Three Cheers!

Imagine an island that looks pretty much like any other island, surrounded by vast, azure-like waters that go on for miles and miles. Now imagine this island being secluded, with an almost mystical and magical characteristic, and you just might find yourself on Pulau Tiga or "The Island of Three", in Sabah.

The island remained low-key until it was chosen as the setting for the very first series of the TV show Survivor. With contestants battling it out by way of wit and strategy to remain the sole survivor and thus winning US$1 million, the show had an enormous following.

Pulau Tiga was chosen for its untouched natural landscape and its diverse marine life. This pristine beauty was formed by several massive mud volcano eruptions that began its "mission" in 1897. The eruptions started when an earthquake occurred on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines, which in turn triggered the eruptions.

Several minor eruptions occurred over four decades, which moulded and shaped the island to its beautiful and scenic appearance we see today. The final eruption was in 1941, and although it has been pretty dormant since then, steady geothermal activities still continue to this day.

The oozing of warm volcanic mud on the island, which is packed with natural minerals, is said to have healing properties for the skin, and also provides overall rejuvenation for the tired body and mind.

Because of Pulau Tiga's unique creation, the island has a distinctive anthology of flora and fauna that is only native to the island. The unexplored and uninhabited jungle creates an interesting contrast to its surrounding clear waters.

Located just 48 kilometers south of Kota Kinabalu, the island was gazetted as a National Park in 1978, and has been known since then as the Pulau Tiga Marine National Park. It is home to many interesting species of animals such as the proboscis and macaque monkeys, flying foxes, bats, sharks, monitor lizards, varieties of birds such as the megapodes, hornbills, sea eagles and more than 130 species of fish.

Besides the main island of Pulau Tiga, there are two other rather interesting islands nearby, namely Kalampunian Besar and Kalampunian Damit, the latter is known as a breeding ground for the amphibious sea snake Laticauda colubrine, which lays its eggs on the shores of the island.

This clearly explains how the nickname "Snake Island" came about. This type of sea snake, known as the yellow-lipped sea krait, is twice as poisonous as the deadly King Cobra and is capable of killing a human with its venom in five minutes.

Visitors should make prior arrangements with the resort so that a guide can be provided for the trip. Although the thought of getting close to the amphibious snakes may be too close for comfort for some, surprisingly these snakes are quite timid creatures that have the habit of scampering away when approached.

On the other hand, Kalampunian Besar is a small sand bay, built up of unconsolidated coral fragments, which tends to shift and change accordingly due to the prevailing monsoon winds and currents, which occur in these parts of Sabah almost all year round.

The only operating resort on the main island is the Pulau Tiga Resort. Set amidst the beautiful natural landscape, Pulau Tiga Resort offers travellers a chance to experience nature at its very best. Stressing on comfort and hospitality, the Pulau Tiga Resort guarantees travellers a fun-filled holiday that will be remembered always.

The resort is a popular spot among avid divers and underwater photographers who frequent the nine dive sites around the island. The best time to dive is from March to October. The more popular sites include Dunlop Shoal, Larai-Larai and the Light House. The average diving depth here is 10 metres while the maximum depth is 25 metres. Many who frequent the island will boast of regular sightings of lobsters, stingrays as well as various species of soft whip corals in an array of fascinating colours.

But those who'd rather have their dosage of fun on land can opt to partake in the many exciting, adventurous and not to mention romantic excursions that the resort would gladly arrange. Take a stroll through several networks of trails, which lead to various points of significance on the island, including the Pagong and Tagi beaches, which were the actual site locations for the filming of Survivor. Certainly a delightful treat for the avid fan!

Bird watching is also a favourite past-time among nature lovers who visit Pulau Tiga. Watching flying foxes against the beautiful dusk skies can be an unforgettable experience! Black and white pied hornbills, megapodes and sea eagles dominate the evening sky to demonstrate their incomparable flight skills; watch closely at how these creatures hunt for food in its most natural surroundings.

At the Pulau Tiga resort, you have a choice in accommodation. Large deluxe chalets provide a comfortable stay for a family of four, while the twin-sharing cabins are ideal for couples. Enjoy the outdoors from your veranda by sipping on a cool drink, just watching the sunset fade over the horizon with a loved one. But for those on a budget, you can always opt to spend your holiday in the comfortable longhouses, specially made for the budget traveller in mind.

An island just waiting to be explored, Pulau Tiga beckons those who thrive on an adventure-filled holiday, amongst nature in all its glory. Take on the challenge and see if you've got what it takes to survive Pulau Tiga.

GETTING THERE

Make your way to Kota Kinabalu, the state capital of Sabah, and continue from there to Kuala Penyu, located on the tip of the Klias Peninsula. The journey takes about two hours and one can enjoy a scenic rural view. From Kuala Penyu it's a 30-minute boat ride to Pulau Tiga Resort. To ensure availability of accommodation, visitors are urged to make prior bookings. Contact Pulau Tiga Resort at:

Pulau Tiga Resort Sdn.Bhd.
Mailbox A236, A1103, 11th Floor,
Wisma Merdeka, Jalan Tun Razak,
88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Tel: +6088 240584
Fax: +6088 240415
www.pulau-tiga.com
Email: pultiga@tm.net.my
sipadan@po.jaring.my