Pulau Tenggol Island is about 1 hour by speedboat from Kuala Dungun (a small coastal town 60km from Kuala Terengganu and 145km from Kuantan, Pahang). Pulau Tenggol Island, 17km off the coast of Kuala Dungun lies the small rocky island.
An island visited mostly by fishermen, picnickers and naturalists, it possesses a variety of plants and animals, particularly reptiles. The waters are among the deepest in east coast Peninsular Malaysia with most dive sites bottoming out at 30 meters. Large rocky outcrops and the boulder-like terrain dominate the seascape.
The western part of the Pulau Tenggol Island - with its secluded white beaches backed by steeply forested cliffs - is a pleasant retreat for swimming, diving, quiet strolls and lazing on the beach. Pulau Tenggol Island lies not far from the East Coast mainland, and is an exceptional site to the few who have dived here.
The reason is Pulau Tenggol Island offers the experienced diver over 20 dive sites and the thrill of wall diving. Six island form the Pulau Tenggol Island archipelago, protected by a marine park status and consisting of Pulau Nyireh Island, Tokong Burung, Tokong Talang, Tokong Laut, Tokong Timur and Pulau Tenggol Island, which is the largest and only inhabited island.
Due to its distance from the main land, Pulau Tenggol Island is rewarded with clear and nutrient rich water from the South China Sea, accounting for the diversity of the marine life.
Departure point to Pulau Tenggol Island is via Kuala Dungun, a buzzing fishing port at the mouth of the river where a constant stream of vessels head to far-off fishing grounds or returning to tie up on the jetties to off load the latest catch.
Navigating the river mouth of the river mouth is only possible during high tide and getting the timing wrong may mean a few hours wait or transferring to the dive boat via small water taxis. The journey to Pulau Tenggol Island takes about 1 hour. Accommodation on Pulau Tenggol Island ranges from the very basic dormitory style wooden A-frame huts to comfortable and private individual chalets with air-conditioning. Food, mostly traditional Malay home cooking is served on verandas overlooking the well-sheltered bay.
It is not uncommon to be entertained by the resident monkey population, which does not seem to mind to mingle with the diners. However, visitors are advised to stay well clear of the beach, especially at dusk, as sand flies make it their calling to pester the unwary. The underwater topography of the Pulau Tenggol Island group varies from shallow reefs to
deep rocky outcrops and sea mounts, extensions of the islands terrain beneath the surface of the surrounding waters, all richly covered with coral life, creating dramatic visual effects.
