Pulau Sibu

Sibu is one of the closer islands of the Seribuat archipelago, a narrow strip about six kilometres long with beaches on both sides and a spine of low forest between them, and it has stayed quiet largely because it lacks the coral reputation of Tioman and the resort scale of Rawa. There are a handful of small resorts and a village, casuarina trees along the sand, and enough shallow water for kayaking between the neighbouring islets - Sibu Tengah, Sibu Kukus and Sibu Hujung. Snorkelling is moderate rather than remarkable, with soft coral and reef fish, and monitor lizards and mouse deer are on the island itself. Boats run from Tanjung Leman, which is closer than Mersing. Like the rest of the east coast it shuts down during the north-east monsoon.

What you actually see

• A narrow forested island - six kilometres of beach on both sides of a low spine.
• Casuarina beaches - quiet sand with very little built on it.
• Kayaking between islets - shallow water across to the neighbouring Sibus.
• Monitor lizards and mouse deer - the resident wildlife on the island.

When to go

March to October; closed during the monsoon. Two days.

Honest expectations

Snorkelling is ordinary by east-coast standards. There is nothing to do beyond the beach and the water. Boats are resort-arranged; independent access is awkward. Closed roughly November to February.

Nearby

Tanjung Leman and Mersing are on the mainland; Rawa and Tioman are north.