Pulau Tiga - Survivor Island Day Trip Print

Survivor Island didn’t get its name out of nowhere. Pulau Tiga was essentially unfamiliar to many until it became a household name in America, thanks to the highly successful TV series Survivor. Formed by an epic volcanic eruption over a hundred years ago, the name—when translated—means “Three,” inspired by the three undulating humps visible from a distance when approaching the island.

This slice of paradise is open for discovery and stay. The accommodations provided boast a relaxed chalet style, a far cry from the accommodations filmed and experienced by the Survivor participants.

The Pulau Tiga Park sits poised north of Kuala Penyu, covering an area of 158 square km, and was gazetted as a national park in 1978.

As far back as 1933, the main island, together with the two smaller islands of Kalampunian Besar and Kalampunian Damit (better known as Snake Island), was designated as a forest reserve. Sabah Parks maintains a number of trails through the forest, one of them leading to the intriguing mud "volcanoes," where mineral-rich mud and gas slowly bubble up from deep underground. The island is also known for its shy megapodes—chicken-sized birds that lay their eggs in the sand and leave the sun to incubate them.