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"Considered one of the most beautiful islands in the world, Tioman is a marine park that has spectacular reefs. The island is blessed with lovely beaches, waterfalls and rugged rainforests that are ideal for trekking and rock climbing."
Geographic Description
Considered one of the most beautiful islands in the world, Tioman is the largest island off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia and the most developed of the volcanic islands that make up the Pahang Marine Parks. The other islands are Pulau Renggis (Renggis Island), Pulau Sepoi (Sepoi Island), Pulau Labas (Labas Island), Pulau Soyah (Soyah Island), Pulau Chebeh (Chebeh Island), Pulau Tulai (Tulai Island), Pulau Sembilang (Sembilang Island) and Pulau Seri Buat (Seri Buat Island).
Lying some 56km off the coast, Tioman island is about 38km in length and 19km at its widest point. With Gunung Nenek Semukut (Dragonhorn Mountain), standing at 690m or twice the height of the Eiffel Tower, being the highest peak on the island, the rest of Tioman is a mixture of hills covered with tropical evergreens, rivers and lovely waterfalls including the Asah falls.
Unique Features
Easily accessible by air or boat, Pulau Tioman attracts those who seek an escapade tinged with a little fantasy and romance. Visitors can choose from a five-star resort to simple comfortable wooden chalets for accommodation. Tioman was declared as a duty-free island in February 2002, enjoying many of the duty-free status as Labuan and Langkawi islands (with exception on excise and import duty on cars and petroleum products).
Historical Background
In 1958, Pulau Tioman was chosen to be James Michener's fictitious Bali Hai for the filming of the Hollywood classic, “South Pacific”. Since then, Pulau Tioman became a popular tourist attraction especially among underwater explorers.
People
Tioman Island is relatively populated, with at least 9 villages and roughly 3,000 residents who live and work on the island as fishermen and resort employees among others. During high tourist seasons, visitors out number the residents. A majority of Tioman’s residents are Malay. Among the prominent villages that tourists check out during their trips are:
Tekek Village
Tekek village can be considered as the heart of Tioman. The airport is located at Tekek and so does police station, local authorities and other government offices. The only available road at Tioman is from Tekek village to Lalang village (Berjaya Tioman Beach Resort). To get to other location you need to take a boat ride. For those who loves thrill can try jungle trekking from Tekek village to Juara village. Main attraction while trekking is the waterfall.
Salang Village
Salang village located at northwest of Tioman island. It has one of the beautiful beaches around. It is adjacent to Monkey bay, marine park and Tulai Island. Certainly a preferred destination for snorkel's and scuba divers. Facilities available at the resort includes mini market, 3 scuba shops, jet ski, canoe, souvenir shop and many restaurants.
Genting Village
Genting village mix fishing villages and resorts. Most of the resorts located at a hilly side thus illustrates a splendid sea view. Facilities at the village includes mini market, scuba shop, souvenir shop and many restaurants.
Juara Village
Juara village, about 2 kilometres away from the village, its strategic location promised to be the most peaceful and quiet place in Tioman Island for it happens to be the only resort there. At about 50 metres from the resort, a white water Mentawak River flows from Kajang mountain, the highest mountain in Tioman Island. Visitors will be able to feel the freshness and the coldness of the mountain, which cannot be found in any other part of this island.
Mukut Village
In the Southern part of the island, this village is closest to the Asah waterfalls and to several exciting rock climbing araes.
Food
There are plenty of different restaurants and stalls that sell a variety of local foods and needless to say, seafood is one of Tioman’s specialities. Almost every moderate-sized resort will have a seafood barbeque dinner as part of its culinary offering.
Events & Festivals
One of the much-enjoyed events in Tioman, and indeed in the other islands of the east coast, is the squid jiggling season which takes place around July each year. Another event, which has been held in Tioman and other Marine Park islands is the annual Beach Cleanup, an environmental event which involves both the locals as well as visitors to the island.
Nearby Destinations & Attractions
Roughly 15km south of Tioman Island is the smaller, but no less seductive islands of Aur, Dayang and Lang, which are part of the Johor Marine Park which remain relatively untouched by development.
Travel Advice & Weather
Most resorts are closed from November until February due to the Northeast monsoon, which brings strong winds and rough seas. However, Tioman remains open during this period. But the best time to visit Tioman island is between February and October. The average temperature on Tioman is between 28 to 30 degrees Celcius.
For more information on Tioman island, please contact:
Tioman Development Authority
Lembaga Pembangunan Tioman
A145-147, Tingkat 1 &2
Lorong Tun Ismail 6
Sri Dagangan
25000 Kuantan, Pahang
Tel:+609-5141206
Fax:+609-5148801
Email:tioman@mytioman.com.my
Website: http://www.mytioman.com.my
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Last viewed - July 04, 2008
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