day trip pulau sibu

• How to Book
• Private Car To JB
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• Private Car To Malacca
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• Airport Transfer
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• Innova ( 7 Seater )
• Alphard ( 8 Seater )
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• Changi International
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• Travel Guide

Pulau Sibu: Why Choose This Island For Your Next Vacation?

• Pulau Sibu: Why Choose This…

Pulau Sibu (also known as Sibu Island) is an archipelago with collections of pristine islands offering dazzling blue water and golden beaches.

With peacefulness and tranquillity as main attractions, the island itself offers endless freedom and solitude that makes you linger long after you leave.

Despite taking pleasure in exciting water sports, angling activities and jungle trekking, guests get to experience rural livings and learn their culture in close hand.

Pulau Sibu awaits you to its nature beauty and it guarantees a carefree yet appealing travel experience.

Why Stay In Pulau Sibu?

Most of people living in city couldn’t remember how nature looks like. So, our government are struggling hard to build a green city but what could be better if you truly live in a nature paradise? Pulau Sibu can be your first taste of living in a pristine nature.

Also read:  10 Best Haven Islands off Mersing, Johor

In 1993, Pulau Sibu  is nominated as Marine Park as there are numerous colourful and attractive coral reefs offshore. Snorkelling is available to have close moments with sea creatures and the coral reefs. Besides, plenty of water sports activities are available to make your stay fun and interesting.

Photo credits: sibuislandresort.com.my

The island offers no roads and transports. Walk or get a boat if you wish to travel around. Restaurants and shops are nowhere to be found. The island has retained its originality to fullest.

Corporate events can be held on the island along the shore. Private beaches are available for team bonding activities with colleagues. Resorts can arrange these activities for guests.

Pulau Sibu is perfect for wedding and honeymoon too! They have been received many couples coming here for an anniversary trip. Lots of seafront chalets are romantically designed for couples. Better than that, the island offers unlimited secluded areas to give total privacy to the couples.

Also read:  17 Top-Rated Short Trips From Singapore (Best & Cheap Travel Destinations!)

How To Get To Pulau Sibu

Mersing is not the only gateway to Pulau Sibu. Pulau Sibu can be reached from Tanjung Leman located 72km south of Mersing. However, there is no public ferry service available. The resort you’ll be staying will arrange a boat transfer for you. The journey takes 30 minutes and the return tickets cost RM70.

So far, there is no public transport service offered to Tanjung Leman. Public transport will only send you to Kota Tinggi , the nearest town to Tanjung Leman. After that, you need to continue your journey by taxi.

Check out this link if you are taking a flight to Senai Airport and wonder how to get to Tanjung Leman Jetty from Senai Airport .

Now, SGMYTAXI is keen to make your journey smooth and hassle-free. Direct transfer services from any pick-up point are offered by this leading private car company in Singapore.

Their experienced and friendly driver will directly send you to Tanjung Leman safely. You can relax in their comfortable fleets throughout the journey. Booking is available on their website. Click here: Reservation

What To Do In Pulau Sibu

Photo credits: twinbeach.com

For energetic guests, plenty of great activities are offered in Pulau Sibu such as:

• Water sports activities: Snorkelling, scuba-diving, swimming, canoeing, sailing, windsurfing and fishing
• Jungle trekking (Insect repellents are needed)
• Island hopping
• Beach Volleyball

Nudibranch also called sea-slugs

Crinoid also called a feather-star

Clownfish protecting his Anemone

3 foot long adult Star Puffer

Also read:  16 Fun & Memorable Outdoor Activities In Johor

For more relaxing activities, the resort offers:

• Cards and board games
• Small library (Rimba resort)
• Rubber rings (Float on water aimlessly)

Plan a visit to nearby kelong . At the kelong, you can:

• Gain insight into rural daily life
• See how the villagers rear and catch prawns and anchovies

Photo credits: saripacifica.com

Leisurely stroll along the beach is a must on the island. The white fine sands on beach can comforts your feet while you walk. In the evening, watch the stunning sunset over the horizon. Enjoy sunbathing on the beach but you should apply suntan lotion to protect your skin.

Where To Stay In Pulau Sibu

Pulau Sibu offers many exceptional resorts which are maintained to highest standard to welcome guests every year.

Attentive and well-trained staffs are offered to make your stay unforgettable.

Meals are often included in the accommodations fee.

The resort does not open all year round due to monsoon season so kindly check for availability before booking. Resorts on the island include:

1. Rimba Resort

Photo credits: amitravel.my

• Appointed as “Travellers’ Choice 2012” and “Certificate of Excellence” by TripAdvisor
• Offers 21 well-equipped elegant seafront chalets
• Offers over 24 dive sites, training courses for beginner are available
• Spa at Bamboo Bliss offers perfect rejuvenation of body and mind
• Restaurant and Bar are offered
• Opens from annual Chinese New Year to 1 st of December

2. Sari Pacifica Beach Resort & Spa

• Seafront Villa and Garden Villa with luxury and modern amenities
• Meals are included in packages
• Offers Kayu Manis Restaurant and bar
• Sari Dewi Spa offers various treatments and massages
• Ferry & Boat services
• Swimming pool
• Offers scuba-diving and snorkelling activities

3. Sea Gypsy Village Resort & Dive Base

Photo credits: siburesort.com

• Surrounded by tropical vegetation
• Offers elegant and secluded private beach
• Offers a bar that opens all day long
• Clean and comfortable on-stilts chalet with en-suite bathroom
• Kids centre is available to let the parents have special moments together
• Well-equipped dive base

4. Coconut Village Homestay Resort

• Offers beachfront chalets and large bungalow house
• Accommodations cater for 82 people
• Speed boat is offered for water sport activities and boat transfer
• Scuba-diving and fishing
• Astro Telecast services
• Karaoke room, mah-jong, cards and movie
• BBQ sites are available

5. Twin Beach Resort

• 40 well-maintained “Kampung style” chalet that comes with private facilities
• Water sports: Scuba-diving, snorkelling, wind surfing, canoeing
• Beach activities: Beach volleyball, Frisbee and cycling
• Deep sea fishing
• Fun playground with wide open spaces offered to children
• BBQ dinner on beach

When Is The Best Time To Visit Pulau Sibu

Sibu Island has seasonal charm as it is influenced by monsoon season which is from October to March. Thus, avoid visiting Pulau Sibu during monsoon season as the island is susceptible to dangerous high tide. Besides, most of the resorts closed their doors within this period of times.

June to August would be the best times for visit. The weather is excellent and the coast is clear. There are less rainfalls thus water activities are available at most of the times. Overall, the environment is perfect for a summer vacation and you get to enjoy amazing moments on islands to fullest.

Visit Pulau Sibu in July and you get to see group of sea turtles crawling to shore to lay their eggs. However, any actions that disturb the sea turtles or stealing their eggs are strictly prohibited.

Bookings can be made early even during monsoon season.

You Also May Like:

• 15 Best Beach Resorts in Johor You’ll Absolutely Love
• 13 Best Tioman Resort & Hotel  For Perfect Island Getaway
• How To Get To Rawa Island From Singapore (Travel Tips)
• Transport From Singapore To Mersing
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Home » Discovering Pulau Sibu: Things To Do in The Hidden Gem of Malaysia

Discovering Pulau Sibu: Things To Do in The Hidden Gem of Malaysia

One of Peninsular Malaysia‘s most southern east coast islands, Sibu Island , is situated off the coast of Mersing, Johor Bahru. Prior to my trip to Pulau Sibu , I had never heard of Sibu Island. That gave me a sense of adventure and excitement to explore an island that is hardly on a traveller’s list when visiting Malaysia’s East Coast. Secluded, unexplored, rustic — now that’s what I call an island holiday!

Getting to Pulau Sibu

The jetty to Pulau Sibu is located in Tanjung Leman, a 5-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur. There is a secured car park at the jetty for about RM4 a day for the first two days and RM8 a day for subsequent days. Most of the boats leaving the jetty are usually arranged by the resorts with their own boats.

To enter the area of Sibu Island, I was required to pay a ‘Jetty Fee’ of RM5.30, as well as a ‘Johor National Park Conservation Fee’ . Locals pay RM5 for that, and foreigners are required to pay RM20. The ride towards the island can be a little bumpy, so make sure you come prepared with clothes and shoes (or better still, just wear slippers) that you don’t mind getting wet!

The chalets at the Sea Gypsy Village Resort.

All meals are included in the resort package price | Photo Credit: Sea Gypsy Village Resort

Accommodations

There are several types of resort and homestay accommodations located around Pulau Sibu. During my visit, I stayed at the Sea Gypsy Village Resort , a spacious wooden chalet-style resort facing the east side of the island. The resort is all-inclusive with a room, board and transport — which made it fuss-free and convenient. I had all my meals at the resort’s restaurant, which offered an array of cuisines from Western to Asian. I also went over to the bamboo-based Rimba Resort during my stay on the island. It is one of the prettiest beach resorts located towards the island’s north side.

Best Time to Visit Pulau Sibu

The best time to visit the island is from April to September. Most of the resorts on Pulau Sibu and the rest of the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia close for the monsoon season from October to March.

Exploring Sibu Island

Walking the entire length of Pulau Sibu is possible. Most of the resorts are linked to one another either by the beach or by a marked pathway through the jungle. There are also concrete walkways circling the island at some points.

If you’re up for some adventure, take a walk around the island — during my stroll, I visited the Rimba Resort for sun-downers in the evenings, strolled through coconut plantations, climbed volcanic rocks and admired the mangrove swamps.

The small village of Kampung Duku.

Walking through coconut plantations during my stroll around the island.

Kampung Duku: Where t he L ocals L ive

There is only one village on Pulau Sibu, located on the southwest corner of the island. It is called Kampung Duku and is home to about 200 people. Most of the villagers there live in Malay traditional stilt houses and work as fishermen, but tourism now plays a big part in their lives. Make a visit to the village and have a look around.

Everyone’s favourite photo spot is the big ‘Pulau Sibu’ sign, so I took a photo there too! There are also a couple of coffee shops in the central part of the village for you to chill for a cuppa with the locals.

One of the many secluded beaches on Sibu Island.

The colourful volcanic patterns that can be found on the rocks at Sibu Island

An Underwater Paradise

Of course, Pulau Sibu is a paradise for the nature lovers and the underwater explorers. The island has been a protected National Marine Park area since 1993. It is no surprise then to find its waters teeming with beautiful corals and fishes. You can go for some underwater activities such as diving, snorkelling, paddling and swimming.

Unfortunately, during my visit to the island, the seas were rough and I only managed to slot in one dive (with terrible visibility). That kinda put a damper on my holiday, but Pulau Sibu still somehow managed to make up for it.

The famous spot that most resorts will recommend for daily snorkelling is Sibu Coral Garden , which as its name implies, is a coral paradise.

Witnessing the island sunset.

The beautiful view of the beach from my chalet at the Sea Gypsy Resort.

The Island Beaches

For those who prefer spending lazy days on the beach, the beaches on the north and northeast side of the island have long stretches of golden sand that gradually slopes into the sea, making it perfect for swimming.

This part of the island is divided from the southeast side by a series of steep cliffs with rocks of colourful dark red and green patterns . They are formed a long, long time ago by the composition of layers of volcanic ash that ran through flowing lavas – a proof of the once volcanic nature of the island. There are also sea caves and abrupt arches along these cliffs — which of course, are too dangerous to enter or explore.

Boats coming into the island.

The Other Side of the Island

On the other side of Pulau Sibu, especially on the southwest coast– the beaches are sheltered from the winds from the open South China Sea. The sea is so calm on this part of the island that mangrove trees grow abundantly along the shores — which can be seen during the boat ride to the island.

Most of the island’s small wooden jetties are built on this side of the island, and boats from the mainland usually arrive here. There are also homestay resorts here of course, like the Coconut Village Resort — but I much prefer the quieter, more secluded side of the island where I stayed.

Going through the lush forests to get around the island.

Beautiful Pulau Sibu

Pulau Sibu is a relatively less known island on the east coast of Peninsula Malaysia – but that is what makes the island more appealing. It is peaceful and calm, beautiful and breathtaking, and rustic and unexplored. You wouldn’t find as many tourists here as compared to Pulau Tioman or Pulau Perhentian — and that’s why I love it! It is a family island with most resorts providing facilities for children; and for those looking to disconnect from the outside world, the island is secluded enough to offer you the quiet time you need. So on your next holiday, take a trip out to Sibu Island for chill-out and relaxing time away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

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Mynn’s Top 10 Things to Know About a Holiday in Pulau Sibu

One of Peninsular Malaysia ‘s most southern east coast islands, Sibu Island , or Pulau Sibu is situated off the coast of Mersing, Johor Bahru . It is made up of a cluster of islands that consists of Sibu Besar, Sibu Tengah, Sibu Kukus and Sibu Hujung. The main island, Sibu Besar (Big Sibu) is about 6km long and 1km wide. It is mostly covered by jungles and vegetation; with a small fishing village and several resorts scattered around its beaches.

Prior to my trip to Pulau Sibu , I wanted to do some research on interesting things to do around the island, as well as what to expect. However, there’s not much information online about the island except for those on Wikipedia , TripAdvisor , and a couple of the resorts’ websites and hotel booking sites.

Therefore, I decided to come up with a list of things to know about a holiday on Pulau Sibu– the basic information and other things of note. Here’s hoping it helps you with your travel plans to the island!

1. Getting to Pulau Sibu

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The jetty to Pulau Sibu is located in Tanjung Leman ; about a 5 hours drive from Kuala Lumpur , and 3 hours from Singapore . There is a secured car park at the jetty for about RM4 a day for the first two days, and RM8 a day for subsequent days.

Most of the boats leaving the jetty are usually scheduled by the resorts and included in the total price. My boat was scheduled for Pulau Sibu at 2pm; and upon arrival, I approached the counter and checked myself in. I was required to pay a ‘Jetty Fee’ of RM5.30 (US$1.2), as well as a ‘Johor National Park Conservation Fee’ . Locals pay RM5 for that, and foreigners are required to pay RM20 (US$5). I arrived at the Tanjung Leman jetty 2 hours early, so I had lunch at one of the many small Malay stalls in the jetty’s main building while waiting. There is also a KFC outlet at the back.

The boat ride to Pulau Sibu takes about half an hour, but the ride may get bumpy and wet. I didn’t go prepared, so I was soaked through! I was lucky to be in slippers though, as my boat landed on the beach, and I had to jump into the water to get to shore.

2. Accommodations

There are several types of resort and homestay accommodations located around Pulau Sibu . The resorts facing the east side of the island are Sea Gypsy Village Resort and Sari Pacifica Resort . Sea Gypsy is a spacious wooden chalet-style resort, and the dated Sari Pacifica is located within the hills and was undergoing renovations during my visit. The bamboo-based Rimba Resort is one of the prettiest beach resorts on the island, and is located towards the north. On the western side of the island facing the mainland are homestay resorts like Coconut Village ; and other basic chalet resorts like Junansa Resort and the Twin Beach Resort .

Almost all the resorts are all-inclusive with room, board and transport. Alcoholic beverages are not included, but most resorts offer them.

During my visit to the island, I stayed at the Sea Gypsy Village Resort. You can read about my wonderful experience here:- Sea Gypsy Village Resort in Pulau Sibu, Malaysia .

3. Touring the Island

It is possible to walk the entire length of Pulau Sibu . Most of the resorts are linked to one another either by the beach, or by a marked pathway through the jungle. There are also concrete walkways circling the island at some points.

During my visit, I stayed at the Sea Gypsy Village Resort on the northeast side of the island– and made daily walks to different parts of the island. I visited a couple of the other resorts for sun-downers in the evening, walked through a coconut plantation, climbed the volcanic rocks towards the rugged sea caves, and trampled across the island to see the mangrove swamps. There are just so many things to explore around Pulau Sibu.

4. The Village

There is only one village on Pulau Sibu , located on the southwest corner of the island. It is called Kampung Duku , and is home to about 200 people. Most of the villagers of Kampung Duku live in Malay traditional stilt houses and work as fishermen (though tourism now plays a big part too). The main area of the village has a police station, a community hall, a mosque, a clinic and a huge primary school (with 5 teachers to 35 students). There is also a football field in the village where the local children play football in the evenings.

It is possible to visit the village and have a look around. If you’re looking for a big ‘Pulau Sibu’ sign for photos, there is one in the village. There are also a couple of coffee shops in the main part of the village so bring some money and sit down for a cuppa with the locals.

5. Trekking through the Jungles

Pulau Sibu is mostly covered by greenery and vegetation. Some resorts are only accessible via a pathway through the jungle. I arrived on Pulau Sibu on the west side near Coconut Village ; and had to make a 10-minute walk through the mangrove swamps and jungle to the east side of the island, where my resort, the Sea Gypsy Village Resort is located.

I also went jungle trekking in the evening to Rimba Resort towards the north of the island. It is a relatively easy 15-minute walk through the dense jungle on a marked path. The walk back after sunset was a little more challenging as it was pitch black in the jungle– but I brought a torch with me. Halfway through the walk though, I came across a wild boar who let out a loud (and very terrifying) snort as I approached. I was startled and screamed, and I guess that scared it off. I was lucky it didn’t come charging at me; as the jungles in Pulau Sibu are apparently full of wild boars. And monitor lizards.

6. Diving and Snorkeling

Pulau Sibu is a protected National Marine Park area (since 1993), and therefore its waters are teeming with beautiful corals and fishes. Some of the sea activities you can do while on the island are diving, snorkeling, paddling and swimming. Some resorts offer daily snorkeling trips to places like the Sibu Coral Garden .

My visit to Pulau Sibu was supposed to be a diving trip– but the weather was less than favorable for diving while I was there. The seas were rough, and the visibility was really bad. However, I did manage one dive near the shores of Pulau Tinggi (the island next to Pulau Sibu). It was only a 10m dive, and because the visibility was horrendous, I could only spot a couple of corals, a few fishes, and a cuttlefish. Pulau Sibu is said to offer amazing dives– but unfortunately for me, I visited at the beginning of the opening season in March, which is the tail-end of the monsoon season. I guess at the end of the day, it really depends on luck.

The best season to visit the island is from April to September. Most of the resorts on Pulau Sibu and the rest of the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia close for the monsoon season from October to March.

7. Sunrise and Sunsets

Like all islands and beaches, the sunrise and sunsets on Pulau Sibu are absolutely breathtaking. I was on the northeast side of the island at the Sea Gypsy Village Resort , and woke up early every morning to watch the sun peek out from over the horizon.

To watch the sunset, I made my way to Coconut Village and Kampung Duku during the evenings. They offer one of the best views to watch the sun go down. Having sun-downers at Rimba Resort on the north side of the island is also a great way to end the day– though it only offers a partial glimpse of the sunset.

8. The Beaches

Pulau Sibu has beautiful beaches especially on the north and northeast side of the island. The Sea Gypsy Village Resort faces an approximately 350 meters long beach with golden sand that slopes gradually into the sea, making it perfect for swimming (waves can be a little strong though). The beach is divided from the southeast side of the island by a series of steep cliffs with rocks of colorful dark red and green patterns. They are formed a long long time ago by the composition of layers of volcanic ash that ran through flowing lavas– a proof of the once volcanic nature of the island. There are also sea caves and abrupt arches along these cliffs.

On the other side of Pulau Sibu, especially on the southwest coast– the beaches are sheltered from the winds from the open South China Sea . The sea is so calm on this part of the island that mangrove trees grow along the shores. Most of the island’s small wooden jetties are built on this side of the island; and boats from the mainland usually arrive here.

9. Families with Kids

I added this point especially for families with children. I believe Pulau Sibu is a great island to bring the kids to– beautiful beaches and plenty of activities to keep them busy; on land and in the water.

The Sea Gypsy Village Resort  is the perfect resort to bring the little ones to. They have their own  Kid’s Club — and the resort has a large amount of space for the children to run around in, as well as many supervised activities. I saw a whole entourage of school kids arriving at the resort on the day I was scheduled to leave.

During my visit to  Rimba Resort , I noticed that they have facilities for kids as well. And if you have children who prefer a huge pool to jump into– Sari Pacifica Resort has one.

10. Other Random Stuff

Here are couple more quick (and important) information about Pulau Sibu:-

Wifi Connections It is really hard to get wifi connection on the east side of the island– so during my stay at the Sea Gypsy Village Resort,  I had to walk around the entire resort in search of sweet spots. However, during my visits to the island’s west side, I was able to obtain relatively good signals. It is not reliable though, because after all, Pulau Sibu is a pretty secluded island.

Sandflies Like all beaches in Malaysia, the sandflies on Pulau Sibu are vicious! So make sure you bring enough protection– those bug and mosquito repellants are itch-savers. If the sandflies still attack, remedies like baby oil, lavender oil, vinegar and calamine may help. Most resorts provide mosquito nettings with their beds, so make sure you use them at night.

Money There are no ATM machines on the island, so make sure you bring enough cash to pay for your resort accommodations and drinks. ATMs are only available on the mainland– there are none at Tanjung Leman so get your cash from the bigger towns on the way. Most resorts accept credit cards but check with them before you go.

Beautiful Pulau Sibu.

If you have other information about Pulau Sibu to add to my list, please leave a comment below!

Let's share!

Categories: Asia , Island Loving , Johor , Malaysia , Mynn's Lists , Southeast Asia

Tagged as: ASEAN , asia , beach , beaches , beauty , children , coconuts , diving , fun , getting there , island , Johor , jungle , kids , mynn's lists , places to see , pulau sibu , scuba diver , scuba diving , sea gypsy village , seasia , sibu island , tanjung leman , top 10 , travel , travel tips , trekking , village , wanderlust

10 replies »

Had sand flies attack long time ago but didnt know what to do. thanks for the tips

Hahaha! My pleasure. U can also heat up a spoon with a lighter and put it on the bite. Bessssss!

• Pingback: Sea Gypsy Village Resort in Pulau Sibu, Malaysia – She Walks the World

Hi Mynn I’m carol thank you for all the info. Planning to have a family’s trip to Pulau Sibu ,can you please give me some tips or recommend about the accommodation.we have about 12 adult n 11 kids. Is there any restaurant there? Do you recommended we go on December?

Hi Carol, I stayed in Sea Gypsy, and I think it will be a lovely place for the adults and kids. Rimba is great too. As for food, I didn’t explore the restaurants in the area as it seemed limited, plus my accommodation came with full board meals included.

I don’t think December is a good time to visit the East Coast islands as it is the monsoon season. Best time to go is from late Match to September.

Hope this helps! Have a good vacation!

Thank you so much for the reply Mynn.

Greetings from Germany. I am planning a 3 weeks trip in Malaysia and thought of spending some beach time at Pulau Sibu. Thanks for these great information, highly appreciated!! 🙂

Hi Simone, thank you for dropping by the blog and for the comment. I’m so glad that my article was able to help you plan your trip to Pulau Sibu. Have fun at the beach!! 🙂

Its been 4 years but somehow found your write up on Pulau Sibu. Thanks for the very helpful information in your stories! It can be surprisingly difficult to find any reliable information based on experience on these far off places. I’m sure its still pretty relevant. Been having some work on the east coast side of Johor and have been always wanting to explore the coastal islands taking the ‘long way back’ instead of the north south highway. This looks like the right place and the right time! …post lockdown

Hi Alvin, Glad to be of help!! Do update me and let me know if there are new information about the island when you visit! It’ll be great for the future readers who want to visit the island. Have a great trip!

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• Getting to Rimba
• Packages and Promotions
• All Chalets
• Seaview Twin Chalet
• Seaview Double Chalet
• Seaview Family Chalet
• Seaview Island Suite
• All Facilities
• Bamboo Bliss Spa
• Other Activities
• Hi-Tide Divers – Overview
• Snorkelling
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• Getting To Rimba

RIMBA RESORT

Only three hours from Singapore, Rimba Resort offers the perfect place to relax. Our natural bay at the northern tip of Pulau Sibu, Malaysia, offers a quiet and private setting where you can enjoy great diving and snorkeling, or relax on the beach with a cocktail and a good book whilst watching the sunset. Our friendly and experienced staff will make all your travel arrangements to the island for you, including shuttle and boat transfers. We welcome guests between Chinese New Year and the end of November, and look forward to seeing you soon!

THE RIMBA RESORT EXPERIENCE

CITY ESCAPES

3 hours from Singapore, 2 from Johor and 5 from Kuala Lumpur – Rimba Resort offers a hassle free escape from the city and the best bit? No flights needed! Our regular guests make us their preferred choice for a last minute break or weekend getaway – with boat transfers running late in to Friday night you can arrive after work and be home again Sunday evening. Visiting Singapore, Johor or KL? We can arrange your transport to/from the airport. Having been described as “Paradise on earth” – you will wonder why you left it so long to visit.

Stunning seaview accommodation

Delicious meals included

Fun for all

Relax at Rimba

• Malaysia / SDG 14 / Travel Guides

Is Pulau Sibu the Most Ecologically Unique Malaysian Island?

by Teja · Published 5 March 2018 · Updated 20 October 2022

One of the perks of having marine conservationist friends, is that you have the inside scoop to the many islands they work in. So, when I made good on my promise to take Jason to a Malaysian island , I already knew about the endangered dugong population of Pulau Sibu, because a friend from my time in the Perhentian Islands is now involved in that research.

This fact was, in fact, a key reason why we chose to visit Sibu Island over other East Coast island options like Tioman or the Perhentians . We thought we could learn a bit about dugongs. And if we’re super lucky, maybe perhaps possibly hopefully catch a glimpse of them.

But it was only when we arrived that I learned just how unique Pulau Sibu really is, among the Malaysian islands.

The drive from Kuala Lumpur to Pulau Sibu

How to pay the pulau tinggi marine park fee at tanjung leman jetty, the boat ride to pulau sibu, 1. pulau sibu’s rocky shoreline, 2. pulau sibu’s twin sandy shores, 3. pulau sibu’s mangrove forest & instagrammable jetty, 4. coral reef around pulau sibu, 5. pulau sibu’s seagrass beds, 6. pulau sibu’s tropical jungle, the village manners of pulau sibu, 1. the wild cattle of pulau sibu, 2. the tropical sheep of pulau sibu, the private royal islands of johor, bonus tip for road trips: optional firefly reserve stop.

Pulau Sibu is located off of the east coast of Johor, the most southerly of Malaysia’s peninsular states. It’s not as easy to get to compared to the more popular East Coast tourist islands such as Perhentian and Redang, which allows it to retain its understated ambience.

There are a few resorts on the island. If you are booked there, chances are they will facilitate transfers from the major cities (e.g. Singapore or KL).

However, it is also an easy drive to Tanjung Leman jetty in Mersing. Since I don’t believe in duplication, see detailed driving instructions to the jetty linked here .

The roads from Kuala Lumpur to Mersing are good. However, by the time we got to Mersing, I worried about missing the boat transfer. I felt we needed to double back a bit to refuel. We had not started the drive with a full tank, since I was so used to the fuel efficiency of my Yaris. But the interval between petrol stations grow longer in these rural parts of Malaysia. I felt better to actually find one and get rid of the orange fuel light before embarking on the holiday.

But, despite the detour, we arrived in good time, after all. 

Tanjung Leman jetty

We parked at the open air parking area of Tanjung Leman jetty , where plenty of parking was available.

The jetty complex is a small one, with small kiosks and a restaurant within the building prior to the jetty proper. We discovered that there was a bit of a wait for the boat to arrive. The resort had alerted us beforehand that the exact time might vary depending on tide conditions.

Meanwhile we were directed to the Marine Park fee collection counter.

Pulau Sibu is located within the area of Sultan Iskandar Marine Park. It is also known as Pulau Tinggi Marine Park , after the largest island in the marine park. Hence, fees are levied from visitors to support conservation activities.

The Marine Park fee collection counter is at the jetty fee counter, next to the boat ticket counter. However they are not the same counter, and these are two separate, albeit fairly nominal, fees.

You will not need the boat ticket if you have pre-arranged transfers from a resort, but you will still need to pay the Marine Park fee . Upon payment, the counter staff is supposed to give you a receipt. You will need to show this receipt to resort staff on the island, in order to book snorkelling or diving trips in the marine park.

We were there at about 4pm, but found the marine park counter already closed. We later told our resort what had happened, to explain why we didn’t have the fee payment slip (Rimba Resort really does check). So, in our case, it became a de facto ‘free’ Marine Park trip . 

Like most boat transfers in Malaysia, we went by speedboat. It took the speedboat under an hour to reach Sibu Island.

Not all beaches on Sibu Island are equipped with a jetty. We opted to stay at a secluded resort at its north tip, because of their many sustainability efforts. Since they only had a small beach, which was exclusive to the resort, there was no jetty. The speedboat landed us by beaching onto the sand. Staff from the resort were waiting for our arrival, to assist us off the boat.

This is very normal for Malaysian islands. On boat transfer days, be sure to wear clothing and footwear which are appropriate for disembarking into ankle- or calf-length water.

The improbably diverse ecosystems of Pulau Sibu

Sibu Island is not very big at all. You could hike the north and south length of it easily in a day – and back! The village is located in the south part of the island, where the main jetty is. There are small roads in this area, up to the narrow ‘neck’ in the middle of the island, where there are two sand beaches opposite each other.

Beyond this, you have to hike overland to the resorts in the northern part of the island. The final portion to Rimba Resort, where we stayed, is a short hike over rocky coastline and through jungle.

By the time we met up with my conservationist friend the following morning, the hikes that we had done should have alerted us already to the uniqueness of Sibu Island. But it did not register to me until he pointed it out.

“Did you realise, that even though Pulau Sibu is so small, it has  all the coastline types in a single island?” he remarked that morning, as we walked to the coconut groves in the middle of the village grounds. “That’s what’s special about this place.”

I stared at him. As he listed them all, I realised I either knew about it already, or had just hiked across it in the last 24 hours.

He was right. For an island so small, it was amazing!

OK, so Sibu Island doesn’t literally have all possible  coastline types. It doesn’t have the salt marsh, for example. But it does seem to have all the climatologically plausible ones for a tropical island!

The hike south from the resort emerges from the jungle on the east side of the island onto an incredible rock shore formation. The rocks are furrowed and pitted by the patient efforts of water over time, shot through with maroon iron veins.

Indeed, the rocky shore along the Sibu Island north coast is particularly interesting. You can see the layered rocks in the open as they thrust upwards and out, even though the beach landscape isn’t very big. The variety of rock textures and patterns that you can observe on Sibu Island , and in surrounding islands, is also variable and curious.

The mornings are lovely in the magic hour. The tide is slack and the water nearly still. The rock pools are clear mirrors of the sky above. Utter peace.

The rock pools of Rimba Resort

Part of the Rimba Resort beach is a rock shore – to my delight, since I have a soft spot for rocky shores. The rock pools left behind as the tide ebbs are sometimes rich with gobies and juvenile shrimp. At the least, there would be sea snails and crabs skittering about.

I went walking out to the beach one night when the tide was out. It exposed a portion of the shoreline that stays underwater in the daytime.

The beach was surprisingly noisy at night. It wasn’t the sound of waves; breakers are far away. The shoreline made popping sounds! I didn’t know why then, but I learned later that the reef is indeed a noisy place !

I also noticed strange looking blobs tucked between crevices of rock and coral. It took me a while, but I eventually worked it out when I ventured into areas that still had water, smartphone light held aloft. It is what anemone looks like, when it’s out of the water!

It wouldn’t be much of a paradise island if there were no sandy beaches. Don’t worry; the north shore is not all rocky. There’s enough sandy beach as well. The sand isn’t super fine, but still very nice. But the signature beaches of Pulau Sibu are in the mid-section.

The north and south portions of the island are connected with a narrow neck of land. Hiking southwards from the red-veined rocks, the route to the village shifts to more beach coastlines, where the other resorts are located.

At one point, you reach another distinguishing feature of Sibu Island. There is a resort in this middle part that has the enviable characteristic of having twin beaches – one on either side! Here, you can be on one beach, and look across to the other beach which is technically on the other side of island!

And if you’re wondering whether there are turtle landings on Pulau Sibu given that it has beaches, the answer is yes. In fact, Rimba Resort itself hosts a turtle hatchery on its beach!

At the edge of the main resort areas, the paved roads leading to the village begin. Walking on this road takes you down the western side of the island. This side of the island faces the mainland, and is where Pulau Sibu’s mangrove forest is located.

There is an old wooden jetty here amongst the mangrove trees. It’s pretty Instagram-worthy; the red-stained wooden planks have faded to an attractive pink under the equatorial sun. The wood itself has warped, making the jetty slightly uneven, adding to its charm.

Like the other East Coast islands of Malaysia, Pulau Sibu is fringed with coral reef. Unlike its more northerly neighbours, the visibility here is more variable, since it receives more turbulence from the South China Sea. When we were there, we were unlucky. Visibility was quite poor throughout the weekend.

In terms of the reef health, it depends. Some parts may be quite degraded due to repeated bleaching events, but there were still healthy portions. Typically these are in slightly deeper water, which helps to buffer temperature spikes.

If you are a good enough swimmer and able to freedive close to these reefs, you can see that the reef is actually quite nice. I thought the house reef of our resort was surprisingly good. Additionally, you can also book diving trips from a couple of the resorts. I didn’t dive on this trip, so I can’t say whether it was good.

You can also go island-hopping to nearby uninhabited islands in the Marine Park via excursions organised by your resort. Popular day tour options are Pulau Kukus and Pulau Lima Besar. The latter has a particularly beautiful beach. With a bright clear sky, there is a kind of haze in the air that lends the atmosphere an almost otherworldly unrealness. Where the shore curves towards the open sea, the coral reef was more interesting. The sea was rougher here, though, and the waves rolled higher. You would need a higher degree of water confidence to snorkel in this part.

Of course, Pulau Sibu also has a seagrass bed, located off the southern tip of the island. It is why there is a population of dugong around Sibu Island – albeit an elusive one – somewhere in its vicinity.

The GEF-funded Dugong & Seagrass Conservation Project partners with Marine Parks Department of Malaysia to study this particular population. We were hopeful of striking it lucky after seeing footage like this . However, the daytime tides were high when we visited, so the visibility was poor. We could not see the seagrass beds of Sibu Island nor its resident dugong.

In hindsight, this may be why the dugong still survive here compared to other locations with clearer waters. This particular population may owe its continued existence to its evasive, mistrustful behaviour, and the cover of its sometimes-turbulent habitat.

Aside from the coastal ecosystems, Pulau Sibu’s northern interior is still forested. What this means is, if you stay towards the northern part of the island, you would get a taste of tropical jungle as well. Indeed, ‘Rimba’ means forest in Malay.

Due to the nearness of the jungle, Rimba Resort has a more rustic character compared to the other resorts on the island. The wood stumps and deadwood in the resort grounds frequently sport mushrooms. And on two different nights I returned to our chalet and found a cool jungle insect on the mosquito netting around the beds. One of them was a beautiful leaf insect!

Pro Tip : Always tuck the mosquito netting tightly around your bed again in the morning after you get up. You do not want to sleep the next night with trapped mosquitos inside the netting with you!

The village of Pulau Sibu

Pulau Sibu is inhabited, and has a small village. Although it is a village of fishermen, there is also a wide coconut grove in the middle of the island, which makes for a distinct, charming rural landscape. I have personally not seen a flat plain of coconut groves like this in any other Malaysian island. Apparently, once upon a time, there were even more coconut palms than there are today.

The village’s main strip fronts the main jetty. Here, there is a short row of shops selling simple groceries and confectionery, and a typical Malaysian style local cafe (i.e. kedai kopi , literally ‘coffee shop’). We had breakfast here as my friend told us a little bit more about island life.

The tourism level on Pulau Sibu has dropped since its heyday, nor did it ever reach the giddy heights of its northern neighbours, such as the Perhentians. So it is in that sweet spot where it does have good resorts, but has managed not to lose its character.

However, this also means that down-to-earth village manners still apply in Sibu Island’s public spaces, rather than ‘customer service’ tourism manners. For example, if you came just after the Eid festival (“Hari Raya” in local language), you might be served complimentary local Malay confectionery and cookies, ‘just because’.

On the other hand, you would probably also be silently judged for not clearing away your food wrappers and rubbish yourself, even if you were a paying customer of the shop!

Pulau Sibu’s feral domestic animals

I’m sorry, did the caption say feral cow?

Ah, yes. As if hosting multiple shore ecosystems in a tiny circumference was not unique enough. There are also the feral domesticated animals of Sibu Island.

No, I don’t mean wild animals that became domesticated. I mean, domesticated animals who have since gone feral.

I have to say that this totally daft, random thing of Sibu Island is what catapulted it to be among my top favourite islands ever!

Pulau Sibu today has a population of wild cattle, thought by now to outnumber the human residents. It is quite normal to see random small herds of cattle ambling across grass lawns, poking around garbage cans, nosing up to restaurant tables, or strolling up and down the main thoroughfare like (extremely) oversized stray cats.

To best appreciate this phenomenon, you need to consider that cattle rearing is not traditionally a thing in this region, especially on fishing islands. We Southeast Asians are not a dairy nation.

But at some point, a bright spark decided it would be a great idea to rear cattle on Pulau Sibu. You know, for meat and dairy.

It was not a terrible economic idea, except that animal husbandry isn’t really a culture on the island. So in the end the cattle were just left to range free.

How Pulau Sibu became an unexpected cattle sanctuary

Wandering around the open spaces of the island, you will soon notice cow dung on the ground. Everywhere. It’s not so widespread as to make walking unpleasant, so I reckon there must be some kind of cleaning duty among the villagers to at least keep the paved roads reasonably clear?

I expressed my wonder that there is a place in Southeast Asia where there’s food simply wandering about unmolested. Why, surely there would at least be mainlanders who might want to ‘repatriate’ the ‘free’ cows? And if the venture failed, why did the villagers tolerate the cows (and the dung)? Aren’t they upset? And, don’t they know of the murderousness of cows as the most deadly animal in England ?

Well, according to my resident friend, the lovely green grassy lawns on the island were a recent development – due to the manure of the cows!

So on balance, even though nobody was interested in the cows for meat and milk, the people still prefer for them to stick around – for the fertiliser!

I’m sorry… tropical … sheep? You don’t mean goats?

As if the feral cattle were not enough, there are sheep as well! On our first morning walk together, quizzical eyes confronted me from the other side of a foot bridge.

Now, I can be pretty assertive to my own species, but I am usually meek against animals with any kind of bossy tendencies. I let them have the right of way. (Yes, I am aware that sheep are notoriously supposed to be the opposite of bossy.)

In my defense, my meekness was partly also because I was gobsmacked by the sight of woollen sheep wandering about an island in a famously hot and humid tropical country.

So I asked my friend about that. He chalked it up to yet another agricultural scheme that didn’t quite take off as intended.

So… feral sheep and feral cows? 

Yep, pretty much.

I didn’t ask how the sheep bargained for their unmolested existence.

Not all islands in the area are technically open to the public. Some have been bought over by the Johor royal family and are private property. You’d know which ones these are, if they are left unoccupied. They’re the ones with the no trespassing signs.

I suppose in a roundabout way, if the royalty acts as a guardian and simply leaves the islands as is, it might end up serving a good purpose. It could limit the exploitation of the islands, making it more likely that the tourism impact in the Marine Park can be kept within the carrying capacity of the ecosystem.

Jason drove most of the way back. It afforded me a rare chance to simply enjoy the drive, and get to look around for a change (usually I’m always the one driving). It led me to notice a sign I did not notice during the drive towards Mersing at the start of the trip. Along the southern route to Mersing, crossing the state of Johor, there is a firefly reserve in Kota Tinggi . If you’re planning a road trip itinerary towards Mersing via the Johor route, the firefly reserve looks like it could be a good and convenient stop.

Of course you’ll have to check out this cool little island! Pin for your Malaysia travel plans!

Tags: diving forest island Johor long weekend nature road trip snorkelling

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I know next to nothing about Malaysia but I am planning my trip to SE Asia and I will def need to add this to my list! This is so beautiful and your post is really informative. <3

Oh if you are looking to assemble a little bit of an offbeat SEA trip, I definitely recommend Pulau Sibu. Check out my other Malaysia stories for other ideas!

I can’t you believe you can find all the coastline types in such as small island as Pulau Sibu. I would love to visit and do island hopping in Sultan Iskandar Marine Park to learn more about the incredible sea and island life. Thanks for the great informative post.

I have vaguely heard of Pulau Sibu before as it is rather near to my home country of Singapore. It looks like an amazing getaway to escape from the hustle and bustle of city life and throw ourselves into the embrace of Mother Nature. I would love to visit it someday to just take in the beautiful natural landscapes this island boasts of.

While your entire experience looked amazing, I think I’d really like to experience the coral reef. I can only imagine how amazing it is to see a reef “in the wild” rather than at an aquarium and to watch all of the colorful fish and other creatures in that environment!

Very very beautiful – and I haven’t even been to the really good reefs like Sipadan yet!

Such a detailed post! I have to admit, this does look like the perfect island for a quiet getaway.

This post makes we want to go back to Malaysia!! It was interesting to read about the reef bleaching in Malaysia. It is so sad, I think a lot of people don’t realize how precious nature is. I do hope we can save it though!

I hope so too! Bleaching is getting to be more regular in recent years, and is related to the warming earth. If you do return to Malaysia, I invite you to read this: https://tejaonthehorizon.com/sustainable-travel/sustainable-travel-carbon-offset/

One of the small, but important, things we can do now is to take an inventory of our emissions – and begin to reduce and offset.

I’ve never heard of this island but you provided a great deal of information. The coral reef is absolutely beautiful

There is a lot of great information here! I am in Kuala Lumpur now and have been looking for some fun options to try out for a long weekend. This will help a lot. Thank you!

I am already liking Pulau Sibu island given that there is so much to experience here. Also, it is so walkable and it can be easily covered via a walk from one end to another. That is my favorite part. What is more, the journey to the island sounds nothing less than the destination itself.

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Continuing on the Earth Week theme, if you're wondering what kind of eco-friendly hotels are available around the world, check out this article on The Directionally Challenged Traveler . I contributed Alunan Resort to represent Malaysia, but there are so many great options even in just this short list. Save it for your next eco-friendly vacation! #EarthDay2024 #TravelInspo #ecofriendlytravel #ecofriendlyhotel #WorldWednesday ... See More See Less

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Dive Into Malaysia

14 Top Things To Do In Sibu, Sarawak

Going to Sibu and now want to know what all the best things to do in Sibu, Sarawak are? We have you covered! Below, you will find our Sibu things to do guide which covers all you need to know to plan the ultimate trip.

While Sibu is one of Sarawak’s largest cities, it’s not often on the top of people’s list when visiting Sarawak. However, Sibu is an underrated city that has a vibrant food scene, rich cultural and historical heritage and some great natural attractions. 

Located on the Rejang River, the longest river in Malaysia, it’s 60 kilometres from the coast. It’s the gateway to Sarawak’s interior. It grew wealthy from trade with the interior and, today, makes it money from timber. It’s also the gateway to exploring this area for travellers.

It’s Sarawak’s most Chinese background city with two thirds of locals tracing back their heritage to Foochow (or Fuzhou) province at the start of the twentieth century.

I explored Sibu as part of a bigger trip to Sarawak. There is plenty to see and do to occupy yourself for a couple of days. Sibu is also known for its food so make sure you eat up!

Below, in our full guide to things to do in Sibu Malaysia, you will find precisely just what to do in Sibu, Sarawak, as well as the best places to stay. There is also a handy map of all the Sibu attractions that our guide details below to help you with your itinerary planning.

Let’s start!

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Top 14 Things To Do In Sibu, Sarawak

Here are the best things to do in Sibu. Read through and select the ones that fit your interests and timeframe. They are somewhat in geographical order starting in the centre at the top rated Sibu Heritage Centre.

Learn Sibu’s History At The Sibu Heritage Centre

The Sibu Heritage Centre is a cool, circular building which showcases Sibu’s rich history, as well as the cultural heritage of Sarawak’s ethnic groups. It takes you from the beginning of Sibu to today and discusses the early Chinese migrants, the dialect groups and the earliest indigenous tribe groups.

Also covered is Sarawak’s communist insurgency, Sibu’s Christian traditions and local feelings when Sarawak became part of Malaysia in 1963.

There are many photos, information boards, Chinese porcelain, clay vases, relics, tools and more including skulls that were hung from Iban longhouses. There are also taxidermied animals found in Borneo as well as (randomly) animals found around the world.

Admission to the museum is free.

Address: 18 2, Jalan Central, Pekan Sibu, 96000 Sibu

Explore The Heritage Shopfronts Around Jalan Tukang Besi

This area around Jalan Tukang Besi between Sibu Heritage Centre and Tua Pek Kong Temple is perfect for a short walk exploring these heritage shopfronts.

It’s a picturesque, low-level area that’s worth taking a moment to enjoy while walking between these attractions.

Visit Tua Pek Kong Temple

When deciding which Sibu, Sarawak attraction to visit during your trip, a visit to Tua Pek Kong Temple is a must. This popular tourist spot is where people come to pray or just admire that temple’s colourful architecture. 

A Taoist temple has existed on this spot since 1871! You can climb up the seven storey pagoda, Kuan Yin Pagoda, which was built in 1987. There are great views from here, especially at sunset. You may need to get the key at the ground floor desk.

This Sibu tourist attraction also has stone carvings, shady trees and nice places to sit as you watch the river traffic go by. It’s a must visit place to stop in Sibu to take a moment and enjoy.

Address: Jalan Temple, 96000 Sibu, Sarawak

Shop And Dine At The Sibu Night Market

Craving some street food? Head down to Sibu Night Market, known to be Sibu’s street food paradise.  Here you can buy anything from dim sum, barbeque to local cakes. 

As well as food, you’d also find a number of stalls that sell clothes, electronics, and household items for bargain prices. 

The night market opens daily from 6pm along Market Road. It’s easy to try a few different things as you wander around for great prices. It’s where I ate 🙂

Address: Jalan Market, Pekan Sibu, 96000 Sibu

Get A Bargain At Sibu Central Market

The Sibu Central Market is the place to head for fresh produce, local food and more. It’s the largest indoor market in Malaysia with over 1,000 stalls. You can get yourself a bargain meal here or simply walk through and soak up the local colour. It’s huge!

In addition to what you may expect to see, there are interesting exotic fruits, jungle produce, handicrafts, textiles and pottery. Upstairs is where you can find numerous food stalls with Chinese, Malay and Iban options. It’s also one of the biggest (if not biggest) food court areas I have gone to as well.

I had a great lunch here which was atmospheric, cheap and delicious. Winning!

Built in 1996, this market is open from 5am until around 7pm, although not everything stays open all day. Mornings are the best time to visit.

Address: Jalan Channel, Pekan Sibu, 96000 Sibu

Watch The River At Rejang Esplanade

This esplanade was built in 1987 and is a pretty landscaped riverfront area with great views of the river and all the ships, barges, “flying coffin” boats and more. It’s great for river watching, although there was a lot less river traffic than I was expecting.

There are chairs, a playground and it’s a great place to stop for a moment and take it all in. Look out for the Sibu swan statue over the river. The swan is the city’s emblem.

Address: 31, Jalan Maju, Pekan Sibu, 96000 Sibu

Shop At The Tallest Building In Sarawak: Wisma Sanyan

Once known to be the tallest building in Sarawak at 125 metres tall (it was beaten in 2019), Wisma Sanyan first opened its doors in 2001 and houses a shopping mall with 120 shops, restaurants, and many office levels.

In September, it is home to the annual Sibu Base Jump. At this event, participants jump from the highest point of this building with a parachute.

In March, there is the Sibu Tower Run which is a race to see who can run up the staircase here the fastest.

Address: 1, Jalan Sanyan, Pekan Sibu, 96000 Sibu

Walk Through Empty Wards At The Lau King Howe Hospital Memorial Museum

Known to be one of Malaysia’s most unique museums, the Lau King Howe Hospital Memorial Museum was once a fully functional hospital.  Today, it is Malaysia’s only medical museum with bizarre and sometimes scary medical exhibits and instruments.

You get to wander the empty wards and corridors while examining early 20th century medical equipment and photos. They certainly made me glad that I live in the 21st century. There’s also a display of nurses uniforms.

The museum was dedicated to Lau King Howe, a pastor from China who came to Sibu in 1916 and helped fund medical services in the area. His story is also told in the museum.

It’s one of my favourite things to see in Sibu as it’s just so different and interesting.

Open daily from 9am to 5pm except Mondays. Donations are appreciated.

Address: Jalan Lau King Howe, 96000 Sibu

Take The Sungai Merah Heritage Walk

The Sungai Merah Heritage Walk takes place next to the Sungai Merah (Red River). It starts an old market bazaar that is where its believed the first Chinese migrants settled in 1901. The migrants were lead by Wong Nai Siong, a leader and educator who came from Foochow.

He brought a second lot of migrants in 1901 and also helped migrants settle into town. This area is significant to the local Chinese background population.

It’s a pretty riverfront stroll. The market place is currently being rebuilt, but should open again soon. Regardless, it’s still a nice place to check out. The river lives up to its name as it does occasionally look red thanks to the iron content in the river. There’s also a lot of pink around which helps add to its glow.

The trail finishes at the Wong Nai Siong Memorial Park (coming up next).

See The Beautiful Landscape At Wong Nai Siong Memorial Park

This memorial park was erected in honour of Wong Nai Siong, the leader mentioned above. The park and monument shows the reverence locals have to him, and the garden is always clean and well-maintained. 

This area is a popular place to go to for early morning exercise routines. 

Address: Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg, Pekan Sibu, 96000 Sibu

Go On A Picnic At Taman Bukit Aup Jubilee Park

Taman Bukit Aup Jubilee Park is a popular place for locals to relax, especially during weekends, as it is a peaceful place to unwind and have picnics.  The park’s facilities include a pavilion, amphitheatre, lookout tower, lagoon, garden, playground and a barbeque area. 

There’s also a suspension bridge over a small lake and jogging and walking trails. It’s quite a hilly area.

From the top of the lookout tower is a great place to go to see the surrounding longhouses and plantations in the area. This tower is also a place the local Iban people bring offerings for the spirit Naga Bari who is meant to help people in need.

Address: Jalan Inai, 96000 Sibu

Take A Short Trekking Adventure In Bukit Lima Nature Park

Need to get out of the city? Bukit Lima Forest Park is the place to head. Here, you can take a short trekking adventure and participate in a bird watching activity afterwards. There are to 39 bird species in the park and animals such as pangolins, macaques and squirrels. 

Located in a peat swamp forest environment, this park is popular for jogging and walking. The trails add up to about 5.7 kilometres long on wooden boardwalk.

There is also an observation deck and seating. The only downside is that the boardwalk can get slippery and there isn’t much shade making it quite hot if you go in the afternoon like I did.

The park is to easy reach as it’s just a 15-20 minute drive from the centre of Sibu. You can take a Grab taxi or local bus number 10.

Address: 5 Lorong Sentosa, 96000 Sibu

Enjoy Jade Dragon Temple

The Jade Dragon Temple, also known as the Yu Lung San Tien En Si, is believed to be one of the biggest temple complexes, not just in Malaysia, but in all of Southeast Asia.  Here religious practices like Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism are brought together under one roof. 

It’s about a 35 minute drive here from the centre of Sibu. If you take a taxi, ask them to wait for you as there is not much near here.

It’s an amazingly picturesque temple complex and worth the time of coming here if you can fit it in.

Address: Jalan Sibu – Bintulu, 96000 Sibu

Experience The Bawang Assan Longhouse Village

If you want to experience the authentic and traditional life of an Iban then you should definitely visit the Bawang Assan Longhouse Village. This village is a collection of nine longhouses dating from the 18th century of the indigenous Iban population. It’s an interesting mix of traditional longhouses to more modern ones so you can see how longhouses have evolved over time.

If you visit here, you can get a glimpse of the Iban’s daily activities, such as planting on rice paddies, fishing and learning how to Ngajat – a warrior dance from the tribes. You can also try some of their traditional food.

Many of the older Iban speak great English which adds to the experience. It’s possible to visit for the day or stay overnight.

The village is 40-minutes away from the main city centre by taxi or an hour by boat. The visitor information centre in the Sibu Heritage Centre can help you organise a trip here.

Sibu Tourist Attraction Map

Find all the attractions in Sibu on the following map as well as the recommended hotels below.

Best Place To Stay In Sibu

When it comes to where to stay in Sibu, there is an excellent range of hotels in the city centre for all budget types. To help you shortlist where to stay for your trip, I’ve listed a few different places to consider including a budget, mid-range and more expensive option.

You can also find our guide to the best hotels in Sibu here.

BEST – Kingwood Hotel Sibu Review

Located on the banks of Rajang River, this hotel is walking distances to many of the city attractions such as the Sibu Central Market and the waterfront.

The Kingswood Hotel has a range of room options that can accommodate from one to four people in single, twin, double and quadruple rooms. All rooms have desk areas, minifridges, tea and coffee making facilities, air-conditioning and everything else you would expect from a four star hotel. Some rooms offer stunning river views as well. 

Facilities include free wifi, an amazing outdoor pool by the river, gym, 24-hour front desk, and two on-site restaurants. Free private parking is also available for guests. 

This is our top pick for where to stay as I had a great stay here. It offers great value.

Click here for the latest prices or click here to read my full review.

MID-RANGE – De House Hotel Review

De House Hotel is conveniently located in Sibu, near the city’s must-see destinations. 

Guests can choose from 40 well-appointed rooms which can accommodate two people right up to four people in a family suite which comes with two queen beds.  Each of the rooms features AC, a TV, fridge, kettle and private bathroom.

The hotel also offers a vast array of facilities and services like free WiFi for all rooms, in-house coffee shop and restaurant, salon, and convenience store. 24-hour front desk, laundry services, tours, and free parking is also available. 

Click here for the latest prices.

BUDGET – Qu Lin Resident Review

Qu Lin Resident is a good choice for budget conscious travellers. The property isn’t too far from the city centre, just four and a half kilometres away, offering access to Sibu’s must-see destinations. It is very close to the Sungai Merah Heritage Walk and Wong Nai Siong Memorial Park.

The Qu Lin Resident has a range of room options including twin, queen and a family room which comes with a single and queen bed. All rooms have free wifi, air-conditioning, desks and bathrooms, while some rooms offer stunning river views. 

Facilities at the hotel include an on-site restaurant and fitness centre. 24-hour front desk, laundry services and free parking is also available for guests. 

The hotel is basic, but comfortable and fantastic when you consider how crazy cheap it is.

Click here for more of the best hotels in Sibu.

How To Get To Sibu

It’s easy to get to Sibu by bus, plane or ferry.

Regular flights to Sibu Airport (SBW) are available via Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, MYAirline and MASWings coming from Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, Kuching, Bintulu, Miri and some other major destinations.

To see all the latest flights and prices, click here .

Buses run regularly from Sarawak cities (e.g. Kuching, Miri and Bintulu) to Sibu Bus Terminal.

If you need to take a bus, click here for the latest timetables and bus prices.

Ferries also run daily from Kuching and Kapit with express boats leaving the port between 8:15 am to 1:15 pm.

If you’d prefer a ferry, click here for the latest ferry fares and schedule.

For more detailed instructions:

• Click here to read our full guide to getting between Sibu and Bintulu
• Click here to read our guide to getting between Miri and Sibu
• Click here to read how to get from Kuching to Sibu

Sibu With Kids

Sibu is a great destination to visit if you have kids. They are likely to enjoy many of the Sibu things to do above as well.

For example, take a short trekking adventure in Bukit Lima Forest Park where you can do a fun nature hike, discover the forest’s fascinating wildlife and go birdwatching. 

Similarly, you can also take them on an educational tour at Sibu Heritage Centre, where they can learn more about the place’s history and culture, and even get a chance to know more about Sarawak’s ethnic groups. You can enjoy delicious treats and drinks in one of the cafes nearby afterwards. 

Then take them to the night market to try some new foods for dinner.

Final Words

Sibu may not be a famous tourist destination, but you’ll find a lot of hidden gems here, especially if you’re planning to explore the city. 

I had a great time exploring Sibu on my big Sarawak adventure, and I’m sure you can too.

So, whether you’re going here for just a day trip or staying for a couple of days, you’ll see that there are plenty of things to see and do in Sibu. 

I hope you enjoyed our guide to the top things to do in Sibu, Sarawak. You can find the best hotels to stay in Sibu here or find our full travel guide to Sibu here. Heading on to Kuching? Find our guide to Kuching here . How about Miri? Find our guide to Miri here.

Planning a trip to Malaysia? Have any questions? Join our Malaysia Travel Planning Facebook group here now! It’s the perfect place to ask any questions and to be inspired!

Related posts:

By Sharon Gourlay

Sharon is a certified Malaysia travel expert and can't get enough of travelling and talking about Malaysia since she first visited 21 years ago. She travels around Malaysia multiple times a year both alone and with her kids. She used to call Penang home and especially loves this food paradise. Sharon also has a Bachelor of Arts in Asian Studies, a Certificate III in International Travel Sales and has been certified by Tourism Malaysia as a Malaysia Travel Expert. Through this site, she'll help you have the perfect trip to this amazing destination.

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Rimba Resort Pulau Sibu Package 2024

from 0 review

3D2N | 4D3N

Rimba Resort, Pulau Sibu

Reviews: ★★★★ ☆

Rimba Resort is a leisurely pristine resort in Sibu Island.

It has fantastic location, beautiful view and very friendly staff .

The transitional style chalets in Rimba Resort come with fan-cooled and private balcony.

Check out below Rimba Resort promotion package 2024

Rimba Resort Package Price

Sibu Travel Guide

• All prices are subject to extra 16% (Services Charge and SST, collected by resort operators).
• Travelling Period: Mar – October 2023
• Infant 0-2 years old: Free (No bed provided)
• Child: 3-14 years old
• Child isn’t counted as 1 pax in the room.

11:30 Boat Transfer from Tanjung Leman Jetty

12:00 Arrive Rimba Resort

TBA Check in

13:00 Lunch

14:30 Free & Easy

19:00 Dinner

7:30 Breakfast

9:00 Free & Easy

12:30 Lunch

9:30 Check out

10:30 Transfer to Tanjung Leman Jetty

Included/Excluded

• 2 Nights Accommodation
• 2 Breakfast, 2 Lunch, 2 Dinner
• 2 Ways Boat Transfer (Tanjung Leman Jetty-Sibu Island, RM 175/Adult, RM 117/Child)
• Marine Park Ticket: RM 10/pax(Malaysian) , RM 30/pax (Non-Malaysian)
• Travel Insurance

Tour's Location

How many units in rimba resort pulau sibu.

Rimba Resort Pulau Sibu has Total Seaview chalet 19 units,

Family chalet 1 unit,

Island suite 1 unit

What are the facilities in Sea view Chalet?

In Rimba Resort Pulau Sibu,

Seaview Chalet is with Cold Shower water.

What are the facilities in Family Chalet?

In Rimba Resort Pulau Sibu, Family Chalet is with hot shower water.

It has two rooms, one with a double bed and one with two single beds.

It’s ideal for families wanting to stay in the same chalet.

What are the facilities in Island Chalet?

Island Chalet is the chalet, and is with hot shower water.

It is extremely private with beautiful views of the ocean and neighbouring islands.

Island Chalet offers its own fridge, tea + coffee and a hot water shower.

Perfect for couples.

Can I add on activities like snorkeling or diving?

Yes, you can add on.

Can I get transport to get into Rimba Resort Pulau Sibu?

Yes, we can assist with transport from Singapore, Johor and Kuala Lumpur.

You might also like

Sari Pacifica Resort Sibu Island Package 2024

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Sandwiched between the Rajang River, the longest river in Malaysia, and the Igan River, Sibu has long been known to be the window to Central Sarawak . Its strategic location has made it an important trading centre and transportation hub for timber, rubber and paper.

The third largest town in East Malaysia after Kuching and Miri, Sibu has a laid-back and down-to-earth vibe, a result of being off the tourist trail. But that is set to change as direct flights are now available between Sibu and Singapore, as well as other Malaysian cities.

So plan a weekend getaway to check out Sibu’s rich historical and cultural heritage, natural attractions and vibrant food scene before tourism changes the city. You’ll be pleased to know that most of Sibu’s attractions are scattered around the city centre and are easily accessible on foot.

We present you with a list of 11 awesome things to do in Sibu.

1. Eat & shop at Sibu Central Market

The fastest way to see how the locals live would be to make a trip to their market, and in Sibu, that market would be Pasar Sentral Sibu ( Sibu Central Market ). The wet and dry market, built in 1996, is one of the largest in Malaysia. There are over 1,000 stalls housed within the two-storey building, and a food court on the upper level.

The market is centrally located in the city centre, opposite the busy Express Boat Passenger Terminal. At the market, you’ll find a wide range of cooking ingredients to make authentic local delicacies, as well as livestock, fresh goods and farm produce.

Look out also for exotic tropical fruits – like terung asam (Iban eggplants), a type of orange-coloured eggplant shaped deceptively like tomatoes – that you wouldn’t be able to find elsewhere in Malaysia. There are also live chickens and ducks neatly wrapped in newspapers, and gorgeous handicraft made by locals.

Be prepared for some walking as the market is massive. The freshest goods usually sell out in the afternoon, so go as early as you can. More stalls are open on the weekends but that will also mean crowds, so plan your visit accordingly.

2. Try Sarawak laksa

Late celebrity chef and television personality Anthony Bourdain once described Sarawak laksa as the “breakfast of the gods”. Simply put: it’s a must-try dish when you land in Sibu.

The dish comprises rice vermicelli cooked in a rich and aromatic broth that’s made from sambal belacan , tamarind, spices and lemongrass.

Unlike the laksa found in West Malaysia, Sarawak’s laksa is known for its curry soup base and is served with lime and sambal chilli on the side.

Talk to the locals and you’ll discover that each Sarawakian has his or her personal favourite laksa . In Sibu, visitors will most likely be directed to Aloha Corner if they’d like to have one of the best Sarawak laksa for breakfast.

A humble kopitiam in the northwest area of Sibu city centre, Aloha Corner is a beloved food place for the locals, with stalls selling fishball noodles, roti canai, char kway teow , and of course, Sarawak laksa .

A bowl of regular Sarawak laksa here costs RM5 (S$1.50) and it’s topped with a generous portion of shredded chicken and prawns. Opt for the Supreme version, priced at RM10 (S$3), which comes with extra rice vermicelli, toppings and soup.

3. Taste the legendary Sibu kampua mee

Besides Sarawak laksa , Sarawakians are also proud of their kampua mee , a speciality of poached noodles tossed in soy sauce and shallot oil.

Unlike the renowned Sarawak kolo mee , the noodle used in kampua mee is straight. It’s often served simply with a few slices of char siew (barbecued pork), spring onion and chilli sauce.

In Sibu, kampua mee is commonly served together with a bowl of flavourful onion soup or beef soup (beef kampua ).

At Soon Hock Cafe & Restaurant, which has been selling this local favourite for the past two decades, most diners pair their kampua mee with a bowl of wanton (dumplings filled with minced pork) served in dark soy sauce.

Don’t be deceived by its insignificant look, the Soon Hock kampua mee is tangy, fragrant and tasty. Due to its popularity, be prepared to queue for your food during peak dining hours.

A bowl of kampua mee costs between RM2.50 and RM4 (S$0.75 – S$1.20) depending on the portion served. A bowl of wanton costs RM4 (S$1.20).

4. Discover Sibu’s history at Sibu Cultural Heritage Museum

Learn more about the rich history and culture of Sibu at the Sibu Cultural Heritage Museum which was set up in 1988 by the Cultural Heritage Committee of Sibu Civic Centre with support provided by various ethnic associations.

The Museum was initially located on the ground floor of the Sibu Civic Centre before moving to its current location – inside the Sibu Heritage Centre – in 2010.

The Museum tells a vivid story of this riverine town from its early days and traces the footsteps of the early settlers of Sibu during the formative years of Malaysia. It also showcases a series of old photographs and antiques of the ethnic groups from the central regions of Sarawak and the local Chinese Fuzhou community.

Other highlights include the taxidermy of animals native to the region like the orang utan , moon rat and rhinoceros hornbill, along with skulls taken from Iban longhouses.

These items were carefully preserved from a time when headhunting was commonly practised by the Dayak or the indigenous people living in Sarawak. At the moment, the Museum does not charge for admission.

5. Visit Tua Pek Kong Temple and Goddess of Mercy Pagoda

The Eng Ann Tua Pek Kong Temple has a history that traces back as far as 1871. It’s the oldest and most well-preserved Chinese temple in Sibu. Most of the materials used to build the temple, including the Tua Pek Kong statue, were imported directly from China. Worshipped by ethnic Chinese in Malaysia, Singapore and parts of Indonesia, Lord Tua Pek Kong is a deity of Peranakan folk religion

The Eng Ann Tua Pek Kong Temple was rebuilt from its original wooden structure into a Taoist building with tiled roof and stone floor in 1890.

To the locals, the temple is not only sacred, it’s also a place filled with miracles. The temple was left undamaged in a fire that took place in 1928 which blazed a large part of the town. Likewise, the temple remained unharmed in the continuous bombings launched by the Japanese and allied forces during World War II.

You may wish to offer your respect to the deity or take your time to admire the architecture and many stone sculptures found within the Temple.

The adjacent Goddess of Mercy Pagoda was constructed in 1987. The seven-storey high Pagoda is believed to be the most proportioned pagoda outside of China.

Climb up to the top of the Pagoda to enjoy a scenic view of the Rajang River. Be sure to check out the historic photos and paintings displayed on level three to learn more about the temple’s illustrious past.

6. Catch the sunset at Rejang Esplanade

A stone’s throw away from the Tua Pek Kong Temple is the Rejang Esplanade , a picturesque waterfront promenade that stretches along the Rajang River. The Esplanade was built in 1987 from land reclaimed by the river bed.

Today, the Esplanade is a great place for evening strolls, photo-taking and dining at one of the many alfresco restaurants there. It often hosts cultural performances, public events and celebrations.

Even so, you’ll be able to catch a glimpse of its past, including the wharf that used to be the earliest trading point in Sibu and “floating markets” or small boats carrying goods to be sold to the locals.

The most iconic of all would be the Swan Statue , erected by the Sibu Municipal Council in the 1990s. According to an old Sibu legend, the locals continued to feed the swans that were living in the region despite famine. In return, the swan showed the locals how to extract edible starch from tropical palms. This edible starch is the sago we know in modern times – like the sago pearls added in various kinds of desserts.

This age-old friendship is how Sibu’s nickname – Swan City – came about. It’s common to see swan statues in various parts of Sibu, with the one by the Esplanade being the most famous.

7. Get a taste of Sibu’s street food and experience nightlife at Sibu Night Market

On some nights, you’ll find more than 100 stalls at the Sibu Night Market gathered at the junction of Jalan Market in the centre of Sibu. Shop for fashion items, footwear, toys, household goods and food, of course.

Start your local street food adventure by savouring some of the most authentic local snacks like Foo Chow siew muai , Sarawak satay , panggang (grilled glutinous rice wrapped in banana leaf) and midin (local fern). Other must-tries include apam balik or what the locals call “half-moon pancake”, which is similar to a folded crepe filled with butter, sugar and crushed peanuts, and kompia , Sibu’s most famous crusty baked pastry.

Made from wheat flour, water and salt, and topped with sesame seeds, traditional kompia sold in Sibu is baked in a charcoal-filled clay oven which gives it a unique fragrance. Kompia was brought in from Fuzhou, southern China, by the Chinese community who settled in Sibu. It can be eaten as it is or served with a generous stuffing of minced pork.

While you’re at the market, be sure to soak up the sounds and bustling atmosphere of Southeast Asian nightlife.

8. Learn about Chinese settlers at Sungai Merah Heritage Walk

Pasar Sungai Merah is an old bazaar about 10 minutes away from the Sibu city centre on foot. It is named after Sungai Merah (Red River). The Pasar was where the pioneer batch of 72 Chinese immigrants had landed on 12 January 1901. They were led by Wong Nai Siong, a revolutionary leader and educator, who originated from Fuzhou in southern China.

Wong later led a second batch of Chinese immigrants to Sibu on 5 March 1901. He also helped manage the welfare of the immigrants as they settled down in the town. As a result, this area is historically significant to the local Chinese community.

Today, the area has been restored into a quaint walking trail by the riverfront and the Pasar is still in operation, providing daily goods and services to those living nearby. After checking out the Pasar, admire the views along the river and visit the Wong Nai Siong memorial garden which commemorates Chinese pioneers in Sibu.

9. Discover the legacy of early Fuzhou community at World Fuzhou Heritage Gallery

If the Sungai Merah Heritage Walk showcases the pioneering batches of the Chinese Fuzhou community who came to settle in Sibu, the World Fuzhou Heritage Gallery is where you can learn more about their lives and legacy.

Located at Jalan Salim, the Gallery houses over 650 artifacts that were donated by local Fuzhou families. Many of the artifacts can be traced back to the first group of southern Chinese immigrants who arrived in 1901. The Gallery is believed to be the largest of its kind in the world.

The free Gallery is divided into five sections which showcase the traditions, culture, notable figures, livelihood and the present generation of Fuzhou Chinese in Sibu. Definitely a must-visit for those who are interested in the history of overseas Chinese and their descendants.

10. Shop at Wisma Sanyan, Sibu’s highest building

Standing at 125m tall, Wisma Sanyan is a pinnacle landmark in Sibu. It used to be the tallest building in Sarawak until it was surpassed by Naim the Peak Condominium in 2019.

The headquarters of the Sanyan Group, the largest timber company in Sarawak, Wisma Sanyan houses offices, a shopping mall, a departmental store and government agencies.

It is also the venue for the annual Sibu BASE jump in September and the Sibu Tower Run in March. At the Sibu BASE jump, participants get to jump from the highest point of the Sanyan building and descend slowly to the ground using a parachute. The Sibu Tower Run requires participants to run up the 627 steps of the staircase of Wisma Sanyan in the shortest possible time.

For others, Wisma Sanyan is a shopping haven. Boasting over 14,000m 2 of retail space, the shopping mall occupies five levels and houses a Parkson department store.

11. Get close to nature at Bukit Lima Nature Reserve

An urban park and “green lung” of Sibu, Bukit Lima Nature Reserve opened in 2001 and is popular for its jungle trails that bypass the largest peat swamp forest park in Sarawak, along with its close proximity to nature and wildlife.

The entire trekking trail, which is on a well-paved wooden boardwalk, is about 5.7km long. The Nature Reserve is home to close to 40 species of flora and fauna, and eight species of mammals. Look out for long-tailed macaques, squirrels, tropical birds and pangolins.

Public transport is available between Sibu town centre to the Nature Reserve. Take bus number 10 operated by the Lanang Transport Company at the bus terminal to the entrance of the Nature Reserve. A one-way ticket costs RM5 (S$1.50) and the journey takes about 20 minutes.

This article has been edited and adapted from Now Boarding by Changi Airport’s “ A weekend getaway in Sibu, Malaysia – the newest off-the-beaten destination to explore from Singapore ”

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8 Johor Islands You Must Visit

Do you know that there are many Maldives-like islands off the East coast of Johor? Not only they have beautiful beaches filled with coconut trees but also crystal clear waters off the shore. Here are 8 Johor islands (with resorts) that you must visit at least once in your life time!

1. Pulau Besar

Pulau Besar is one of the nearest islands from the mainland at just about 25 minutes speed boat ride from Mersing Jetty. Pulau Besar is originally named Pulau Babi Besar and is the largest island among its sister islands of Pulau Babi (there’s Pulau Babi Besar, Pulau Babi Tengah and Pulau Babi Hujung).

Many locals flock to Pulau Besar for its soft white sandy beaches and clear blue sea waters . The resorts on the island are tugged behind a concrete pathway which separates the beach and the resorts. Among the more popular resorts here are Aseania Beach Resort , Bayu Lestari Island Resort, D’coconut Island Resort and Mirage Island Resort .

Most of the island packages here includes boat transfer, accommodation and meals with the option of adding on island acitivities such as snorkeling and jungle trekking. At the moment, there is no dive base here so unfortunately, diving acitvities are not available.

2. Pulau Tengah

Pulau Tengah, originally named Pulau Babi Tengah, is the middle island of the Pulau Babi island group. Pulau Tengah is a privately owned island with only one private resort – Batu Batu Resort . The beach here is similar to Pulau Besar and it is one of the most sought after private islands for couples going for their local honeymoon.

Staying at a private resort guarantees the best privacy for you and your loved ones, but it also comes with an expensive price tag. A 3D2N package here would cost more than a thousand ringgit per person. So far Pulau Tengah is the only Johor island that I have not set my foot on. Hopefully I can visit here one day.

3. Pulau Rawa

Pulau Rawa is no stranger to most locals and maybe Singaporeans. Pulau Rawa is a small heart-shaped island just behind Pulau Besar, famous for its soft white sandy beach, crystal clear waters and of course, the legendary Rawa Slide!

There are only two resorts on Pulau Rawa – Alang’s Rawa Resort and Rawa Island Resort. Alang’s Rawa Resort comprises several A-frame and Santorini-style chalets. Rooms at Alang’s Rawa Resort are without aircon and water heater. On the other hand, Rawa Island Resort, the more pricier option has rooms with aircon and water heater. Due to the island’s popularity and limited number of rooms available, package prices at Pulau Rawa are on the pricier side, starting from over RM700 per person for a 3D2N stay.

One of the best things about having a vacation at Pulau Rawa is that there are lots of island activities you can do here without going off shore. For example, there is this easy 20-minute hike to the peak of the island which promises a breathtaking view. You can also take an evening stroll along the island walk path which skirts around the island (best to do it during sunset). Furthermore, there are also lots of beautiful corals just a few metres off the shore.

4. Pulau Sibu

Pulau Sibu is a lesser known island located at just 15 minutes speed boat ride from Tanjung Leman Jetty. Yup it is a different jetty at about 1 hour drive due South from Mersing. Pulau Sibu is known for its golden brown beaches, beautiful sea waters and serene tranquility due to lesser tourists.

Some of the more popular resorts here include Sari Pacifica Sibu Resort , Sea Gypsy Village and Rimba Resort. All of these resorts are located on different bays so you will get to enjoy your vacation like being on a private beach. Among all the resorts on Pulau Sibu, only Sari Pacifica Resort has rooms with aircon and water heater as well as a beautiful seafront swimming pool.

Some of the typical island activities that you can do here include signing up for a snorkeling trip, jungle trekking or a kampung walk to the main village on the island. There is this path behind Sari Pacifica Resort that leads you to the main village where there are local schools, shops and basic infrastructure that serve the local villagers.

5. Pulau Tinggi

Located at about 30 minutes speed boat ride from Tanjung Leman Jetty, Pulau Tinggi is arguably the most easily recognizable island in Johor due to its unique trapezoidal shape – like a pyramid floating on the ocean .

The other unorthodox thing about Pulau Tinggi is that the beaches on different bays have different colours. For instance, the beach at TAd Marine Resort is snowy white whereas the beach over at Shaz Resort is light golden brown. Nevertheless, the sea water here is crystal clear all around.

Apart from snorkeling trip, you can also sign up for a jungle trekking excursion to the Pulau Tinggi waterfall . Sometimes during the weekends, there will be day trippers who hop on to Pulau Tinggi for this waterfall trek as well.

6. Pulau Pemanggil

Now let’s move on to the islands which are further away from the mainland. Pulau Pemanggil, famous among the fishing community is located at about 1.5 hours speed boat ride from Mersing Jetty. The beaches here are nothing too extraordinary, but the rocky cliff views and beautiful marine life are among the unique attractions of Pulau Pemanggil.

One of the more actively run resorts here is Lanting Beach Resort which is built on top of the cliff side. It takes some effort to make your way up to the resort from the beach. Facilities here are basic , rooms are without aircon and water heater. So it might not suit everyone.

My favourite memory here was the snorkeling trip to Nemo and Shipwreck Points as well as the catching the sunrise near the rocks. It’s one of the most beautiful sunrise spots that I can remember.

7. Pulau Aur

Pulau Aur is the furthest island away from Johor and Peninsular Malaysia. From Mersing Jetty, it takes about 2 hours speed boat ride to reach Pulau Aur. The environment at Pulau Aur is rustic and organic with untouched beaches and beautiful virgin coral reefs . Being so far away from the mainland, internet connectivity is very limited so you are like temporarily cut off from the world here.

There are several chalet-resorts on Pulau Aur such as Sebukang Bay Resort , Bluewater Resort and Giligan Lodge, all of which are located on different beaches. Facilities are basic which means you will get to experience authentic island village life.

One of the must do things on Pulau Aur is definitely the snorkeling trips . You will see some of the most untouched and beautiful coral reefs here around Pulau Aur. Also, there is this hiking excursion to Pulau Dayang (just next to Pulau Aur) that you must try. The view up there is absolutely breathtaking.

8. Pulau Dayang

Pulau Dayang is a small island just next to Pulau Aur. At the moment there is no speed boat to Pulau Dayang. So to come here, you will have to take the speed ferry which is a bit slower. The journey from Mersing Jetty is about 3.5 hours. Pulau Dayang is arguably the most beautiful Johor island thanks to its turquoise blue sea waters and powdery white sandy beach .

There is only one active resort on Pulau Dayang named Dayang Island Resort. The resort is owned by a Singaporean. Hence, their holiday packages are charged in Singapore Dollars. Facilities here are pretty basic, but with aircon rooms. It is like a private island where you have the entire beach for yourself.

Make sure you don’t miss the snorkeling trips and hiking excursion to the peak of Pulau Dayang which promises one of the best hiking views that you will ever see. You’ll have to be there and see it for yourself to fully appreciate the “king of the world” experience when you are at the peak.

There you have it – my humble summary and brief introduction of the 8 best Johor islands that you must visit . Of course there are many more uninhabited islands scattering around the Johor Sultan Iskandar Marine Park such as Pulau Hujung, Pulau Harimau, Pulau Gual, Pulau Mensirip, Pulau Seribuat, Pulau Lima and so on. Some of which you could hop on by joining an Johor Island Hopping Day Trip Tour !

Having been to these islands myself, some even multiple times, I still can’t get enough of our beautiful Johor islands. Hopefully more people will know about them and appreciate the beauty of Malaysia – truly a melting pot of amazing nature, food and culture.

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Check out our top recommended island packages here, latest blogs, pulau dayang 3d2n trip 2021, pulau tioman 3d2n trip at aman tioman beach resort, pulau mawar heaven’s gate 天堂之门, kl forest eco park (canopy walk trail).

Snorkel trips within the Marine Park

Dan’s Nasty Frogmen always sends a snorkelling guide for safety and to show guests the best areas of the reef.

You can check the What’s On boards in our restaurant for details of the excursions planned for that day, or just come on over to the dive base and have a chat about what you would like to do during your stay at Sea Gypsy Village.

Pulau Kukus

Kukus is a small, secluded, lush green island with a sparkling white sandy beach that represents paradise perfectly. So much so it was used for the Swedish Survivor television programme!

It is a 15 minute boat ride south of Sea Gypsy, following the shoreline of Sibu on the journey to Kukus.

Perfect for novice snorkeller, the very young or the elderly because landing at Kukus beach the coral reef is all around with the water deepening very gradually as you swim away from the shore.

Perfect for families as the little ones love playing on the beach when they’ve had enough snorkeling

There is plenty of shade should you need to get out of the sun.

Note: Kukus is popular with other resorts, particularly at weekends & public holidays. If we are aware it is going to be busy we go elsewhere as we do like to have our own piece of paradise!

Lima Besar & Lima Kechil

A lovely piece of untouched tropical paradise Lima Kechil (Five Small Islands) is right next to Lima Besar (Five Big Islands). Both Lima Kechil & Besar are in fact single islands, we have yet to discover the reason behind their odd names!

About a 20 minute boat ride from Sea Gypsy

An extensive reef system surrounds these two islands, which is great for adults and children alike

A nice, sheltered location far from the madding crowd, in 20 years we’ve never come across any other visitors to the island.

Mentinggi Island

MenTinggi is a favourite with our regulars because the reef system offers such a diverse selection of marine life. It is common to spot Black Tip Reef Sharks (don't worry they're only small....)

A 20 minute boat ride from Sea Gypsy, Mentinggi is just in front of Pulau Tinggi

A beautiful lush green island with white sandy beach and bluest of blue water surrounding it, Mentinggi really is the tropical island that you dream about

Mentinggi is our favourite snorkelling site for spotting the larger species indigenous to these waters.

We are frequently the only visitors on Mentinggi.

There is plenty of shade should you want to get out of the sun.

• PADI COURSES
• SNORKELLING
• SUNSET ISLAND
• SURF & SAIL
• HARNESS CLIMBING
• SLIP N SLIDE
• DAN'S NASTY
• KIDS LOUNGE
• NASTY ACTIVITIES
• NASTY LET OFF STEAM
• NASTY TADPOLES
• NASTY FROGS
• NOT POTTY TRAINED

3D2N Sari Pacifica Beach Resort & Spa (Snorkeling & Island Hopping), Pulau Sibu

Home » packages » malaysia » islands (pulau pulau) » pulau sibu, johor » sari pacifica beach resort & spa.

Destination

Package Options (Price Per Person)

Guest per room, *child without bed & infants do not count toward the total number of guests., *each room must be at least 2 adults paying full fare then only follow by child fare., activities information.

Day 1: Tanjung Leman Jetty – Pulau Sibu (Lunch | Dinner)

• Ferry transfer to Pulau Sibu
• On arrival at resort, proceed for check-in
• Free activities at your own leisure
• At night, enjoy dinner at resort
• Overnight at resort

Day 2: Pulau Sibu (Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner)

• Breakfast at resort
• Then, proceed to snorkeling at Pulau Paku Besar & Pulau Tengah
• Enjoy lunch & dinner at resort

Day 3: Pulau Sibu  – Tanjung Leman Jetty (Breakfast)

• Free activities at your own leisure before check out
• Children from 5 to 11 years old are chargeable at 50% from adult rates. 4 years old and below are FOC
• Cooking is strictly prohibited at the premises

Boat Schedule :

• Boat from Tanjung Leman Jetty to Sibu at 1130, 1300 hrs daily
• Boat from Sibu to Tanjung Leman Jetty at 1030 hrs daily

Accommodation

• Sari Pacifica Beach Resort & Spa, Pulau Sibu

One of the best resorts we’ve stayed in so far. We took 3d2n package with breakfast, lunch & din provided. Food given large quantity, esp seafood & service was fine. Stayed in Garden Villa chalet. Very clean & comfortable. Housekeeping crew came to clean, very prompt & quick. Clean & nice beach, about 20 paces away from room, as well as clean pool, about 10 paces from room. Surrounding well kept. Resort is, of course, not new but it’s more than adequate to unwind & relax. Came during off-peak season & feels like you have whole resort to yourself! Thank you to staff for memorable holiday.

Policy / Surcharge:

• Public & School Holidays 

Package Includes:

• 2 nights accommodation
• Meals as itinerary (2 breakfast, 2 lunch & 2 dinner)
• 1 Snorkeling trip at Pulau Paku Besar & Pulau Tengah
• Boat return transfer

Packages Excludes:

• Personal charges at hotel (phone call, mini bar, laundry and others)
• Personal expenses
• Porterage at hotel
• Optional activity
• Land transfer (Johor Airport/Bus Terminal – Tanjung Leman Jetty – Johor Airport/Bus Terminal) – RM 100.00 per person – Min 3
•  Compulsory Marine & National Park Fees at Tanjung Leman Jetty: RM 11/pax for Malaysian citizen
• Travel Insurance – RM 10/day/pax

BBQ Dinner :

• Min 30 person and above: RM80/person

Boat Charter :

• Per boat (maximum 8 persons) per way RM 300

 Island Hopping Tour (min 4 pax) :

• RM350/Adult | RM175/Child
• Depart at 0830 am and return at 0300 pm
• Snorkeling at Pulau Matinggi, Pulau Kukus, & Besar Island
• Lunch at Aseania Besar Island
• Package includes (2 Bottles Mineral Water, 1 Snack box with fruits, 1 Pool Towel-Returnable)

Fun Fishing (max 6 pax) :

• Depart at 0930 am and return at 0100 pm
• Fishing Equipment Provided (Traditional Equipment) together with fish bait
• Usage of Fishing Rod is strictly prohibited (by Marine Park Department)
• Complimentary: 2 Bottles Mineral Water, 1 Pack of Cut Fruit

Planning your own tour?

Get your tailor-made itinerary now

Malaysia Holiday Calendar

Public Holiday & School Holiday

Deposit & Payment

Booking deposit* (non-refundable) of the full payment should be paid after your booking has been verified by Al Masyhur International Travel & Tours. Al Masyhur International Travel & Tours reserves the right to cancel your booking if you fail to make a full-payment 45 days before travelling dates.

* 30% or more deposit is required at time of booking as it depends on type of package.

* RM 1000/person for group series muslim tour package with travelling date more than 3 months.

Additional info for FIT Tour Package included the air ticket

• Upon registration and confirmation of airline ticket request, Traveller must remit full payment for airline ticket according to the dateline as advised by the person-in-charge in AMI Travel.
• For ground and other payments, traveler must remit booking deposit (a 100 % non-refundable) of 30% from the package price (excluding airline ticket) within three (3) days after registration or according to the dateline advised by person- in- charge in AMI. Balance payment must be made thirty (45) days prior to departure date or according to the dateline as advised by the person-in-charge in AMI.
• No changes can be made within 48 days before departure
• If participant wants to come back later or earlier than the expected date of arrival in Malaysia, participant must send an e-mail or letter 45 days before the travelling dates and it is subject to the discretion of Al Masyhur International Travel & Tours. However, Al Masyhur International Travel & Tours reserves the right to reject or accept it.
• If allowed, any additional cost is participant’s responsibilities. Participant also will be charged for admin fee.

Cancellation

• Booking cancellation from the participant should be done through email or letter and must be sent to Al Masyhur International Travel & Tours for avoiding any misunderstanding
• Price is subject to change which based on currency fluctuation.
• Al Masyhur International Travel & Tours reserves the right to amend the itinerary without prior notice.
• Malaysian traveller, travel insurance is compulsory for international packages. Travel insurance click here.
• There will be no tour leader from Al Masyhur International Travel & Tours that will join this tour.
• Refund will not be paid immediately and will take more than 2 months.
• All hotel and flight details are for reference only and subject to change till you get the verification from Al Masyhur International Travel & Tours.
• Not all hotels provide electric kettle and ironing facilities. It is advisable to bring your own.
• Not all hotels have triple room. So that, triple sharing room is based on twin sharing room with extra bed. Each room must be at least 2 adults paying full fare then only follow by child fare.
• This package is not includes flight ticket unless it is stated, you will be charge RM 40/ticket/person if you want to book flight tickets with us.
• Validity of the passport must be more than 6 (six) months from arrival date.
• A copy of passport should be emailed to the tour officer 45 days before departure
• It is advisable to check and ensure that you are eligible to go to overseas and your name is not being blacklisted. (’Blacklist’: Bank Debts, PTPTN and others). We will not hold any responsibilities if you are not allowed to travel on the day of your departure. Check status here
• For package with Halal meals, meals are suitable for Muslims except breakfast which will be served in standard international buffet menu. In places which Halal meals are hardly to find, we will serve meals based on seafood, vegetarian or packed halal meals.
• Terms and conditions are provided for your information. Once you book this package, we will assume you have read our Terms & Conditions
• No refund or reduction will be made to any member in for accommodation, meals, sightseeing tours, transport or any other services which are included in the tour fare but not utilized by the tour member due to personal reasons.
• The price shown above is min 2 persons unless it is stated.
• For group series if we have less participant, the participants will be combine with our consortium partner.
• If you are satisfied with the tour, you can write your review by clicking the link based on the branch you are dealing with either Selangor Branch / Johor Branch . Otherwise you can submit your complain to the management through email at [email protected] for further action.

Although we try our best to ensure that the information that we display is correct, we cannot guarantee its accuracy and as such do not accept any liability should any information be incorrect. The information provided within late availability and exclusive deals is accurate and available at the time of entry however, it is not real-time. Therefore, we cannot guarantee that the offers will be available upon further enquiry. We are not responsible for the content of any other websites that we provide links to.

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Return Flights

Airport Pickup

Travel Insurance

Halal Meals

Tour Leader

Sightseeing

Our professional travel team is here and ready to assist you with your travel arrangements! Get in touch with us with your travel details so that we can make your dream holiday come true. Contact Us

3D 2N Rimba Resort Sibu Island

Another paradisiacal spots in Johor, Pulau Sibu. Just off the Malaysian coast, the island lingers in the South China Sea and is surrounded by stunning and beautiful coral reef-filled Marine Park

• 6 Halal Meals
• Flight Tickets
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Pulau Sibu (also known as Sibu Island) is an archipelago with collections of pristine islands offering dazzling blue water and golden beaches.

With peacefulness and tranquillity as main attractions, the island itself offers endless freedom and solitude that makes you linger long after you leave.

Despite taking pleasure in exciting water sports, angling activities and jungle trekking, guests get to experience rural livings and learn their culture in close hand.

Pulau Sibu awaits you to its nature beauty and it guarantees a carefree yet appealing travel experience.

Assalamua'laikum. Get in touch with us for any enquiries regarding this package. We typically respond within 1-2 working days.

Top Packages

Top Things to Do in Sibu

Things to do in sibu.

• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Kids
• Good for Big Groups
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Adventurous
• Hidden Gems
• Good for Couples
• Honeymoon spot
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Jade Dragon Temple

2. Sibu Heritage Centre

3. Sibu Night Market

4. Tua Pek Kong Temple

5. Bukit Lima Forest Park

6. Lau King Howe Hospital Memorial Museum

7. Sibu Town Square Commercial Centre

8. Tiger Emperor Temple

9. Taman Bukit Aup Jubilee Park

10. Wong Nai Siong Garden

11. Star Mega Mall

12. Lin's Swan Garden

13. Hoover Memorial Garden

14. 1 Malaysia Culture Village

15. Visitors Information Centre, Sibu

16. Permai Lake Garden

17. Sibu Central Market

18. The Rave YMCA Camp

19. Barco Snooker

20. Mission Room

21. The Box Escape Room Malaysia

22. The Exodus Sibu - Escape Room

23. Escape Room Sibu

24. Street Bistro Sibu

What travellers are saying.

• Sibu Night Market
• Tua Pek Kong Temple
• Sibu Heritage Centre
• Taman Bukit Aup Jubilee Park
• Jade Dragon Temple
• Bukit Lima Forest Park
• Lin's Swan Garden
• Wong Nai Siong Garden
• Permai Lake Garden
• Sibu Central Market

Pulau Sibu Day Trip

Day trip package to pulau sibu.

We're sorry but due to high demand for holidays to the island we are not offering day trips at present.