"The local village continues to eke out a living off the seas and a few of the younger generation opt to work at the nearby resorts for a steadier income and a change of lifestyle. The villagers have kelongs out in the bay where they now rear fish and prawns and a few kelongs are used as a fishing retreat where keen recreational fishermen spend their weekends fishing and bonding with fellow 'inmates' on the platform. There are simple accommodation on these kelongs for rent."
The lush tropical vegetation and endless stretches of clean golden beaches characterise the Sibu archipelago of islands. The
group consists of Pulau Sibu Besar, Pulau Sibu Tengah,Pulau Sibu Hujung, Pulau Kukus, and Pulau Tinggi,
12 kilometres off the east coast. The Sibu Archipelago lies only 30 minutes from the east coast of peninsular Malaysia. There are clear blue waters and offshore coral reefs. The islands are accessible from the
Tanjung Leman jetty,60 km from
Mersing. The archipelago is rich in natural beauty and sea turtles crawl ashore here in July to lay their eggs. It is hard to think that this peaceful area was once the site of a Vietnamese refugee camp.
Most of these islands continue to be uninhabited but, luckily, on Pulau Sibu Besar, various resorts have opened their doors, providing a tropical escape for those needing a break from city life.
The islands abound with water sports activities such as snorkelling, windsurfing, sailing, kayaking.
An beautiful option is a visit to the nearby kelong, where anchovies are caught or head for the villages on the island of Sibu Besar to see how the natives live.
The villagers have kelongs out in the bay where they now rear anchovies and prawns. A few kelongs are used as a fishing retreat. Keen recreational fishermen spend their weekends fishing and bonding with fellow 'inmates' on the platform.
There are simple accommodation on these kelongs, which are for rent.
For some adventure, hike through the jungle trails leading to unspoilt mangrove swamps. Sibu Besar is approximately 6 km long and 1 km wide.
The lush tropical vegetation of Sibu is perfect for a bit of jungle trekking. While you won’t need serious equipment to brave the 15-20 minute walks that take you from one resort to another, a good insect repellent is a must.
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photo: Tourism Malaysia
There are several resorts on the island of Sibu Besar and you can walk from one resort to the other by jungle trekking.
The main stretch of beach has 4 beach resorts of varying budgets and preferences. Sea Gypsy Village Resort, is a favourite with Singaporean expatriate families.
It's so popular, that they started up a kid's centre, where activities are set up for children. Their parents are left alone and they can spend their time elsewhere in the blue waters.
Another famous on the island of Sibu is the Sibu Island Resort. It's a resort with high standards.
Sibu Island Resort is one of the island resort of International standard with tropical rain forest surroundings and undisturbed beaches.
The panoramic sea views, the coral reefs and the white sandy beaches make Sibu a special place, where the only risk is to fall in love with the idyllic island life.
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It's surprising that Sibu has retained much of its natural beauty and tranquillity. On the Southern end of the island is a small fishing village with a population of less than a hundred people. The local village continues to take out a living off the seas and a few of the
younger generation are working at the nearby resorts for a steadier income and a change of lifestyle.
the beach
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Soon there will be a Dugong sanctuary at Pulau Sibu. The sanctuary will provide a safe haven for the dugong and protect its seagrass habitats. The population of these marine mammals have been on the decline for some time due to sea water pollution that caused damage to seagras, which is the primary source of food for the marine life.
There are only about 100 dugongs left in Malaysia! You usually find the dugongs in shallow waters, near the seagrass beds. About 40 to 50 dugongs are said to be left around the east coast of Kota Tinggi, Mersing, Pulau Sibu, and Pulau Tinggi in Johor. The remaining number of dugongs were recorded in Lawas and Brunei Bay in Sarawak and also off the east coast in Sabah. To rub salt into wounds, an average of three to five dugong deaths are reported each year. Isn't it sad?
How to Get There
The journey by road takes approximately 90 minutes from
Johor Bahru to the new ferry terminal at Tanjung Leman. From Kuala Lumpur the drive would be about 5
hours. The boat trip takes about 20 minutes by speedboats. Ferries and bumboats are available.Boat departures can be arranged at any time upon request
Easy Booking Boat and Bustickets Online to Sibu:
By booking at this non commercial site, you'll keep this site alive!
Sari Pacifica Resort & Spa, Sibu Johor
Surrounded by lush tropical forest, this property is nestled in the island of Sibu. A beautiful and well-preserved ecosystem, these strings of islands form the Johor Marine Park. Sari Pacifica Resort & Spa, Sibu Johor features a private bay, golden sandy beach, and a picturesque view of Tinggi Island. Indeed a tranquil and peaceful place of stay, Sari Pacifica Resort & Spa, Sibu Johor also boasts a perfect blend of modern facilities, contemporary fabrics, and tropical setting. A refreshing and luxurious lodge, they offer exclusive facilities like a spa, dive and sport facilities, international kitchen, ferry service, snorkeling and scuba diving, jungle trekking, beach volleyball, fishing, marine park and island hopping.
By booking at this non commercial site, you'll keep this site alive!
Sibu Island Resort
Brilliantly located in a private corner of the South China Sea, guests are just one step away from exploring the seven hidden islets around the island and the three beautiful beaches. Surrounded by lush green gardens are the 121 chalets, Sibu Island Resort features modern amenities to assure you a blissful time. While you stay, you can’t miss the enjoyment some of the activities like wind surfing, banana boat rides, cruising, canoeing, jungle-trekking, and bird-watching. To tantalize your taste buds, visit The Selayar Restaurant and the open-terrace Lumba Lumba Coffee House on-site, or simply enjoy barbequing by the beach. After all the adventure and exploring, get yourself pampered at Holistic Spa, offering guest with numerous treatments and packages. Experience heaven on earth while staying at Sibu Island Resort.