The southernmost of Terengganu's Marine Parks, the Tenggol group of
islands is far enough offshore to have strong currents and deep clear water for exciting
diving.
The underwater topography is of boulders carpeted with soft and stony corals, encrusting
corals and sponges. The visibility is good, but the strong currents encourage drift
diving.
Due to strong currents, in some areas rounded boulders of all sizes are worn smooth
with only occasional encrusting growth, a scene alien to Malaysian waters. Although
bare at first glimpse, the nooks and crannies are in fact teeming with life.
Outstanding here are the great variety and unbelievable numbers of colourful Christmas
Tree Worms (Spirobranchus Sp.) and nudibranchs. Christmas Tree Worms are extremely
sensitive, normally retreating instantly into their tube at the slightest vibration
or a passing shadow. Yet here you find many Striped Triplefins (Helcogramma striata)
actually resting on these worms and returning to them regularly without causing them
to retract. I have never seen this incredible behaviour elsewhere.
The wide variety of nudibranchs found here include large numbers of Spanish Dancers
(Hexabranchus Sp.), which are not as large as those found in the remote reefs
in the centre of the South China Sea.
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