MY · Sabah · 5.72°N 115.65°E

pulau tiga

A mud volcano to wallow in, a sea-snake islet and the beaches where the first Survivor was filmed.

Best time
March to September generally has calmer seas. Boats still run in the wetter months, but the crossing gets bumpy and the Snake Island stop depends on the weather.
How long
1–2 days
Getting there
Fly from KL to Kota Kinabalu (about 2.5 hours), then drive about 2 hours south-west to the jetty at Kuala Penyu. The boat takes about 30 minutes and only carries people booked on a resort day trip or stay, so book a package with transport from KK.
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MY · Sabahpulau tiga5.72°N 115.65°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,A mud volcano to wallow in, a sea-snake islet and the beaches where the first Survivor was filmed.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingPulau TigaMY, Sabah
KLpulau tiga
≈ 1,574 km from KL, as the crow flies
Walking along the many trails in Tiga Island (Pulau Tiga) in Sabah, Malaysia.

Photo: Dcubillas · CC BY-SA 3.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

Three small islands off Kuala Penyu make up Pulau Tiga Park, best known as the set of the first Survivor series in 2000. On the main island a forest trail leads up to bubbling mud pools you can wallow in, with a beach below to wash it all off. Snake Island next door is where sea kraits come ashore.

Makan

  1. Island lunchLunch comes with the day trip or stay, usually a simple buffet at the resort.Map ↗
  2. The KK waterfront night marketGrilled fish, prawns and sotong at the stalls by the sea, an easy dinner after the drive back.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. The mud volcanoWalk through the forest to the mud pools in the middle of the island, smear yourself in the grey mud, then head down to the beach to rinse off.Map ↗
  2. Snake IslandPulau Kalampunian Damit, where banded sea kraits rest among the rocks. They're venomous, so look and don't touch.Map ↗
  3. The sandspitA strip of sand off Pulau Kalampunian Besar that shifts with the tides. Boat trips often stop here with Snake Island.Map ↗
  4. SnorkellingOff the main beach and around the islets, with monitor lizards and macaques for company back on the sand.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Wear old swimwear for the mud. It stains.
  • Bring a dry bag for the speedboat, and keep your bags zipped on the beach because the macaques know how to open them.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.