Tiny, uninhabited Pulau Tiga off the coast of Sabah, Borneo was barely a dot on a map before being chosen as the setting for the first season of the Survivor reality show in June 2000. Despite its Hollywood past, Pulau Tiga remains an off-the-path destination; very few tourists visit the island each year.
Although Pulau Tiga covers only eight square miles, the island is a refuge of natural beauty and home to several endangered species. Over a decade has passed since the island was part of a pop culture phenomenon. Fortunately, Pulau Tiga remains open for anyone in need of a quick escape from the mainland.
Pulau Tiga National Park
The Pulau Tiga National Park covers 98 square miles of ocean and includes three islands: Pulau Tiga, Pulau Kalampunian Besar and Pulau Kalampunian Damit. Protected water and shallow reefs make for some excellent snorkeling and diving within the marine park.
Pulau Tiga National Park receives far less attention and fewer tourists than the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park situated closer to Kota Kinabalu.
Sabah Parks maintains an office on Pulau Tiga with a full-time staff available. Visit their office to learn more about rare plants and animals that can be seen within the park.
Snake Island
Pulau Kalampunian Damit is called Pulau Ular (Snake Island) by locals because of the frightening number of banded sea snakes using the big rock as a mating location. Moving gracefully through the water, banded sea snakes are many times more poisonous than cobras; a bite will kill an adult in less than five minutes. Fortunately, banded sea snakes have very small fangs and rarely bite humans unless molested.
Trips to Snake Island can be easily arranged from Pulau Tiga.
Things to Do on Pulau Tiga
- Mud Volcanoes: Aside from the obvious draw of serene island life and convenient isolation, Pulau Tiga's mud volcanoes are a fun attraction. Gray, therapeutic mud bubbles out of the volcanoes; tourists slather themselves from head to toe before going for a dip.
- Hiking: Around seven miles of hiking trails crisscross the island interior, providing access to protected flora and fauna. Several endangered species of birds including hornbills, sea eagles and megapodes call the island home. Even extremely endangered proboscis monkeys sometimes make appearances.
- Diving: Warm water and protected coral reefs just offshore attract sea turtles, bamboo sharks and colorful nudibranches. One dive shop on the island offers PADI courses and dive packages; reefs at 20 meters allow for extra-long dives and more time to enjoy marine life. Banded sea snakes are seen on nearly every dive.
Staying on Pulau Tiga
Pulau Tiga has only one option for accommodation: Pulau Tiga Resort. A new operation known as the Borneo Survivor Resort opened, but was closed through much of 2010.
The Pulau Tiga Resort has triple-occupancy rooms in two longhouses for budget travelers, as well as more luxurious rooms in chalets with hot showers. Transportation from Kota Kinabalu can be arranged in advance. Contact Pulau Tiga Resort: www.sdclodges.com or call +60 88-240584.
Pulau Tiga has facilities for camping; contact the Sabah Parks office (+60 88-211881) for permission.
Getting to Pulau Tiga
Pulau Tiga is typically reached via Kuala Penyu on the Klias Peninsula -- around two hours south of Kota Kinabalu. After taking a bus or private car to Kuala Penyu, you must negotiate a 30-minute speedboat ride to Pulau Tiga.
A pricier-but-enjoyable alternative to going overland is to charter a boat cruise from Kota Kinabalu or Labuan Island.