This spot has been added by

Anne
Anne

31 spots added - 1235 photos shared

Other contributors You can help us keep this page up-to-date by uploading your pictures to the photo gallery, or by sending us your comments via the contact form
Accommodation nearby

Last updated on

This pile of huge rocks and boulders, which outcrops 300 meters from the coast of Pulau Tulai, is one of the favorite stops on boat trips to Coral Island. Even if the sea can be choppy, and the depth is significant around the reef, this spot offers a great experience. Snorkelers can expect to see pretty corals, colorful reef fish, and blacktip sharks.

Malang Rock
Malang Rock seen from a tour boat.

How to get to Malang Rock snorkeling spot?

Malang Rock is a rock outcrop located near Pulau Tulai (Coral Island), an islet located northwest of Tioman.

The only option to access this site is by boat. Many tour agencies offer excursions to Coral Island (which generally includes the spots of Genting Bay and Malang Rock, check carefully), Pulau Soyak and another spot among Monkey Bay, Marine Park or Rengis.

The price of boat tours is approximately RM85 per person (2023). There are several starting points: Salang, ABC, Tekek and Paya. It is also possible to organize a private tour to be sure you’ll visit your desired snorkeling stops and arrive on Coral Island before the majority of excursionists (RM700 for approximately 6-8 people, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Malang Rock is also a famous scuba diving site.

Malang Rock snorkeling map
Malang Rock snorkeling map.

Water entrance for snorkeling Malang Rock

Water entrance is directly from the boat, near the islet.

Malang Rock snorkeling exploration tips

Around Malang Rock, the sea can be rough, and wearing fins is strongly recommended. The best way to explore this location, if conditions allow, is to snorkel all around the islet. If you encounter strong currents or poor visibility, go back.

Coral and reef fish at Malang Rock
Malang Rock is home to a wide diversity of small, colorful reef fish.

Malang Rock consists of a cluster of huge rocks and boulders colonized by different types of corals, around which the depth can reach 32 to 40 feet/10 to 12 meters, or even more if you snorkel further away.

Among the coral cover, you’ll notice in particular very pretty branching coral, brain coral, finger coral, as well as beautiful examples of tabular corals. Malang Rock being a fairly exposed site, there’s just few soft corals in the shallows.

Ocellaris anemonefish at Malang Rock
Ocellaris anemonefish inhabit Malang Rock reef.

During your snorkeling, you will see a wide variety of parrotfish, wrasse, damselfish, and spinefoot. A few sea anemones shelter friendly Ocellaris anemonefish. Different species of butterflyfish can be encountered on this spot, as well as puffers and the iconic blue-ring angelfish.

Blacktip reef shark at Malang Rock
Blacktip reef sharks are frequently spotted at this location.

But the most popular of Malang Rock is the blacktip reef shark, frequently encountered around the reef. It is often seen in the blue, but some individuals use to rest in the coral areas.

Restaurants and accommodation nearby

Most day trips include lunch; inquire when booking.

 

  • Level required Intermediate
  • Protected areaPulau Tioman Marine Park
  • Maximum depth30 feet/9 meters
  • Water entranceFrom a boat
  • Potential DangersSurf, current
  • LifeguardNo
  • Visitor numbersHigh
  • Access costsCost of a boat snorkeling tour

MAP Spot

These spots are accessible to anyone with basic snorkeling skills, and feeling comfortable in the water and with his snorkeling gear. You will enter the water from the shore (beach, pontoon, ladder, rocks) or from a boat. The water height in the sea entrance area is reasonable, but you will not necessarily be within your depth. Moderate currents can occur in the area, even when the sea conditions are good. The distance to swim to reach the most interesting snorkeling areas of the spot does not exceed 200 meters.

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.