Nicknamed the "General's Hat Island" by Chinese seamen hundreds of years ago, Tinggi Island is a large uninhabited island, which rises 2000ft. above the sea level. This delightful island is located about 20 nautical miles southeast of Mersing, on the east coast of Johor.Tinggi Island is known for its mystical quality as much as its sheer physical beauty. It comprises the principal Tinggi Island, and eight smaller islets, namely Mentinggi Island, April Island, Nanga Kecil Island, Nanga Besar Island, Simbang Island, Lanting Island and Iboi Island and Peyembang Island. Only the first two islands Tinggi Island and Mentinggi Island - have been declared Marine Park.
Crystal-clear turquoise waters surround the cone-shaped island of Tinggi Island. The interior of this oval-shaped island is mostly covered with secondary lowland Dipterocarp rainforest. It is endowed with fresh
waters, a sheltered harbor and coral reefs which abound with prolific marine life. It has a long coastline and while sandy beaches dotted with caves. The seas around it are teeming with coral, fish and reff making it a photographic haven.This island has the highest residential population among the east coast Johor islands, with the latest tally estimated at 448 people, from three village settlements: Kampung Tanjung Balang, Kampung Pasir Panjang and Kampung Sebirah Besar.
Accommodation for these visitors is available with the setting up of rustic resorts, inns and chalets on the main island. Some good beaches, particularly those at Tanjung Balang and Sebirah Besar, offer pleasant sand, sun and fun. Snorkeling and scuba diving are some of the more popular pursuits here.
Getting There
Kuala Lumpur to Tanjung Leman jetty
There are two choices when driving from Kuala Lumpur to Tanjung Leman Jetty
Take the North - South Highway from KL until you get to the Kulai turn off (almost as far down as Johor Bahru).This will put you on route 94 heading towards Kota Tinggi and Mersing.
At the end of this road you will reach a T junction, turn left (North) onto Route 3 still heading to Kota Tinggi and Mersing.Continue to follow signs for Mersing. You will hardly notice when you pass by Kota Tinggi as the road bypasses out of the town. However there will be a traffic light whereby a left turn takes you to Kota Tinggi town and a right turn to Desaru.Keep going straight towards Mersing.
After about 40 minutes drive from the traffic light / Kota Tinggi junction you will notice signs for Tanjung leman Sibu Island.
Take a right hand turn into the check point for tenggorah plantation (Palm oil plantation).On the corner of the turn off you should see a taxi stand for long distance cabs (Blue cabs). Pass through a police check point onto the plantation Road.
Tanjung leman jetty is about 28km away from this point, when you are about 13km away from the jetty you will see a sign for Sibu Island Tanjung leman jetty ,take a left turn .Continue on till the end of the road. At the end of the road turn right into the entrance of Tanjung leman jetty car park.
OR
Take the North-South Highway from KL and exit at Keluang heading east towards Mersing.This road is however a single lane winding road and might take a longer time than anticipated. Once you have reached the East coast (South of Mersing) you should turn right (South) heading towards Kota Tinggi and Johor Bahru.
After about 30 minutes drive you will reach the Tanjung leman turnoff (Look out for Signs), turn left into the tenggorah plantation( Palm oil plantation).On the corner of the turn off you should see a taxi stand for long distance cabs( Blue cabs).Pass through a police check point onto the plantation road.
Tanjung leman jetty is about 28km away from this point, when you are about 13km away from the jetty you will see a sign for Sibu Island Tanjung leman jetty, take a left turn .Continue on till the end of the road. At the end of the road turn right into the entrance of Tanjung leman jetty car park.
Driving from Singapore/Johor Bahru. You need to drive to Johor Bahru and drive ahead until Kota Tinggi (approx. 1\hr) Tanjung Leman's jetty is located at Kota Tinggi town (about 45 minutes from Kota Tinggi). You may park your car at a secured parking space at Tanjung Leman at RM5/night.
Singapore to Tanjung Leman (using woodlands causeway)
Pass through customs checkpoint (Woodlands causeway) and follow temporary Exit route due to the roadworks. After you have exited the detour move over to the right lane and take the first u turn heading back towards the causeway. You are now in Jalan Wong Ah Fook. This will lead you through Johor Bahru City passing City Square shopping mall on your right. Look out for the overhead Bridge with the sign 'Kota Tinggi - Desaru'.
Follow this sign and this will put you onto route 3.Keep on this road following the signs to Kota Tinggi and Mersing.
Route 3 will lead you through a small town called Ulu Tiram, keep going straight.
You will hardly notice when you pass by Kota Tinggi as the road by passes out of the town. However there will be a traffic light whereby a left turn takes you to Kota Tinggi town and a right turn to Desaru.Keep going straight towards Mersing.
After about 40 minutes drive from the traffic light / Kota Tinggi junction you will notice signs for Tanjung leman Sibu Island.
Take a right hand turn into the check point for tenggorah plantation( Palm oil plantation).On the corner of the turn off you should see a taxi stand for long distance cabs ( Blue cabs).Pass through a police check point onto the plantation Road.
Tanjung leman jetty is about 28km away from this point, when you are about 13km away from the jetty you will see a sign for Sibu Island Tanjung leman jetty ,take a left turn .Continue on till the end of the road. At the end of the road turn right into the entrance of Tanjung leman jetty car park.
Singapore to Tanjung Leman (using the 2nd Link/ Tuas)
After crossing the bridge and having cleared Malaysian Immigration and customs continue on towards Johor Bahru and Pasir Gudang (exit 307 C).This is a toll road and you will have to pass through two toll Gates (Rm16.00)
Follow this road all the way to Perling Toll Plaza (about 20 min drive from Immigrations).The road will become Persisiran Perling and you will pass Perling Mall on the right side.
Keep on this road as it becomes Route 17 and follow the signs for Pasir Gudang, Kota Tinggi and Desaru There are major Road works being done at the Ulu Tiram, Kota Tinggi, Desaru, Mersing turn off on route 17, so the turn off Road has been closed. It is however scheduled to be reopened in 2005. The quickest way to overcome this is to bypass the construction and pass the 'Turn Off' road. Keep in the right hand lane and after approximately 1 km it will be possible to make a u turn.
After u - turning keep in the left hand lane. The first off ramp will take you back to the construction site but from this side of the highway the off ramp is usable. At the top of the ramp there are traffic lights as well as a large white Telecom building opposite the road. Take a right turn and follow signs for Kota Tinggi and Mersing.You are now on route 3.
Route 3 will lead you through a small town called Ulu Tiram, keep going straight.
You will hardly notice when you pass by Kota Tinggi as the road bypasses out of the town. However there will be a traffic light whereby a left turn takes you to Kota Tinggi town and a right turn to Desaru.Keep going straight towards Mersing.
After about 40 minutes drive from the traffic light / Kota Tinggi junction you will notice signs for Tanjung leman Sibu Island.
Take a right hand turn into the check point for tenggorah plantation(Palm oil plantation).On the corner of the turn off you should see a taxi stand for long distance cabs ( Blue cabs).Pass through a police check point onto the plantation Road. Tanjung leman jetty is about 28km away from this point, when you are about 13km away from the jetty you will see a sign for Sibu Island Tanjung leman jetty ,take a left turn .Continue on till the end of the road. At the end of the road turn right into the entrance of Tanjung leman jetty car park.
