Island Trip
Freediving Trips to Tenggol Island
Open water and certification dives with Swimiss Academy, based in Bandar Saujana Putra
off Dungun, Terengganu
- PADI instructor on every dive
- Small groups, personal attention
- Beginners welcome
- Season: March to October
00The brief
A Swimiss trip to Tenggol Island is where your freediving moves from the pool into the open sea. We are based in Bandar Saujana Putra, and a few times a year we bring students east to Tenggol for open water training and certification dives. It is built for beginners as much as for experienced freedivers, with a PADI certified instructor beside you on every dive.
01The dive
What the diving is like
Open water feels different from the pool. There is no wall to hold and no line on the floor, just blue water, a guide line, and your instructor. We ease you into it, so the first descent feels calm rather than daunting.
Tenggol sits off the coast of Dungun in Terengganu and is known for calmer, clearer water than the busier islands further north. We only describe what you are actually likely to encounter.
Because the island is quieter, sessions are unhurried. You dive, rest on the buoy, talk through what happened, and go again. That steady rhythm is where real progress happens.
02Your path
Where this fits your journey
Your freediving journey starts near Kuala Lumpur. You build breath hold, relaxation, and finning in our pools, and practise depth in the deep pool, before you ever travel for open water. Tenggol is where it all comes together: the open water and certification dives that complete your course.
If you have not started yet, begin with a pool course and join a trip once you are ready. If you are already certified, a trip is a chance to log depth, sharpen your technique, or simply dive with the community.
03On the trip
What the trip includes
- A PADI certified instructor in the water with you on every dive
- Coaching for your level, from your first open water dive to certification
- A full safety setup: descent line, lanyard, and surface buoy
- A small group format, so the attention stays personal
Who can join
- Complete beginners are welcome. Many students do their very first open water dives on a Swimiss trip.
- You should be comfortable in water and able to move around in it. You do not need to be a strong or competitive swimmer.
- Certified freedivers of any level are welcome to join for depth dives and fun dives.
04Conditions
Best time to go
The east coast islands, including Tenggol, are seasonal. Trips run roughly from March to October, when the sea is at its calmest.
During the northeast monsoon, around November to February, the islands are usually closed and the sea is rough, so we do not run trips then. Book early for the peak months, as places fill up.
Getting there
Most students travel together from Kuala Lumpur or Shah Alam.
We share the full meeting point and timing once your place is confirmed.
05Questions
Questions, answered
Do I need to be certified already?
No. Many students do their first ever open water dives on a Swimiss trip, working toward Level 1 certification. Certified freedivers are welcome too, for depth or fun dives.
Is it safe for nervous beginners?
Yes. A PADI certified instructor is in the water with you on every dive, and we use a full line, lanyard, and buoy setup. We start gently and never push you past what feels comfortable. Water confidence always comes first.
Do I need to be a strong swimmer?
No. You need to be comfortable in the water, not fast or competitive. If you are still building confidence, start with a pool course near Kuala Lumpur and join a trip once you are ready.
How much does the Tenggol trip cost?
Message us on WhatsApp for the latest pricing and any group rates.
When are the next trip dates?
Trips run roughly from March to October. Message us on WhatsApp and we will tell you the next available dates.
What is included in the trip?
Coaching, a PADI instructor on every dive, and the full safety setup.
Find out how deep you go
Ready for open water?
Tell us a little about your experience and we will help you pick the right course and the next trip to Tenggol Island.