WHAT KIND OF TRAVEL INSURANCE DO I NEED?

Firstly, you’ll need to check if the area you are travelling to is covered by your insurance provider, and if your cover is still valid despite travel advisories.  Be sure to check that volunteering is covered by your provider. Also some providers will charge extra for cover on activities such as Scuba diving, please be sure you are covered down to a depth of 30 metres (98ft) including hyperbaric chamber (also called decompression chamber or recompression chamber) treatment.

IS THERE HOT WATER
AND AIRCON AT CAMP?

We do not have hot water showers, the weather is generally around 30 degrees so a cold shower is usually refreshing.

Nowhere at TRACC has air-conditioning. Our dining area is very near to the beach so we get a sea breeze and each tent is equipped with a fan.

ARE THERE MOSQUITOS?
DO I NEED TO WORRY
ABOUT MALARIA?

There are mosquitos on Pom Pom Island. All tents have mosquito nets so it is quite easy to keep insect free. We ask that you try not to bring mosquito repellent containing DEET as it is potentially damaging to the environment. Light weight long pants are also recommended for night time to avoid bites.

We have never had a case of malaria on Pom Pom Island; malaria is generally not a concern in coastal areas of Malaysia, particularly on small Islands.

HOW DO I WASH MY
LAUNDRY?

The laundry facilities on the island are very basic. We hand wash our clothes in buckets, detergent is provided. This saves electricity and water helping us to reduce our environmental impacts. You can go to Semporna to do your washing at a laundromat if there is space on the boat.

WHAT CAN I BUY ON
THE ISLAND?

We have a ‘bar’ at TRACC from which you can purchase soft drinks, juice, ice tea and coffee, as well as beer and cyder. If you wish to buy other alcohol you can do so in Semporna before you leave for the island; you can find local brands of other spirits and wine there.

TRACC has merchandise for sale on the Island, depending on availability you can purchase t shirts.

CAN I WITHDRAW MONEY
ON THE ISLAND?

You cannot withdraw money on the island, there are no ATM’s. You can withdraw money from Semporna the bank quews can be long but there are other options such as 7/11 that are quicker. You can also withdrawing money at one of the airports.

CAN I GO TO SEMPORNA
DURING MY STAY?

If you need to go to Semporna for any serious medical reasons a boat can be arranged for you as soon as possible. If you need to see a doctor for something less serious, then you will be able to go to Semporna on one of our shopping trips which will be on Mondays and  Thursdays.

If you wish to go to Semporna for personal shopping then it is very likely possible, this is dependent on space in the boat due to arrivals and departures though. We still advise that you bring all the supplies and money you will need for your stay with you.

DO I NEED VACCINATIONS
FOR MALAYSIA?

It will depend on your vaccination history, personal preferences, travel plans and most importantly your Doctor’s advice as to which vaccinations you will need.  All travellers should be up to date with routine vaccinations and injections.

ALL TRAVELLERS: MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), Tetanus, DTaP (diphtheria travel vaccine)

MOST TRAVELLERS: Typhoid, Hepatitis A.

SOME TRAVELLERS: Rabies, Hepatitis B, Cholera, Japanese encephalitis

CAN I LEAVE TRACC
EARLY?

Of course, if you need or want to leave TRACC early you can. If you need to leave on a day that is not one of our usual arrival/ departure days for an urgent matter, we will do our very best to get you on a boat to Semporna as soon as possible but you may be required to pay a fuel fee of up to RM200.

Refunds cannot be guaranteed, TRACC is a volunteer funded project and we cannot afford to give full refunds to people who want or need to cancel their stay. We are happy for people to defer their time, to complete their stay at a later more suitable date.

I HAVE a MEDICAL
condition OR PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS CAN I
STILL VOLUNTEER?

We do our best to accommodate anyone who wants to volunteer at TRACC.  We have had volunteers with back problems, bad knees, bad legs and arthritis to name a few. Being a communal living project means that everyone generally helps each other, we have found volunteers to be extremely supportive of each other and our staff will do everything within their capability to help you. Please contact us if you have any concerns about whether or not we can cater to your needs. 

Unfortunately some medical conditions are not compatible with diving and can be dangerous. Please look over the PADI medical form here and get a signed medical certificate from your doctor if you answer yes to any of the questions in the Medical Divers Questionnaire section.

What is the
ACCOMMODATION like for couples? 

Couples will generally stay in one of our rooms which will contain a double bed and much more space than a tent.

DO I NEED TO BRING A SLEEPING BAG or towel?

No you do not need to bring a sleeping bag. Your bed comes with sheets provided,  so you will have sheets and a towel in your tent when you arrive. The nights don't get very cold at all, so the vast majority of people do not need a blanket so sheet is sufficient.

We provide you with a towel to use during your stay, however some people like to have more than one towel so a light weight quick dry microfibre towel is very handy to bring.

do i need long pants and warm clothes?

Although the weather is generally very warm at around  30 degrees C, after repetitive diving some people become a bit chilly so it's nice to have some clothes to warm up in.

Also for the evenings wearing long lightweight pants and even a light shirt can stop you from being bitten by pesky mosquito and sand flies. 

Leggings are very useful for snorkelling and diving as they create a barrier between you and and anything that may sting you through accidental contact.