TANJUNG PIAI
PHOTOS COURTESY OF TOURISM MALAYSIA
Tanjung Piai
“Realms Where Endless Spectatles Unfold”
Tanjung Piai is also known as “The Southernmost Tip of Mainland Asia”. Tanjung Piai is named after this fern locally known as ‘Paku Piai’. It is a type of fern that can live in saline conditions. Tanjung Piai is also home to many species of mangrove plants and species of animals. Tanjung Piai State Park (Ref: 1289) wetland designated on 31/01/03; 526 ha; 01°16_N 103°31_E is a State Park consisting of coastal mangroves and intertidal mudflats.
According to Wetlands International, Johor holds 28.7% of mangrove forest in Peninsular Malaysia (27,733 ha) or 4.7% of total mangrove forest cover in Malaysia. Tanjung Piai covers 526 hectares of Mangroves and another 400 hectares of inter tidal mudflats. Mudflats are soft and muddy soil. It has high salt content and low oxygen levels (anaerobic). However, they are subject to hot and dry conditions.
Mangroves gazetted as Mangrove Forest Reserves (MFR) in Johor are managed by the State Forestry Department. Mangroves gazetted as National Parks and RAMSAR sites by the State Government of Johor are managed by Johor National Parks Corporation (JNPC).
One can enjoy the long boardwalks that provide a good opportunity for bird watching and also observing the various species of animals living there. 25 species of shorebirds have been seen to be feeding on the mudflats of this area and it is home to about 26 true mangrove plant species as well as 9 more mangrove-associated species. With such high species diversity in a small area, the visit will be just as educational for everyone.
Place of Interest
Visitor Complex
A visit to the park begins at the Visitor’s Complex. Opened on 16 Sept 2001, this tropical-style building houses an Information Gallery, the park office and a surau (prayer room). Entry tickets can be purchased at the front desk. Visitors can also make enquires about guided tours and park facilities here.
Information Gallery
The info gallery contains a miniature-scale model of the park layout, a picture gallery of the flora and fauna found at the park, a pictorial description of the habitats and eco-system found at Tanjung Piai, and the life cycle of its mangrove forests. At the time of writing, the info gallery was still in the process of being updated.
Boardwalk
The park is connected by a network of 1.5km of boardwalk, which takes the visitor right into the heart of the mangrove forest. The boardwalk enables visitors to observe at close hand the different vegetation that make up the forest, as well as the moveable feast of contrast that is a mangrove. Long-tailed macaques are a sure sight, as are mud-skippers hopping across the mudflats, skinks slithering along driftwood and a whole host of aquatic organisms, each going about its own business totally oblivious to visitors, and each intimately interdependent upon the other. But employ some patience and an eye for detail, and some other miraculous encounter may unfold.
Observation Tower
There are three observation towers along the boardwalk, from whence you can get a glorious view of the resident and migratory birds foraging on the mudflats, or nesting in the trees. A good pair of binoculars is a visitor’s best friend here. The best time for bird watching is at low tide. Visits by migratory birds peak between August and October. Otherwise, you can just sit and watch the world go by.
Campsite
The park’s campsite is located on the eastern side of the Visitor’s Complex. There are separate sections for male and female campers. The campsite is laid out on graduated platforms of three different levels, and can cater for 30 tents or a total of 120 campers at a time.
Jetty
The 350-metre main boardwalk leads right out into the Straits of Malacca, and culminates in a jetty. The jetty is used as a staging and landing point for visiting chartered boats ferrying visitors to the park. From here, on a good day, observers can have a clear view of Karimun Island, which lies across the straits in Indonesia, and nearby Pulau Kukup Mangrove Island. You can also catch a glimpse of the huge vessels and tankers out at sea.
Getting There
From Kuala Lumpur (KL)/ Johor Bahru (JB)/ Singapore (SIN)
The fastest route is via the North-South Expressway. Exit at Simpang Renggam (after Macap). Head to Pontian/ Benut and follow the sign boards to Tanjung Piai.
From Johor Bahru and Singapore, take the Jalan Skudai and head for Pontian/ Pontian Kechil. At Pekan Nenas, turn left at Sri Bunian, follow the rural road and take the right turn at Jalan Tenggayun. Thereafter, follow the signage to Pekan Pontian, reach a cross junction then turn left to Tamjung Piai.
Public Transportation
There is no direct bus service to Tanjung Piai Johor National Park. Aregular taxi service is available from Pontian bus station, in the town centre, to Sg. Belukang entry point. (You will have to book in advance with the cab driver for the return passage).