Tioman is one of Malaysia’s most popular small islands, at 39 km long and 12 km wide, located off the east coast of peninsular Malaysia.
Such is its popularity that Time magazine has even called Tioman one of the world’s most beautiful islands.
The rainforest that covers Tioman is rich in life and the waters littered with numerous white coral reefs, making it a much-sought after destination by divers across Asia.
Accessible by speedboat or ferry from Mersing, Tioman has several resorts to accommodate visitors on vacation.
There are many things to do here; primarily snorkelling and scuba diving. If you’re into nature, then the island has some fascinating flora and fauna to discover.
No matter where you stay on Tioman Island, you are guaranteed of crystal clear waters, perfect tranquility and a magnificent view. No matter what your budget, there is a wide range of accommodation available around the island, from luxury studio suites such as Berjaya Tioman Suites, to the humble wooden chalets by the beach.
Beaches
The sandy bays and white sand make Tioman a place to relax for beach-bummers and families. The island’s resorts are quite well-developed as tourism has become the main source of income for the island.
There are many rest-houses, chalets and hotels available for accommodation but despite the development, Tioman still remains a beautiful place.
Water-sports such as jet-skiing can be done at certain parts of the island. The best beaches are found in Salang, Juara, Air Batang and Bunut.
Snorkeling & Scuba Driving
The islands around Tioman have been gazetted as a marine park and are thus protected by law. While not as pristine as some spots like Redang and Perhentian Island, Tioman does have a nice sea bed to explore. Divers can expect visibility to between 5-10 metres in the water. This is enough to admire the beauty of its coral reefs, an underwater garden of colourful marine life.
The reefs around Tioman are believed to be thousands of years old and hence hold many varieties of coral and tropical reef fish, as well as larger species such as turtles and sharks. The rare giant clam is also found here. Fishes such as parrot fish, butterfly fish, Napolean fish and silver snappers will come right to you so do bring along an underwater camera to snap those moments. If you don’t want to get wet, you can charter boats with glass bottoms, enabling you to view the marine oasis below.
The popular reefs for diving include those of Pulau Tulai, Pulau Renggis, Pulau Sepoi and Pulau Labas. There are even underwater caves at Pulau Chebeh to explore.
Nature & Based Activity
Apart from the beautiful beaches and rich marine ecosystems, Tioman has a protected rainforest brimming with life. Visitors can opt to explore the natural scenery through jungle trails that start from Tekek and Juara.
If you’re lucky, you might be able to spot one of the 45 mammal species on the island, such as the binturong (bearcat), long-tailed macaque, slow loris, black giant squirrel, brush-tailed porcupine, red-giant flying squirrel, common palm civet and mouse deer.
Tioman is also a haven for bird-watchers; some 138 species of birds have been recorded on the island, including hill mynahs and swifts. Snakes in all sorts of colours such as the twin-barred and paradise tree snake slither among the trees. It is indeed an experience to walk through the jungles and discover Tioman’s rich eco-system.
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