large snappers.
Getting
There
There is no regular ferry to the island. You have to contact the local
resort operators or any dive centre selling packages to this island.
Travel north of Kuantan until you reach Kuala Dungun, the kick off point
to the island.
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