Tioman: South China Sea’s Best Kept Treasure

Imagine Lord of the Flies without the atrocities of the film. At Tioman Island, the kids are civilised and accompanied by their parents. So far, there hasn’t been any atrocities, and though communication may be a bit of a challenge with the different coverage areas of different telcos whilst on the island, you aren’t totally free from civilisation either.

Located off the eastern shores of the Peninsular Malaysia, Tioman Island was selected as Time Magazine’s one of the world’s most beautiful islands in the 1970s. Although more than 30 years have passed, Tioman still arrests the hearts of beach lovers and divers alike. And here, our VM team has put together a top 5 list on what to do when you’re on the island, be it for the water sports, or just to enjoy the natural surroundings.

1. Scuba Diving/Snorkelling

Tioman Island is one of the hottest scuba Diving spots in Malaysia with its crystal clear waters, abundant coral reefs and splendid marine life. There are over 20 dive sites around the island, so there is plenty of space for everyone to get a dip in the ocean, see the reefs up close and swim with the fishes. Novice and expert divers can sign up for the PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) dive training courses, which are available in Salang Village (Diveasia, B&J Diving Centre, Fisherman, Scubanaut), Paya Village (Sealantis Dive Centre), and Air Batang Village (Eco Divers), Tekek Village (Tioman Dive Centre, Tioman Reef Divers, East Divers).

You can also go for snorkelling if you aren’t up for total submersion. Most resorts around the island can charter speedboats or seabuses to transport you and your buddies to beaches and small, uninhabited islands nearby, where snorkelling is at the peak of its fame. The hotspots include Tulai Island and Renggis Island, a short boat ride away from Tioman Island. Some beaches are suitable for snorkelling as well, such as Air Batang Village, which has the most conducive reef to snorkel on the island.

Another location that is famous for snorkelling and Diving is the Tioman Island Marine Park in Tanjung Mesoh. About 15 minutes from the Tekek Village jetty, the marine park is a breeding and nursery sanctuary for the coral reef colony. It has a water depth that tapers off to 23 metres, and there are about six shipwrecks there. This is the optimum spot for snorkelling and Diving for those who has yet to gather courage to venture out to the South China Sea, but would still like to experience something close to the real thing.

2. Beach activities

Don’t worry if the deep blue is too daunting. There are plenty of activities to do in the beaches of Tioman Island. Whether it is a game of beach volleyball, or a sun-tanning session, the sunshine in Malaysia is one notch above the rest of the world. If you are an early riser, you can even take up a yoga session with the yoga master in Salang Village while the sunrises in the east of the island.

All the beaches at the Villages around Tioman are accessible to the public. Popular beaches include Juara Beach, Salang Bay, Panuba Beach, Genting Beach and Nipah Beach. However, if you’re looking for a total seclusion from the crowd, make your way to the Monkey Beach, which is located in between Salang Village and Air Batang Village. The beach is known for – no, not its monkeys – its characteristic yellow sandy shore, with trees that barricade the rowdiness beyond. It is a place that is definitely meant for relaxing, as there is practically nothing there except for you and the great big ocean.


3. Land activities

Nature lovers can go off the beaten track into the depths of the jungle to visit the island’s famous Asah Waterfall. Located just after Mukut Village, it is no walk in the park as the hike uphill takes about half an hour. But the sound of the rushing waters would be refreshing once you arrive, and you can even take a dip in the cleansing water.

On the way there, nature enthusiasts can also explore various species of flora and fauna. Trekking duration varies from each neighbouring village: 10-15 minutes from Air Batang Village, 45 minutes from Paya Village, 2-2½ hours from Genting Village, and 2-3½ hours from Juara Village. It is advisable to have a guide along with you on these treks.

Mukut Village is also the departure point up the Dragon’s Horn peaks, best known as Bukit Nenek Simukut amongst the locals. However, for those who would like to conquer the peaks, you would have to seek authorisation from the Tioman Development Authority (TDA).

4. Kampung hopping

You have the Marine Park for snorkelling and Diving, you have Mukut Village for eco-sports, and you have Monkey Bay for an isolated beach retreat. But there is still so much to see in and around Tioman Island.

Might we suggest you to go kampung (village) hopping around the island to see the different sides of Tioman. The best way to get around is by ferry/boat. There are almost no roads on the island, and in places where there are, you can only go by there via little 4WD taxis, and that would cost a bomb. You can hop onto the Bluewater Express, as it stops by practically every village jetty.

When you have gotten off the ferry, what now, you may ask.

Genting Village is one of the more developed villages in Tioman with numerous resorts, restaurants, and souvenir shops. It is a favourite destination for Chinese tourists, thus there are karaoke sessions and disco weekends to keep everyone entertained.

Tekek Village is the heart of Tioman, where the airport strip is along with government offices and local authorities, such as police force, immigration, post office and clinic. There are also dive centres in Tekek, like Dive Asia, Tioman Dive Centre and Tioman Reef Divers. The only available road on the island is from Tekek to Salang Village, where tourists can cycle or ride a moke along.

Juara Lagoon and Juara Beach are on opposite ends of Juara Village, and also the homes of the TAT Turtle Sanctuary, a nursery and hatchery compound for the sea turtles that visit the Tioman shores brought in by the waves of the South China Sea. At Juara Village, the white water Mentawak River flows fresh and clean from Mount Kajang, the tallest mountain in Tioman, that stands at 1,038 metres in height. It is said that the rocks from the base that extends to 10 metres high, are the origins of Tioman Island, and one cannot say they have been on the island until they stand on these rocks.

Want to get away from it all? Aside from Monkey Bay, park yourself at Nipah Village which has a nice small bay at the south side of the island between Mukut Village and Lanting Village. There are only two small resorts, the beach and a creek, and no public telephones – the perfect getaway spot for those running away from civilisation.

Salang Village is the preferred idyllic place to stay in Tioman with a tranquil surrounding in the day and a happening atmosphere at night. Don’t get freaked out if you see monitor lizards as big as 2 metres long scurrying about in the village, as Salang Village is the common breeding ground for them.

5. Duty free shopping

Tioman is one of the islands in Malaysia famous for duty free shopping. There are outlets located in all the Villages, where one can purchase remarkably priced souvenirs, cigarettes and alcoholic beverages. Many come and try out the many types of liqueur offered at duty free prices which they also take home with them. With the recent hike for petrol and everything related, nothing beats a tax-free environment.

Visitors can get to the island either via ferry or airplane.

Bluewater Express transports visitors from Mersing in Johor to the island, stopping by most of the major village jetties along the west of the island, from Genting Village to Salang Village. Bluewater Express charges adults RM45 per ticket, and children RM40 per ticket.

To get to Tioman via air, hop onto Berjaya Air, a 48-seater plane that leaves from the Subang Airport in Kuala Lumpur and Seletar Airport in Singapore, and lands at the airport strip in Tekek Village. Flights from Kuala Lumpur take approximately an hour to reach Tioman, whilst those from Singapore take about 35 minutes.

Accommodation on the island is priced from budget class right up to luxurious class, depending on where you are planning to stay. Visitors can find rooms going as cheap as RM30-RM45 in Salang Village, with basic amenities in good condition.

You don’t need to spend a fortune in search for paradise in better island getaways like Hawaii or Bora Bora. Tioman Island is just as good and it is practically right at your doorstep, not to mention cost efficient too.