Level: Free shore access This spot have a free shore access: you can go snorkeling there freely and without having to book a tour or pay an entrance fee. Resort nearby
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Last updated on November 10, 2023
Tekek South Bay is generally the first snorkeling spot visitors explore after landing on Tioman Island. Located near Tekek, the island’s largest village, its free shore access makes it a prime snorkeling location on the island.
Not only is there a diversity of reef fish, but there are also blacktip sharks and rays that live on this moderately deep reef, which stretches for hundreds of yards along the coast.
Located along the bay, Tekek village offers local charm and some modern amenities.
The spot is located south of Tekek, the largest village on Tioman Island. From the Tekek jetty, where there are usually many taxis, take the road to the Berjaya, heading south.
After about 900 yards, on your right is the Swiss Cottage, which faces the reef. Several paths from this area allow access to the beach.
We recommend entering the water from the sandy beach near the Swiss Cottage.
Tekek South Bay beach gives access to an extensive coral reef, which starts some 50-100 yards from shore.
The shallows that are near the shore have only sandy beds, and are not of much interest. As you swim out to sea, you will find some dense coral areas supporting a multitude of fish. The maximum depth on the reef is about 12 to 15 ft.
Tekek reef hosts a diversity of hard and soft corals, quite colorful and in various shapes. You will explore coral pinnacles, and see the schools of damselfish that swim around them. There are also large expanses of branching and tabular coral.
Several species of echinoderms, such as the cushion starfish, the long-spined sea urchin and the double-spined sea urchin, call the reef home. Colorful giant clams are also common at this location.
Tekek South Bay reef supports a diversity of tropical fish. Dozens of species of wrasse, along with parrotfish, spinefoot and snapper swim around the coral.
With their spectacular patterns, the sixbar angelfish, the harlequin sweetlips, the ocellaris clownfish and butterflyfish will be sure to catch your eye.
Although rarer, bluespotted ribbontail and blacktip sharks are sometimes reported at this spot.
Usual sea conditions are great in Tekek, with almost no current. Be sure to watch out for dive boat traffic.
There are several hotels along the beach, the closest to the spot being the Swiss Cottage. If you want to have lunch near the reef, the Barbura restaurant is located on the beach, 110 yards north of the Swiss Cottage.
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.
As of June 2024 the coral is almost all gone and nothing much is left to see.
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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.
