The question arose about a visa or another visa extension. And we decided to take a break from Indonesia to the island of Tioman in Malaysia. I was attracted there by the forests and trails, and Nastya and Verchik were attracted by the beaches and the sea.

Tioman is quite promoted by popular resources in Russia, such as the Vinsky forum, a seaside resort. In 1970, Time magazine even listed it among the ten most beautiful islands in the world. But a lot of water has passed under the bridge since then and it feels like the best years for tourism there are long gone... Most of the hotels are shabby and worn out, there are also new ones, but not so many of them. Of course, Tioman may seem like a paradise to newly arrived tourists from Europe, but we, experienced by Indonesia, were not surprised by the island - we have seen better. But he didn’t upset me either. It's good here!

Monkey Beach and Monkey Bay

Wild beach with beautiful yellow sand. Excellent entry into the water at both high and low tides.

We went there to swim several times when we lived in ABC.

On Monkey Bay the sand is whiter and the water is bluer.

Among the living creatures, not only cynomolgus macaques were seen, but also palm thieves.

Kampung Air Batang (ABC)

Our first location on the island. There are many cheap chalets and cafes, so this beach is usually chosen by backpackers. The beach itself is as good at high tide as bad at low tide. You can read more.

Kampung Tekek

The main village of the island. Tekek is very convenient due to its central location and civility: here you will find shops and Duty Free, and a cafe with fresh seafood. There is a beach there too. We lived generally 10 meters from an excellent beach. Details.

Kampung Juara and Mentawak

The only settlements are on the eastern side of the island. The long beach is very attractive. If you just need a beach holiday, without snorkeling habits, Juara and Mentawak are the best places!

If you continue driving south along the only road on Mentawak Beach, sooner or later you will come across a river crossing.

We crossed and walked along the trail to the waterfall. The walk is about 40-50 minutes. The waterfall is small, but very refreshing after an exhausting march in the heat through the jungle.

Kampung Paya and Genting

I didn’t like these beaches, although I saw laudatory reviews online - apparently it’s much better there during the season. I wrote about them.

Between Genting and Nipa is Zhopa Mala Japamala Resort - the coolest and most expensive hotel on the island.

Kampung Nipah

For those looking for solitude and the “ass of the world” feeling, Nipa Beach is the place to be! It is difficult to get there by land, but it is beautiful, wild and atmospheric. The beach is not very good, but the largest river on the island is nearby.

There is only one guesthouse on the beach, The Nipah Chalet, for a staggering 150 ringit.

The conditions are still the same.

Such chalets on ABC cost 40-50 ringit, but there is competition there, and on Nipa there is a monopoly.

Between Nipa and Mukut is located the second most luxurious resort on the island - Tunamaya.

He has the same problem as Zopa Mala Japamala - low tides.

Therefore, there are almost no guests there - I’m not the only one looking for photos of the horrors of low tide at these resorts.

Kampung Mukut

This is the worst and most inaccessible beach. No wonder there are no tourists either. In general, the atmosphere is somewhat depressing. The bear over there couldn’t stand it and hanged himself...

Nevertheless, the necessary infrastructure is there. These chalets in Si Mukut Hill View cost 80 ringit.

And See Side Chalets are 120 each.

People probably stop there when going to Asah Falls.

Things to do on Tioman Island

The best places to swim are at Juara Beach and Monkey Beach. On other beaches, the corals come almost close to the shore and you need to know where there are cleared passages or where the corals retreat further into the sea.

Snorkeling best in Salang, Taman Laut, near Berjaya Hotel and near Paya Beach. Snorkeling equipment can be rented for the whole day on any beach in almost any hotel, at prices:

• Life vest - 8-10 ringit
• Mask with snorkel - 10-15 ringit
• Fins - 10 ringit

Most guesthouses organize snorkeling trips for half or full days. Price from 60 to 150 ringit per person, depending on the duration and number of spots on the excursion.

Diving. There are a huge number of dive centers on Tioman. They are on every beach. Most of all on Salanga and ABC. The price for one dive is 150 ringgit.

Kayaking. On Salang and ABC beaches, renting plastic sea kayaks (locals call them canoes) is common. At ABC it’s 120 ringit for the whole day, and in Salang it’s only 70. When renting, they ask to leave a deposit of 200 ringit. You can also rent a kayak for an hour or several hours.

Massage. Foot massage - 30 ringit, back - 50, full body - 100. Prices for 30 minutes.

Bike. You can't really ride around the island on a bike. And it makes sense to rent it only in Tekek, rather than going to ABC or Berjaya. Price 5 ringit per hour, or 25-30 per day. Deposit 50 ringit.

Moped. Automatic and semi-automatic scooters are available for rent in Tekek and Juara. Prices are steep: 60-80 ringit for the whole day, or 15 ringit per hour. Petrol is not included and costs RM3 per litre.

Trekking. This is where great opportunities open up!

Firstly, you can walk from ABC to Monkey Beach and continue to Salang. It will take about 2-2.5 hours along a dirt path in the jungle. I wrote more about this trekking in the article about.

The journey from Tekek to Juara will take 3-4 hours. Walk along the concrete path and road.

The most epic trekking Tekek - Asah waterfall - Tekek will take two days. You can read more about these two hikes in my separate article about.

Climbing Gunung Kajang with a height of 1038 meters. The trail starts at Kampung Paya. It is better to carry out the activity with a local guide due to the weak visibility of the trail or its complete absence. You can do it in a day if you start early in the morning, but it’s better to go overnight. The summit is overgrown with forest and views open only from a couple of points on the trail.

Climbing Dragon's Horns (Bukit Nekek Semekut) 690 meters high is carried out under the supervision of Si Mukut Hill View Guesthouse. The climb costs 50 ringit if you go without a guide and 80 if you go with a guide. The trail is marked and there are ropes hanging in difficult places. Climbing to the saddle between the peaks takes about 2 hours.

Trail map.

I had the idea of ​​rushing there on the way back from Mukut to Tekek, but I was afraid to miss the low tide in order to pass the Tunamaya - Nipah section and therefore did not go. More precisely, it didn’t help.

Where to live

The widest selection of accommodation on Tioman Island is located on ABC Beach. There are both simple chalets for 30-50 ringit, and respectable cottages for 200 and above. I also liked some of the options on Juara beach. In general, with a housing budget of 100 ringit you can find a good hut almost anywhere. The price tag for housing greatly depends on the season: in January-March the price will be half as much as in July-August. When staying for several days, homeowners are willing to bargain and give significant discounts.

There are several cool resorts on the island. The most popular among Russians is Berjaya with its own beach and huge well-groomed territory. We went for a walk to the waterfall.

And Selesa, made in the spirit of a condominium.

Read reviews of other housing in articles about the corresponding beaches, and all options available for booking can be viewed at the link below.

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Where is it

There are cafes and eateries on all main beaches. The cheapest place to eat is ABC. There are also good inexpensive places in Mentawak and Tekek.

Island infrastructure

There is only one ATM on Tioman and a post office near the airport. Which, by the way, is closed and passenger planes do not fly there. There is a small hospital and school.

And the most important thing for many tourists is that Tioman Island is a Duty Free zone! Good alcohol is almost as cheap here as in the Philippines and Cambodia. The largest Duty Free stores are located in Tekek. Here's the first one.

Here's the second one.

Content.

We took the red one from 2009.

And young white.

Both are around RM30 per bottle. Not a wine expert, but it was delicious!

Also in Tekek there are the largest and cheapest stores. But everything is still quite expensive there, especially vegetables and fruits. This is the largest store on the island.

Moving within the island

You have to walk a lot on Tioman.

That's what everyone is doing. Tourists. Locals do not walk and drive motorbikes and cars. A taxi from Tekek to Juara is quite expensive and costs 30 ringgit per person (with a minimum of 3-4 passengers). The locals are kind and willing to give you rides, both in cars and on mopeds. To travel between the islands, there is a sea taxi, for example, from ABC to Salang costs 30 ringit. From ABC to Juara - 150.

How to get there

First of all, you need to get to the capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur.

Ferries to Tioman Island depart from Mersing. Since they do this at 7:30-8:00 in the morning, usually everyone who goes to Tioman spends the night in Mersing. An overview of the hotels there can be found in. Sometimes ferries are canceled due to bad weather, this happens especially often in January-March. So I was stuck on Tioman for several days because of a storm. I missed the plane to Indonesia and had to buy a new ticket.

Previously, planes from Singapore and Sabang flew to Tioman, but now these flights have been discontinued. The only thing left is the ferry from Mersing.

Tioman ("Pulau Tioman" in Malay) is an island 39 km long and 12 km wide, located on the east coast of Malaysia. Tioman is the largest of the volcanic group of islands off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Administratively, the island is part of the Rompin district, Pahang state.

Brief description

Tioman first gained fame in 1958, when the island was chosen as a film set for the film South Pacific. In the 1970s, Time magazine included it in its list of the 10 most beautiful islands in the world. A decade later, the first houses were built to receive vacationers. But there has not been a construction boom and at present only one large resort complex, Berjaya Tioman Resorts, has been built here. The island is covered in lush tropical forest, and only the coastal part is inhabited.

Tioman is relatively underdeveloped compared to other tourist islands such as Langkawi. There are only eight main villages, the largest and most populous of which is Kampung Tekek in the north. The construction of buildings higher than the 3rd floor on the island is prohibited. The largest facilities are located in Tekek.

Tioman Island Map

Giving the island duty-free status contributed to some of its development. The controversial project to build a yacht marina at Tekek, complete with a cargo berth, now threatens to significantly speed up the pace of development on the island. The marina is complete and the cargo pier is under development, which could ultimately jeopardize the natural beauty of Tioman Island.

The natural beauty of the island is its greatest attraction. In 1972, the forest areas received the status of the Pulau Tioman Wildlife Reserve. In total there are 45 species of mammals and 138 species of birds.

The water area around Tioman and eight nearby islands has been declared a Marine Park. The waters around the island are dotted with corals of all shapes and colors with a huge variety of tropical fish, making it a popular diving spot. There are several stunning beaches on Tioman, which are usually adjacent to tiny villages or resorts.

There are only two main reasons to travel to Tioman Island - soak up the sun and dive in its clear waters. Apart from hiking in the mountains or walking through the rainforest, there are not many things to do here.

Legend

The island's dragon-shaped appearance underlies the legend surrounding its origin: a dragon princess was flying from China to visit her prince in Singapore, and stopped to rest. In love with the beauty of this place and the splash of the waves washing her, she stopped her journey and turned into an island.

How to get there

By plane. The airport is located near the village of Tekek (Kampung Tekek), just opposite the customs complex and the pier, from where you can book a boat and go to other villages. The only commercial operator of the small airstrip near Tekek is Berjaya Air (www.berjaya-air.com). The airline uses secondary airports at Subang in Kuala Lumpur and Changi Budget Terminal in Singapore. Berjaya Air's small 48-seat aircraft fly daily or several times a week, depending on the season. The maximum weight of luggage is 10 kg. Excess baggage charges depend on how many passengers are on the flight. The flight from Kuala Lumpur takes about 1 hour, from Singapore 35 minutes.

By bus and ferry. The main starting point for a trip to the island is the coastal city of Mersing on the western edge of Johor state. The usual route for most visitors is to first take a bus to Mersing and then wait for the next ferry to the island. The monsoon season (November-February) significantly reduces ferry service intervals, but at least one trip is available daily. In case of exceptionally bad weather conditions, flights may be canceled for several days in a row.

Take a direct bus from Johor Bahru (Larkin Bus Terminal, 3 hours), Kuala Lumpur (Puduraya Bus Terminal, 5 hours) or Singapore (Queen Street Bus Terminal, 4 hours) to reach Mersing City. . Bus tickets can be purchased online at http://eticketing.easibook.com. Mersing Main Bus Terminal is located about 1 km from the ferry terminal. Leaving the bus terminal, turn right past the center and stadium to the ferry terminal.

Bluewater Express is the largest ferry operator from Mersing to Tioman Island. The Bluewater Express ferries take approximately 2 hours to reach the first stop on the island. Ferries make stops from village to village from south to north along the following route: Mersing - Genting - Paya - Tekek - Air Batang - Salang. Leave where you plan to stay. During the tourist season, three trips per day between 08:30 and 14:30. You can buy ferry tickets in advance on the Tioman Ferry website (www.tiomanferry.com).

If you missed the ferry in the afternoon, you will have to stay in Mersing. You can go shopping in this city. Not far from the pier there is a food court serving Malay cuisine (open 24 hours a day).
Tanjung Gemuk Pier, 35 km north of Mersing, also offers ferries to Tioman Island, but only during the tourist season.

How to get around

By car. Tioman is a fairly large island, 39 km long and 12 km wide. But there are practically no roads on it. Essentially, there are only two roads. One of them passes through Tekek past the airport to the Berjaya Tioman Resorts. The construction of another road was started by the Japanese military during World War II, but it was completed relatively recently. The road runs parallel to a line of power poles in the center of the island from the village of Tekek on the west coast to Juara on the east coast. In Tekek you can rent a car and drive from the west coast to the east along this road. In other places there are practically no roads.

By boat. The cheapest way to travel from one village to another is to take the Mersing-Tioman ferry route. On the way from Mersing, the ferry runs between Genting in the south and Salang in the north (Mersing - Genting - Paya - Tekek - Air Batang - Salang). The ferry will take you to most villages for about RM20 per person (Bluewater Express ferry), which is much cheaper than a private boat service.
Boats charge between RM20 and RM60 per trip, depending on the destination. For example, a trip by boat from Salang to Teket will cost about 30 ringgit, from Salang to Juara about 60-100 ringgit. One boat ride from the edge of the west coast to the edge of the east coast costs RM150, but if there are several passengers, the price is shared among everyone. Be prepared to pay double the nightly rate.

Hiking in the rainforest

Thanks to Tioman's mountainous terrain and protected status, much of the rainforest here remains untouched and the only places of civilization are villages and resorts along the coast. There are several trails in the rainforest that follow power lines between villages.

Tekek – Juara. The most famous, popular and probably the hardest section to cross runs through the center of the island, through the hilly terrain between the villages of Tekek and Juara. The 7 km trail is paved in places to help cross the most difficult sections. It is impossible to get lost because the trail follows the power lines between the villages. In Tekek, the trail starts north of the airport, next to the waterworks (note the sign indicating the direction to Juara). Allow at least 2-3 hours for the hike. Bring a backpack, water and mosquito repellent. Halfway along the route you can refill your water bottles at the mountain stream. Keep in mind that it gets dark early in the jungle, so plan to reach your destination well before sunset. Along the way you will see monkeys, monitor lizards and birds with your own eyes.

Tekek - Air Batang. The route along the trail between Tekek and Air Batang villages is relatively flat.

Air Batang - Salang. Again follow the power pole line from Air Batang towards Salang. The trail with minor elevation changes takes about 2 – 2.5 hours. First up is Panuba Resort, followed by the beautiful Monkey Beach (takes about an hour to get from Air Batang to Monkey Beach). Soon after this the beautiful Monkey Bay will appear. The beach and bay are located next to each other and both are good spots for snorkeling. Follow the power pole line to continue to Salang. This section of the trail is more hilly and can take up to 90 minutes.

Main villages and beaches

Air Batang(Air Batang, also often called “ABC Village”). The fishing village of Air Batang stretches for a couple of kilometers in the center of Tioman Island. Interspersed between the village houses of the local residents are a number of resorts. Getting here is relatively easy because the village is located on the main passenger ferry route along the west coast of the island, namely: Mersing - Genting - Paya - Tekek - Air Batang - Salang (Mersing - Genting - Paya - Tekek - Air Batang - Salang ). The village has several different beaches, with the stretch of soft white sand and crystal clear water opposite the Panuba Inn Resort being particularly beautiful. Air Batang is the administrative office of Tioman Marine Park and the jetty area is a popular snorkeling spot. Frankly, the snorkeling is better in other places in Tioman such as Renggis Island, Monkey Bay, Salang or the beach at Thulai Island.

Juara(Juara). Juara is the only village on the eastern side of the island and the only place on Tioman where you can watch the sunrise over the waters of the South China Sea. Has one of the best beaches on the island. The curved strip of beach stretches for more than two kilometers and stretches between a rocky headland in the north and a small lagoon in the south. The calm village will serve as an ideal place to forget about the bustle of earth for a while. In the off-season there are almost no vacationers here.

At the southern end of the beach there is a sea turtle nursery. The nursery is open to visitors; 1-2 hours is enough to learn how sea turtles live and what measures are being taken to preserve them. Near the nursery there is a jungle trail leading to small waterfalls. To get to the falls, follow the trail for about 30 minutes.

Ferries arriving at Tioman do not stop at Juara Pier. The cheapest but most difficult way to reach this village is a 7 km trail through the jungle from Tekek village. Or rent a car to get from one village to another. If you prefer to reach Juara by sea, you can charter a boat, but this is the most expensive option.

Salang(Salang Village). The village of Salang is located in a small bay in the north of the island. This village is the last stop on the Mersing - Tioman Island ferry route. Salang is famous for its beautiful beach. A pier and a freshwater lagoon divide the village and the beach into two parts. On the northern side, the beach is rocky and shallow, and at low tide it becomes unsuitable for swimming. The soft sand and crystal clear water on the south side is considered one of the best beaches in Tioman and has various types of coral and many colorful fish. The Salang area is therefore a great place for snorkeling and diving, with numerous diving tours departing from here to nearby islands. There are several scuba diving operators in the village itself.

Salang is a great place to experience the traditional Malay village lifestyle. Not only the houses of the locals, but also the resorts are built in the traditional style of architecture. On the southern outskirts of the village, a path to the mountains begins, opening up a beautiful panorama of the picturesque bay and hills of northern Tioman. Huge monitor lizards are often found in Salang; it is a breeding ground for these animals.

Tekek(Tekek Village) is located on the main passenger ferry route along the west coast of the island, namely: Mersing - Genting - Paya - Tekek - Air Batang - Salang. Tekek is the main entry and exit point to the island due to its central location. There is an airport here that receives Berjaya Air flights and the only immigration terminal on the island that serves passengers traveling directly here from Singapore. In Tekek there are local authorities of the island, police, post office, clinic, the only bank branch on the island, and several diving centers. Since Tioman Island was granted duty-free status, local businessmen have quickly opened duty-free shops in Tekek. By Tioman standards, the beach in Tekek is “no good.”

Genting(Genting Village). Genting is Tioman's third largest village after Tekek and Juara. Passenger ferries from Mersing make their first short stop here before continuing to Paya, Tekek, Air Batang and Salang. Topographically, Genting is located on rugged terrain, like most villages on Tioman ("Genting" means "mountain pass" in Malay). The village lies on a narrow strip of golden sand fringed by dark granite boulders and steep hills with lush rainforest. The beach in Genting is very beautiful with clear water and soft sand. Several shops, restaurants, cafes, cottages, a clinic and a mosque around the pier form the center of the village. It's easy to walk from one end of the village to the other in 30 minutes. The trail from Genting stretches north to Paya, with pedestrian bridges spanning mountain streams that flow into the ocean. Walking along this path, it is difficult not to notice monkeys and monitor lizards.

Paya(Paya Village). Little Paya is located between the villages of Genting and Tekek. The name "Paya" ("swamp" in Malay) is a bit of a misnomer as the village and beach are quite pleasant and beautiful. The village is dominated by Mount Gunung Kajang. At 1,038 meters above sea level, it is Tioman's highest peak, although not as impressively beautiful as Gunung Nenek Semukut in Mukut village.

Mukut village(Mukut Village) is located on the southern tip of Tioman Island. To get there, you will need to hire a private boat because the village is off the Mersing - Genting - Paya - Tekek - Air Batang - Salang passenger ferry route. This remote village has still not lost its old world charm, having changed little with the development of tourism on the island. Recommended for those who want to be surrounded by nature and traditional village life. The beautiful Asah Falls are a 45-minute walk from here, but many Mukut resorts offer easy boat excursions to it.

The beach in Mukut is so-so, but the main attraction of the village is the towering twin peaks of Gunung Nenek Semukut, 690 m high. It is not always possible to see them, because the mythical peaks are often shrouded in clouds, even in the dry season. These twin peaks are said to represent the “horns of the dragon princess” who transformed herself into the island of Tioman. The legendary “dragon horns” attract climbers, and the village of Mukut is the starting point for its conquest.

Thulai Island(Tulai Island). Tulai Island (often called "Coral Island") is located off the northeast coast of Tioman. The speedboat ride from Salang village takes about 30 minutes. From Tekek or Air Batang the trip will take a little longer. Most dive operators diving around nearby Chebeh Island stop here for an hour before heading out for their second dive of the day. This island has two sandy beaches, the most beautiful of which is Pantai Pasir Panjang (translated from Malay as “Long Beach”). The sand is surprisingly white and powdery soft, the water is clear. From any angle the beach looks impeccably beautiful. There are good coral areas here, so snorkeling tours visit this beach regularly.

Lalang Beach(Lalang Beach). Lalang Beach is home to the only luxury resort, Berjaya Tioman Resort. The beach is accessible to everyone, as the resort does not restrict access to its territory. From the nearest village of Tekek, it can be a 30-minute walk across the hill to the resort grounds. Or you can use the shuttle minibuses that operate between Tekek Village and Berjaya Tioman Resort. The ride is free for everyone, not just resort guests, and is a popular mode of transport even among locals. In terms of natural beauty, Lalang Beach has two distinct landscapes. The northern part of the beach, where most of Berjaya Tioman Resort's cottages are located, has unattractive muddy water and coarse orange sand. The southern part of the beach, in close proximity to the resort's pier, has white sand and clear water. This stretch of beach is located opposite the small island of Renggis, a very popular snorkeling spot.

What to do, what to see

Trip around the island(Round-Island Tour). Due to the lack of roads on Tioman, the only way to get to all its attractions is by boat or boat. Many tour operators and resorts offer vacationers the opportunity to see the island's most beautiful places on a one-day Round-Island Tour. Typical stops along the way include the following:

Visit to the highest waterfall Asakh. From the pier, you need to walk a little along the path in the forest; those who wish can swim in the pond near the waterfall.
exploring the twin peaks of Gunung Nenek Semukut, the most famous peak of Tioman, known as the “horns of the dragon”.
visit Tekek, the main village of the island where most of the duty free shops are located.
stop in one of the villages of the island for lunch break.
visiting Renggis Island, it is located 100 m in front of Berjaya Tioman Resort. This tiny rocky island is a popular snorkeling spot.

The cost of Round Island tours ranges from RM80-RM120 per person, depending on the starting point, duration and type of boat.

Rock climbing. In August 2002, a team of rock climbers summited the twin peaks of Gunung Nenek Semukut for the first time. Since then, rock climbing has gained popularity on the island. It takes climbers three days to climb the most beautiful peak of Tioman. The climb is designed for professionals. You can join the climbing routes offered by the Petit Climbing Center (http://arinpetit.blogspot.com). Their package includes accommodation, meals, climbing equipment, climbing guides, porters and boat transfers to and from the pier in Mersing town. But rock climbing on Tioman is not only for professionals; there are a number of easier routes.

Waterfalls. In several places on the island, mountain streams cascade down through rocks and granite boulders on their way to the sea. The highest waterfall, Asah, is located near the village of Mukut (30 minutes on foot). The waterfall creates a cool mountain pool to swim in. The second famous waterfall is located near the village of Juara. The waterfall near the village of Paya is nothing more than a rapidly flowing river into a lagoon through a series of boulders.

Surfing. Suitable waves for this sport of up to 2 m high from the South China Sea are available from November to March. And only on the eastern side of the island.

Diving and diving centers

There are over twenty dive sites on Tioman, catering for beginners and experienced divers. The underwater terrain is varied and Tioman is also one of the few places in Malaysia where you are likely to get the opportunity to swim with pods of dolphins. In its more recent history, Tioman hosted British and Japanese troops during World War II, and the waters around the island are littered with the remains of warships.

The abundance of marine life, accessibility and fairly good visibility of the water have made Tioman one of the most popular diving destinations in Malaysia. There is no shortage of dive operators on the island, offering shore dives, boat trips to neighboring islands, day and night dives, as well as training and certification. Some of them help with organizing accommodation, jungle treks, snorkeling tours. The list of the most popular diving centers is below:

Panuba village: Bali Hai

Lalang Beach: Berjaya Dive Center (www.berjayahotel.com)

Paia village: Sea Lantis Dive Centre, Payar Diver Cove

Popular diving spots

Chebeh Island. Depth: 13-27 meters. Location: north of Thulai Island, 20-30 minutes by boat from the village of Salang. The peculiarity of this place is the underwater terrain with tunnels, caves, huge boulders and inaccessible bottlenecks. There are many gorgonian corals. Expect to see Napoleon fish, triggerfish, pufferfish, angelfish and, if you're lucky, manta rays at certain times of the year.

Fan Canyon. Depth: up to 30 meters. Location: southwest of Thulai Island, next to Genting Bay. The famous Fan Canyon is replete with fragile gorgonian corals. Divers are generally not allowed to enter the canyon itself to avoid damaging the gorgonian corals, but there is a tunnel through which you can swim for about 16 meters. Expect to see large ruffe, napoleon fish, barracuda, grouper and green turtles, especially at lower depths.

Kador Bay. Depth 5-20 meters. Location: Northeast of Thulai Island, 15-20 minutes by boat from Salang village. If you leave the lagoon of Thulai Island, Kador Bay will be on the right. The rocks descend to a depth of about 20 meters and there are small ledges where moray eels and stone fish, many species of local reef fish, and stingrays can be found.

Malang Rock. Depth: 6-15 meters. Location: West of the northern tip of Tioman Island, 20-25 minutes by boat from Salang village. Malang Rock is also a popular snorkeling spot. The shallow part has various corals and sponges, while the deep part has many large boulders. At great depths you can see sharks, including tiger sharks, as well as stingrays, schools of barracudas, triggerfish, and lion fish.

Labas Island. Depth: 5-25 meters. Location: 25 minutes by boat from Salang village. Labas Island is a pile of stones, some of which protrude above the water. There are many large boulders underwater, there are caves and the remains of a sunken Japanese fishing vessel nearby. There are turtles, puffer fish, moray eels, and stingrays.

Tiger Reef. Depth: 10-25 meters. Location: near Marang Rock, between Sepoi and Labas islands, 30 minutes by boat from Salang village. The coral reef is made up of impressive hard coral formations, including brain coral and fire coral. The surrounding boulders are also completely covered with hard and soft corals. Opportunity to see reef sharks, schools of barracudas, reef snappers, cavalla, tuna, small pike and damselfish fish.

Soyak Island Reef and Soyak Island Wreck. Depth: 5-15 meters (Soyak Island Reef); 20-25 meters (Soyak Island Wreck). Location: opposite the village of Salang, about 10 minutes by boat. The two dive sites are adjacent to each other and consist of a shipwreck near Soyak Island and boulders and reefs around Soyak Island itself. Colorful soft corals and shipwrecks have made Soyak Island a popular dive site. Rockfish are the most common fish found in this area, along with turtles, lionfish, parrotfish, nudibranchs, cavallas and the occasional black reef shark.

Salang Bay. Depth: 5-15 meters. Location: in front of Salang village. The easily accessible reefs on either side of the Salang village jetty serve as a popular spot for novice divers. The shallow reef consists of horn corals, blue corals, and brain corals. There are sea anemones, clown fish, hawksbill turtles, and parrot fish.

Tioman Marine Park Office Area. Depth: 8-30 meters. Location: between the villages of Air Batang and Tekek, next to the beach near the marine park office. The fish at the marine park's pier area are fed bread crumbs and it is a popular spot for snorkeling tours. Divers are attracted to several wrecks at various depths nearby. There are many small tropical fish here, especially between March and May, large schools of fusiliers, cavallas and fish of the horse mackerel family are found.

Renggis Island. Depth: 6-15 meters. Location: Near Tekek village, in front of Berjaya Tioman Resort. The small rocky island in front of Berjaya Tioman Resort is one of the most popular diving and snorkeling spots. Near the island at a depth of 20 meters there are the remains of sunken ships. The waters around the island have coral formations, there are green turtles and reef sharks, puffer fish, angel fish, butterfly fish, stingrays, moray eels, triggerfish, rock perches.

Bahara. Depth: 5-25 meters. Location: southwest of Tioman Island, 20-30 minutes by boat from the village of Genting. The main attraction of this place is the slopes covered with black corals, anemones, red and purple corals. Bahara is a favorite for underwater photography enthusiasts. Currents can be strong, but water visibility is excellent.

Jahat Island. Depth: 5-25 meters. Location: 15-20 minutes by boat from Salang village. Jahat Island is surrounded by large boulders, forming a labyrinth of tunnels, corridors and caves. You'll probably see sharks, barracudas and sea turtles. Hard corals, sea anemones and gorgonian corals complete the underwater picture.

Snorkeling

Perhaps the most popular activity for vacationers on Tioman is snorkeling. Snorkeling is practiced at most beaches, where it's easy to rent a mask and fins (and a life jacket if you want). Most resorts organize trips to beaches and small uninhabited islands nearby. Among them, the most popular is Tulai Island (also called “Coral Island”) and Renggis Island. Please note that a species of jellyfish called “Portuguese man-of-war” is found on the beaches. The tentacles of representatives of this species carry a huge number of stinging cells, the poison of which is dangerous to humans. The abundance of jellyfish is usually found in May-September. If you are wary of jellyfish stings, you can rent wetsuits from scuba diving operators. The best places for snorkeling are as follows.

Thulai Island(“Tulai Island, often called “Coral Island”). Tulai Island is one of the most popular stops for diving and snorkeling enthusiasts on Tioman. It is located a short boat ride northeast of the nearest village of Salang. Don't forget to bring drinks and lunch if you go there on your own (not as part of a tour).

Renggis Island(Renggis Island). Renggis Island is a pile of boulders topped with trees, but its main attraction lies under the water around it. The island is located opposite the Berjaya Tioman Resort. Trips here are usually included in snorkelling excursions, with boats stopping for approximately 45 minutes.

Marine Park office area. The water area in front of the marine park office (near the village of Tekek) hosts numerous snorkeling excursions.

Monkey Bay(Monkey Bay). Monkey Bay is located between the villages of Salang and Air Batang in the north of the island. The deserted sandy beach is a popular snorkeling spot.

Shopping

The Malaysian government has granted duty-free status to Tioman Island. Duty exemptions mainly apply to tobacco and alcohol products and the best place to do this kind of shopping is Tekek, the island's largest village. Duty-free shops in Tekek sell not only various tobacco and alcohol products, but also T-shirts, souvenirs, jewelry, crystal, porcelain, and designer accessories. The largest store is the Vision Commerce store, a few minutes walk from the airport. There are some small duty free shops in other villages, particularly in Paya and Salang. There are open markets on the island, the location of which varies on different days of the week. You can use them to purchase arts and crafts and food products.

Spa salons

There are currently two spas in Tioman: Ayura Spa at Berjaya Tioman Resort and Paya Holistic Spa at Paya Beach Resort.

Taaras Spa is part of a chain of spas affiliated to the Berjaya Resorts Group and offers a wide range of traditional and natural treatments. Taaras Spa's signature treatment is their massage, which uses the traditional method of applying a heated compress of aromatic herbs and spices to anatomical points of the human body. Therapies include massages, body scrubs, facials, hand and foot care and treatment, and a wide range of hair treatments. They can be combined into one package lasting from two to four hours.

Paya Holistic Spa Part of the Paya Beach Spa and Dive Resort, it specializes in relaxing and rejuvenating treatments using a variety of natural ingredients such as coconut, herbs, papaya. Paya Holistic Spa offers various types of massage, herbal body scrub, facial treatment, Ayurvedic therapy against hair loss. There are also packages that combine available treatments.

It is very important to make a reservation and arrive on time. Contact Berjaya Tioman Resort (www.berjayahotel.com) or Paya Beach Spa (www.payabeach.com) for further information.

Popular cafes and restaurants

Compared to other places in Malaysia, eating out in Tioman is quite expensive.

Tioman Cabana Beach Bistro. Tioman Cabana Beach Bistro's extensive menu includes local and European dishes. The café located on the beach offers live music in the evenings and offers beautiful views of the sunset. Free Wi-Fi internet is available. During the day you can book traditional Tioman excursions here. Address: Tekek Village, Tioman Island.

Mandi-mandi Restaurant. What a great idea - a restaurant on the pier! Mandi-mandi Restaurant is built over the water on stilts. The menu is dominated by Italian cuisine, there are also Malaysian and Indian dishes, a lot of fish and seafood. Address: Japamala resort, Kampung Lanting, Tioman Island.

Nazri's Place. Nazri's Place is a large resort at the southern end of Air Batang village, opposite one of the best beaches on the island. Located on the water's edge, the restaurant serves local and Western cuisine. The restaurant is owned by Muslims, so it does not serve alcohol, but you can buy drinks nearby and bring a drink with you. If you want to watch the sun set over the glass-calm sea, don’t miss it. The restaurant is cut off from the rest of the village by a hill. How to get there: get to the Tioman Marine Park office, and from there cross the hill. Address: Nazri." s Place, ABC Batang, Tekek, Tioman Island.

Best time to visit

Tioman Island has two excellent seasons:

The rainy season is from mid-November to mid-February. At this time it often rains, the sea is stormy, and there are few tourists.

The dry season is from mid-February to mid-November.

The best time to visit is from May to August, when the weather usually coincides with the least rainfall. Monsoon winds begin to blow from October, bringing heavy rains and strong waves until January (surfing season). During this time ferries run once a day and hotels offer significant discounts off their standard rates. Singaporean and Malay holidays in November, December and Chinese New Year are very busy, so try to avoid these periods.

Useful tips

The last ferries leave in the middle of the day, so try to get to the port or you will have to spend one night in Mersing or Tanjung Gemok before then.

The ferry schedule is not fixed and depends on the number of passengers and tide conditions.

Book your ferry ticket in advance on Malayan and Singaporean holidays and weekends, otherwise you risk being left without tickets.

There is only one ATM on the island in the village of Tetek, so bring cash! However, most dive centers accept credit cards.

Consider one more important point. If you want to drink a glass of wine or beer throughout the day, this can be considered a luxury on the island. The island's inhabitants are predominantly Muslim, and by religion they cannot consume or even sell it. This is why you won’t be able to drink beer or any other alcoholic drink on the beaches. But having lunch at a big hotel and ordering alcohol, there are no problems here.

Accommodation

Description the most luxurious hotel in Tioman, Berjaya Tioman Resort on booking.com by

How to get from Mersing to Tioman Island.
Well, let's continue. As I already wrote in, in order to get to Tioman Island, you need to take a ferry from Mersing. Ferries run several times a day, but it all depends on weather conditions and the time of year; it sometimes happens that there is a storm and ferries are canceled for weeks.

Therefore, when planning to go to the paradise island of Tioman, take care to find out in advance whether it is the season there or not, whether ferries run regularly and whether an influx of Singaporeans is expected who have chosen this island for their Sunday outings. According to information from the Internet, the rainy season lasts from November to March, during which time relatively large waves form, turning a ferry ride into a shipwreck, and diving and snorkeling into a rather dangerous event. My trip took place in the middle of autumn, the weather was excellent, and there were few people, apparently due to the approaching end of the season.

Mersing-Tioman ferry.
The ferry from Mersing leaves at 7 am, so we woke up early, had a snack and headed to the pier, where a large crowd had already gathered who wanted to go on a similar journey with us. At the box office, at a price of 60 ringit, we bought tickets, which are sold both ways, with the return date remaining open. After which something like check-in for a flight happened, where our last names, first names, and passport details were written down in a notebook and we ended up in the waiting area.

At exactly 7 o'clock the gates opened and we boarded the boat called Blue Water 9. There were still clouds in the sky, but as soon as we sailed a little further from the mainland, the sun came out and the weather began to improve. Our ferry picked up cruising speed and soon we began to sail past many small uninhabited islands. It was quite gloomy inside the boat - shabby seats covered in blue leather, foggy windows. To entertain the passengers, the Titanic, which was dubious for such trips, was shown on TV. The ship's toilet, with its diving mask, looked especially colorful. It was also traditionally cold, as is the case in all vehicles in Malaysia that have air conditioning. So it’s always useful to have some kind of warm jacket for these kinds of moves. You're unlikely to need it outdoors, but indoors you'll probably need it. In general, in connection with all of the above, I often went aft to enjoy the warm rays of the sun and admire the surrounding views that were pleasing to the eye.

Tioman Island.
Soon, or to be more precise, after about two hours, we began to approach our cherished goal. Tioman Island appeared on the horizon. Tioman is notable for the fact that its entire territory is a protected area. Major construction is prohibited here, there is only one road on the island connecting the airport to the hotel, and the few villages located along the coast can only be reached by water. The rest of the island is an impassable jungle and wild beaches.

We headed to the farthest village called Salang. The ferry first called at nearby Mukut, Paya and Tekek. The lion's share of passengers got off along the road. Each time it seemed to me that the palm trees were taller and the water more azure. Although, of course, all these villages are similar to each other and differ little.

Finally, our time has come to get off the ship. We arrived at Salang Village. My heart sank in anticipation. And as soon as I stepped onto the pier and looked into the water, I was immediately amazed by what I saw. Dozens of strange, elongated fish swam in the crystal clear water right below us. But I had to distract myself and go look for housing.

Accommodation on Tioman Island.
In fact, there is no particular choice of conditions in the villages on Tioman. All guest houses offer approximately the same thing - bungalows of various sizes with air conditioning or a fan. With a condenser it is more expensive, with a fan it is correspondingly cheaper. Within half an hour, we went through all the possible options and settled on a small cozy house in the northern part of Salang.

Life in Salang Village.
Life in the village of Salang flows measuredly and leisurely. Monitor lizards, sometimes reaching three meters in length, walk along the paths, and tailless cats bask on the volcanic rocks. I assume that sooner or later the tails remain in the monitor lizards' paste. A couple of cafes on the shore, a couple of dive centers, a single shop, a mosque a little deeper in the thickets, and, of course, palm trees, hammocks, a beach! Actually, we came here for the beach. Therefore, without hesitation, we abandoned our belongings in the hut and headed to the shore, fortunately it was 10 meters from the porch. Warm turquoise water, palm trees hanging over the shore and... Oh God! What a tingling sensation all over my body - hundreds of tiny jellyfish are stinging me. On top of everything else, the tide begins to ebb and the water literally disappears before our eyes, exposing petrified corals, a rocky bottom and numerous dens, crabs and crustaceans hiding under the water.

Well, the first attempt failed. You should go have a snack, take a short nap while the sun is high, and in the late afternoon, when the tide starts, go to the southern part of the beach and try to swim there. So be it, we order the usual rice sea food, freshly squeezed juices, discuss the island with a friend and share our impressions.

Snorkeling on Tioman.
After a couple of hours of relaxing bones in the bungalow, we put on our swimsuits again and, armed with the snorkel mask we bought the day before, we head to the southern part of the beach. We reach the very end and settle down under a snag between volcanic rocks. Behind is the jungle and the screams of monkeys, ahead is the ocean. I take the tube and go into the water. I walk for a while, waiting for the depth, and then I put on my mask and dive under the water. Oh God! For the second time today. But this time it’s not jellyfish at all. I almost choke from what I saw and emerge to take a deep breath of air. You can’t even imagine what I just saw, the National Geographic Society with its underwater odysseys is nervously smoking on the sidelines. Dozens of colorful fish from small to large, corals of all colors and shades, a real living reef under me. Perhaps it was one of the most vivid impressions of my life. Before this, I had no idea that diving or snorkeling could be so much fun. All the following days we did nothing but swim and dive continuously.

What a pity that I didn’t take my GoPro with me then. There would be so many brightest shots. After all, we didn’t see anyone - sea urchins, Napoleon fish, parrot fish, sea turtles, once I even saw barracudas. It’s impossible to count them all. Well, I’ll leave you the ground for your fantasies, and very soon expect a new report on the island of Tioman.

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The island of Tioman was first mentioned in the diaries of Arabian merchants in the 10th century. Traders from India, Persia and China also came here, since they bought betel, sandalwood and camphor on Tioman, and it was also possible to take refuge here during monsoon storms. Ships reaching the island knew that they could now turn northeast, towards Cambodia.

In 1830, pirates landed on the island and captured 70 people, enslaving them - after which the islanders left their homes for 15 years. In the 1920s, the island was abandoned again after the population died from an outbreak of malaria. After World War II, when the Japanese army used the island as a military base, it was forgotten again, and it was only in the late 1950s that the island was chosen as the setting for the Rodgers and Hammer-stein musical South Pacific.

Tioman Island is surrounded by many coral reefs and has several top-notch diving sites. You can get around the island in a couple of hours, visiting the forest along the way, where many species of flora and fauna live.

The combination of first-class accommodation and stunning nature makes Pulau Tioman one of the most beautiful destinations in Asia. They refrain from logging here, and therefore the tropical forest has remained as untouched as possible. A hilly mountain range runs through the middle of the island at an altitude of 500 m, rising at the southern end with two granite peaks - “Donkey Ears”. The height of the highest of them, Gunung Kajang, is 1038 m.

You can reach Tioman Island by plane from Kuala Lumpur (Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport) or by boat from the fishing village of Mersing. The journey by fast boat takes approximately two hours.

The island's west coast has a wide range of accommodation, from luxury apartments to modest but comfortable guesthouses, chalets and simple huts on Salang Beach, located closer to the north. Around the main port of the island - Tekek - there are many restaurants, dive shops and duty-free shops where you can buy alcohol and cigarettes.

Travel on the island is mainly by boat, and fishermen charge very reasonable fees. From Tekek you can hike through the forest to the top of the hill located on the east coast. Or take a dip in the waterfall that cascades down from the top of the hill before heading back to Juara Beach in the village where you will be treated to excellent seafood dishes. Here you can swim in the sea and, and if you no longer have the strength for another hike, return to Tekek by boat.

Bird lovers can watch colorful imperial pigeons, nightingales, frigatebirds, sunbirds and flower suckers. There are no large mammals in the forests of the island; only recently some reptiles have been discovered.

Tioman Island (Malaysia) is located 60 km from the mainland. It is part of the Pahang National Park in Malaysia. Tioman can easily be considered one of the most picturesque islands in Southeast Asia; its amazing nature is shown in the musical “South Pacific”. The main attraction of the island is the beaches with clear turquoise water, white sand and exotic nature.

General information

Tioman Island is 20 km long and 12 km wide and is home to about a thousand residents in eight settlements, many of them descendants of pirates and fishermen. Some settlements resemble villages in Indonesia.

Gunung Kajang

The center of the island is densely forested, some of the plants are unique. The highest point is the peak of Mount Gunung Kajang, height 1038 m.

Interesting fact! The streets are very clean, and the river water can be drunk without boiling first. However, it is not worth checking this fact in practice; it is better to buy purified water in stores.

People have surrounded Tioman Island in Malaysia with various legends. One of them tells about a Chinese princess who, on her way to her groom, was enchanted by nature and decided to stay here forever, turning into the pearl of Tioman.

Getting to this part of Malaysia is recommended for everyone who seeks solitude and dreams of a comfortable beach holiday and exotic nature. In addition, this is a real paradise for diving lovers, because the underwater world is as colorful as the flora and fauna of Tioman.

Attractions

The main attraction is the comfortable coastline, nature and wildlife. Unique animals and plants live here. The popular village of the island is Juara; it has the cleanest sand on the island and there is a sea turtle reserve where you can feed and pet the animals.

Juara beach

Tioman has two mountains covered with dense jungle - Donkey Ears and Dragon Horns. It is noteworthy that only a few people were able to reach the top of the Dragon Horn.

"Dragon Horns"

Another interesting place to visit is the village of Tekek. Here you can visit the Marine Park, where unique types of corals are collected - soft and hard.

Purchases

The island is a duty-free zone, however, shopping here is unlikely to be profitable. Most of the retail outlets are located in the village of Tekek. Here you can buy food, drinks, cigarettes, and sweets.

Good to know! If purchased goods need to be transported to Singapore, duty must be paid.

Sabo

There are quite a lot of souvenirs in the settlement - T-shirts with interesting designs, pumpkin-shaped dishes, jewelry in traditional Malaysian style, wooden clogs.

In resort areas there are small shops where you can purchase personal hygiene items, insect protection, and other necessary goods.

This is important! It is prohibited to break off and remove corals from the island; you can purchase a branch in a souvenir shop.

Transport

There are practically no high-quality asphalt highways on Tioman Island in Malaysia; the only road leads to the village of Tekek and then to the resort of Berjaya. The fastest and most comfortable way to communicate between settlements is by ferry from Mersing to Tioman. The fare varies from $3 to $5. You can get to the resort by private boat, it will cost $16.

There are also SUVs on the island - an analogue of a taxi. Trip cost:

• $24 per passenger;
• $38 for two;
• $11 if there are four passengers.

Connection

The best mobile connection in the south of the island. The Internet is available almost everywhere. The largest number of Internet cafes are in Tekek and Air Batang. The cost of one session is usually $3. The hotels have wireless internet.

It is better to call from hotels, since most telephones are broken. Wherever there is Internet, you can contact the subscriber via Skype.

Infrastructure

Hotels on an island in Malaysia are completely different from traditional European modern buildings. Most often these are compact chalets with 7-9 rooms, decorated in national, Malaysian style. Natural wood predominates in the interior decoration.

The largest village on the island is Tekek, the local airport is nearby, there are grocery stores, internet cafes, and you can rent transport. Ferries from mainland Malaysia land near the village of Tekek, and there are also a police station, currency exchange offices and customs.

Genting is an entertainment center with a nightclub, restaurant (Chinese cuisine predominates on the menu), and a disco.

If you want to get to the jungle, it is best to go to the village of Paya, from here excursions deep into the tropics depart; tourists are always accompanied by funny monkeys who strive to get to the personal belongings of vacationers.

The village of Nipa attracts lovers of romance; there are many deserted beaches and practically no vacationers.

Good to know! The widest coastline is located near the Berjaya hotel and belongs to it. Many beaches see an influx of Singaporeans on weekends. This is due to the fact that Tioman is a center for diving, spa services and golf.

Accommodation

Aguna Resort

Tioman has accommodation for every taste and budget; most hotels are located in the western part of the island. There are luxury hotels, affordable hotels, as well as individual houses and chalets. Most hotels are villas decorated in traditional Malaysian style.

Many inexpensive hotels and chalets are concentrated in the village of Tekek. Accommodation in a simple chalet with a minimum set of amenities will cost $12-13; in a slightly more comfortable hotel it costs from $30 to $60. In expensive hotels, a room costs on average about $100. One of the most prestigious resorts on Tioman Island is Berjaya. The hotel has a swimming pool, a spa center, a wi-fi zone, and a private beach. The hotel also owns a huge picturesque area of ​​the island.

Good to know! With a budget of 200 ringit (about 50 dollars), you can find good accommodation in any part of the island. The cost of living is determined by the season - in the period from January to March, prices are 50% less than in the high season - from July to August.

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Nutrition

Local restaurants and cafes serve national and European cuisine. Here you can try traditional Malay dishes, as well as cuisine familiar to Europeans. It is better to have an inexpensive snack in eateries, most of them are in the villages of Tekek and Dzhuar.

Interesting fact! Be sure to try nasi rice, served as a side dish and also cooked in coconut milk. Interesting and unusual-tasting meat prepared according to local recipes. Do not deny yourself the pleasure of trying seafood. It is better to buy alcoholic drinks in duty-free stores.

Compared to other resorts in Malaysia, food on Tioman Island is quite expensive. Local dishes cost from 3 to 10 ringgit. European dishes are more expensive - up to 15 ringgit. Three meals a day at the hotel restaurant will cost from 30 to 40 ringgit.

Safety

The main feature of the local residents is their friendliness, so crimes on the island are extremely rare. However, even with such external calm and serenity, one must not forget about precautions. Women should dress more modestly, especially when planning a trip to local villages.

Before traveling, it is recommended to be vaccinated against hepatitis A and B and against malaria. Tourists are advised to use mosquito nets, insect repellents, sunscreen cosmetics and wear hats. If you plan to snorkel, be sure to check which underwater inhabitants are poisonous and can be dangerous.

TOP 8 beaches of Tioman island

This is a small island, which is located 4 km from the island of Tioman. The shore is covered with exotic vegetation, white sand, and the water is perfectly clean. This is where there are most places for diving and snorkeling. The seabed is sandy.

2. Monkey Beach

This is a wild, secluded place located in the northwestern part of the island. The beach got its name because of the large number of monkeys that live here. The seabed is covered with sand and rocks.

Great place in the eastern part of the island. Many turtles live here. The shore is not crowded because it is difficult to get here. The seabed is covered with sand.

A popular holiday destination in the northern part of Tioman Island. There are many palm trees on the shore, clean, white sand, clear water. Nightlife lovers come here as this is the only place in Tioman where there are night bars and discos. To go snorkeling, you need to get to the southern part. The seabed is covered with sand and rocks. Here you can go diving, and the tourist infrastructure is well developed.

A vacation spot in the west of the island, the shore is covered with palm trees that provide pleasant shade. The descent into the water is comfortable, and in the northern part there is a convenient place for snorkeling.

6. Genting

A picturesque beach in the western part of the island, this is where you can find picturesque landscapes, beautiful bays, but the seabed is covered with stones. The beach has a well-developed tourist infrastructure.

7. Air Batang

Beach in the western part of the island, also known as ABC. The coastline is 1 km long, the seabed is mostly rocky, some places are suitable for snorkeling. The infrastructure is sufficiently developed.

The main village on the island, ferries arrive here, and the beach is located north and south of the port. In comparison with the beaches in other villages, this holiday destination is inferior, but in general you can sunbathe on the seashore.

Malaysia has two seasons: rainy and dry. The rainy period begins in November and ends in March; at this time it is difficult to get to the island and the weather is not conducive to rest - a strong wind blows and the sea is stormy. Not all hotels accept tourists at this time of year.

The best weather on Tioman in Malaysia occurs in May and lasts until September. The maximum number of tourists arrives from June to August.

Diving and snorkeling

For diving enthusiasts, Tioman in Malaysia is a real paradise. Clear, warm water, a variety of aquatic life and vibrant corals create ideal conditions for sea diving. Diving centers operate in every village and in all resort areas. The cost of one dive is 150 ringgit.

The best places on Tioman for snorkeling and diving:

Snorkeling equipment can be rented for the whole day, the service is available at each beach:

• Vest and fins – 10 ringgit each;
• mask and snorkel – 15 ringgit.

Some hotels and guesthouses offer half- or full-day snorkeling excursions for guests. Cost from 60 to 150 ringgit.

How to get from Kuala Lumpur to Tioman

1. How to get to Tioman by plane

The airstrip is located near the village of Tekek, there is also a customs office and a pier where ferries land.

The carrier is Berjaya Air, small planes with a capacity of only 48 people depart from Subang Airport. Flight duration is 60 minutes. The frequency of flights depends on the season - in the high season planes depart daily, in the rainy season - two to three times a week. The luggage weight limit is 10 kg. To get to Tioman, first visit the airline's website and check the flight schedule.

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2. How to get to Tioman Island by bus and ferry

The route involves a transfer in the city of Mersing. The route is as follows:

You will have to spend the night in the city of Mersing and get to the pier by 6-00. Here you can purchase round-trip tickets to Tioman for RM79. Additionally, you need to pay 20 ringgit for visiting the island in Malaysia and 5 ringgit for garbage removal. Along the way, the ferry makes stops at the beaches of the island.

Now you know how to get to Tioman in Malaysia, which beach to relax on and how to organize your leisure time. Be sure to visit this corner of Malaysia and feel the exotic flavor of the resort.

Prices on the page are for February 2018.

Watch a video of what Tioman Island looks like from the air.

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