The six Tenggol islands are part of Terengganu’s marine park system, and in 2002, had the distinction of being named as the best place to dive in Peninsular Malaysia, by Asian Diver Magazine. Just about 3 kilometers long and 2 kilometers wide, the main island features magnificent cliff faces that continue beneath the blue water that surrounds it. The rest of the smaller islands are equally splendid, offering endless opportunities for recreation both above and below the surface. While there are plenty of great dives in the area, some deserve to be highlighted. Here are seven to enjoy.
Coral Garden
Just as beautiful as its name promises it will be, the Coral Garden is a fantastic site for photography. Although maximum depth here is about 35 meters, the majority of the site’s features are at 10-15 meters. With pristine hard and soft coral, plus a variety of colorful sponges in intriguing shapes, lovely sea anemones and splendid Christmas Tree Worms acting as a backdrop, this amazing site is home to butterflyfish and parrotfish, all kinds of wrasse and anthias, plus snappers and even some large groupers. Visibility is normally between 15 and 20 meters, and the site is suitable for all levels.
Batu Chachang
With maximum depth at 35 meters, and a high concentration of large pelagic fish, this amazing site features rocky outcroppings blanketed in hard and soft coral that creates a fantastic aquarium-like setting. Look for jacks and trevally, schools of fusiliers and tuna, humphead wrasse, and long, sleek barracudas. The site is also well-known for its frequent eagle ray sightings. There is a current which provides for a drift, making the site best for divers with some experience.
Tokong Burung
Home to big bumphead parrotfish and schooling barracudas, jacks, and tuna, plus fusiliers and titan triggerfish, Tokong Burung is also known as Nudibranch Heaven, for the splendid variety of nudibranchs which can be found on the rocks and walls here. Maximum depth is 35 meters, and there is quite a bit of current at times. Best for intermediate divers and above, Tokong Burung is a great place to encounter hawksbill turtles and blue-spotted fantail rays. Watch for sharks, too!
Tokong Laut
Also known as The Highway, in honor of the schooling pelagics that can be seen rushing past as they go from one feeding ground to another, Tokong Laut is subject to a very swift current and is suitable for experienced divers only. With maximum depth at 35 meters, it is an excellent place to encounter barracuda and tuna, kingfish, batfish, fusiliers, and the occasional shark. The topography is fun to explore when the current is down – there are swimthroughs and tunnels that wind their way through the massive boulders that delineate the site. Although rare, whale sharks and manta rays have been seen in the area. Keep your eyes open!
Tokong Talang
An excellent site for newer divers, and fun for those with experience as well, Tokong Talang features depths between 15 and 27 meters, and is home to a splendid array of marine life, large and small. Watch for huge moray eels and colorful nudibranchs and flatworms, butterfly fish, triggerfish, and six-banded angelfish, iridescent painted spiny lobsters, and lots of scorpionfish. In addition, you may be lucky enough to encounter a turtle or a few blue-spotted rays, as the terrain is varied, with huge rugged rocks and open patches of clean white sand, plus some truly splendid coral formations.
Teluk Rajawali
Also known as Northeastern Bay, Teluk Rajawali is a very colorful site which is also well-known for its whale shark and manta ray sightings. Eagle rays are commonly encountered here too, along with blue-spotted rays and a variety of tropical fish, including a few different species of angelfish. With lovely rocks coated in a lush tapestry of colorful coral and sponges, gorgeous anemones and a whole host of other tiny creatures, it offers maximum depth at 30 meters and does have a light current. Northeastern Bay is suitable for Advanced Open Water divers and up.
The Kuantan Wreck
One of those rare wrecks which is suitable even for novices to explore with ease, the Kuantan Wreck is lying on her port side, beneath 23 meters of water. Her starboard gunwale is accessible at a depth of 14 meters, and a beautiful coral garden has sprung up on and around the old oil tanker.
Approximately eighty meters long, and with a beam of just over 10 meters, the old ship still has her huge propeller, and is home to a splendid array of marine life. Look for groupers and moray eels, schooling fusiliers and snappers, batfish, and scorpionfish, as well as the turtles which sometimes nap inside the wreck. Watch for different species of angelfish, and keep an eye out for guitar sharks, giant stingrays, and leopard sharks in the sand around the wreck. This is a popular site with local fishermen, so watch out for nets and fish traps, as well as lost hooks and snagged fishing lines. Penetration is possible, however it is not advised as the wreck is beginning to decay and entrapment is a real possibility.
The best time to visit the Tenggol Islands is generally between October and May, which is the dry season. During the rainy season, visibility can deteriorate rapidly and the currents, which are present all year, can be even stronger. Between November and January, sites on the east coast are not worth diving, so be sure to factor that information in to your decision about when to visit. With lovely accommodations available at resorts and on liveaboards, the Tenggol Islands are a fantastic place to visit. During the high season, it can be a challenge to find a place to stay on short notice, so remember to plan well in advance. Last but not least, remember to take only photos and leave only bubbles. This fragile environment is a treasure which must be preserved for all to enjoy in the future.