Pulau Tinggi, Malaysia

Malaysia, situated in South Asia, has become one of the major tourist destinations in South Asia. Malaysia is every tourist's haven, it boasts of all the facets to satisfy your desires. Tourist Attractions in the country are diverse and variegated. Pulau Tinggi, Malaysia is one of the major natural attractions of the country. It is also referred as the Tinggi Island, which rises2000 ft (600 m) above sea level off the east coast of Johor. The Chinese seamen who traveled to the place hundreds of years ago nicknamed the place as "General's Hat Island". The population of the island is sparse and it is located approximately 20 nautical miles (37 km) southeast of Mersing, on the east coast of Johor.

The island boasts of spectacular natural beauty; the entire island is replete with exquisite white sandy beaches, all of which are renowned for their enthralling natural beauty and caves. The island is ideal for those who are looking for a destination to escape the drab, dreary and mundane pressures of daily life. The name of the island comes from a steep hill that rises 2,000 feet above sea level. In fact "tinggi" is a Malay word for high. The entire island is interspersed with verdant tropical forest that is rich with rattan, timber and other valuable plants.

Pulau Tinggi is renowned for its marine life and beautiful underwater flora. The whole island is a haven for nature lovers, adventure sports lovers, divers and snorkeling enthusiasts. The island also boasts of natural fresh water and there is a sheltered harbor in the island. The presence of the sheltered harbor explains its role as a stopover point for traders in the ancient past. Like most other islands of Malaysia, Pulau Tinggi also features a rich mythical legacy. The local inhabitants of the island believe that Malay's most famous hero, Hang Tuah, had stopped in the place during one of his journeys. In fact the local people believe that Hang Tuah's spirit guards the island even today.

There is no dearth of activities in the island; the visitors can opt for diving, bird watching, trekking, hiking and you can also opt for climbing Pulau Tinggi, which is an extinct volcano.

If you are planning for a trip to the island, then make it a point to visit the island between April and June. These are the best months for diving in the clear and calm waters of the island. Since inner islands are mainly popular with non-divers, therefore these parts of the island are crowded on the weekends and on holidays. So it will be better for you avoid these islands on the weekends and on holidays.