Things to see and do Southeast

Gunung Kajang. Paya Beach is the classic starting point for the ascent of Gunung Kajang, the highest point on the island. It takes a full day of hiking to climb the 1,031 metres of altitude difference. The trail winds through the jungle, and sometimes you have to climb big rocks across the slippery path. You may have the chance to see buckshot or snakes during the 5 hours of ascent. The presence of a guide is mandatory.

Endau Rompin National Park in Johor, Malaysia, is a true paradise for nature lovers. With its breathtaking scenery, rivers, waterfalls and hikes, it offers a unique experience in the middle of an unspoilt jungle. Visitors can also catch a glimpse of wild animals such as elephants and tigers. To make the most of this park, we recommend booking a guided tour with a local guide, who will take you through the various sites and show you the hidden treasures of the region. Tour prices can vary, so it's advisable to negotiate with local agencies. Lunch is usually included in the price.

Ping Anchorage Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd is a travel agency located in Kuala Terengganu. The agency offers a variety of tours and activities to discover Malaysia's nature, culture and heritage. They specialize in island tours, with packages specially designed to promote the conservation of coral reefs and marine life in the country's marine parks. They also offer ecological adventure tours, such as jungle trekking, birdwatching, river rafting and more. In the rainforests of Malaysia. In addition to predefined tours, Ping Anchorage also offers tailor-made itineraries. They have offices in Kuala Terengganu, Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Kota Bharu, and a fleet of mini-buses, tour buses and speedboats. The agency is recognized as one of Malaysia's top tour operators and has won several tourism awards.

You must contact this official office before entering the park. A guide is required for your trip. You can find one at Kampung Peta's headquarters. Furthermore, an entry permit is also required, plus other permits if you wish to fish in the park waters or prolong your stay.

A little further away from the main diving spots, Paya Beach is ideal for beginners and snorkelers. There are fewer sites to explore, but they're still just as spectacular. It's also a good option for exploring the few sites to the south of the island, which are much less frequented. Aman Tioman Dive Centre and Divers Cove Asia (at Paya Beach Resort) are the most serious PADI-certified diving centers.

Tumuk. The islet can be easily swum to from the north of the bay, making it a snorkeler's paradise. You'll come across hawksbill turtles and barracudas.

Pulau Labas. A 20-minute boat ride northwest of Paya, the island's drop-off is packed with caves and passages to explore. The north of the island, with its shallow waters, is ideal for inexperienced divers looking for a thrill. With a little more experience, you can descend to 20 meters through narrow passages lined with fan-shaped coral. A great place for macro divers.

Golden Reef. This submerged reef of large boulders is another paradise for coral lovers. Located not far from the popular Tiger Reef (see diving at Tekek), you can enjoy the same wealth of pelagic life without the risk of getting hit by flippers.

Pulau Sepoi. This islet is the furthest west of Tioman. Its large rocks are among the most spectacular formations in the region. The shallow waters (15 meters max.) make it a very good spot for inexperienced divers.

Apart from the sporty Berjaya dive center, Tekek's most important dive centers are the Tioman Dive Centre and Moby Deck. Diving takes place between 2 m and 27 m, within a 20-minute boat ride. The best times to dive are from March to May and September to November; from June to August, visibility is considerably lower. The centers are closed from December to February. Tekek centers are PADI or NAUI certified.

House reef. Opposite Tekek beach, the shallow waters are ideal for novices and snorkelers alike. It's a good place to discover different varieties of coral and colorful tropical fish. A school of yellow-tailed barracuda.

Tomuk. Less than 10 minutes south of Tekek, the site drops to 20 meters. Large boulders form nooks and crannies to explore, lined with soft corals and home to nudibranchs. Perfect for macro enthusiasts. But a strong current can sometimes make diving difficult.

Tiger Point. This submerged pinnacle between the islets of Labas and Sepoi can be reached in around twenty minutes. The dive starts at 8 meters and descends to 22 meters. Powerful currents and rugged terrain require good control. This exceptional site is relatively uncrowded and therefore in very good condition. Slopes, canyons and rocks are carpeted with soft and hard corals and sponges. Large schools of mackerel, yellowtail bream, pike and trevally are seen on every dive.

Salang is the ideal location for diving in Tioman, as most of the sites are in the north of the island. You won't have to plan long boat transfers to reach the dive sites. The leading diving center is Salang Bay Divers (with a French-speaking instructor), which is PADI-certified. As on the rest of the island, dive centers are closed from December to February.

Salang Bay & Roger's wreck. Salang Bay is rich in small fish and therefore attracts the biggest fish. You'll see impressive schools of pelagic fish forming incredible ballets. Roger's wreck, a wooden fisherman's boat, lies on the seabed to the north of the bay. The wreck is intact, with the mast still present, and is the subject of interesting outings.

Pulau Soyak. This tiny, tree-covered rocky islet lies just opposite Salang. The underwater rocks are covered with a wide variety of soft and hard corals and sea anemones. Many fish and hawksbill turtles reside here: altums (angelfish), napoleons, zebrafish, parrotfish, blue-spotted stingrays, yellow-spotted snappers, eels, barracudas...

Fan Canyon. Off Salang Bay, this site is attached to Coral Island, renowned for its coral. A gentle slope descends to 30 meters. Along the way, a narrow canyon shelters sumptuous fan corals. However, crossing the canyon is prohibited to protect the fragile corals.

Along with Salang, ABC is one of Tioman's hot spots for diving. With 3 wrecks to explore close to the beach, you don't have to go far to enjoy the beauty of the island's seabed. It's also a good place for snorkeling, as visibility is often excellent around the island. The best dive centers in Air Batang are Blue Heaven (French-speaking instructor and SSI certification) and Eco Divers. Both are PADI-certified.

House reef. Accessible directly from the beach, ABC's house reef allows you to brush up on your diving basics with a maximum depth of 12 meters. It's also a good place to spot the rare goby.

KM Sipadan and Sawadee wrecks. The KM Sipadan is a former Malaysian army warship. It was deliberately sunk in 2012 to create an artificial reef. The site is ideal for Nitrox diving, as well as for highly experienced divers who can then visit the interior of the ship. Two other wrecks of Thai fishing boats seized by customs were also sunk on the same site at a depth of 30 meters. If you're lucky, you may come across a stonefish or a crocodilefish.

Pulau Renggis. This small island off the Berjaya golf course is a diver's and snorkeler's paradise. It requires a short boat trip of around ten minutes. With a depth of just 10 meters, the site is often selected for a third daily dive or a night dive. Blacktip sharks are often seen here.

Crossing Tioman. A well-marked trail crosses the island from west to east to Juara. Although the route is mainly in the shade, make sure there is enough water. The track, well marked, can be difficult at some points and good footwear is recommended to get over the few difficult spots. The walk takes 2 to 3 hours. To get back from Juara, you can take a sea taxi. It should be around 100 RM. Besides, the road is good enough for 4WDs. The return can be done by this way or by hitchhiking by asking for a moped which should cost less. In desperation, you can walk again.

From Tekek to Genting. A trail runs through the jungle from Tekek to Genting in the southwest of the island. The correctly marked path starts from the Berjaya Tioman Resort. It's a fairly arduous 1 hour walk to Paya Beach. The path becomes flatter and easier from Paya Beach to Genting, and it takes no more than 45 minutes to cover the distance. Don't hesitate to take your swimsuit with you, as you'll come across many deserted creeks along the way, perfect for refreshing yourself. If you don't want to walk home, you'll have to take a sea taxi. It should be around 50 RM.

If you wish to climb the mountain peaks, it is necessary to be accompanied by a guide, as the paths are very poorly marked. Contact the guesthouse or hotel where you are staying.

The Johor National Park Office is an indispensable ally for those planning to travel alone to Endau Rompin. They'll find you an obligatory guide, often Orang Asli. This is also where you can book your accommodation inside the park, pay the entrance fee and the trekking permit (which includes insurance). Sites not to be missed in this part of the park include the Upeh Guling and Buaya Sangkut waterfalls, the Janing Barat palm forest, Tasik Biru lake and the Orang Asli village of Peta.