The seaweed is always greener,
In somebody else’s lake,
You dream about going up there,
But that is a big mistake,
Just look at the world around you,
Right here on the ocean floor,
Such wonderful things surround you,
What more is you lookin’ for?

Under the sea
Under the sea
Darling it’s better
Down where it’s wetter
Take it from me

Yes indeed. Quoting the song ‘Under the Sea’ from Disney’s ‘The Little Mermaid’, such wonderful things surrounding us in Malaysia, what else are we looking for? It saddens me each time fellow Malaysians glorify places of interest that is not in Malaysia when Malaysia have so much to offer to the world, especially its pristine, sandy beaches.

I grew up watching Disney’s ‘The Little Mermaid’ and used to fantasize that I’m Ariel, the lovely mermaid princess. Having influenced by the movie and growing up by the beach in Penang, I learned how to swim but never once imagined that one day, I’ll be given a chance to actually be a mermaid for a little moment. It was beyond my imagination that one day, I’ll be snorkeling and witnessing the beauty the underwater world could offer.

During my trip to Tioman Island for Tioman Island Clean Up Day 2016 at Berjaya Tioman Resort, my family and I were taken for a little snorkeling trip in Renggis Island, a small forest clad island in Tioman, and is situated right in front of the boat jetty for Berjaya Tioman Resort.

Renggis Island.This place is one of the best spots in Malaysia to snorkel and enjoy the beautiful marine life first hand.

This island is a permanent home to large coral reefs that have given sanctuary to wide diversity of marine life.

The marine life that surrounds Renggis Island is not known to be aggressive but very friendly towards divers and snorkelers. I was told that there is no danger of fast and high water currents and you do not need any heavy equipment or gear to snorkel and can easily stay put in the water as long as you want.

It was my first snorkeling experience. Both my husband and son were in tow. And having no actual experience swimming in deep places where my feet does not touch the sea floor was a little bit nerve wrecking.

Yes. To be honest, I was a little bit nervous in the beginning to actually make that jump. What more both my husband and son can’t swim and were practically fishes out of water, even in the swimming pools.

But I jumped into the water from the boat anyway. Here’s my friend Jerry and me.

Me and my boys

Underwater selfie. Being a first timer, it took me a little while to get used to the strange environment, but once I dip my head underwater, I was immediately enchanted with my surroundings.

The underwater view was absolutely amazing.

First time snorkeling experience

It is nothing like what I’ve seen in aquarium tanks.

It felt like a dream, so I started swinging my hands around and started snorkeling.

A school of little fishes got curious I guess, and some surrounded me for a little while before swimming away. While my son got nervous with the small fishes and decides that they were too scary for him and headed back to the boat to entertain the idea that he had just saw a shark swimming by, the idea of sharks swimming it doesn’t freak me out, though. I actually felt like a mermaid and I couldn’t get enough of snorkeling and went further to enjoy what the mysterious ocean has to offer me.

How can you not fall in love with these?

Underwater View in Renggis Island

Just watch the video. It’s absolutely breathtaking. After my first time seeing the beauty that the underwater world have to offer, I knew that once is not going to be enough and I finally understood why people make efforts to be certified divers. I will have to do it again soon. And longer and deeper into the sea next time around.

Here’s one for the album, on the boat after our snorkeling trip. Words can do no justice for what I’ve seen and experienced. You’d have to see it with your own eyes, so yes, if you are ever in Tioman Island, do give snorkeling a go. The dive centre in Berjaya Tioman Island Resort has instructors who will instruct you if you are a first timer, so fret not, and just jump into the water.

For more information on seasports activities in Berjaya Tioman Resort, head over here: https://www.berjayahotel.com/tioman