Pulau Tioman or Tioman Islands is a sparsely populated island located on the eastern coast of Malaysia. Time magazine had selected Tioman as one of the world’s most beautiful islands. The densely forested island is still sparsely inhabited, but is surrounded by numerous white coral reefs, making it a haven for scuba divers from around the region. The beaches of the Tioman islands are clean and covered with white sands. They are lined with numerous palm trees and are the best place to go for sunbathing. The water over here is warm and clear and filled with abundant marine life. The popular beaches that one can visit include those of Tekek, Genting and Salang. One can embark upon numerous water-based sports and beach activities while on a Pulau Tioman beach tour. Scuba diving and snorkeling are the most popular activities that one can embark upon over here. Other activities include boating, sailing, swimming and fishing. Various water sports that one can participate include water skiing and jet skiing.

GETTING THERE

Tioman is off the south-east coast of peninsular Malaysia, just north of the Johor-Pahang state borders. It is reachable by speedboat or ferry from the coastal town of Mersing or from Tanjung Gemuk.

*Fly to Tioman

Berjaya Air has direct 40minute flights from Singapore (Seletar Airport)
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.
Senai airport is serviced by Air Asia and Malaysia Airlines with flights from various national and regional destinations.

Long-haul international flights to Johor Bahru connect through Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).

*Speedboats and ferries to Tioman

Speedboats and ferries depart from Mersing or Tanjung Gemok (north of Mersing).
From Mersing, speedboats (20 passengers) reach the island within 2 hours
while the ferries (150 passengers) can take up to 3 hours.
Tickets cost RM 35 each way (RM 45 for speedboats)
ferries leave every one to two hours between 09:30 and 17:30.
Ferry and boat services are less frequent from Tanjung Gemuk, but prices and journey times are roughly the same.

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From Kuala Lumpur take a bus to Mersing (5 hours). Tickets cost around RM 23.

From the Johor Bahru Larkin bus station, charter a taxi to Mersing RM 100 , 2 hours.
taxis from Tanjung Leman (1 hour, RM 70-100)
taxis from Kota Tinggi (1 hour, RM 70-100).

Drive
From Kota Tinggi, the way north to Mersing , 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.

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.

holiday activities to do at tioman:

 Round Island Tour
 
 Scuba Diving
 
 Snorkelling
 
 Rock climbing
 
 Waterfalls
 
 Jungle trekking
 
 Duty-free shopping
 
 Golfing
 
 Spa
 

tioman hotels, chalets and resorts list

ABC Beach Resort
Babura Sea View Resort
Berjaya Tioman Beach Golf & Spa Resort
Berjaya Tioman Suites
Coral Reef Holiday’s
Coral Resorts Chalet Park
Dumba Beach Resort
Genting Bayu Chalet
Genting Damai Holiday Resort
Genting Damai Resort
Genting Jaya Holidays
Idaman Beach Holiday
Johan’s Family Resort
Juara Saujana Beach
Khalid Place (Salang Pusaka)
Monte Chalet
Nadias Inn Salang Bay Resort
Nazri Place
Nazri Place 2
Panuba Inn Resort
Paya Beach Resort
Persona Island Resort
Salang Beach Resort
Salang Indah Resort
Salang Pusaka Resort
Salang Sayang Resort
Sri Paya Holiday
Sun Beach Resort
TC Beach Chalet
Tioman Beauty Beach Resort
Tioman Paya Resort

tioman hotels and resorts according to villages

1)Salang………………
 most popular of Tioman’s villages, Salang located in a small bay at the north of the island. Resorts, restaurants and shops are lined up around the bay, with the biggest cluster of activity around the jetty. the northern end being quieter and the southern end laying claim to a prime stretch of beach divided by The jetty and a freshwater lagoon . Salang is as lively as it gets on Tioman: families start playing on the beach as soon as the sun is out and loud music and chatter can be heard till the early hours of the morning.  At the northern side of the village, the beach is rocky and becomes unsuitable for swimming at low tide.  the southern side, offers a much better place to play and sunbathe at soft sand  and the bay here is very popular for snorkelling. The water is crystal-clear and home to many species of coral and colourful fish.
 *Ella’s Place
 *Salang Beach Resort
 *Salang Indah Resort
 *Salang Pusaka Resort (Khalid’s Place)
 *Salang Sayang Resort (Zaid’s Place)
 *Pak Long’s Chalet
 *Nora’s Chalet
 *Puteri Salang Inn
 
2)Panuba……………………..
This private, boulder strewn bay is a peaceful retreat and the nearby villages are easily accessible through short jungle trails or a sea taxi service. A five minute walk to the north brings you to a deserted beach, and the trail continues to Monkey Bay and Salang Village. Ayer Batang Village is 15 minutes south from here on the jungle footpath. Although the beach right in front of the Panuba Inn Resort is small, the soft sand, tall trees and relative privacy make it an ideal place to relax and unwind. 
 
 *Panuba Inn Resort
 
3)Ayer Batang…………………………..
ABC ( Air Batang Chalets), another popular villages on Tioman due to the combination of tranquillity, village charm and a wide choice of accommodation and restaurants . The two-kilometres beach is lined with chalets and restaurants and even at the busiest of times, everyday village life goes on as peacefully as ever. Towards the southern end of the village, the rocky beach gives way to golden sand lined with trees. 
 
 *Bamboo Hill
 *Nazri Beach Cabanas (Nazri II)
 *Ayer Batang Chalet (ABC)
 *Johan’s Resort
 *South Pacific Chalets
 *Mawar Beach Chalet
 *My Friend’s Place
 *Mohktar’s Place
 *Nazri’s Place (Nazri I)
 
 
4)Tekek………………………………
The main village and most developed area on the island, complete with an airport and a smattering of duty-free shops. The police station and clinic are also located here.  A curve of sand, lined with Causarina trees stretches from the jetty to the south. A handful of resorts, mostly frequented by divers, are clustered around this beach while a few restaurants and shops lie a bit further from the shore. The dusty road that cuts through Tekek is mostly used by locals on motorcycles and visitors on rented bicycles. Renting a bicycle is a great way to explore the area, although you may need to carry it over the headland as you head towards Air Batang Village in the north. Vans and cars ferry tourists from the airport to the massive Berjaya resort south of town and four-wheel drive vehicles stand ready to head through the jungle to Juara on the other side of the island or head an adventurous two-hour trek through hilly rainforest on foot.
 
 
 *Peladang Tioman Chalet
 *Sri Tioman Beach Resort
 *Pesona Island Resort
 *Coral Reef Holiday
 *Babura Seaview Resort
 *Samudra Swiss Cottage
 *Tioman Cabana
 
5)Lalang…………………..
Lalang Village is nothing more than a cluster of houses and shops at the edge of the expansive Berjaya resort. The Berjaya occupies a prime piece of land on a beautiful stretch of beach and, including an 18-hole golf course, is larger than any of the villages on the island. The beach is around 1 km long, lined with palm trees and lots of soft sand. Deck chairs and parasols, for the use of Berjaya guests, complete the picture of an idyllic tropical island holiday.
 *Berjaya Tioman Beach, Golf & Spa Resort
 
 
6)Juara……………………….
The only village on the eastern side of the island has the best beach on Tioman with sunrise over the open water of the South China Sea. Tranquil and beautiful, this village is the perfect place to get away from it all.  A few chalets and restaurants are lined up on the golden sands of the beach, which is up to 20 metres wide in places. The curve of the beach stretches over two kilometres, ending in a rocky headland in the north you may find some small reef sharks while the small bay to the south of the lagoon is a popular nesting place for turtles. Behind the village, a waterfall crashes down from the hillside and the untouched jungle is home to monkeys, birds and monitor lizards. The regular Tioman Ferry does not stop at the Juara jetty. The cheapest, but hardest way to reach this village is by braving the two-hour, seven kilometre trek through the jungle from Tekek Village. From Tekek you can also take one of the four-wheel drive vehicles or even a motorcycle, or by sea with chartered boat from any of the other villages.
 
 *Paradise Point Chalet
 *Juara Beach Resort
 *Juara Mutiara Chalet
 *Rainbow Chalets
 *Bushman Enterprise
 

7)Paya……………………………
This tiny village is sandwiched between the sea and a lagoon and is fronted by a narrow strip of beach. Only a handful of resorts, restaurants, shops and homes make up the village. In the hillside behind, a clear mountain stream – Paya’s main water source – rushes over granite boulders towards the lagoon. The coral living in the blue water right off the shore is home to many colourful species of marine life and there are excellent snorkelling spots. The best location is at the northern end of the village, where there is less human disturbance and a small rocky island lays a few metres from the shore.
 *Paya Beach Resort
 *Tioman Paya Resort
 *Sri Paya Tioman Chalet
 
 
8)Melina……………….
Follow the signs towards Melina Beach and you will discover a small, private bay is hidden from view by the emerald tropical forest.  a peaceful, scenic retreat with a distinct character and charm and a 300 metre curve of soft sand, fringed by giant granite boulders. The resort also offers pick-up services from the jetty at Genting Village for its guests arriving by ferry to the island
 

 *Melina Beach Resort
 
9)Genting…………………….
Genting Village lies on a narrow strip of golden sand, fringed by dark grey granite boulders, at the foot of steep hills covered in lush rainforest. The village is stretched out along a footpath that follows the coastline and the buildings reach hardly a hundred metres from the shore into the jungle behind. A few shops, restaurants, cafes, chalets, a clinic and a mosque complete the core of the village around the jetty. Villagers’ wooden homes are a few metres further down the footpath in either direction, surrounded by the tall emerald trees of the forest. You can easily walk from the one end of the village to the other in thirty minutes, or rent a bicycle to get around.
 *Genting Bayu Chalet
 *Tropical Coral Inn
 *Tioman Yacht Resort
 *Genting Damai Tioman
 *Sun Beach Resort
 *Island Reef Resort
 *Idaman Beach Holiday
 *Tioman Genting Happy Inn
 
10)Lanting………………..
The village of Lanting is a mere speck on the Tioman map and while there are no resorts located in the village itself, one of Tioman’s most exclusive resorts, the Japamala Resort and Spa is located in a private bay nearby. The other is the Tioman Beauty Beach resort (currently under renovation), also with its own jetty and private bay.

 *Japamala Resort and Spa
 *Tioman Beauty Beach Resort

11)Nipah………………….
Nipah lies towards the southern end of the island with a few basic chalets on a golden beach and a deep green lagoon. As rustic and peaceful as it gets, there are no distractions here – not even a public telephone. Most of the visitors here are backpackers, looking for an escape off the beaten path, and this is exactly what they will get. Apart from the peaceful natural surroundings, this is also a starting point for a two-day jungle trek to the top of Mount Kajang – Tioman’s highest peak.
 
  *Bersatu Nipah Beach Chalet
  *De Nipah
 
 
12)Minang……………………..
north of the little village of Mukut, lay two private bays, surrounded by jungle and giant granite boulders. The Minang Cove Resort occupies the bay in the south and Bagus Place is just a two minute boat ride to the north. This area of the island has remained beautifully untouched – the jungle is lush and green, the beaches are clean and the water is crystal clear. Each resort is nestled in its own private bay, promising unrivalled privacy and tranquillity.

 *Minang Cove Resort
 *Bagus Place Retreat
 
 
 
13)Mukut…………………..
A sleepy little fishing village at the southern tip of the island, Mukut has a rural charm that is hard to beat, even on Tioman. . A slightly rocky beach gives way to patches of soft sand at the far eastern and western ends. experience tranquillity, nature and the traditional village life. The accommodation is simple, most chalets only have fans and cold showers and the food is traditional Malay fare. The spectacular Asah waterfall is a 45 minute walk away and many Mukut resorts also offer boat trips there. You can rent snorkelling equipment in the village and Mukut is also the starting point for treks to scale the dragon’s horns (the twin peaks of the island), tower over the cluster of simple chalets and houses and a stream flows through the heart of the village
 
 *Tanjung Inn Adventure
 *Sri Sentosa Chalet
 *Mukut Coral Resort
 *Mukut Harmony Resort

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Budget hotel recommended:

Most of Tioman’s backpacker accommodation is to the north of the island, with numerous budget chalet operations clustered around Salang, Air Batang and to a lesser extent Tekek. Dorm beds start about RM 20, single rooms around RM 40 and up.

Amongst the most popular places are:

Coral Reef Chalets, Kg Tekek.RM40 Onward.
Wak Cottage (previous Sri Tioman),Kg Tekek.RM25 Onward.
Babura Seaview, Kg Tekek. RM55 onward.
Mokhtar’s Place, Kg Air Batang. RM30 onward.
Nazri 2, Kg. Air Batang. RM60 onward. Tel : +609-4191329
Salang Indah Resorts, Kg Salang. RM50 onward. Tel. +609-419 5015, no wifi
Salang Pusaka Resort (Khalid`s Place ), Kg Salang. RM45 onward.
Coral Resort Kampung Mukut, Tel: 609-4191868, Rm100 aircon room, wi-fi Rm5 for 5 days
Juara, a quieter beach on the east coast, also has a selection of budget rooms at similar prices.

Mid-range hotel:
Practically every kampung on the west coast of the island has a self-styled resort or two. A typical air-conditioned chalet will set you back in the vicinity of RM 100.

Coral Reef Holidays, 09-4191868 or Mobile: 0137176677, Rates start from RM45 to RM150.00 per room.
Bagus Place, at the Southern tip near Minang, an eco-resort. Private beach, with a small number of simple and tasteful luxurious chalets.
Bamboo Hill Chalets, northern end of Air Batang, . A very small resort with just six rooms (RM70-RM120). The boulder-top chalets are simple (no air-con or hot water or TV) but to a very high standard, and all directly overlook the sea.
Melina Beach Resort, this resort has almost 3 km of private beach. Offers aircon and fan rooms, all built in chalet-style.
Minang Cove Resort, . The three villas and nine chalets are all air conditioned with ensuite facilities situated on the south tip of Tioman Island.
Paya Beach Resort, Kampung Paya (south of Tekek),  A typical Tioman resort featuring an almost-private beach, a particularly good restaurant, a swimming pool, a dive shop and chalets of varying standards.
Tioman Paya Resort. Located behind the Paya Beach Resort, The chalets have hot water, air-con and TV.
Nipah Paradise Resort. A nice small nice bay in the south of Tioman, with only two small resorts, the beach and a creek. It offers small cheap challets. offer a two days trekking tour through the jungle to the peak of Gunung Kajang, Tioman’s highest peak (1038m).
Nazri’s Place, Phone +609 4191329. You can camp too there with the price of RM 3 person per day. Ask to build camp next to pizza “hut” near beach. This camp place will suite for 2 tent (4 man tent). There are field behind for more tent, but it is ar a bit from beach.
Swiss Cottage, Phone +609 419 16 42 . Swiss Cottage, where Tioman Dive Centre  is based, was one of the first chalet operators on Tioman. The resort has a variety of rooms built around a central area which is shaded by trees. It has a relaxed feeling and is a great place to hang out.The resort has five types of room, all of which are fan cooled, expect for the Long House Aircon, – usually sufficient given the beach front location – with bathroom and hot water shower.
 

Splurge hotel resort:
 
Berjaya Tioman Beach, Golf & Spa Resort, tel. +60-9-4191000. 18-hole gold course, Ayura Spa, and a wide variety of restaurant and bars. Berjaya Tioman Suite, tel. +60-9-4191000. 7 blocks of fully furnished units comprising 1-bedroom studios, 2-bedroom family suites and 3-bedroom luxury penthouses. Located on the hill, most of the rooms are facing the sea and a swimming pool. Shuttle transfers every 10 minutes to Berjaya Tioman Beach, Golf & Spa Resort.
Japamala Resort. A very private and intimate resort with just 12 villas and chalets, a beautiful beach and 2 amazing restaurants, Tamarind Terrace & Mandi Mandi. Note that there is no mobile network coverage at Japamala which makes it an ideal getaway from the rest of the world. Impeccable service from its attentive staff.

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tip

The best time to visit
The monsoon season peaks between November and March every year. You can expect more rain and rough seas and consequently frequency of ferry services are reduced during this time. Some resorts are closed for the months of December and January, typically re-opening from Chinese New Year (late January or early February) onwards. Those that remain open often offer reduced rates during this time.

Tioman is very popular with Malaysian and Singaporean holidaymakers and it is highly recommended to book well in advance for weekends and the public and school holidays of Malaysia and Singapore.