Level: Resort nearby
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Last updated on June 24, 2024
The Batu Batu Resort is located on Pulau Tengah, which is off the east coast of the Malaysia peninsular in the South China Sea. Extensive areas of easily accessible coral reef can be found off the south and west coasts of the island. Common sightings in the island’s shallows are reef fish, rays and blacktip sharks.
Pulau Tengah is accessible by ferry from the jetty at Mersing, on the east coast of Johorin. Mersing can be reached by car or bus from the main international airports at both Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.
Journey time from the former is approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes, while journey time from Singapore is anything between 2 and a half hours to 4 hours. This latter due to the often congested border crossing between Singapore and Malaysia.
One of the easiest entry points is off the beach in area 1, which has gently sloping sands. However, this is only accessible at mid to high tide. It is worth noting that the southern edge of the bay is popular with small to medium-sized Blacktip Reef sharks at highwater. The same area at low water is comprised of extensive intertidal rock sand coral.
Entry to area 2 can be made at most states of tide, with easiest access from the western extent of the swimming pool beach. Keeping to the sandy shore edge will allow you to follow the reef edge into deeper water. This also allows you to visit the jetty area, where you will find rays and sharks.
Area 3 in the north can be easily accessed from the beach on the western (lefthand) side and from the tip of the sandspit. Again, be aware of the state of tide, as entry at mid to low water is not recommended due to the extensive areas of shallow coral and accompanying urchins.
Batu Batu resort on Tengah Island has three snorkeling areas that are easy to access and support differing communities of corals. These areas have been numbered 1 to 3 on the map.
The area around the jetty is different, with the artificial structures supporting an interesting attached fauna and, the shade from the jetty, encouraging numerous fish species, including sharks.
Between the jetty and area 3 a large expanse of fairly sparse seagrass amongst sand is noted.
The extensive reef system supports a great diversity of corals including large areas of Acropora reef. The north of the island also has extremely high density patches of Fungia coral in combination with colorful Porites coral.
A good diversity of fish species can also be found, including several unusual butterflyfish, which are able to tolerate the periodically turbid waters.
Other fish groups of interest include shoals of rabbitfish, chromis, colorful individual parrotfish, and occasional rays.
The areas around the jetty and along the shore in area 1 are also good for spotting sharks and rays.
The island has only one resort, Batu Batu, with several villas, a pool and a restaurant. It is a popular venue for a weekend trip for residents living in Singapore.
These snorkeling spots are accessible to beginners and kids. You will enter the water gradually from a beach, or in a less than 3ft. deep area. The sea is generally calm, shallow, with almost no waves or currents. These spots are usually located in marked and/or monitored swimming areas. It is not necessary to swim long distances to discover the sea life. This level only apply when the spot experiences optimal sea and/or weather conditions. It is not applicable if the sea and/or weather conditions deteriorate, in particular in the presence of rough sea, rain, strong wind, unusual current, large tides, waves and/or swell. You can find more details about the definition of our snorkeling levels on our snorkeling safety page.
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Snorkeling spots are part of a wild environment and their aspect can be significantly altered by weather, seasons, sea conditions, human impact and climate events (storms, hurricanes, seawater-warming episodes…). The consequences can be an alteration of the seabed (coral bleaching, coral destruction, and invasive seagrass), a poor underwater visibility, or a decrease of the sea life present in the area. Snorkeling Report makes every effort to ensure that all the information displayed on this website is accurate and up-to-date, but no guarantee is given that the underwater visibility and seabed aspect will be exactly as described on this page the day you will snorkel the spot. If you recently snorkeled this area and noticed some changes compared to the information contained on this page, please contact us.
The data contained in this website is for general information purposes only, and is not legal advice. It is intended to provide snorkelers with the information that will enable them to engage in safe and enjoyable snorkeling, and it is not meant as a substitute for swim level, physical condition, experience, or local knowledge. Remember that all marine activities, including snorkeling, are potentially dangerous, and that you enter the water at your own risk. You must take an individual weather, sea conditions and hazards assessment before entering the water. If snorkeling conditions are degraded, postpone your snorkeling or select an alternate site. Know and obey local laws and regulations, including regulated areas, protected species, wildlife interaction and dive flag laws.
