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Pulau Tiga Marine Park - Survivor Island
of Borneo
 The
Pulau Tiga Marine National Park has soared to world fame as 'Survivor Island' because of the
popular Million Dollar
Prize Money TV series 'Survivor' by the CBS TV network, USA. This is the
exact island that the entire first series was filmed! The fact that
this island was chosen was due to its untouched natural landscape and marine
life.
Located 48 km south
of Kota Kinabalu and the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, Pulau Tiga Park is reached by driving
the 140 km to Kuala Penyu, a small settlement on
the tip of the Klias Peninsula. From here it is another 18 km, or about 30 minutes,
by
boat. Another way of getting there is by chartering
a speed boat from Kota Kinabalu and cruise to Pulau Tiga, or fly to Labuan
Island and charter a speed boat from Labuan.
The Pulau Tiga Park
covers an area of 15,864 ha and was gazetted as a National Park in 1978. As
far back as 1933, the main island, together with the two smaller islands of
Kalampunian Besar and Kalampunian Damit were designated as Forest Reserve.
Survivor television
series:
  Richard
Hatch. After 39 days of hard island living, the 39-year old corporate
trainer from Newport, Rhode Island, emerged as the "Survivor". For his troubles and
toils, he takes home a million dollars, not to mention a Pontiac Aztek.
Viewers may recall Rich's prediction on Day 1 on the island: "I've got the
million-dollar check written in my name."
Facilities:
 The
Park Headquarters is situated in an open grassy clearing just behind the
beach on the southern side of Pulau Tiga and consists of office, staff quarters
and a resthouse for visiting scientists. A network of trails, marked
at 50 meter intervals, leads to various points of interest. The island
was initially developed jointly by the Sabah Parks Trustees and the
Sabah branch of the University Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) as a marine
research centre, but now there is also a new resort called "Pulau Tiga Resort," run by a
private enterprise with chalets, diving and watersports facilities. For
day trips, Pulau Tiga has excellent facilities for BBQ and sun bathing with
complete shelter and toilet facilities. You will need to pre-arrange your food and beverages with Pulau Tiga Resort as they only service
in-house guest.
Other Islands
 There
are two more islands in the Pulau Tiga Park, approximately 20 minutes
by boat to the north of the main island, Pulau Tiga. They are very different. Kalmpunian Besar is
a small sand cay built up from unconsolidated coral fragments, and the shape
of the island shifts and changes with the prevailing monsoon winds and
currents. Kalampunian Damit (also known as "Snake Island") is celebrated as a
breeding ground for the amphibious sea snake Laticauda colubrina, which
comes to the shores to lay eggs. The snakes can usually be
seen coiled in a tangled mass under boulders or among tree roots.
 |
Destination: |
Pulau
Tiga - Survivor Island |
| Accommodation: |
Yes |
 |
|
Transport: |
Speed Boat from
Kuala Penyu or Kota Kinabalu |
|
| Tour
Operators: |
Yes |
|
|
Guided
Tour: |
Yes |
| Best
Time to Visit: |
Mar to Sep |
|
Length
of Visit: |
2
days 1 night |
| Clothing: |
Swim & Out
Door Gear |
|
Tour
Type: |
Nature
& Wildlife |
|
Other
Areas to Visit: |
Klias Wetlands |
| Beaufort Town |
| Padas
White Water Rafting |
| Tenom Orchid Farm |
|
Photo
Credits: |
Sipadan Dive
Centre |
|
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