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Pulau Tiga National Park, Sabah |
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The Pulau Tiga Park comprises of three islands - Pulau Tiga, Pulau Kalampunian Besar and Pulau Kalampunian Damit, which situated in the Kimanis Bay, 48 km off the west coast of Sabah. Gazetted as a National Park in 1978, it covers approximately 15,257 hectares of sea and underwater habitat including the tree islands. The lush forest serves as a soothing green backdrop, together with white sandy beaches and the clear unpolluted waters of the coral fringed seas.
The best time to visit the islands is between February and April when it is drier and the seas are calm. A rest house is available with two rooms. Visitors are advised to bring their own food and camping equipment. Permission to camp must be obtained from the Ranger-In-Charge at the Sabah Parks.
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Flora and Fauna |
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The undisturbed shoreline abounds with a variety of plants like Barringtonia Asiatica, which can be easily distinguished with its delicate white flowers and pink stamen-like filaments. There are also Callophylum, Termanilia catappa, Ranggu, Keruing, Casuarina and Ardisia, a small bushy tree with clusters of tiny pink flowers. One very important tree is the Hibiscus tiliaceus, a tree with bright yellow flowers whose fibrous bark is used for ropes and caulk boats. It is also a source of timber, firewood and medicine.
The variety of birds found here includes fish-eating frigate birds, which settles on Pulau Kalampunian, Damit and the unusual looking megapode. Hornbills, night jars, magpies, bulbuls, the brilliantly coloured and fast-moving sunbirds and black-naped bridled terns also inhabit the island. Long-tailed macaques are easily seen between the foliage while bats sleeping 'upside-down' from the trees wait for night time before embarking on their nocturnal food hunting expedition.
Reptiles include the grey-tailed racer and the beautiful yellow-ringed cat snake, making it the island with a large population of sea snakes. There are also numerous water monitor lizards preying on the megapode eggs. The 'homeless' hermit crab can also be seen moving into shells, having been abandoned by sea snails or other mollusks.
A 7-km coral reef around the island is home to some 35 general species and 98 species of hard coral and their accompanying 'guests' - the brightly coloured fish and other marine life.
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Planning an Itinerary |
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The island consists of three low hills that were formed when volcanoes of mineral-rich mud spewed out of the ground. Since the last explosion in 1941, the volcanoes have remained passive, leaving the island relatively serene. Coral fragments from the encircling reef make up the fine sand of its clean white beaches, while the lush green forest is reflected in the emerald depths of the crystal clear sea.
The island is a sanctuary for the megapode megapodus freycinet, a curious chicken-like creature that produces a cat-like meow sound.
Trails winding through the undisturbed forest are worthwhile exploring if you wish to glean something of its flora and fauna. With a rest house and hostel facilities catering to a maximum of 20 people at one time, the island is ideal for overnight stays.
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| Click here to check out more at Sabah's interesting destinations |
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Getting there |
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From Kota Kinabalu, drive 140 km south to Kuala Penyu at the Klias Peninsula, then board a boat to the islands. The islands are 18 km away and about 45 minutes by boat. Some tour agents also organise tours and ferry services to the islands. |
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Best time to go |
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February – October
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(Click the map to enlarge) |
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