Tioman Island (locally, Pulau Tioman) is a small island located 32 km off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia in the state of Pahang, and is some 39 km long and 12 km wide. It has eight main villages, the largest and most populous being Kampung Tekek in the north. Yet, the densely forested island is still sparsely inhabited, and is surrounded by numerous coral reefs, making it a scuba diving haven.

Its beaches were depicted in the 1958 movie, South Pacific as Bali Hai. In the 1970s, TIME magazine selected Tioman as one of the world’s most beautiful islands.

Apart from its diverse marine life, the inland rainforest area, encompassing approximately 12,383 hectares, in Tioman is a strictly enforced nature reserve. There are several protected species of mammals on the island, including the Binturong, Long-tailed Macaque, Slow Loris, Black Giant Squirrel, Red Giant Flying Squirrel, Mouse deer, Brush-tailed Porcupine, and Common Palm Civet, from a total of 45 species of mammals and 138 species of birds, including the majestic Frigatebird. Moreover, Tioman has species that are endemic to its shores. The soft-shelled turtle and the Tioman walking catfish are both unique and can be seen on rainforest walks.

The island is served by ferries from the Malaysian mainland, and a propeller plane service by Berjaya Air from Singapore (Seletar Airport) and Kuala Lumpur (Subang Airport).

Sipadan is the only oceanic island in Malaysia, rising 2,000 feet or 600m from the seabed. It is located in the Celebes Sea east of the major town of Tawau and off the coast of East Malaysia on the Island of Borneo. It was formed by living corals growing on top of an extinct volcanic cone that took thousands of years to develop. Sipadan is located at the heart of the Indo-Pacific basin, the centre of one of the richest marine habitats in the world. More than 3,000 species of fish and hundreds of coral species have been classified in this ecosystem.

Normally rare diving scenes are frequently seen in the waters around Sipadan: schools of greenback turtles and hawksbill turtles nesting and mating, schools of barracuda & big-eye trevally in tornado-like formations, pelagic species such as manta rays, eagle rays, scalloped hammerhead sharks and whale sharks.

A mysterious turtle tomb lies underneath the column of the island, formed by an underwater limestone cave with a labyrinth of tunnels and chambers that contain many skeletal remains of turtles that have become lost and drown before finding the surface.

Located along the banks of the Straits of Johor is Danga Bay, previously known as Lido beach. This is a popular spot for relaxing, and on clear days, you can even catch a good view of Singapore. However, using a pair of binoculars would be even better, as it’s quite a distance from Johor Bahru.

Danga Bay stretches for about 3km, and is actually the waterfront of Johor Bahru. To view the causeway that links Johor to Singapore, try a boat ride. However, you are not allowed to go beyond 300m from the banks of Johor Bahru.

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The Langkawi archipelago is a cluster of 99 islands just off the coast of Kedah, close to Perlis and just south of Thailand.

Pulau Langkawi, noted for its legends and beautiful views, is the most developed in the group. It has good beaches, abundant marine life and offers an idyllic retreat from the urban jungle.

A duty-free port, this island of scenic, tranquil landscapes, has become a favorite destination for local and international visitors alike.

Langkawi is accessible by ferry from either Kuala Kedah (75 minutes) or Kuala Perlis (45 minutes).

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The Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2007 campaign was launched on 31st December 2005. The VMY 2007 campaign is held in conjunction with the golden jubilee of the nation’s independence.

It is designed to make Malaysia a top-of-mind destination; the yearlong campaign comprises various promotions and marketing strategies. Tourists will be prompted to plan their visit to Malaysia through information about the country’s wealth of holiday destinations throughout 2006.

The calendar of events, detailing major events in Malaysia and other related activities for VMY 2007 include the installation of the new king in January 2007 and the country’s much anticipated 50th Independence Day celebrations in late August 2007.

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