The Location:

  • Pulau Sibu Besar, Johor, Malaysia.
    (meaning Dead Chicken Big Island, it's next to Dead Chicken Small Island!)
  • Pulau Sibu forms part of the Seribuat chain of islands lying 12 kilometers off the east coast of the West Peninsular. The name Pulau Sibu usually refers to the main island in this cluster, which is Pulau Sibu Besar (Big Sibu Island). Other islands in this cluster include Pulau Sibu Tengah (Middle Sibu Island), Pulau Sibu Hujung (End Sibu Island) and Pulau Kukus.
  • The boat pick up point is at Tanjung Leman jetty, 120 km north of Johor Bahru on the Mersing road.

The Island:

  • Pulau Sibu is shaped like a triangular hour glass, about 6 km long and never more than one km wide it's whole length.
  • The north eastern section of the island has golden brown beaches that slope away gradually, offering ideal swimming conditions. The views from these beaches are of Pulau Tinggi and a string of smaller islands to the south. On a clear day Tioman Island can be seen to the north. The "moonrise" at full moon is so spectacular it is a sight not to be missed.
  • The south western coast is sheltered from almost all winds and the sea here is frequently so calm it resembles a lake, allowing mangrove trees to grow along the shore
  • The south east coast of Sibu rears up as a series of steep, abrupt cliffs with a rocky shoreline at their base and provides shelter to the village behind. The rocks here, and where exposed at other points on the island, are colourful and contorted. This is due to their composition of layers of volcanic ash run through with later lavas combining to produce lacework patterns. Low down on headlands near the sea, rock pools are frequent and contain miniature worlds populated by colourful fish, crabs and corals. By Tanjung Keramat the cliffs contain caves and arches.
  • There is a village, Kampong Duku, with about 150 inhabitants towards the southern tip of Sibu which has a police post, mosque, school, clinic and drinks stall. The entire village is solar powered.