Hyperbolic? Not at all. The point is, this is a cool place.
Like a giant sleeping dragon, the dark green ridges of Tioman Island rise up above the waters of the South China Sea. Lush tropical jungle covers about 12,000 hectares of the island and countless mountain streams and waterfalls feed many protected species of mammals and birds. Tioman is the largest volcanic island in Malaysia, situated off the peninsula’s east coast.
Tioman has options for every kind of holiday-maker: families with small children, honeymooners, scuba divers, backpackers, adventurers and even those looking for a slice of exclusivity and luxury. As it is very popular and affordable holiday destination - book in advance!
Getting There
Things to see and do
Hotels & Resorts
Photo Gallery
Getting there
Fly to Tioman
Berjaya Air has direct 40minute flights from Singapore (Seletar Airport) and Kuala Lumpur (Subang Airport) to the airport at Tekek Village on Tioman.
Alternatively, the closest airports to Mersing are the Senai airport in Johor Bahru and Changi airport in Singapore.
Ferries to Tioman
Ferries depart from Mersing or Tanjung Gemok (north of Mersing). If you are booking a package stay on Tioman, a return ferry transfer is usually included.
From Mersing, a ferry ride (150 passengers) can take up to 3 hours, with departure every 2/3 hrs between 7:30 and 18:00. Tickets cost RM 35 each way. Ferry and boat services are less frequent from Tanjung Gemuk, but prices and journey times are almost the same.
Ferries are often delayed and there are sometimes cancellations. During the monsoon season (November to March) services are less frequent and delays are more likely. Book your ticket in advance if travelling over weekends, public holidays or Singaporean and Malaysian school holidays.
Getting to Tanjung Gemuk
Tanjung Gemuk is best reached by car. For those coming from Singapore and Johor Bahru or those relying on public transport it is more convenient to reach Tioman from Mersing.
Take a bus
From Johor Bahru (Larkin Bus terminal)take the Causeway Link, Transnational or S&S Express bus to Mersing (2.5-3 hours; about RM 10 each way).
From Singapore (Lavender St. Terminal) take the Transnational bus to Mersing (3 to 4 hours). Tickets cost around RM 12 (if bought in Malaysia) / SGD 27 (if bought in Singapore) each way.
From Kuala Lumpur take the Transnational bus to Mersing (5 hours). Tickets cost around RM 23.
From elsewhere in Malaysia: Transnational, S&S Internasional and other bus companies that serve destinations along the east coast (Kuala Terengganu, Kuantan, Kota Bahru etc.) mostly stop at Mersing as well. S&S Internasional also has a service from Melaka.
Remember to bring a sweater as the air-conditioning in the buses can be quite strong.
Drive
From Singapore cross the border to Johor Bahru and Malaysia at the Causeway and continue down Jalan Wong Ah Fook, direction Kota Tinggi. Continue east on the Tebrau highway and follow the signs to Kota Tinggi. From Kota Tinggi, the way north to Mersing is clearly signposted on Route 3. The journey should take around 3 hours.
From Kuala Lumpur the most common option is via the PLUS highway (E2) to the south, exiting at Segamat and continuing east on Route 50 through Kluang to Mersing. Alternatively, take the East Coast Highway (E8) from KL to Kuantan and Route No 3 southwards through Pekan and Rompin to Mersing.
In Mersing
At the ferry terminal itself, there are restaurants and convenience stores for any last minute needs and pangs of hunger. In town, about 15-20 minutes’ walk from the jetty, there are banks, ATMs, internet cafes, supermarkets, shops and hotels (in case you need to spend the night in Mersing).
Many of Mersing’s resorts have offices in Mersing, close to the ferry terminal.
There is a secure car park that charges around RM8 per day.
Tour Round The Island
Because of the absence of roads on Tioman, the only way to reach all the attractions is by boat. Many operators and resorts offer you the opportunity to see the highlights of Tioman in a one-day tour. Typical stops along the way include: Asah waterfall just outside of Mukut Village, Duty free shopping in Tekek, Snorkelling at the Marine Park headquarters, Renggis Island- a popular stop for snorkelling and scuba diving.
Round Island tours range from RM 80-120 per person, depending on the starting point, duration and type of boat used.
Scuba Diving
There are over twenty dive sites on Tioman, with spots for everyone - from the newly certified to the experienced wreck diver. It is also one of the few places in Malaysia where you can encounter schools of dolphins.
Dive centres are located in Saland, Air Batang, Panuba, Tekek, Lalang ( Berjaya), Paya, Minang Cove, Juara.
Underwater Gallery
Snorkelling
There are many patches of coral in the water in front of most villages and you can easily rent a mask and fins (and lifejacket if you wish) and wade into the water from the beach. Some of the spots need to be reached by boat, among them: Tulai Island (Coral Island), Renggis Island, Monkey Bay, Marine Park.
Rock Climbing
Since 2002, when Sharin and Man were the first to climb the Dragon’s Horns, Tioman started to attract adventurers and climbers of all levels.
Advanced climbers can attempt the full five-day climb to the top of twin peaks, sleeping in hammocks at dizzying heights along the way. Only a few climbers have managed to reach the top.
But is not only for experts: local guides that organise climbing expeditions are happy to show beginners the ropes at any of the other sites or at the base of the twin peaks.
However, for a real adventure in expert hands, join in for one of the Dragon Peak adventures offered by Petit Climbing Centre (http://arinpetit.blogspot.com/) – operated by Sharin Hashim himself. Three day, two night packages are RM 1 200 per person and include accommodation, food, climbing equipments, climbing guides, porters and boat transfer to and from Mersing jetty.
Jungle Trekking
The best known, and probably the toughest jungle trek stretches across the middle of the island, through the hilly terrain and rainforest between the villages of Tekek and Juara. On this 7km, four-hour trek you are likely to encounter monkeys, monitor lizards, scores of birds and insects as well as passing by waterfalls and tall trees that are hundreds of years old. Though gruelling and sweaty, the reward is the perfect golden sand of Juara beach on the other side of the island.
Other popular treks are footpaths connecting the villages of Genting and Paya as well as Air Batang and Salang (with a stop at Monkey Bay in between).
Bring lots of water and insect repellent and remember that the jungle gets dark sooner than beach, so plan to reach your destination well before dusk.
Duty-free shopping
Tioman has been given duty-free status by the Mlaysian government. The duty exemption mainly pertains to tobacco and alcohol products and the best place to do this kind of shopping is in the village of Tekek.
Golf
An 18-hole international standard golf course is not something that you would expect to find on a tropical island, but the Berjaya Tioman Resort has made it possible.
With the beach on the one side and the jungle on the other, this par-71 course is filled with challenging hazards such as ponds, bunkers and jungle-rough. On the par-3 7th hole, you will have to cross seawater to reach the green.
SPA
At present there are two Spas on Tioman. The first is the Ayura Spa at the Berjaya Tioman Resort and the other is the Paya Holistic Spa at the Paya Beach Resort.