When planning a trip around Kuala Penyu, different interests come together: the island and marine landscape of Pulau Tiga Park north of the destination, and sago palm crafts in Kampung Kasugira. If you’re looking for hotels in Kuala Penyu, you can first consider whether nature watching in the island area or a cultural experience should shape your stay more. These two highlights offer different reasons to include the surrounding area in your travel plans.

Pulau Tiga: Islands, Reefs, and Sea

Pulau Tiga Park comprises Pulau Tiga, Pulau Kalampunian Besar, and Pulau Kalampunian Damit. The latter is also called Snake Island; the name therefore refers to one of the three islands, not to an additional fourth island. The island group includes coral reefs and sandy beaches. The park covers 158 square kilometers, mostly marine area. This figure refers to the entire park area, not to Pulau Tiga alone. The park was protected in 1978. Pulau Tiga is also home to a mud volcano that continues to emit gases. The park lies opposite the mostly swampy Klias Peninsula: the reefs and sandy beaches of the island group thus contrast with a landscape of a different character.

Wildlife Watching on Pulau Tiga

Wildlife watching also offers different highlights. The banded sea krait is common on Pulau Tiga, particularly on Pulau Kalampunian Damit, or Snake Island. Paradise tree snakes are often spotted along the forest trail on Pulau Tiga. Macaques, monitor lizards, hornbills, frogs and toads, and various butterflies and insects are also often seen there. This means that specific sightings associated with a particular island or trail sit alongside a wider range of wildlife groups. Sightings can vary; frequent observations do not guarantee an encounter on any one visit.

Swimming, Snorkeling, and Diving

Visitors can swim in the waters around the islands; diving and snorkeling are possible over the reefs. You must arrange snorkeling and diving activities in advance through tour or dive operators. Transfers to Pulau Tiga Marine Park must also be booked in advance through a licensed tour operator. According to undated tourism information, there was no regular public boat service to the Marine Park. As transport arrangements may change, confirm transfer arrangements directly with the licensed operator before your trip.

Sago Palm Crafts in Kampung Kasugira

The Rumbia Information Centre in Kampung Kasugira, Kuala Penyu, showcases crafts made from the sago palm. This cultural highlight differs from the island and marine landscape of Pulau Tiga Park: here, the focus is on handicrafts, while there it is on islands, reefs, wildlife watching, and activities in the water. Those interested in both topics will find different points of interest to consider when planning a trip around Kuala Penyu.

Discover more destinations: Kudat, Beaufort, Papar, Ranau, Kota Belud, Kundasang, Tambunan, Kinabatangan

For the main travel overview: Sabah.