Located in the waters of the South China Sea is where one would encounter the idyllic island of Tenggol. The island is set against a beautiful green-forested jungle where wildlife thrives and awaits human exploration while white powdery beaches beckons travellers into its calm waters. With over 15 intriguing dive sites to choose from, every diver from any level and varied interest can dive to their hearts content here. Favourite dives include Tanjung Api, Tokong Timur, Tokong Laut, Tanjong Gemuk, and Pulau Nyireh. Average Diving depths around Tenggol is about 21 metres whereas the maximum depth is about 35 metres.  The best time to dive at Tenggol is from April to early October where you can expect calmer waters and good weather conditions. Calm and colourful coral gardens with a society of colourful marine life such as whale sharks, bumphead parrotfish, turtles, yellowtail fusilier, nudibranchs, giant clams, stingrays and batfishes. During the months of March till May however, manta rays can also be spotted in the vicinity. The more skilled divers can opt to go for dives in farther, more challenging sites such as the aptly named 'Fishbowl' and 'The Highway', where strong currents, deeper waters and pelagic reign. Although there are 3 resorts in operation on the island, only one resort opens for the entire dive season, whereas the rest only operate on scheduled booking / chartered basis.

Dive Site

Telok Air Tawar

The house reef slopes off to the sand, where there is a colony of garden eels, at 25m(82ft). Snapper, Puffer fish, fusilier, Wrasse, moray eels, commonly found off the slopes by the reef area 10m(33ft). There is a Thai fishing trawler intentionally sank at the 25m to add more excitement for novices and intermediate level. Penetration is not advisable but large grouper are regularly found swimming and resident of the wreck

 

Tokong Laut

Normally a site for advanced divers, but generally calm with surface currents but can be choppy on the surface .Stay close to the wall during strong underwater currents . The site consists of a wall, which goes down to 30m (100ft), and at its bottom there are huge boulders on the sand. Good coverage of soft encrusting and stony corals, sponges and Christmas-tree worms. On the sand are fan worms, moray eels, Marble Rays and Nudibranchs. Keep an eye on the open blue sea; if you’re lucky a Manta or Whale Shark may just be around the corner.

 

Tokong Burung

This dive is suitable for all divers of all levels but novices need to be accompanied by a dive master. Generally calm on the surface and deepwater current, but it can be choppy on the surface sometimes. Drift dives can be made if the current persists. Large boulders covered with colourful soft coral are present on the sandy bottom. Various species of Snapper, fusiliers and batfish are regularly sighted. Sea anemone and sponges are in abundance. Watch-out for strong currents.

Rajawali Reef

Common Sighting
Napoleon, Tuna and Eagle Ray, Whale Shark and Manta Ray – In March, April, August and September (If lucky)

Good for novices and snorkelling enthusiasts. Large boulders with colourful soft corals everywhere, during the dive watch out for Giant clams, and turtles are commonly found here. There are lot of macro and close-up activities for avid photographers who wish to capture images. Fishes here includes angelfish and butterfly fishes, triggerfish, parrotfish, batfish and wrasse, with snapper and soldier fish hiding in the small caves and under overhangs.

 

Tanjung Api

Common Sighting
Napoleon, Tuna and Eagle Ray

Good Diving during strong current .There are many large boulder outcrops
on the sand at 25m (82ft). The boulders are fully covered in stony corals with Christmas tree Worms, feather stars, sponges and nubibranch, colourful soft coral, encrusting coral and sea anemones. On the sand are moray eels, lizardfish, lion fish, scorpion fish, stonefish, Blue-spotted Rays, stingrays, sea cucumber, sea star (including Crown of Thorns starfish) sea urchin and fan worms.

 

Coral Garden

Common Sighting
Yellow Tail Barracuda, Eagle Ray and Reef fishes

Abundance of colourful soft coral and many large boulders outcrop on the sandy bottom. Various species of groupers, fusilier, wrasse, nudibranch are usually found here. You may experience drift dives in certain areas. Snorkelling is possible near the shore. Current patterns are at times unpredictable especially near the edge of Tanjung Api (light house area towards northeast). On the bottom itself are lizardfish, gobies, sea star, sea cucumber and sea urchin.

Tokong Timur

Common Sighting
Barracuda, Jack, Eagle Ray Whale Shark – In March, April, August and September (If lucky)

Located east of Tenggol and considered one of the best dive sites only when you dive during high tide and strong current. Drift dives are recommended provided you stay close to the wall when approaching a left or right turn to avoid being drifted toward open sea. Rich of marine life- Bumphead parrot fish Baracudda, Marble Rays, Tuna, and big schools of fusilier. Big trigger fish are in abundance here as well, although it is advisable to steer clear of them mating season. Multilevel Diving is highly advised.

Tanjung Gemuk

Common Sighting
Jack, Tuna and Eagle Ray, Whale Shark and Manta Ray – In March and April (If lucky)

Best dive site in the area because it is teeming with a large concentration of fishes. Usually calm with strong currents along the coast. A dive master should accompany novices. The fishes and fauna are the main attraction here. There are schools of jacks, trevallies, snapper,
Tuna and Bumphead Parrot fish. Below on the ocean floor are lionfish, stonefish, scorpion fish, moray eels and stingrays, and on the high point one can see feathers star spreading out in the currents. Drift dive possible if current permits.

Gua Rajawali

Good for novices and beginners. Usually calm and is ideal for snorkelling enthusiasts for it is filled with large boulders and colourful of soft coral, and sea anemones. Christmas-tree worm and various type of small sea fans are also in abundance here.

 

Tokong Talang

Common Sighting
Jacks, Barracudas and Reef Fishe

The dive site is suitable for all levels of divers provided if novices are accompanied by a dive master. When current permits, you can go on a drift dive and cover half of the area in Tokong Talang. Among the fishes found here include schools of Barracuda and many other species of Jacks, Fusilier and Snapper plus large tuna, and a large concentration of groupers. Commonly seen are moray eels, and blue spotted stingray. Alternatively, you could either circle Tokong Talang or concentrate on the south side of Tokong Burong

Tanjung Sarang Lang

Very common area for drift dives, with large boulders and soft corals, sea anemone, and sea whips covering the boulders. Scorpionfish, stone fish and nudibranch are local residents among the boulders. Lobsters are commonly seen under the crevices. Novices are to be accompanied by dive master during drift dives.