travel from pulau tioman

The Complete Guide to Pulau Tioman, Malaysia

How to Get There

Choosing a beach, when to visit, how to get around, things to know, what to bring, things to do, snorkeling on tioman island, accommodation, what to eat, what duty-free means, staying safe.

Pulau Tioman (Tioman Island), situated on the southeast coast of Peninsular Malaysia , quietly lures travelers from both Kuala Lumpur and Singapore .

Although it’s not a small island when compared side by side with some of Southeast Asia’s other islands , Tioman holds plenty of appeal, especially for people who chase marine life for fun. You don’t come to Tioman for a good cappuccino or spa treatment or even decent food. You come to join the giant barracudas on their hunt.

Lightly developed beaches are scattered around the coast, separated by deep jungle. Harassment by monkeys and python spottings are somewhat common, as is duty-free beer at 50 cents per can. (Same as far away Langkawi, Tioman Island is designated as a duty-free island.)

Like other islands that require some effort to reach, Pulau Tioman rewards visitors with that rough-and-tumble tropical island feel.

Most visitors get to Tioman via ferry from the port town of Mersing (you can also take a ferry from Tanjung Gemok). Buses from Kuala Lumpur to Mersing take around six hours. Once you get to Mersing, the bus terminal is about a 15-minute walk from the jetty where ferries leave for Tioman.

You'll take one of the three daily ferries over to Tioman. Plan on at least two hours for the trip. Timetables are affected by tides and storms, and boats sometimes have to wait until there is enough water to depart. In the low season, only two ferries may be running. A lack of passengers may cause cancellation of the mid-afternoon ferry, so you'll have to wait until the last one.

Note: All visitors must pay a marine park fee (30 Malaysian Ringgit , about $7.50) at a kiosk in the Mersing ferry terminal.

Ferries make different stops around the island, docking at the various jetties. Plan to tell the crew where on Tioman you intend to get off. If you don't have a booking, say "ABC"—local shorthand for Air Batang, a popular beach default.

Don’t count on flying to Tioman Island. Although Pulau Tioman has its own tiny airport (airport code: TOD), the service was suspended in 2014. Berjaya Air once operated daily flights from Kuala Lumpur. Instead, get to Mersing and grab one of the Bluewater Express ferries over to the island.

Pulau Tioman has a handful of mostly discontiguous beaches dotted around different parts of the island. You’ll need to know which beach you want to try first. The ferry staff will ask, and you’ll be expected to get off there, though prices are the same regardless of the beach.

• ABC: Officially named Air Batang, ABC is the default choice for budget travelers. The location provides some flexibility as you can walk to Tekek. The beaches aren’t great due to dead coral, but the snorkeling and sunsets can be excellent.
• Juara: Often quiet no matter the season, Juara is the only beach option for staying on the east side of Tioman and arguably offers some of the best sand and swimming on the island. Unlike other beaches, there is very little dead coral. Reaching Juara requires getting off the ferry in Tekek and hiring a truck to take you over the steep hill in the island's center.
• Salang: Like Juara, Salang is another excellent strip of sand with great visibility for swimming. The southern end of the beach has some good snorkeling.
• Genting: The boulders strewn along the beach at Genting make it even more picturesque. The walking path has a few more eating options clustered together than other beaches.

The summer months are best for visiting Tioman Island—specifically June, July, and August. As is usually the case, the dry season is also the busiest. Choose a “shoulder” month for good weather and fewer tourists. May is a good choice.

The rainiest months on Pulau Tioman are November, December, and January. Ferry schedules can become disrupted by storms during this time.

Paved roads are minimal on Pulau Tioman, but that's part of the charm. Boats will transfer you between beaches for a fee. Otherwise, you can walk or rent a bicycle. Sometimes catching a motorbike with a sidecar is an option. Scooter rentals are available in a few places, but you can't drive far.

Walking is the obvious choice, and that's what most travelers do. ABC Beach, previously connected to Tekek by only a steep set of stairs, now has a scenic coastal path passable by bicycle or motorbike. You can walk from ABC to Tekek in about 30 minutes.

Once in Tekek, you can catch a pickup truck over the island to Juara. The steep jungle road was initially carved by the Japanese in WWII but reopened and improved decades later. Don't attempt to make the precarious drive with a rental scooter unless you consider yourself highly proficient.

• The only ATM on Tioman Island is in Tekek, the main village. You should bring enough cash to last your trip if the ATM is experiencing issues.
• Decent Wi-Fi can be challenging to find at cafes and restaurants on the island. Ensure your resort has Wi-Fi if staying connected is essential to you. Most residents rely on local SIM cards for access. Grab one for cheap if your smartphone is GSM compatible and unlocked.
• Tioman is a cat island—the friendly felines are practically everywhere. You may have one living on your bungalow porch before you move in.
• Monkeys and giant monitor lizards are attracted to fruit and snacks. They’re fun to watch, but be cautious about leaving scraps or anything edible near your place.

Alcohol and tobacco are cheap when compared with the rest of Malaysia. Everything else should be brought along. Facilities for shopping and choices on the island are limited.

Bring sunscreen and all the usual beach necessities with you from the mainland. Snorkel gear is available for rent from every dive shop—no need to bring it from home.

Water shoes will be a big help for wading out in places plagued with sharp, dead coral.

The primary draw of Tioman Island is the remote feel and underwater life. For non-divers, snorkeling and kayak rentals are fun options.

Pulau Tioman isn’t necessarily rich with activities for people who prefer life above the waves. It’s more a place to enjoy a book with a soundtrack of sea and birds. You’ll meet travelers from all over the world who come to enjoy the same.

There are numerous jungle trekking opportunities around Pulau Tioman. Trails often follow the paths cut for power lines; getting lost is nearly impossible, but downed trees and steep muddy scrambles turn even a brief walk into a sweat-a-thon. One popular trek is the walk from ABC to Monkey Beach.

Boat trips can be booked to Asah Waterfall, the exotic setting featured in the 1958 movie South Pacific. Some trips include lunch on a remote beach and snorkeling.

Snorkeling is a fun, inexpensive activity to enjoy on Pulau Tioman, so take advantage. Approach any dive shop and ask about renting gear and finding the best spots.

Rates vary depending on whether or not you take fins. During jellyfish season between May and October, consider asking about renting a wet suit. The friendly divemasters will know if the small jellies have moved in to menace the water.

Organized boat trips to uninhabited islands around the marine park are an option. Although visibility and coral health is often better, you’ll be dropped into the water in a group of tourists splashing around in life jackets. For a more personal experience, grab some gear and go. You’ll spook less marine life and be able to venture on your own.

The jetty at ABC is an excellent place to start. Although coral health isn’t the best, turtles, large barracudas, and lots of life frequent the area. Swimming north around the rocks from ABC Beach may even yield a blacktip reef shark or two.

Snorkeling around the roped-off marine park at Tekek is popular but feels a bit artificial. Runoff from the town hurts visibility, but the concrete reef attracts a lot of colorful fish.

Expect accommodation on Pulau Tioman to be mostly rustic, aside from a handful of large resorts that occupy their own parts of the island. Most choices are in the form of bungalows, chalets, and villas. Fortunately, high-rise hotels haven't taken hold on the island.

Accommodation is available for all budgets. Basic beach-view bungalows with a fan and mosquito net start at $10 per night. The biggest splurge on Tioman is Japamala Resort , an upscale operation on the island's southwest side that starts at $300 per night.

If you plan to do a scuba course or a lot of diving, ask your shop to help arrange accommodation before booking anything. They may have bungalows for customers or can help find discounted rooms.

Unfortunately, Pulau Tioman isn’t necessarily known for its culinary prowess. Fare is relatively simple: fried rice, noodles, roti, and lackluster attempts at Western food. Prices are a little higher than usual for Malaysia, and the quality is much lower than the delicious treats in Kuala Lumpur.

Even in Tekek, you won’t find many more options. Seafood barbecues are available but don’t buy into the fallacy that being on an island guarantees fresh seafood. There isn’t a market on the island, so fish is usually frozen and brought from the mainland.

One thing Tioman gets right, however, is the fruit. Coconuts abound, and drinking fresh coconut water is a great way to replace lost electrolytes . Bananas, papayas, pineapples, and other delicious fruits are inexpensive and delicious.

Buy a bag of fruit to enjoy at one of the two supermarkets in Tekek (a large pineapple can be had for only $1), but beware of the monkeys—they’ll take great interest in what you are carrying.

Like Langkawi on the other side of the Malay Peninsula, Pulau Tioman enjoys duty-free status. Travelers joke about beer being cheaper than water on Tioman, but that’s not too far from the truth. A bottle of drinking water costs around $1, double that on the mainland. A can of beer can be had for 50 cents.

Alcohol and tobacco are cheaper in Pulau Tioman than in the rest of Malaysia. Shopping opportunities for souvenirs are few on the island aside from the duty-free shop in Tekek.

Warning: Don’t even consider taking alcohol or tobacco from Tioman into nearby Singapore. Customs authorities are quick to fine the many travelers who do so.

Aside from the usual island nuisances and biters , Tioman Island is infamous for an additional pest: sandflies. Bites can swell larger and be even itchier than mosquito bites, causing people to scratch until infections form. The bites are usually more persistent in appearance and annoyance than regular mosquito bites.

ABC and Juara both have their share of sandflies on sections of the beach. If you see other travelers with large, swollen bites, consider using a chair on the beach to avoid contact with the sand. Even a sarong may not be enough to keep them off of you. Repellents work; however, you’ll have to reapply between swims.

Monkeys are incredibly cheeky and emboldened on Tioman Island. Never encourage or feed them. Beware of ambushes when walking on pathways with food or snacks.

Dead coral disrupts swimming on some beaches. Try to enter the water in places where it has been cleared. Avoid walking on it with bare feet, and treat any minor nicks and cuts on your feet very carefully. Infections caused by marine bacteria in decaying coral could have you hobbling around for the rest of your vacation.

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The Island Drum

Southeast Asia based travel blog and information source for Langkawi, Malaysia and the surrounding areas.

Pulau Tioman, Just an Island Hop Away

November 4, 2022 by Vanessa Workman 8 Comments

Pulau Tioman Island is a photo essay in idyllic island bliss. It’s rare to find an online photo showing anything but. And for the most part it’s true. However, getting to this tropical wonderland has a few challenges that first-time visitors should be prepared for. Is it worth the effort? Yes! And if you’re smart and do a little research beforehand you can have a relaxing island holiday, rather than spend the majority of your time finding your way there as well as navigating the island. So, for those looking for a post-pandemic Malaysian island getaway let me introduce you to Tioman Island, Pahang.

History of Tioman Island

• Getting There
• Things to Do
• Places to Stay

Places to Eat

• Getting Around

Best Time to Go

Where the heck is tioman island.

Located about 32km off the east coast of Peninsula Malaysia, in the South China Sea, Tioman Island is part of the Tioman Marine Park in the state of Pahang. The island however is physically closer to the state of Johor (a mystery similar to the Perhentian Islands not being part of Kelantan or the Langkawi archipelago not being part of Perlis; Malaysian States those islands are physically closer to).

Tioman Island is about 21km long and 13km wide and is the largest of the fourteen islands that make up the Tioman Marine Park; which also includes Pulau Seri Buat, Pulau Tulai, Pulau Labas, Pulau Tokong Bahara, Pulau Jahat (Gut),  Pulau Cebeh (Chebeh), Pulau Sembilang, Pulau Sepoi, Pulau Tumok, Pulau Tasu, Pulau Renggis, Pulau Sovak and Pulau Raja. The group of islands were officially gazetted as a Marine Park in 1994.

Tioman also has an impressive nine kampungs (villages) scattered about the island. In addition to the larger populous kampungs of Tekek, Salang, Air Batang (ABC) and Juara, there are also kampungs Mukut, Nipah, Genting, Paya and Lalang. The majority of these kampungs are located on the western and southern coast of Tioman Island. Kampung Juara being the lone ranger on the east side of the island.

Piecing together bits of information here and there, I surmise that Tioman Island, like most of Malaysia, has had a colorful history. The first written mentioning of Tioman was discovered in the journals of Arab traders in the 10th century. After that, Chinese, Indian and Persian traders were also taking the advantage of the popular Maritime Silk Routes from the 10th to 19th centuries. Tioman Island became a popular stopping point for Asia-bound traders.

During the early 19th century pirates became problematic. In 1830, seventy residents of Tioman Island were abducted to be sold on the slave markets; a lucrative business at the time. The remaining villagers fearfully left the island and resettled on the mainland, leaving Tioman Island uninhabited for many years. Trade ships also avoided the area until the British came in, during the late 1800s, and rid the island of pirates.

After that, villagers slowly returned, and Tioman Island got back to normal life again until 1926 when an outbreak of Malaria hit; killing many. It wasn’t long afterwards during World War II that the Japanese armed forces showed up in Tioman with an eye on building an airport and military base. They are said to be credited with the carving out of the original trail between Kampung Tekek and Kampung Juara as well as laying the groundwork for an airport where the Tioman Island airport is today (this airport is presently closed to commercial flights).

In December 1941, hours after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Japanese military invaded northern Malaya (Malaysia) via Kelantan state on the east coast and the eastern coastal town of Songkhla, Thailand , to cross through to Kedah state and the west coast of Malaya. Several naval vessels were sunk in the Tioman Island waters, including the HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse. Can read more about the World War II wrecks in Tioman waters HERE

Of course, there is also a legend connected to Tioman Island’s history. According to one version of the legend, a magical dragon princess Sri Gumom was flying from China to meet her prince (boyfriend) in Singapore and along the way, ended up falling in love with the clear waters of the South China Sea. She turned herself into ‘a beautiful island’ (aka Tioman Island) to give passing seamen and fishermen a place for shelter. Sounds plausible to me, I’m quite smitten myself with the South China Sea.

Getting to Tioman Island (it’s kind of complicated)

Getting to Tioman Island is not nearly as daunting as it may seem. There are year-round direct ferries to Tioman Island from both Tanjong Gemok, Pahang and Mersing, Johor. The challenge is getting to Tanjong Gemok and Mersing . If you are driving your own car, then things are pretty straight forward. If, however you are taking a bus, the possibilities are endless (and a little confusing). Depending on where you are coming from, getting bus schedules and ferry times to conveniently line up timewise is not that easy. Adding a domestic flight into the mix requires even more strategic maneuvering.

Spending a night somewhere en route is almost guaranteed. Whether you spend the night in Kuala Lumpur , Melaka or Johor Bahru  to catch an early Mersing bound bus or end up staying in Mersing itself, due to the erratic tide influenced ferry times, non-local travelers can count on a high probability of at least one night in a hotel prior to arriving at Tioman Island. You can check out sites such as Expedia to compare and save on accommodations.

After my own journey of flying from Langkawi, Kedah to Melaka City and taking a 4-hours-plus (non-stop) bus ride from there to Mersing, I found my return bus journey of the bus from Mersing to Johor to be much easier and certainly quicker at 2-hours-plus. The buses to and from Mersing and Johor Bahru are also scheduled more frequently (and conveniently timed). Flights in and out of Johor Bahru are also regularly scheduled as well as affordable. Win-win.

So for me, the Larkin Bus Terminal in Johor Bahru to Mersing is  the easiest and shortest route. And the Mersing Bus Terminal is just a short walk to the Mersing Ferry Terminal so no dealing with taxi drivers. You can buy your tickets at the bus stations or you can purchase your tickets online in advance . Do note that there are two bus stations in Mersing, so be sure to choose the one closest to the Mersing Jetty; referred to as ‘Mersing Jetty’ on the bus schedules, it is actually a bus terminal very near the Mersing Jetty.

For advanced ferry tickets and ferry times, check the Blue Water Tioman website . They will also keep you updated on last minute changes of the monthly ferry schedule, which is tide dependent.

My Two Cents: *If you can avoid spending the night in Mersing, you may want to take that option. No offense to Mersing, but I would not put it at the top of my list for places to stay. With exception to the Marine Park Center, the folks I encountered at the small businesses around the waterfront area didn’t seem particularly thrilled to be bothered with ‘tourists’. It just wasn’t the warm and fuzzy destination I had hoped it would be. I’m just speaking from personal experience here; my two cents.

*If you do need to spend the night there, be sure to check Trip Advisor reviews carefully before choosing a hotel. My not-to-be-publicly named hotel stay there was quite disgusting to be totally honest.

But wait, there’s more!

Before you catch your ferry to Tioman Island, you MUST go to the Marine Park Center first and pay a one-time Conservation Fee . Give yourself at least one hour before departure time to take care of that and check in with your ferry service. Do not expect to hop off a bus and immediately catch a ferry.

Also be aware of which Tioman Jetty you are getting dropped off at. It should say on the ticket, but if you accidentally get off at the wrong jetty you could find yourself needing a ride which won’t necessarily come at a cheap price. Choose a jetty drop off as close to your hotel as possible. For those going to Kampung Juara, you should disembark at Kampung Tekek and negotiate a ride with a local 4-wheel drive taxi unless you make prior arrangements with your Juara accommodation of choice.

My Two Cents: *Don’t limit yourself to a tight time schedule by booking roundtrip tickets. Domestic flights, bus tickets and ferry tickets in Malaysia are often available nearly last minute. If you are in no particular hurry, just get yourself to Tioman first and then decide how long you want to stay.

*When departing Tioman Island, pick up food and beverage items, for the road trip ahead, in Tioman. You will find pickings are extremely dismal at the Mersing Bus Terminal hawker area. The place is also quite dirty. The general nonchalant attitude of the vendors may also rain on your post vacation, feeling great, parade. But in a pinch and if you have time, there is a 7-11 a couple of blocks up from the Mersing Bus Terminal.

UPDATED November 2022 Can you fly to Tioman Island? Yes! SKS Airways now has direct flights from Subang Airport (Kuala Lumpur area) to Tioman Island. The airport is conveniently located in Kampung Tekek across from the Tekek Jetty! Check out our review here: Flying to Tioman Island with SKS Airways

Things to Do in Tioman Island

There is a lot going on in Tioman Island, including several NGO projects that are not highly publicized. Two of the more well-known are the Juara Turtle Project in Kampung Juara and Rumah Hijau , an amazing recycling program in Kampung Tekek. You can volunteer with either organization and work with turtles or learn how to recycle glass to help rebuild damaged coral beds. Both are truly inspirational.

Water sports are high on the list of things to do at Tioman Island. Snorkeling , diving , surfing , kayaking and stand-up paddle boards are all readily available. Tioman is also a very popular place to get PADI certified and there is no shortage of PADI certification programs available, especially in the Kampung Tekek area.

Good old-fashioned island hopping excursions are a great way to combine a tour of the island, a few kampungs along the way and even a side trip or two to local waterfalls .

Stingless Bee farms are also popular throughout Tioman Island. Stingless bees and the health benefits of their honey are a fascinating topic. Well worth a special trip to learn about them and purchase some honey straight from the source.

Nature enthusiasts will be thrilled by the number of birds and wildlife that call Tioman Island home, so be sure to bring your binoculars and trekking shoes. The 7-kilometer walk from Kampung Tekek to Kampung Juara may be satisfying enough for casual nature buffs and can be safely done alone (although it’s always safer to adhere to a buddy system), but for any jungle trekking please only do this with a local guide. And please Do Not Feed Any Wildlife . For those with limited physical endurance or just plain lazy, ATVs are a relatively less strenuous way to enjoy Tioman’s nature. Don’t expect to sneak up on any wildlife though, because ATVs are a tad noisy. Loads of fun, but unfortunately not very quiet.

Just want to explore the beaches and work on your tan? No problem. But do be aware that there may or may not be ‘sand flies’ at the beach, depending on the time of year. If you are unaware of the evils of sand flies, ask about them at your accommodation.

And regardless of your chosen activity, whether you are just cycling around a village or playing a round of golf , be sure to wear insect repellent as well as adequate sunscreen. Worth having both on hand at all times as well.

Places to Stay (Kampung Tekek)

Kampung Tekek gets my vote for being the best area to stay. Especially for first time visitors. As the ‘capital’ of Tioman Island it has everything you might need during your trip; atm, medical services, ferry tickets, restaurants, shops, tour companies, motorbike and bicycle rentals, etc. Traipsing back and forth across the island to the Tekek ‘big city’ could seriously eat up one’s vacation time as well as rack up plenty of transportation costs, so base camping in Kampung Tekak is a win-win. You can then choose to explore the rest of the island at your leisure as your time and budget allows.

I recommend the Berjaya Tioman Resort which is just up the road from the Tekek Jetty. The Berjaya has surprisingly affordable rates in addition to a diverse list of amenities and things to do right on their property, including a PADI dive center and coral restoration program. They also have a free shuttle serve to and from the Kampung Tekek Jetty. You can read my review HERE   Check rates and availability HERE

For those on tighter budgets or preferring ‘backpacker style’ Cheers Chalet Tioman has a range of room styles from double bed chalets to multi-bed family rooms. They are just a 3-minute walk to the beach and the go-to place for laundry service and motorbike and bicycle rentals. Cheers also has a mini-mart right next door. Check rates and availability HERE

Tioman Cabana Bed & Breakfast is also a great choice for a Kampung Tekek basecamp. They are right on the beach, have a PADI dive center and are highly supportive of local events and environmental efforts, such as Tioman Festival and Rumah Hijau . Check room rates and availability HERE

Last but not least, Swiss Cottage Tioman has been greeting visitors for over 30 years. The offer a chilled-out vibe and a quiet seaside vista. They also have a PADI dive center. Check their website for rates and availability HERE

You will have plenty of food and drink options on Tioman Island. Plenty. From seafood restaurants to local island style cuisine to well-stocked sundry shops catering to the diverse food needs of international tourists. And don’t forget that Tioman Island is also a Duty-free island , which means that alcohol is not taxed. And despite the fact that Tioman is predominantly a Muslim community, some restaurants that do not serve alcohol will allow diners to bring their own (at the discretion of the restaurant).

In Kampung Tekek, a few of the local favorite’s worth mentioning are Warong Syahirah , Sea View Chinese Restaurant , Tioman Cabana Beach Bistro and Sarang Chinese Seafood Village . If you are staying at the Berjaya Tioman Resort , you will have three onsite dining options; Fortune Courtyard , Matahari Restaurant , Xuan Restaurant . They also have a Beach Bar which offers ‘happy hour’ just as the sun begins to set.

Getting Around Tioman Island

Getting around Tioman Island has its limitations. Local transportation is by foot, bicycle, motorbike, car and water taxi. You won’t be able to circumnavigate Tioman Island via road because there are no roads that circle the island. You can however explore various kampung areas on foot or bicycle. Motorbike rentals are a possibility too, but again your point A to point B journey will have its limitations distance-wise.

Water taxis are popular for getting from one kampung to another, but that luxury can often come with a foreigner, per head price tag of up to 100-Ringget each way. The more heads in the boat, the better the price. You will find a steady stream of water taxi boats in the small canal near the jetty bridge in Kampung Tekek as well as around the various jetty stop areas. If you don’t see a sign, then ask someone.

Getting to Kampung Juara is only via a rustic road from Kampung Tekek. It’s a 2-hour walk over a steep hill or a 45-minute 4-wheel drive taxi ride. Single passengers can expect to pay over 150 ringgit (one-way), so sharing the ride with other travelers is the way to go if you are watching your budget.

Aside from a few weeks in late November through January during the height of the monsoon (rainy) season, Tioman Island is a great year-round option. Some hotels and local businesses may close for a couple of months during the rainy season, but the ferries do still run daily. The intermittent rain I experienced during my mid-January visit was not torrential and kept the temperatures in the ‘very pleasant’ range. I also saw plenty of sunshine.

November through March is the officially considered the ‘monsoon season’, but it is also considered ‘low season’, meaning hotel rates will be lower and there will be less tourists. June, July and August are considered the ‘high season’ months. The rainy season is especially revered by surf enthusiasts who take advantage of the seasonal swells on the east coast of the island. Snorkeling and diving is also possible during the monsoon season. Visibility may be hindered a bit here and there due to wind chop, but it’s still fun!

As you can see Tioman Island has a lot of vacation possibilities. A perfect little recovery trip for anyone who has a chaotic daily schedule or simply spends too much time at the office. Whether you want some underwater adventures, a big dose of nature or just need some downtime swinging in a seaside hammock, Tioman Island’s got you covered.

For more island hopping adventures check out My Perfect 4 Days in Langkawi Itinerary and Langkawi to Koh Lipe, Just a Ferry Ride Away

October 8, 2020 at 8:22 am

Thank you for your detailed and informative article about Tioman. It’s very helpful and I learnt a lot about the history of the place.

October 8, 2020 at 8:46 am

Thank you Diana! Appreciate the feedback. :)

August 22, 2022 at 6:09 pm

I’m a malaysian who will be visiting Tioman for the first time next week :p Found your post to be informative and nice to read. Thank you! :)

August 22, 2022 at 7:25 pm

Thank you.It was truly not what I expected at all from everything I had read. Much better actually. Hope you have a great time. :)

June 10, 2023 at 9:36 pm

Thanks for the sharing. The information has been a tremendous help and understanding all aspect of what to expect when visiting a new place and its challenges. Your recommendations are just exceptional.

June 11, 2023 at 8:51 am

You’re very welcome, hope you have a great trip to Tioman. :)

October 10, 2023 at 6:56 pm

Great information? Have you stayed at the Berjaya hotel in Tioman?

October 11, 2023 at 7:48 am

Thanks, yes I stayed at Berjaya just before Covid lockdown. I visited again briefly in November 2022 and they were doing a few upgrades. I personally think it’s a great place to stay, especially since it’s easy to get to from the main jetty and airport (can drive there). https://www.theislanddrum.com/review-berjaya-tioman-resort-tioman-island-malaysia/

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Everything you need to know about Tioman Island Malaysia

Known for its dazzling corals and white sand beaches, Tioman Island is the perfect destination for a weekend getaway (or longer) from the mainland or even nearby Singapore. Off the east coast of Malaysia and very close to the private island Batu Batu , Tioman is smaller than its more well-known counterpart, Langkawi , but there are still many things to do in Tioman Island in Malaysia.

Those who want to break free of central Malaysian destinations like picking strawberries in the Cameron Highlands usually flock to the islands on the West coast or even Malaysian Borneo like Kota Kinabalu in Sabah State , Gaya Island or Manukan Island , the East coast still has some beautiful options. This makes it one of Malaysia’s   best kept secrets .

Malaysia definitely has some of the best beaches in Southeast Asia as well as the dreamiest overwater bungalows in Asia and Pulau Tioman delivers. There is more to Tioman Island than learning to dive on a weekend liveaboard which we aim to share with you below.

It’s also a fantastic beach destination for Singaporeans beyond Indonesian Bintan and Batam and its own busy beaches . And don’t forget to read our guide on 10 Essential Things Travelers Must Know Before Visiting Malaysia .

First let’s look into the details about Tioman Island or Pulau Tioman along with a brief history.

Where is Tioman Island & History of Pulau Tioman (with map)

Tioman Island lies roughly 32kms off the East Coast of Malaysia in Pahang territory and is part of the Mersing Marine Park. Although it only measures 21kms in length and 13kms in width (roughly 137sq kms), it is the largest of the 64 islands in the region. Tioman Island consists of four kampungs (villages), namely Salang, Tekek, Juara and Air Batang (or ABC).

Although it shot to fame in the 70s when Time magazine named it one of the world’s most beautiful islands, its history goes back much farther. A ncient lore states that Tioman Island is the body of a dragon princess, Sri Gumom. After disobeying the gods by visiting her sister, Gunung Linga, she was cursed and she fell from the sky to become the island.

In actuality, Tioman Island is a volcanic island where its highest point is on top of Mount Kajang standing at 1,038 metres. Used as a navigation point and source of fresh water for weary fisherman, Tioman Island has been used as a beacon for nautical exploration. Trading ships once used it as a port and it was even host to Japanese and British navies in WWII. In fact, you can even dive off the coast to see the remains of the HMS Repulse and HMS Prince of Wales .

These days, Tioman Island has moved from a fishing economy to one of tourism and is a very popular place for divers, snorkelers and those who are looking to obtain their PADI certification . While you could just lay around at the resorts, it’s beautiful, untouched jungle is also a place for the more adventurous traveler to get lost in an isolated landscape filled with bustling wildlife and tropical flora. 

Some parts still have that kampong feeling like Pulau Ubin in Singapore , so channel your inner Jacques Cousteau and find your way to this island paradise using this guide as a roadmap.

Tioman Island 4 day itinerary

Below is our suggested 4 day itinerary to Pulau Tioman, although you could pick what you like for a quick weekend getaway. 

Day 1: Travel from mainland to Tioman Island

Day 1 of your trip will consist of traveling from the mainland to Tioman Island. See our section below on how to get to Tioman Island for more details. 

1pm: Arrive at Tekek, Tioman Island and lunch

If you aren’t staying overnight in Mersing or Tanjung Gemok, you’re going to wake up super early (more info below on that). If you’re up before sunrise, then after catching a bus or taxi, or renting your own car, and then hopping on a ferry, your feet should touch the white sands of Tioman Island by about 1-1:30pm.

Check in at your hotel, drop your bags and pick up your bikini or board shorts because you’re going to want to head straight to the beach.

Depending on where you’re staying, you’ll find many local eateries serving up fresh satay. Most travelers will be near Tekek village, and if you are, then head to Babura Seaview Restaurant (which also doubles as a hotel with diving lessons). You can choose from local Malay dishes that include mostly BBQ style fish or satay, or choose some Western dishes if you feel like a burger.

The homely restaurant is right on the beach, so you can dive into the ocean at any time. As the owner is Muslim, there is no alcohol sold, but they do allow you to purchase alcohol from outside and bring it in, provided that you throw away your cans or bottles afterwards. There is a tax-free shop right across the road, so no worries there.

3pm: Cocktails on the beach and snorkeling

After lunch, and possibly sipping on a fresh young coconut, head over to the Berjaya Hotel pool area, which is joined to Sri Nelayan Restaurant , to rent a snorkel and mask. Jump in directly in front of the hotel and you are welcomed to a world of tropical corals and hundreds of species of fish.

You will be amazed at what you see, especially when you find Nemo among the anemone, but this is just a taste of things to come. You can also order cocktails or ice cold beers from the beach bar or Sri Nelayan Restaurant.

Spend the rest of the day and sunset on the main beach and enjoy that much needed dose of vitamin sea. As the beach is on the west coast of the island there will most likely be a magical sunset, perfect for Instagram.

6:30pm: Dinner at Matahari Restaurant

After sunset, make use of the outdoor showers at Berjaya and then take a slow stroll over to Matahari Restaurant , Berjaya’s more refined offering, for some very tasty Thai fusion. The setting is very romantic as it is also directly adjacent to the beach, and there are even seats available directly on the sand (must book ahead for these).

Be warned that things on Tioman Island run on island time, so you may have to wait a while for your food. While Berjaya’s other restaurant, Sri Nelayan, is nothing to write home about as it caters for the masses, Matahari is delicious.

Day 2: Snorkeling at the many islands

Day 2 involves another early wake up for on an island hopping tour that promises to be one of the greatest diving or snorkeling experiences in Southeast Asia. Eat breakfast at the hotel or one of the local eateries and head out by 9:30am.

9:30am: Half or Full day snorkel tour

Island hopping excursions can be booked at your hotel or from any of the major resorts either when you arrive or before your trip. Swiss Cottage Tioman and Berjaya provide half and full day snorkeling tours.

The half day snorkel tour will take you to areas that may include the Marine Park, Coral Island, Malang Rocks and Renggis Island. The tour will begin at around 9:30am and finish by 1:30pm. Cost is around RM75 per person, with a minimum of 4 persons, and includes mask, snorkel and fins.

If you are a traveling couple, try seeing if there are any other like-minded couples to join you or just pay the additional price. 

The round trip full day tour goes to some or all of the following places: the Marine Park, Coral Island, Malang Rocks and Renggis Island, Monkey Bay, Mukut waterfall, Juara, Soyak and Salang beach. While you will stop for lunch, it is not included so bring cash with you.

The tour also starts at around 9:30am but will finish around 4:00pm. It will cost around RM120-160 per person and also has a 4 person minimum. So depending on your preference, you will either arrive back at 1:30pm or 4pm.

Coral Island (Pulau Tulai) and surrounding Malang Rocks are north-west of Tioman Island. While the beach is beautiful at Coral Island (albeit slightly polluted with plastic bottles from unfriendly tour groups), Malang Rocks is where you’ll experience beautiful coral formations and see a variety of fish species.

Note : Due to many tour groups feeding the fish in this area, they may nibble at your legs, especially the Parrot Fish that have slightly sharper beaks (reminiscent of a parrot’s beak). This did happen to us, so note that it may cause a bit of a shock. Just kicked your legs and they will swim away. This did not happen anywhere else, so it may not be the best option for the little ones. 

Definitely the highlight of the tour, Renggis Island is a short boat ride from Tekek village. It is so close to the beach that you could probably swim there, but we recommend that you do not as there are speedboats constantly passing by. The island is sprinkled with some of the best coral in the area. If you’re lucky you will see enormous greenback turtles, blacktip reef sharks, blue spotted manta rays and a whole lot more like barracuda and cuttlefish.

You can spend hours in the water and even swim around the entire island if the currents aren’t too strong. Don’t worry, the sharks are not aggressive and are more interested in fish than humans.

You can also choose to only visit one or both of the above and skip the entire island tour. This will cost around RM60-110 per person with a minimum of 4 people.

1:30: Lunch and walking around the island

If you take the half day tour, then take your lunch at Tioman Cabana which acts as a budget hotel and restaurant. It has a lively vibe with live bands playing at sporadic periods. Enjoy your lunch on the beach with a much deserved ice cold drink.

Take a walk around the island after lunch while enjoying the friendly local culture. You’re sure to see monkeys, so be aware and try not to carry food out in the open.

You can also choose to explore other beaches if you want a more isolated experience to watch the sun go down. There are several places reachable by sea taxi services. The prices range from RM20-100 per person one way. You can arrange a pick up time with the driver when you are dropped off or get his number and call him when you’re ready to leave if you have airtime. The first option is preferable in case something happens to your phone or the signal. 

6:30: Dinner at Japamala Resort

Treat yourself to some of the best food on the island at the best resort on the island. Tamarind is one of luxe hotel Japamala Resort’s restaurants serving Indochinese and Thai fare. This is the sister restaurant to Singapore’s Tamarind Hill (with another one in Kuala Lumpur).

Not only is the food top-notch, but the setting is perfect for a dreamy evening with your better half. If Thai is not your thing, you can also choose to dine at with a Western selection at Mandi-Mandi or the Italian Il Tiempo that serves gastronomic delights.

Tip : Visit Japamala’s Samadhi Spa before dinner for a truly relaxing evening. Or better yet, stay here for a the most luxurious offering the island has. See rates here . 

Day 3: Trekking and exploring Tioman island

If you are’t the avid type, you can spend day 3 on the water relaxing. Yet we highly suggest a hike into the jungle, especially with a guide who can show you all the flora and fauna including some Red Giant Flying Squirrels.

8:30am: Hike from Tekek to Juara

After breakfast at your hotel, set out early as you start your journey from Tekek on the west to Juara on the east. Intrepid travelers will love this trek as it passes directly over the island ridge, away from tourist-heavy Tekek to isolated Juara.

There is not much here as far as tourism goes and is much more rugged as hotels have been banned from being built here to enhance natural rehabilitation. Snorkelers should note that the coral is not as great on the east side, so it’s a place for land adventure and to experience total seclusion.

The trail is about 7km and is not the most strenuous of hikes although it does get quite steep in certain places. The path starts near the mosque in Tekek and joins up with the paved road to Juara. If you get lost, follow the power cables as they all end up at the main villages.

You will be going through pure jungle, so expect to see snakes, monitor lizards, Long Tail Macaques swinging overhead, Fruit Bats, Black Giant Squirrels, Red Giant Flying Squirrels, Brush Tailed Porcupines, and an array of insects.

The walk will take about 4 hours depending on speed. You can either walk back or arrange a sea taxi pickup, we suggest taking a sea taxi as the jungle after about 4:30pm can get a little dangerous, especially if you get lost in the dark.

You can also trek to other parts of the island, like to Monkey Bay in the north or the beautiful Asah Waterfall by Mukut village in the South. All hikes are moderate so wear proper trekking shoes.

1pm: Lunch and visit Juara Turtle Project

We suggest packing a picnic on the beach for a trip to Juara as the small cafe may be closed because, well, island time. You can always try Mia Café at Mentawak Chalet for a perfectly authentic Malay style lunch, although some snacks are recommended too in case.

After lunch, head over to the Juara Turtle Project and support local conservation. Entrance is only RM10 and they are open from 9-5 every day. They act as a research database, offer teaching and awareness about the turtles, and a hatchery for the cute little turtles.

4pm: Back to Tekek for some more snorkeling

Take a sea taxi back to the west for some more snorkeling. A day without snorkeling in Tioman is a day wasted.

7pm: Dinner at Sunset Corner at ABC or BBQ at Tekek

Take a sea taxi or hire a motorbike and ride to to Air Batang or ABC. There is a wonderful little restaurant called Sunset Corner that serve great pizza. You can also stay at Tekek if you’re tired of travel and prefer to just take a walk.

Try Restoran Delima or Citra Anugerah Wah Leng right across the road from each other and both serving Malay BBQ with fresh catches of the day. The only difference is that Anugerah is closer to the ocean and offers more Chinese-inspired cuisine.

Day 4: Back to the mainland

Day 4 is about taking it easy before the long trek back to mainland. If your ears aren’t clogged with water, it’s time for some more snorkeling! 

9am: Breakfast and golf or snorkeling

If you’re up for it, you can play a round of golf among playful macaques at Berjaya or, as we so obviously prefer, go snorkeling one more time before hitting the road.

11:30: Early lunch and back to the mainland

Have an early lunch at Riverside Café or any one of the restaurants that are located right by the ferry terminal before heading back to either Mersing or Tanjung Gemok. The restaurants are nothing to write home about and serve local dishes, but they are a good option if you are worried about missing your ferry back.

Remember to arrive about an hour early at the terminal and to make sure with your hotel that you are catching the correct ferry back.

Where to eat on Tioman Island

Where to eat on Tioman Island will very much depend on were you are staying. As the east coast is devoid of infrastructure, there are little to no options and most dining choices are closer to the main resorts and hotels. Cafe Mia is probably your only option if you plan to visit Juara Turtle Sanctuary and serves a range of delicious local and international dishes with a smile in a seaside shack. Santai Bistro is also a nice place with good seafood, but you can expect slow service, so come if you’re not in a rush. 

As mentioned, Tamarind and Il Tempio at Japamala Resort are probably your only choices for haute cuisine on the island. Mandi-mandi is great for romance as it’s at the end of a pier at Japamala and under a thatched hut, so you’re basically eating over the sea.

The most popular eateries on Pulau Tioman are definitely on the west coast, closer to the jetty at Tekek and nearby resorts. Tioman Cabana is part hostel, part restaurant with a younger nomadic crowd that serves tasty food with hammocks overlooking the ocean. Some nights see live music and it is the top choice on TripAdvisor. 

Sunset Corner at ABC is the place to go for pizza and milkshakes if that’s your thing. Other good options on ABC are Mawar Beach Restaurant with a large menu and Nazri’s Place with typical warung selections on the beach. There are actually two Nazri’s, Nazri’s Place 1 is more inland and near Mawar and Nazri’s Place 2 is the one on the beach and more north. 

As mentioned before   Restoran Delima or Citra Anugerah Wah Leng are by the boom gate to Berjaya Resort and are right across the road from each other. Both serve Malay BBQ with fresh fish and seafood, although Anugerah is closer to the ocean and offers more Chinese-inspired cuisine, so it’s better for sunset.

Other nice and affordable places that serve a range of local food that you can visit for some mee goreng mamak, ayam percik and nasi lemak include Warong Syahirah right next to Sarang Chinese Seafood Restaurant and across the street from  Babura.  

If you’re staying in the north in Salang you can try Salang Pusaka Restaurant for a nice BBQ and you may even be able to catch onto the hotel reception’s wifi. 

Diving in Tioman Island

Tioman Island Malaysia is known to be a diving and snorkeling mecca, similar to Redang or Perhentian in the north. Many travelers come to Tioman Island as a place to get their PADI certification, or if they want to learn to dive or just go on a relaxed diving trip. For this reason many of the resorts offer this as part of a package, so it’s best to find out if your resort offers a full board package as it works our cheaper with a complete package.

Always let your resort know the intention of your trip well in advance so that they can make the necessary provisions. If you’re going to get your diving license, they will need to bring in a dive master from somewhere else who speaks your language.

If you are planning to get your open water certification, know that you will have to stay for at least 5 days, so you will have to budget for this. Some of the best places include Tioman Dive Centre , DiveAsia in Salang ( 5 Star ) and B&J Dive Center . Tioman Dive Centre have a great pricing guide to all the types of dives on their website , which is really useful to get an idea of expenses.  

While much of the equipment is provided at a price, those who need powered lenses in their goggles (i.e. if you wear glasses) will have to get them from mainland or wherever you are coming in from. If you are a diver, you can visit this link for equipment pricing at Berjaya Dive Centre to get an idea of how much you will need to spend for diving in Tioman.

Best time to visit Tioman

The best time to visit Tioman is definitely between March and October. Not only do the northeast monsoons frequent the area between October and March, but many of the resorts are in fact closed. The monsoon transforms the tropical paradise into a desolate island where the ocean becomes murky and visibility is bad. 

Also try to stay away from Pulau Tioman on school holidays and public holidays like Chinese New Year in both Malaysia and Singapore, as it will be inundated with locals and Singaporeans and will make the visit less pleasant and calming. 

What to pack for Tioman Island

You will be mostly in the sun and on the beach, so what to pack for Tioman Island Malaysia is centred around these things:

• Sunglasses , especially when you’re out in the ocean as the reflection can be quite intense. We recommend Oakley as, while not the best for Instagram, they are incredibly useful to protect from the sun and from the sand. Our editor has used this exact polarised model for years.
• A hat to protect from the sun. You will be under the sun everywhere you go so a hat is essential. 
• Mosquito repellent , especially in the evenings when you’re chilling on a lounger or walking around the resorts. We always use either the brand Off! or Repel. They just work and are sold in small bottles that I can easily carry around.
• Sunscreen , like sunglasses and hats, sunscreen is a critical items when traveling anywhere that is hot and sunny. There were so many red bodies at the resort as they didn’t consider slathering on sunscreen before going out into the water. And then they got lost in the magical underwater world that is Tioman. We always like to use Biore because it is dry, non oily and you can even apply make-up on top of it. It comes in handy small bottles that can easily slip in your handbag and go through passport controls. 
• Also some after sun lotion or aloe vera gel , which you should keep in the refrigerator if your resort has one, as it will soothe any sneaky burns that you get from unapplied areas.
• A small waterproof pouch for your money and phone like this one from Joto that comes in different colors and is almost 5 stars from nearly 30,000 reviews on Amazon.
• A good antiseptic cream like this Betadine in case you scratch yourself on the coral.
• A pair of reef shoes is a must as the coral can get sharp the further you venture out into the ocean. 

Where to stay on Tioman Island

Tioman hotels and resorts are all based on the West coast of the island. There is something for everyone here from one luxury option to all inclusive selections for families. There are also diving hotels in Tioman where you can stay in a bungalow on the beach and hop into the water to get your PADI. 

We saw some scuba divers wading into the water after sunset for night time exploration. Below are three options from the affordable to the extravagant (for Tioman that is). But there are a few more options which you can check out on Agoda here . 

Once a part of Berjaya but now on its own management, SELESA is a great option for couples or families. Although it does come with a few pros and cons. It is nice and secluded from the main the Berjaya complex, yet close enough if you want to take a visit, yet this will have to be with the small shuttle bus that goes every hour, the walk is too long and up a hill.

Rooms have ocean views and balconies, although you should watch out for monkeys if you are planning to eat there. They have no fear of humans and will jump right onto the balcony if there is any food left. The rooms are slightly dated, so don’t expect pristine conditions. Think bloated and chipped boards in the kitchen area. They are spacious enough though. So if you’re not too fussy and want to save some cash, then it’s a good pick.

The pool is wonderful, the staff extremely friendly and accommodating, and there is an onsite restaurant serving small meals.

Rooms from $70.

Book on Agoda | Booking.com | Agoda . 

Melina Beach Resort

For a super affordable option in traditional wooden chalets, you can try Melina Beach Resort. The chalets here are spacious and cosy and offer air-conditioning and mosquito netting, which is a catch for the price.  There is even a spa at this resort called Lemongrass and it offers complimentary two-way shuttle services from Paya Jetty.

It is further away from most other places, so it can be quite off the beaten path. But service is kind and well organised and they can arrange just about any activity for you. There is also volleyball on the private beach in front of the resort. 

Prices start from $70

Book on Agoda | Booking.com . 

Berjaya Resort

Not super luxe by all means as the rooms are in need of an update, but definitely on the more high-end spectrum for Tioman Island is Berjaya Resort. Here you will find all the relevant amenities like gym, swimming pool, Taaras spa, tennis courts, two restaurants, or gear for snorkeling.

The Berjaya complex is large and also has one of the most beautiful stretches of beach on the island. You can relax in their loungers or sip a cocktail at their beach bar. You can also reserve any tour you’d like to participate in at Berjaya for good rates. It is the best option for a traveling family.

Rooms from $110.

Book now on  Booking.com | Agoda . 

Tunamaya Beach & Spa Resort

Another option for great, yet more secluded stay on Tioman Island is Tunamaya Beach & Spa Resort. The rooms have a modern, villa-esque quality and feel and come with balconies. Tunamaya Spa is said to be very good. It is also the perfect option for a honeymoon as it has a more secluded ambience than the touristy Tekek beach area.

Rooms from $200.

Bagus Place Retreat

Bagus Place Retreat is a set of no-frills chalets right on the beach in the south near Tunamaya. So you can expect for seclusion and privacy here. You will get spacious, open air chalets, great beach BBQs for guests and the friendliest staff. You can walk up to the jetty, grab a mask and jump right into the beautiful cove to explore the reef. 

Prices from $240

Japamala Resort

Your perfectly luxury hotel choice for Tioman Island would definitely be Japamala Resort By Samadhi. While not a 5-star hotel, you would definitely mistake it for one. Rooms are not opulent, but spacious enough with a rustic yet modern design.

And the service is stated as constantly being astonishingly good. Expect out-of-the-ordinary experiences like hot stone massages in caves, leafy villas surrounded by nature, and exceptional cuisine at either Indochinese/Thai Tamarind Tioman Restaurant or the more Western Mandi-Mandi.

Rooms from $380

Book now on Booking.com | Agoda . 

Getting to Tioman Island

Travel to Tioman Island from Singapore or other parts of Malaysia involves two modes of transportation, a bus ride (or private taxi) and a ferry ride. If you are in Malaysia, you will have to get a ride to Mersing or Tanjung Gemok, depending on where the ferry is starting from. From Singapore, things get a little trickier. 

Tip : The ferry does change between Mersing and Tanjung Gemok on a daily basis, so you should always check with the ferry operators before you go. If you are on a bus that has a connection to the ferry company, they will know on the day and take you to the correct port. 

Getting from Singapore to Tioman by coach

The drive from Singapore to Mersing/Tangung Gemok by bus will take about 2.5 to 3 hours depending on where you leave from in Singapore and traffic. We left from the Singapore Flyer and it took 2.5 hours to Tanjung Gemok in total including a short breakfast stop and going through 2 customs check points.

Remember that you will be alighting the bus twice and going through customs which lengthens the process. After Johor, the drive is very quick, albeit quite winding in the narrow Malaysian roads. The bus drivers think they’re in an F1 race, so anti-nausea tablets could be a good idea, even before the ferry. 

As explained above you will either embark from Mersing or Tanjung Gemok depending on capacity and various other circumstances that are beyond our knowledge. Both points of departure are very close to each other, so there is not much inconvenience.

Your bus guide will inform you exactly where to go and where to return to. He will come to each passenger individually to confirm. Just remember exactly which port you are returning to as there may be different ferries at different times leaving from the island.

For coach services contact WTS for a professional ride. Here is link for other destinations in Malaysia. 

On the way back there was much more traffic and took 3 hours. You have a choice to either be dropped off at Woodlands, right outside the border, or at Newton where you can have a bite to eat at the Hawker Centre, one of the best things to do in Singapore .

Getting from Singapore to Tioman by taxi & public transportation

There are also other, more luxurious and convenient, modes of transportation such as private car. With this option you have extra legroom, comfort and convenience as you are picked up from your door in Singapore. And you don’t have to get out of the car at the Woodlands and Johor checkpoints, but will have to change driver in Malaysia which the company service will organise for you. 

Book a taxi service through Klook from:

• Singapore to Johor Bahru here .
• Johor Bahru to Mersing/Tanjung Gemok here .
• Johor Bahru back to Singapore here .

If you don’t have much luggage and time is not a concern, you can also take public transportation. Take the subway to Woodlands MRT and then catch Bus 911 to Woodlands Checkpoint. Go through immigration clearance at Woodlands and then take bus 170/160 to the Johor checkpoint.

From there you will need to hop on another bus to Johor Bahru Larkin Bus Station. You can take the Causeway Link, a popular bus operator to Larkin Bus Station. Your next bus will be to to Mersing Terminal Bus Station, which should take about 3-3.5 hours. When you reach Mersing, just take a taxi to the Jetty, which is a quick 5 minute drive.

If you’re planning to spend some time in Johor Bahru, for example, visiting Legoland before going onwards to Tioman, it’s best to get a bus pass. This bus pass is for both Singapore and select destinations in Johor Bahru which allows access to Johor Premium Outlet, Sanrio Hello Kitty Town & Thomas Town. You can book it online here .

Use the bus ticket in combination with one of the following adventures (some are discounted 10% off through Klook):

• General admission to Legoland at a discounted rate here .
• A Hero pass for Legoland with fast-track access to 7 rides. You can even reserve timeslots for rides. Book it here .
• VIP Pass to Legoland with priority access to all the rides, a souvenir bag and lunch with a mascot. Book it here .
• Tickets to Sanrio Hello Kitty Town and Thomas Town here .
• Complete the trilogy for an all access pass to Legoland, Sanrio Hello Kitty Town and Thomas Town here .

Getting from Singapore to Tioman: Going through customs

If you are taking the bus you will have to go through 2 checkpoints at the Singapore/Malaysia border. Once at the Woodlands checkpoint in Singapore and once at the Johor checkpoint in Malaysia. When taking the bus you will only need to remove your luggage at the second (Johor) checkpoint.

Getting to Tioman from Kuala Lumpur

If you’re not coming from Singapore, you’ll most likely be arriving from one of the international airports in Malaysia.

The busiest airport with the most connections is no doubt in the nation’s capital of Kuala Lumpur. Getting from Kuala Lumpur to Mersing/Tanjong Gemok is quite a long ride and depending on whether you’re hiring a car or catching a bus, can range anything between 4 and 6 hours respectively.

Hiring a car is a great choice as you can take stops along the way and at your leisure. While there are shorter routes than the one we are about to suggest, this is more for locals as the roads are winding and small. The best and most direct route is the North-South Highway. You can drive from the airport to, exit at Segamat and then continue east on Route 50 to Kluang and then onto Mersing.

Another option is to take the East Coast Highway from Kuala Lumpur to Kuantan and then south on Route 3 where you will pass through Pekan and Rompin and finally onto Mersing. Once you reach Mersing, you can leave your car there in the parking lot which charges around RM8 per day.

Tanjung Gemok is around 30 mins faster so the total drive time would be 3.5 hrs. From Kuala Lumpur you would also take the North-South Highway, but you would exit at Seremban onto the Kluang route to Kuala Pilah, Muadzam Shah and finally Tanjung Gemok.

There are various buses that go from Kuala Lumpur to Mersing and start from Tasik Selatan Bus Terminal. You can reach the bus terminal by taking the KLIA transit for about 25 mins. Buses leave at frequent intervals at 9am, 12:30pm, 6pm, and 11:30 pm from Kuala Lumpur. So you can take an overnight bus if you wish as the trip is around 6 hours.

It’s about a 15min walk from Mersing Terminal to Mersing jetty, but there are taxis available if you have loads of luggage.

The same bus goes through Tanjung Gemok before ending at Mersing, so let the bus driver know beforehand where you plan on getting off. The bus stop is very close to the jetty.

Getting to Tioman from elsewhere in Malaysia

You can also fly into Senai Airport in Johor and take a taxi 2 hour taxi if you don’t want to travel for 4-6 hours on the road. You can even book your private taxi online through Klook from Senai International Airport in Johor to Mersing here .

You have even more options depending where you are based in Malaysia, such as a bus from Melaka Sentral Bus Terminal which is about 4.5hrs. You can even fly into Sultan Ahmad Shah Airport in Kuantan and take an express bus all the way down the coast which is around 4 hours. Private taxis and car hire is also available from both destinations.

Ferry from Mersing/Tanjung Gemok to Tioman Island

There is one ferry company, Bluewater Ferry, operating between Mersing or Tanjung Gemok to Tioman. While there is only one ferry, there are several agencies to purchase your tickets from. Choose between tiomanferryticket.com (previously tiomanisland.com.my ), tiomanferry.com and easybook.com . The first option seems to be the most updated and streamlined.

The ferry ride is about 1.5-2 hours including a possible wait at the terminal port while other ferries offload. When leaving Tioman, it is advisable to be at the ferry terminal about 1 hour before departure. The route when arriving in Tioman is usually Genting, Paya, Tekek, ABC and then Salang. Listen to the captain to find out which port you are at as the order may change or one or two stops may be left out of the route.

There are also restaurants around both ferry terminals and convenience stores inside the terminals, so you can purchase snacks for the ferry or have a bite to eat before the ferry leaves, but only if you arrive early enough.

Flights to Pulau Tioman

There is an air strip on Tioman that is located in Tekek, but flights were suspended as from 2014 . Berjaya Air was the only operator, but apparently System Aviation Services ( SAS ) provide daily trips to Tioman. Please contact them for further details.

There is some good news on the horizon as SKS Airways are planning to open routes into Tioman Island! Check their website for more details. The route is currently there for selection, but we have tried and it is faulty which most likely means the route is not yet available. We will also keep checking and updating this article whenever we find out some news.

Getting around on Tioman Island

If you want to travel to some of the other areas on Pulau Tioman without walking you can hop on the Mersing/Tioman Bluewater Express ferry service at around RM15 per trip, but this is only between Salang and Genting. You can also catch a local boat taxi as mentioned above, but these are a little more expensive at around RM20-100 per person one way, although this is the most convenient.

There are 4×4 cars available at an additional price of around RM30 per person on a one-way trip (to Juara). Hotels also offer transfers at higher prices if they aren’t already included in your package at around RM70+ per one-way trip. There are places all around the island that rent out scooters for around RM10 per hour. You can haggle for daily use prices. We rented our bike from the security guard at the boom gate to Berjaya for around RM70 for the day as we were staying at Selesa and didn’t want to walk up the steep hill constantly.

Other important notes about Tioman Island

Here are a few other important facts that you should know before your visit.

Wifi, cellphone coverage and ATMs

While there are ATMs on the island, you should try to bring enough cash for your trip as they aren’t everywhere and locating one may be difficult if you’re staying in more desolate parts of the island.

As we aren’t locals and needed internet connection for work, we bought a sim card from the convenience store near Tekek jetty. While it worked fine in Tekek, some parts, like at Selesa, it was sporadic with limited connectivity. Some resorts offer free wifi, like Berjaya, but only in the main lobby area. This can also be limited. Suffice to say, Tioman should be a digital-free vacation.

Although Tioman is a tax free island and booze is really cheap, anything that you bring back to Singapore will be charged with the standard tax rates after declaration. The best stores for tax free shopping are all in Tekek and include QKS Duty Free for mostly alcohol, Vision Commerce Duty Free Shop for everything else (see map above for directions). While the prices for alcohol are pretty good (especially compared to Singapore), don’t expect too much choice.  

Marine Park Conservation Fee

You will have to pay a MYR30 Marine Park Conservation Fee before getting on your ferry. It is a once off fee and is necessary as Tioman is part of a conservation area. The payment is cash only, so have it available. Your bus guide on WTS will have MYR available for exchange using the day’s exchange rates.

Monkeys business on Tioman Island

Monkeys rule the island. They are everywhere and always hungry, so be sure to hide food in a sealed container in your backpack. They are less spotted at Berjaya as movement is more frequent, but everywhere else on the island, the have free range.

Monkey Bay is not called this for nothing. We placed our towels down with nothing in site and as soon as we got our our lunch out, they appeared. We had to go into the water to escape. So just be cautious of these guys, they are not malicious, but they will come up to you if you have food. Do NOT feed them. This makes them rely on humans for food and teaches them that food comes from humans. They therefore start to become aggressive in the long run. Be a reliable traveler and only feed yourself.

Other animals on Tioman Island

There are a host of other animals of the rugged island from snakes and monitor lizards to bats that fly low in dark areas at time. Please be cautious and ask your hotel for a guide if you decide to go on a hike.

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Pulau Tioman

Pahang, malaysia.

Pulau Tioman is a duty-free island off Peninsular Malaysia's east coast, acclaimed as a geological wonder, ecological paradise and one of Southeast Asia's most beautiful travel destinations. Located 32 nautical miles off the mainland, but connected through Mersing (Johor) and Tanjung Gemuk (Pahang) via ferry, the island continues to enchant visitors with its warm beaches, lovely seas and lush greenery.

Gazetted as a marine park, the immediate waters are abundant with coral reefs and marine life - ideal for scuba diving and snorkelling. Much of the island is covered by pristine rainforest, home to several endemic wildlife species and suitable for nature explorations. Finally, Tioman Island attracts youthful travellers from around the world - truly a melting pot of cultures to meet on vacation.

Travel Information

Like mainland Malaysia, Tioman Island has a hot and humid climate, with sunny afternoons and warm evenings but cool nights. Temperatures are usually consistent and the calm weather peppered with occasional showers and storms. The tourist season peaks between May and August, when the weather generally displays the least rainfall.

The monsoon winds begin to blow from October, bringing heavy rain and strong waves till January (surfing season). During this time, ferries run once a day, while only a few hotels will open at discounted rates. Still sparsely populated, most villages are connected by sea taxi (speedboat) or jungle trail, which means visitors usually stay at their first ferry stop for the entire trip.

Commercial development at Tioman Island is still relatively low compared to other tourist islands such as Langkawi. This restricts most major facilities to Tekek, the largest village along the west coast that has a bank, air strip and marina. Since the island is duty-free, liquor is relatively cheap but limited at more rural villages. In future, a second larger airport will be built at Genting Village.

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How to Go to Pulau Tioman: A Complete Guide for Travelers

Oleh 🌍The Merdeka Migrant🌍

12 September 2023

Have you ever dreamed of visiting a tropical paradise with crystal-clear water, white sandy beaches, lush rainforest, and colorful coral reefs? If so, then you should definitely consider Pulau Tioman as your next destination.

Pulau Tioman, or Tioman Island, is one of the most beautiful islands in Malaysia and Southeast Asia. It is located about 32 km off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia , in the South China Sea. It covers an area of about 136 square km and has a population of about 3,000 people.

Tioman Island is a popular destination for travelers who love nature, adventure, culture, and relaxation. You can enjoy various activities and attractions on the island, such as diving, snorkeling, hiking, kayaking, fishing, golfing, spa, village tour, and more.

But how do you get to this amazing island? What are the best ways to travel to Pulau Tioman from Kuala Lumpur or Singapore ? What are the things you need to know before you go?

In this article, we will answer all these questions and more. We will help you plan your trip to Pulau Tioman with ease and confidence. We will show you how to get to Pulau Tioman by land, sea, or air; what to do and see on the island; when to visit; and some tips and tricks to make your trip unforgettable.

So sit back, relax, and read on to find out everything you need to know about how to go to Pulau Tioman.

The lovely island paradise in our home country~

How to Get to Pulau Tioman by Land

The first step to getting to Pulau Tioman is to reach one of the two main gateways to the island: Mersing or Tanjung Gemok . These are two coastal towns in Johor and Pahang states respectively, where you can catch a ferry to Pulau Tioman.

You can get to Mersing or Tanjung Gemok by bus, car, or taxi from Kuala Lumpur or Singapore. The distance from Kuala Lumpur to Mersing is about 350 km, while the distance from Kuala Lumpur to Tanjung Gemok is about 400 km. The distance from Singapore to Mersing is about 200 km, while the distance from Singapore to Tanjung Gemok is about 250 km.

The travel time from Kuala Lumpur or Singapore to Mersing or Tanjung Gemok depends on the traffic conditions and the mode of transportation. Generally speaking, it takes about 4-5 hours by bus or car, and about 3-4 hours by taxi.

But which gateway should you choose: Mersing or Tanjung Gemok? Here are some pros and cons of each option:

- Pros: Closer to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore; more bus options; more ferry options; more accommodation options; more attractions nearby (e.g., Endau Rompin National Park )

- Cons: More crowded; more traffic jams; more affected by tides; less reliable ferry schedule; longer ferry ride

Tanjung Gemok

- Pros: Less crowded; less traffic jams; less affected by tides; more reliable ferry schedule; shorter ferry ride

- Cons: Further from Kuala Lumpur and Singapore; fewer bus options; fewer ferry options; fewer accommodation options; fewer attractions nearby

As you can see, there is no clear winner between Mersing and Tanjung Gemok. It depends on your personal preferences and budget. However, we recommend Tanjung Gemok as the better option for most travelers because it offers a smoother and faster ferry experience.

Here are some tips on how to book a bus or taxi to Mersing or Tanjung Gemok:

- You can book your bus tickets online through platforms like CatchThatBus.com or RedBus.my. You can compare prices, schedules, and reviews of different bus operators and choose the one that suits you best.

- You can book your taxi online through platforms like Grab or MyCar. You can also book a private transfer service through various online platforms.

- You can also book your bus or taxi tickets offline at various terminals or counters in Kuala Lumpur or Singapore. However, this may be more expensive and less convenient than booking online.

How to Get to Pulau Tioman by Sea

The next step to getting to Pulau Tioman is to take a ferry from Mersing or Tanjung Gemok. There are two main ferry operators that serve Pulau Tioman: Bluewater Express and Cataferry. Both operators offer fast and comfortable ferries that can accommodate up to 200 passengers.

The ferry ride from Mersing or Tanjung Gemok to Pulau Tioman takes about 1.5-2 hours, depending on the weather conditions and the number of stops. The ferry stops at several villages or resorts on the island where you can choose your destination according to your accommodation or preference.

Here are some pros and cons of each ferry operator:

Bluewater Express

- Pros: More frequent; more flexible; cheaper; more experienced

- Cons: Older; smaller; noisier; less comfortable

- Pros: Newer; bigger; quieter; more comfortable

- Cons: Less frequent; less flexible; more expensive; less experienced

Again, there is no clear winner between Bluewater Express and Cataferry. It depends on your personal preferences and budget. However, we recommend Cataferry as the better option for most travelers because it offers a more pleasant and spacious ferry experience.

Here are some tips on how to book a ferry ticket to Pulau Tioman:

- You can book your ferry tickets online through platforms like BusOnlineTicket.com, or RedBus.my. You can compare prices, schedules, and reviews of different ferry operators and choose the one that suits you best.

- You can also book your ferry tickets offline at the ferry terminals in Mersing or Tanjung Gemok. However, this may be more expensive and less convenient than booking online.

- You should book your ferry tickets in advance, especially during peak season (March to October) or public holidays, as the ferries may be fully booked or sold out.

- You should check the ferry schedule before you travel, as it may change due to weather conditions or tides. You can check the ferry schedule online through in real-time through a quick Google search.

Here are some important things to note before boarding the ferry:

- You should arrive at the ferry terminal at least one hour before departure time. You need to check in with your passport or identity card and collect your boarding pass. You also need to pay a marine park conservation fee of RM 30 for foreigners or RM 5 for Malaysians.

- You should pack light and limit your luggage to one piece per person. The luggage allowance is 15 kg per person for Bluewater Express and 25 kg per person for Cataferry. You may need to pay extra for excess baggage or bulky items.

- You should wear comfortable clothes and shoes and bring some essentials such as sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, water, snacks, motion sickness pills, etc. The ferry ride may be hot, bumpy, or wet, so be prepared for any situation.

How to Get to Pulau Tioman by Air

The final step to getting to Pulau Tioman is to take a flight from Kuala Lumpur. There is only one airline that flies to Pulau Tioman : Berjaya Air. Berjaya Air is a subsidiary of Berjaya Group, which owns several resorts on the island.

Berjaya Air operates a small fleet of Dash 7 aircraft that can carry up to 48 passengers. The flight from Kuala Lumpur to Pulau Tioman takes about one hour, depending on the weather conditions. The flight lands at Tekek Airport, which is the only airport on the island.

Pros and cons of flying to Pulau Tioman:

- Faster and more convenient than taking a bus and a ferry

- More scenic and exciting than taking a bus and a ferry

- More suitable for travelers with limited time or mobility

- More expensive than taking a bus and a ferry

- Less frequent than taking a bus and a ferry

As you can see, flying to Pulau Tioman is not for everyone. It depends on your personal preferences and budget. However, we recommend flying to Pulau Tioman as the best option for travelers who value speed and convenience over cost and availability.

Here are some tips on how to book a flight ticket to Pulau Tioman:

- You can book your flight tickets online through platforms such as Trip.com for the best and quickest deals available!

- Remember to book in advance to ensure great deals and prices year-round.

- You can also book your flight tickets offline at the Berjaya Air counter at Subang Airport in Kuala Lumpur. However, this may be more expensive and less convenient than booking online.

- You should book your flight tickets in advance, especially during peak season (March to October) or public holidays, as the flights may be fully booked or sold out.

- You should check the flight schedule before you travel, as it may change due to weather conditions or operational issues. You can check the flight schedule online through various platforms. You can also call Berjaya Air directly for the latest updates.

Here are some important things to note before boarding the flight:

- You should arrive at Subang Airport at least one hour before departure time. You need to check in with your passport or identity card and collect your boarding pass.

-You should pack light and limit your luggage to one piece per person. The luggage allowance is 10 kg per person for Berjaya Air. You may need to pay extra for excess baggage or bulky items.

-You should wear comfortable clothes and shoes and bring some essentials such as sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, water, snacks, motion sickness pills, etc. The flight may be hot, bumpy, or wet, so be prepared for any situation.

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Enjoy Your Stay in Pulau Tioman

With this article, you should be able to travel to Pulau Tioman in many different ways. So what are you waiting for? The ultimate island adventure awaits!

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How To Get To Pulau Tioman

• 1. How to Get to Pulau Tioman by Land
• 2. How to Get to Pulau Tioman by Sea
• 3. How to Get to Pulau Tioman by Air
• 4. Enjoy Your Stay in Pulau Tioman

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Pulau Tioman

Sitting like an emerald dragon guarding the translucent waters of the South China Sea, Tioman Island offers every possible shade of paradise. There are cascading waterfalls, rigorous jungle hikes that take you past hibiscus blooms under an evergreen canopy, and a wide range of laid-back villages facing idyllic beaches. And then there's the gorgeous sea of greens, blues and chartreuse swirls that beckons you to paddle, snorkel, dive and sail.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Kampung Juara

Its sleepy hideaway bliss is slightly ended by the road crossing the island interior, but Juara remains lovely, offering two long stretches of wide, white…

Kampung Nipah

Offering a serene length of beach on the edge of the forest, rugged and isolated Nipah is the way to go for those wanting to leave the world behind (the…

Kampung Salang

The backpacker haven of Kampung Salang is around the headland north of ABC, Monkey Beach and Monkey Bay. Come to snorkel off nearby Coral Island, do a…

Kampung Paya

The moderately priced resorts here, offering all-inclusive packages, make Paya popular with Singaporeans, the mainland Chinese and the organised-tour set…

Kampung Air Batang

ABC's beach is usually best at the southern and northern ends, although the sands are constantly shifting so this is changeable. Quite a bit of the…

Kampung Tekek

Tioman’s commercial hub is a good, strategic central location from which to explore the rest of the island, and the beach on the southern end of town is…

Kampung Mukut

This traditional and secluded kampung may be one of the prettiest villages on the island, and the beach is lovely. If it’s traditional Malaysian life you…

Marine Park Information Centre

With coral displays, short videos and plenty of information on marine flora and fauna, this centre, north of Tekek Airport, is a worthwhile stop…

Latest stories from Pulau Tioman

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Jan 14, 2016 • 4 min read

Sitting like an emerald dragon guarding the translucent waters of the South China Sea, Pulau Tioman offers every possible shade of paradise. While many…

Purchase our award-winning guidebooks

Get to the heart of Pulau Tioman with one of our in-depth, award-winning guidebooks, covering maps, itineraries, and expert guidance.

Pulau Tioman

• 1 Understand
• 2.1 By ferry
• 2.2 Courtesy of dive operator
• 2.3 By plane
• 2.4 By yacht
• 3.1 By boat
• 3.2 By jeep
• 3.3 On foot
• 4.1 Air Batang (ABC village)
• 5.2 Snorkelling
• 7.1 Air Batang
• 7.2 Genting
• 8.1 Air Batang
• 8.2 Genting
• 9.1.1 Air Batang (ABC village)
• 9.1.2 Juara
• 9.1.3 Salang
• 9.1.4 Tekek
• 9.2.1 Air Batang (ABC village)
• 9.2.3 Salang
• 9.2.4 Tekek
• 9.2.5 Other village
• 9.3 Splurge
• 10.1 Internet
• 10.2 Telephone
• 10.3 Television
• 11 Stay safe

Pulau Tioman is a small island, 20 km long and 12 km wide, off the east coast of peninsular Malaysia . In the 1970s, Time magazine selected Tioman as one of the world's most beautiful islands. The densely forested island is still sparsely inhabited. Also it is surrounded by numerous white coral reefs, making it a haven for scuba divers from around the region.

Understand [ edit ]

Tioman is in Pahang off the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia within the Mersing Marine Park, which also contains less commercial islands such as Sibu Island . The primary gateway Mersing is in Johor .

Tioman's beaches were depicted in the 1958 movie South Pacific as "Bali Hai".

Already the most commercially developed of Malaysia's eastern islands, a controversial RM 40 million marina project for Kampung Tekek, complete with 175 m cargo jetty, now threatens to speed up the pace of development on Tioman considerably. However, visitors with an aversion to such progress can avoid this part of the island and stay elsewhere without any impact.

You will find enormous monitor lizards across the island, sifting through the rubbish piles looking for food. There is also an abundance of domestic cats.

In theory, all garbage and pre-sorted recycling is taken via boat to the mainland on a monthly basis, but there is much informal burning/dumping of rubbish. Many resorts do sort their waste for recycling and dispose of it properly. However some resorts just dump all their garbage in the jungle. With 200,000 visitors per year, the waste produced by tourists can easily swamp the island if not properly managed. How your chosen resort disposes of rubbish and recycling is worth asking about during your stay. So do not expect a pristine environment, but progress is being made. As of 2020, a new incinerator had been built but was not in use. Various recycling programs exist but their use is not 100%. For now, garbage remains a problem on Pulau Tioman. Tourists can minimise their impact by producing as little rubbish as possible.

Get in [ edit ]

No matter which way you choose to arrive, a marine park fee of RM35 (as of 2023) is levied on all visitors to the island. If you arrive by ferry this is payable at the ferry port in Mersing.

By ferry [ edit ]

Most visitors arrive by ferry from Mersing on the mainland. As of 2023, two ferry companies, Bluewater and Cataferry, provide services departing from Mersing, Johor and Tanjung Gemok to various jetties on Tioman including Genting, Paya, Tekek, Air Batang and Salang Jetty. You can purchase tickets online in advance or directly at the counter. The trip takes 1.5-2 hours to the first jetty. There are about one to three services per day in each direction, depending on tides.

Some ferry companies overcrowd their vessels. If you ever feel uncomfortable boarding a vessel for any reason, refuse. A good way to avoid this is to avoid the last vessel as it is always the busiest. The boat is sometimes boarded by the Malaysian coast guard but it appears that the operators are aware of when this will take place and take pains to follow the rules only on those days.

Bluewater Ferry charges RM60 (more on public holidays) for adults, and takes travellers to Tekek, Air Batang Genting, Paya and Salang. The ferry operator tends to leave Mersing when the tide is high enough, when there are sufficient passengers aboard, or if a connecting bus needs to be met. Hence, it may not always be possible to strictly adhere to the timetable and you should leave sufficient buffers (1-2 hours) or prepare yourself to spend a night in Mersing.

In Mersing , the ferry port is about 1 km down the river from the bus terminal. Face the river and go right. Follow through the commercial centre of Mersing, past the stadium to river mouth. The bus may also drop you off at the corner where a conveniently located travel agent will attempt to sell you accommodation on the island. It may suit some to make a booking in the town before going to the island, others may prefer to take their chances and check out the offerings there.

If the afternoon ferry (4:30PM) is not running, you will have to sleep in Mersing. Head straight to the ferry terminal, buy a ticket and worry about other matters later. Alternatively, ferry tickets can be bought in advance at Bluewater's official website , so your seats are guaranteed. If you are not heading for the island, boats are available for private boat charter, scuba diving, fishing & touring along Jalan Dato Onn, Mersing. Some ferries also depart from Tanjung Gemuk to the north of Mersing .

During the monsoon season (late Oct to mid Feb) the ferries run much less frequently and exceptionally bad conditions may shut them down completely for several days or weeks.

Since 2004, there are no direct ferries to/from Singapore ’s Tanah Merah ferry terminal available.

If you board the bus in Johor Bahru at 2:30PM or later, you will most likely arrive in Mersing after the last ferry of the day has departed. If you have to spend the night in Mersing, use it as an opportunity to shop for things you'll need on the island, because everything is more expensive there. Most shops in Mersing do not open before 10:00, but some restaurants stay open very late into the evening.

Courtesy of dive operator [ edit ]

Many dive operators in Singapore operate their own trips to Tioman, and this would usually include taking a bus from Singapore to Mersing, then boarding a dive boat to Tioman. This is more expensive than organising the trip yourself but passengers pay for the convenience.

By plane [ edit ]

By yacht [ edit ].

Tekek has a harbour with substantial wave break walls. The Tekek anchorage does not look like the nicest part of Tioman to hang about in, especially given the high intensity orange lights installed in abundance.

The map shown on this page has an incorrect scale shown; as an estimate, the distance between Kg Paya and Kg Bunut on the west coast is 1 km.

Get around [ edit ]

Local transport is by bike, cars at Tekek, and by boat. A concrete road runs through Tekek, extending from the Berjaya resort in the south, past the airport, and to the northern end of Tekek village . There is a concrete path running the 800 m of Air Batang area and believe it or not: the Air Batang locals bought about 20 scooters and drive up and down this 800-m path that ruins the calm for the tourists. Elsewhere there are almost no roads on Tioman. Cars may charge around RM20 for the short distance from the end of Tekek jetty/parks info office to the airport and up to RM120 for the biggest distance with a minimum of 2 or 4 passengers.

The east–west concrete track was started by the Japanese in WWII and was re-opened several years ago. It follows the main electricity cable between Tekek and Juara. A 4-wheel drive vehicle is required. When you arrive you may be asked for up to RM175 to charter a whole vehicle to take you across. In May 2012 chartering a whole vehicle from Juara to Tekek cost RM60, though individual passengers in shared vehicles were quoted as RM35/head. It takes 45 min and is an interesting, steep and hairy ride.

By boat [ edit ]

By far the best and cheapest way of hopping from one village to the other is to use the Mersing/Tioman ferry service. On its way to and from Mersing it goes between Salang in the north and Genting in the south. The ferry will take you to most villages between from RM20 per person (for the Bluewater ferry) and is much cheaper than the private speedboat services. As of July 2011, the ferry operators do not appear to be charging for the island-hopping.

Speedboats charge from about RM20–60 for a single trip, depending on the destination. For example, a speedboat from Salang to Tekek will cost about RM30, but a trip from Salang to Juara will cost about RM60–100. Although you can try to negotiate, they know full well that they're the only game in town (unless you hike). A single trip by boat as far as from the west coast to the east coast is RM150 and can be shared if there are more passengers. Expect to pay double at night.

By jeep [ edit ]

There are 4WD "taxis" from Tekek to Juara. They may ask for RM75 (single person), RM120 total (two persons) or RM35 each (min. 4 persons).

Don't be forced into using those who tout directly outside the airstrip. Slow down to local pace and take your time over everything.

On foot [ edit ]

There are several jungle treks, following the power lines, which connect the villages. Depending on your condition and preferences, it could be better to have walking/trekking shoes and long pant.

• Tekek - Juara It is relatively easy to cross the island on foot from Tekek to Juara . The path up from Tekek is a well established but unpaved, 7-km-long, 300-m-high track along the powerline with occasional stone steps to assist and a few fallen tree trunks to keep things interesting. It's feasible with a small backpack, but fairly strenuous, so allow plenty of time (at least two hours each way for the trail itself, or three and a half hours if crossing from settlement to settlement). In Tekek, the trail starts north of the airport (see the Do section). There is no cheap way to go back. Alternatives to walking are speed boat or 4WD, RM50–100.
• Tekek - Air Batang It is also possible to walk from Tekek to Air Batang (ABC) , and the 3.5-km path is relatively level. Just go north along the concrete path.
• Air Batang - Monkey Bay Again following the power cable, the hike is possible, though this is less level. First comes Panuba resort. Next there is Monkey Beach which is beautiful (it takes about 70 min to get from ABC to Monkey Beach ). Make sure to follow the established trail by the power cable. Shortly thereafter is Monkey Bay . The two lie next to each other (in fact, one can swim out of the bay of Monkey Beach and reach Monkey Bay on the right without problems). There is hut at Monkey Bay . Don't try it with a heavy backpack.

• Monkey Bay If you continue along Monkey Beach to its northern end, you will find a foot path that leads to the side of Monkey Bay, a very pretty hourglass indented beach. The foot pad is subject to treefall so expect it to be hard to follow in places, but panic not if you lose the path, use your head and nut it out. The more use the better the path will get. Both beaches offer very good snorkelling. The other way to reach them is by water taxis. There are ruins of attempts to set up business here, but otherwise no development, but the writer definitely saw a family of monkeys, who ignored the humans and didn't seem to expect any food. Of course don't feed them.

• Monkey Bay - Salang Keep following the power cable to get to Salang. Remember to follow the power lines, since the path may be hard to see sometimes. This path is more steep than the previous paths. It may take up to 90 min for this part of the hike. Don't try it with a heavy backpack.

See [ edit ]

Air batang (abc village) [ edit ].

The village used to be named Ayer Batang or Air Batang , word by word translation means water stick; traditionally people used bamboo sticks to carry water here.  A long time after this, the first to build chalets in the village named them Ayer Batang Chalets, (ABC) and the name stuck.

Today ABC is a small village with one small path crossing from north to south, following the coast line, no cars, just some motorbikes (sometimes driven by children).

The people living here are mostly quiet, enjoying their relaxed way of living and the untouched feel of their village. As long as you respect them, they will respect you.

Don't expect a party destination, while there are a few bars and occasional parties, the main purpose here is relaxing, meeting other people, diving and trekking. This is also a major reason people visit ABC, to see traditional island life while enjoying a tropical holiday.

Walk along the path (it will take you about 40 min to go from one side of the village to the other) enjoy the sea and the giant trees, have your lunch on a terrace and observe life moving around you. Being a small village close to the jungle also brings different kinds of visitors: monkeys and giant monitor lizards. These animals will regularly cross your path, reminding you that they know the place better than you ever will. Lastly the most unavoidable animals are the cats, they are everywhere, sleeping or craving your food and affection.

Juara [ edit ]

The local village is spread back from the little track which follows the line of the sea. People live all over the place normally in simple huts. The tourist huts and accommodation is within 20 m of high water mark.

Juara is a very quiet beach at the east coast especially in the off season, when almost nobody is there. There are three rivers coming from the mountains, delivering cold freshwater to the beach, a chilling alternative to swimming in the sea.

A path leads to waterfalls in the jungle, which is nice for a swim and climb over the large rocks.

The place is divided into two beaches that are separated by a small hill, which is said to be the origin of Tioman. Some locals say: "you have not been on Tioman, if you did not stand on these rocks".

• The beach more towards the north where the jetty has very nice sand but with some dead coral in the shallow water. Swimming is OK, but walking in the water can be painful. At both ends of this beach is the mouth of one of the rivers.
• The beach more towards the south is even quieter. The sand again is very nice and there are no obstacles in the water. At the south end of this beach the last of the three rivers meets the sea.
• At the southern end of Mrntawak beach there is a turtle hatchery.

Do [ edit ]

Scuba [ edit ].

Scuba facilities are readily available, and the diving is reasonably good, especially in view of the proximity to Singapore . Most villages have a variety of dive shops. Padi Open water courses average at about RM990 (4 day course), and for licensed divers each dive is roughly RM100). You plan to dive and are travelling with small budget? Go to Air Batang (ABC) since accommodation is about RM30 and not RM40 like in Salang.

• 2.875984 104.154492 1 B&J Dive Center , Salang Village . Has two full-service dive shops, at Air Batang and Salang. A very accommodating bunch of people with good dives. B&J can cater to technical divers offering nitrox and trimix as well as deeper wreck expeditions. Can also help to arrange accommodation.  
• 2.845284 104.159583 2 Blue Heaven Divers , Air Batang ( Take the path on your left from the ABC Jetty ), ☏ +60 10 400 6135 , [email protected] . 8:30AM to 7PM daily . Small, friendly dive centre. Blue Heaven Divers can also help you to arrange your accommodation. ( updated Feb 2018 )
• 2.79705 104.20168 3 Eco Divers , Juara , ☏ +60139437864 , [email protected] . daily 8AM-7PM . A small diving centre with limited equipment and good diving courses. RM90–110 for a fun dive . ( updated Nov 2022 )
• 2.83801 104.16014 4 Ray’s Dive Adventure , Air Batang ( 450 m south (turn right) of the Air Batang jetty ), ☏ +60 19 3308062 , +60 19 3338682 , [email protected] . Dive with local guided Shamrock to explore underwater world. With friendly and helpful staff and have experienced divers. Provides accommodation too for divers. RM90–110 for a fun dive .  
• Tioman Dive Centre , ☏ +60 9 4191 228 . Enjoy diving in clear blue waters over beautiful coral reefs teeming with marine life. Tioman is perfect for both learning to dive (TDC offer a comprehensive range of PADI dive training courses) and diving for fun at over 20 dive sites. Safety is, of course, their primary concern, but your fun and enjoyment are also important. They maintain a friendly, informal atmosphere in the dive centre.  
• 2.78817 104.203316 5 Scuba Do Dive Centre , Lot 423A ( Juala village ), ☏ +65 8144 0265 , [email protected] . provides scuba diving courses including Open Water, Advanced Open Water, Nitrox, Rescue, Divemaster and Instructor. ( updated Apr 2018 )
• De Dive Centre , Kampung Paya , ☏ +60 19-606 3482 , [email protected] . Provides dive arrangement facilities by PADI dive professionals. ( updated Oct 2019 )

Snorkelling [ edit ]

Perhaps the most popular activity for visitors is snorkelling . Most resorts can arrange for speedboats or seabuses to take you to the beaches and small uninhabited islands nearby (such as Pulau Tulai, aka "Coral Island") and Renggis island where the snorkelling is at its best. The water is almost pristine save for the occasional litter. Just be careful of the small jellyfish, as they can pack a sting, and try not to lose your rental gear or you'll be subject to the renter's arbitrary fines. However, snorkelling is fantastic in front of most beaches and can rival that of any snorkelling trip at a fraction of the cost. However, do note that the beaches are home to several Portuguese Man o' War jellyfish. These prickly creatures tend to rest on rocks and if snorkelling in shallow waters, one should be especially careful of not coming in contact with these. Their sting is extremely painful and may require medical attention. Snorkellers who are squeamish about brushing against thick clouds of jellyfish in the water (as can happen in the May–September period) can try wearing a long-sleeved shirt or a rash guard when snorkelling. Or, you can rent a wetsuit from one of the dive shops if you're not comfortable with the jellies. You can rent snorkelling equipment for about RM15/day (mask, scuba, fins). Some of the best locations are as follows.

• Paya : A group of rocks adjacent from the beach offers a variety of colourful coral and fish.
• Tekek : The marine park, 3 km north of Tekek, has a man-made artificial reef just off its jetty. The visibility can be questionable and there's not much coral but is teeming with fish.
• Air Batang : The best village for snorkelling. At ABC (the far end of the beach) one can snorkel around the rocks towards Panuba with a full reef full of colourful coral and fish. Its not too deep, making it perfect for snorkelling. Even more colourful is the reef on either side of the jetty where one can see turtles and a vast garden of yellow coral.
• Salang : South of the jetty the coral begins almost as soon as the water is deep enough to swim in, offering some great views of a variety of fish and even turtles to the less confident swimmer. Following the rocks further out and around the headland gives an even greater variety of marine life. It is also worth swimming out to the small island just off the headland for the possibility of seeing black tip reef sharks.

Surf [ edit ]

For the surf junkies, Tioman receives swells up to 2 m from the South China Sea. They only come during the wet season (Nov – Mar) and only hit the eastern side of the island.

• 2.785144 104.203623 6 Beach Shack Surf , Juara ( 1.4 km south from Juara jetty ), ☏ +60 9 4193148 , [email protected] . Located in front of the Juara beach, this is one of the oldest surf centres on the island. You can rent boards from RM20/hr and take lessons.  

Trek [ edit ]

• 2.822345 104.165755 7 Tekek – Juara jungle trek ( from the Tekek jetty, turn left (north) and follow the road till you see a "to Juara" sign on your right; past the Jamek Mosque, follow the road up to the power station ). In front of the power station closed doors, you will see a discreet "to Juara" sign on your right. Go around the power station fence on an uncleared path and spot the red and white plastic stripes knotted to the trees that mark the track. Climb uphill (320 m elevation) between rocks and concrete steps for 2 km, following either the powerline or the waterpipes collecting drinking water in the waterfalls. Reach the concrete road on top of the mountain and slowly descent for 4.5 km to the Juara jetty. Count 1½ hour (athletic pace, no backpack) to 2½ hours (normal pace, full backpack), significantly more if you want to stop along the way. Take plenty of water (and optionally bug repellent). You can refill water bottles in the stream that feeds the Tekek town as drinking water catchment area about half way. Bear in mind that the path is unlit and that it gets dark early in the jungle (especially on the Tekek side).  
• 2.77703 104.19278 8 Waterfall trail . To reach the waterfalls, just follow a marked path for about 30 min. The path starts at the south beach, next to the turtle breeding farm. Opposite of the great rocks, which lie on the beach. The path is marked by the bottoms of cans, nailed to the trees and painted yellow and red. At the beginning of the path there are three such signs at a tree. If you walk along the only concrete road towards south to the turtle breeding farm, you can not miss it.  

Buy [ edit ]

Tioman is a duty-free zone and offers a good selection of alcohol and cigarettes at very cheap prices. The main outlet is "Vision Duty Free".

• 2.816688 104.15735 1 Vision Duty-free , Lot 90, Tekek ( past the hopital and school, along the airport track ), ☏ +60 94191737 . 7AM – 10PM . Chang or Skol beer, Heineken, Absolut Vodka, local gin or vodka, duty-free chocolate boxes.  

All the other villages have small outlets, but no alcohol can be found there.

If you plan on continuing to Singapore with your loot, beware that there is no duty free allowance if coming from Malaysia.

The only ATM on the island is in Tekek:

• 2.8193 104.159279 2 Bank Simpanan Nasional , Tekek ( from Tekek jetty, cross the small bridge and turn left for 100 m ).   It can run out of money. Better to bring cash from the mainland.
• Snorkelling equipment : Can be bought in the larger shops in Telek if you prefer not to rent it.

Eat [ edit ]

Depending on where you eat, food can be quite expensive on Tioman, compared to other places in Malaysia . Western food can be up to RM15 per plate, whilst local food is cheaper (between RM8-12). Especially if you eat at the restaurants attached to the resorts and chalets, you should plan around RM 30 per day (good breakfast, lunch and dinner). "Street food" in the form of fried rice or burger booths can be found everywhere, but opening times vary.

During Ramadan, most of the restaurants around the island are closed for lunch.

A 1.5 L bottle of water costs RM4, some places offer refill with locally filtered water for RM1-2. Canned soft drinks are about RM3, beer starts at RM3 (Skol Beer at local shop), but note that you cannot bring/consume alcohol in some restaurants.

Air Batang [ edit ]

• 2.842112 104.159439 1 Aqiss Bistro ( on your left when arriving at Air Batang Jetty ), ☏ +60 19 300 2274 . 7-11PM sometimes during lunch . Real nice place to be, beach restaurant with fusion food and burgers (no alcohol but you can bring your own one). ( updated Feb 2018 )
• 2.846086 104.159031 2 Arini's Family Restaurant ( Arini's Restaurant ), ABC Beach (Ayer Batang) ( from ABC jetty on your left ), [email protected] . noon-2PM . A small family restaurant on the ABC beach. The food is well prepared by the owner himself and the menu is an eclectic mix of many cultures with the Malayan traditional food as the main focus. The mixes of spices and herbs are done to taste and "in action" by "Man" himself. Chicken and egg burger ( updated Feb 2018 )
• 2.841949 104.159402 3 Ketapang Roof , Air Batang ( just on your left from Air Batang jetty ). 3-10PM . Peaceful place with music to have a drink, chill, play games or read a book. Good sandwiches (baguette), no alcohol but you can bring your own. ( updated Feb 2018 )
• 2.846578 104.159013 4 Roti Canai , Air Batang ( on your left at ABC jetty ). 7-10PM and morning sometimes . Place to eat roti and noodle soup. ( updated Feb 2018 )
• 2.846913 104.159102 5 Hijau , Air Batang ( Nazri's Place 2 ). 8AM-10AM, noon-2PM, 7-10:30PM . ( updated Feb 2018 )
• 2.84792 104.158794 6 ABC Restaurant , Air Batang ( at the end of the path on your left coming from the jetty ). breakfast lunch and diner . ( updated Feb 2018 )
• 2.844505 104.159542 7 Fiqthya Café , Air Batang ( from the jetty on your left ). brakfast-lunch-diner . ( updated Feb 2018 )
• 2.844064 104.159412 8 Johan's restaurant , Air Batang ( on the left coming from the ABC jetty ). lunch-diner . ( updated Feb 2018 )
• 2.842978 104.159303 9 South Pacific Restaurant , Air Batang ( on your left at ABC jetty ). breackfast and diner . ( updated Feb 2018 )
• 2.841549 104.1594 10 Zinza Café , Air Batang ( just on your right from ABC jetty ). breakfast and lunch . ( updated Feb 2018 )
• 2.840939 104.15993 11 Nordin's Café , Air Batang ( on your right at ABC jetty ). breakfast and lunch . ( updated Feb 2018 )
• 2.838828 104.160061 12 Mawar Restaurant , Air Batang ( on your right at ABC jetty ). breakfast-lunch-diner . ( updated Feb 2018 )
• 2.84471 104.159228 13 Tioman House Café , Air Batang ( on your right from ABC jetty ). breakfast and lunch . ( updated Feb 2018 )

Genting [ edit ]

• ThaiFun Restaurant ( ThaiFun 2011 ), near Berjaya Tioman Resort . 24 hr/day . Thai restaurant opened in 2011. You can watch Thai television there.  

Food options in Juara are not particularly exciting. As everywhere on the island, the prices are a bit high.

If you are staying at Juara Mutiara , avoid the buffet-style breakfast they try to sell you, one look at it will tell you why - and yes it is possible to just book a room, at a discount, without any food included. While they don't sell alcohol, they are ok with BYO.

• 2.791628 104.20259 14 Bushman’s . Food is ok, but if you are hungry order at least two mains per adult, or a lot of sides. Bushman's serves beer, but it's lukewarm and the selection is limited, with only Tiger and Chang on offer (RM5/can). They also sell wine at RM35/bottle.  

There is also a Chinese restaurant which has a great view from its veranda overlooking the beach, so even if you don't feel like you want to eat there its a great place to have a drink before dinner. The food is decent, but relatively pricey for what it is. The beer selection is good, from RM3-7 per can/bottle, and drinks arrive ice-chilled - always a bonus in the tropics.

• 2.795416 104.203651 15 Santai Bistrot , Juara ( right in front of the Juara jetty ), ☏ +60 177777200 . One of the biggest restaurants on Juara. Great selection of local food, seafood available depending on the season. Wins hands down in terms of tastiness. Ambiance, however, is not their strong point, so seek out other options if you are after a romantic dinner location.  
• 2.797337 104.205102 16 Juara Beach resort , Juara ( from the jetty, turn right (north) for 200 m ). Restaurant attached to the resort with decent prices and good atmosphere.  

Salang [ edit ]

The food in Salang is similarly priced and there is a variety of western and local fare. For those who enjoy seafood, there are numerous barbeque restaurants offering freshly caught fish, shrimp, squid and crabs. These are open from around 7PM.

Tekek [ edit ]

Village restaurant at Coral Reef Holidays the most Malay and western food also good view (by the beach).

Drink [ edit ]

If you want nightlife and atmosphere, there are some bars between Tekek Village till Air Batang which serve everything from cheap beer to cocktails and most do bonfire nights on the beach on occasions.

• Ari's Cafe , Between ABC and Tekek ( make your way from ABC to Tekek, You can't miss it. ).  
• 2.843929 104.159327 1 B&J Bar , Air Batang ( 250 m north from the Air Batang jetty, near Johan’s guesthouse ). Has a large selection of cocktails and liquors. Very chilled out.  
• 2.846834 104.158978 2 Hallo Bar , Air Batang ( from the Air Batang jetty, walk north (turn left) for 600 m till Nazri II restaurant ). Fantastic beach bar, perhaps the best on the island. Beautifully arranged, cheap alcohol with a great atmosphere. Beer, like at most bars on Tioman is 3 for RM10 from 5-7PM. Otherwise expect to pay RM5 a can.  
• 2.835612 104.16006 3 Sunset Cafe , Air Batang ( 710 m south (turn right) from the Air Batang jetty, in front of Nazri I restaurant ). Serves a variety of homemade pizza ranging from RM18-25, sunset bar is right on the beach. No alcohol in this bar but you can bring your one own.  
• 2.841949 104.159402 4 Ketapang Roof , Air Batang ( just on your left from Air Batang jetty ). 3-10PM . Peaceful place with music to have a drink, milkshake, ice cream, no alcohol but you can bring your own one. ( updated Feb 2018 )
• Bar Rumba , Genting ( 5 minutes walk north from the jetty ). Opened in 2011, cozy intimate place right on the beach run by a friendly young local couple who have taken a lot of effort to give the place an individual feel: coral chandeliers, driftwood construction, amazing tree and swinging picnic table. Drinks are a decent price and the cocktails are really well made.
• 2.785217 104.203596 5 Mañana , Juara ( 1.4 km south from Juara jetty ), [email protected] . Wooden open air lounge/terrace at the beach with cushions, very good selection of chilled music in the evening, good food and a nice flair. But don't expect any wild parties going on there.  
• Tioman Cabana Bar , Tekek ( between Coral Reef Holidays Chalets & Wak Cottage ). 8PM to 3AM . Good selection of music from the 1970s onwards, Sells beer and cocktails, also hosts private parties. Fireball (poipoi) shows and lessons most nights, plus bonfires The owners are backpackers and also good place to meet backpackers, travellers and locals. Coconut tree, bamboo and tree building.  

Sleep [ edit ]

While the most commercialized of Malaysia's East Coast islands, Tioman has yet to be invaded by mass tourism on the scale of Penang or Langkawi and there are plenty of cheap beds to be found. However, if you are heading for anywhere other than the backpackers' villages, reservations are advisable as getting to some of the more remote kampungs can be a hassle. Some places stay open year-round, but many close for the monsoon season (typically end of October to mid/late February).

Budget [ edit ]

Most of Tioman's backpacker accommodation is in the north of the island, with numerous budget chalet operations clustered around Salang and Air Batang (sometimes also referred to as ABC - although this is the name of the resort at the northern end of the beach, not the beach), and to a lesser extent Tekek . Dorm beds start about RM 20, single rooms (huts) around RM 40 and up.

• 2.843932 104.159472 1 Johan’s , Air Batang ( 250 m north (turn left) from Air Batang jetty ). Dorm RM20, chalet RM35 .  
• 2.877139 104.160244 2 Mokhtar's Place , Air Batang ( 500 m south (turn right) from Air Batang jetty ), ☏ +60197007541 . RM30+ .  
• My friend's place , Kg Air Batang. Chalets RM45 (2023). Discount for longer stays.
• Nazri's Place , ☏ +60 9 4191329 . Kg. Air Batang. RM80 onward.  
• Nordin Chalets , ☏ +60197788455 . Fan chalets RM70 . ( updated Apr 2024 )
• South Pacific , Kg Air Batang. RM45 onward.
• Y & P chalets , Kg Air Batang. RM20 onward.
• Mawar beach chalets & restaurant . mosquito screen, fan, only 1 power outlet/fan, clean, no towel/soap/repellent/bin/blanket about RM30 . ( updated Apr 2024 )

A quieter beach on the east coast, also has a selection of budget rooms at similar prices. Surf season from November through February (monsoon). As of 2023 significant development has begun.

• 2.793831 104.203066 3 Juara Mutiara Resort , Juara ( 200 m south from Juara jetty. ). Single room fan or A/C RM30/100 .  
• 2.785144 104.203623 4 Beach Shack Chalet , Juara ( 1.4 km south from Juara jetty ), ☏ +60 9 4193148 , [email protected] . A friendly and tranquil chalet resort and surf center. Provides basic huts and small restaurant right on the beach. Dorm is often full. Dorm RM15, Room RM40+ . ( updated Apr 2024 )
• Paradise Point , ☏ +60 94193145 , +60 13 746 2787 . is right on the beach; six rooms with fan and attached bathroom (cold shower), double (RM80), triple (costs more but will be provided for RM80 if you request a double room and none are available). May collect you if you phone ahead. ( updated Apr 2024 )
• Salang Indah Resorts , ☏ +60 9 419 5015 . Kg Salang. RM50 onward, no wifi  
• 2.87517 104.15438 5 Salang Pusaka Resort , ☏ +6094195317 . From RM 45 .  
• 2.81492 104.1523 6 Babura Seaview . RM55 and up .  
• 2.815195 104.15431 7 Coral Reef Holiday . RM40 and up .  
• 2.816295 104.153728 8 Tioman Cabana , ☏ +60 13 717 6677 , [email protected] . Bed & breakfast, beach bistro with food and drinks.  
• Wak Cottage (previously Sri Tioman) . RM25 and up.

Mid-range [ edit ]

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, although significant discounts can be negotiated in the off-season, in package deals or by showing up and smiling. In off-season it is advisable to just show up and pick the best and cheapest spots. Genting resorts are largely owned and operated by friendly local fisherman families. For the support of the local community, you are likely to have a chance to pick the best fish at the beach in the evening and have it prepared by the women.

• 2.84804 104.158429 9 Bamboo Hill Chalets , Air Batang ( on your left from ABC jetty ). Northern end of Air Batang. A very small resort with six rooms. RM70-120. The boulder-top chalets are simple (no A/C or hot water or TV) but to a very high standard, and all directly overlook the sea. The majority of guests are repeat visitors, and booking well in advance is pretty much essential. Closed during the monsoon season.  
• 2.844934 104.159381 10 COZY Inn , Air Batang ( on your left from the ABC jetty ). ( updated Feb 2018 )
• 2.835682 104.160206 11 Nazri's Place , Air Batang ( on your right from ABC jetty ), ☏ +60 9 4191329 . You can camp too there with the price of RM3 person per day. Ask to build camp next to pizza "hut" near beach. This camp place will suit for 2 tent (4-man tent). There are fields behind for more tents, but it is far from the beach.  
• 2.840954 104.160145 12 Nordin Chalet , Air Batang ( on your right at ABC jetty ). ( updated Feb 2018 )
• 2.84953 104.155834 13 Panuba Resort , Air Batang ( Panuba boat from ABC jetty ), ☏ +60 7 7996349 . Located at a very small kampong about 200 m north of Air Batang and the second last ferry stop. This kg has now been subsumed by an adhoc collection of accommodation structures that climb the rocky headland. The growing technical prowess of the builders results in a mixed grill of style from Malaysian hut to alpine chalet, and a switch from environmentally sympathetic timber to more intrusive concrete, the remnants of previous structures being carelessly preserved. From RM45 to RM140 en-suite, A/C, kettle (but no tea or coffee) breakfast, and a view from a balcony. In front is a 100-m beach which is great for swimming at the top half of the tide, and a reef for snorkeling. Restaurant kampong grown fruit and drinks. Tiger beer at RM5 and red wine, sold from the snorkeling gear hire shop.  
• 2.844792 104.159368 14 Tioman House , Air Batang ( on your left from ABC jetty ). ( updated Feb 2018 )

Paya [ edit ]

• Paya Beach Resort , ☏ +657334333 , [email protected] . Kampung Paya ( south of Tekek ). A typical Tioman resort featuring an almost-private beach, a particularly good restaurant, a swimming pool, a dive shop, spa experience and chalets of varying standards. The crumbling Standard chalets are poor value, and occasionally sandflies will leave defacing bites on younger tourists; the newer Superiors are much better. Get a package here as the rack rates are extortionate. It includes 2 way ferry tickets, accommodation and meal/activity arrangement. RM160 .  
• 2.78675 104.12081 15 Tioman Paya Resort , Kampong Paya , ☏ +601800818848 . Check-in: 2PM , check-out: 11AM .  
• Ella Place . Located at the northern end of Salang Bay and one of the quieter options in Salang. A few small, simple chalets all face the sea. Each chalet has a fan and an attached bathroom with cold shower, while some also come with air-conditioning.
• Coral Reef Holidays , ☏ +60 9 4191868 , +60 13 7176677 (mobile) . Located on a relatively private beach and is the longest beach in Tekek Village,With main facilities like restaurant, cafe, diveshop, laundry. Various rooms are available with a choice of either a seaview and/or garden view room. Rates from RM45 to RM150 per room.  
• Swiss Cottage , ☏ +60 9 4191642 . 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 5 types of room, all of which are fan cooled, except for the Terrace A/C rooms and Garden View Chalet A/C. Fan is usually sufficient given the beach front location. All rooms are with bathroom and hot water shower, breakfast is included in the price.  

Other village [ edit ]

• Coral Resort Kampung Mukut , ☏ +60 9 4191868 . RM100 A/C room, wifi RM5 for 5 days. Refurbished older resort under new management.  
• Idaman Beach Holiday , from RM80 per night. The only resort on the southern side of the jetty, Idaman Beach Holiday is located on a beautiful stretch of beach. The rooms are simple and can accommodate two to four persons. All rooms face the beach and it is only a few steps from your doorstep to the shore.
• 2.77643 104.11864 16 Melina Beach Resort , Gg Genting , ☏ +6094197080 . About halfway between the Genting and Paya jetties, Melina Beach Resort is a small, non-Malaysian owned and run resort. It offers both A/C and fan rooms built in typical chalet-style, and other more original rooms such as a tree hut. The restaurant also caters for western tastes with some German specialties, and is above average price. Free pick-up and drop-off from the Genting jetty can be arranged. Alternatively, it is a pleasant 20 min walk. ( updated Nov 2022 )
• Minang Cove Resort . The three villas and nine chalets are all A/C with ensuite facilities situated on the south tip of Tioman Island.  
• Nipah Paradise Resort . A nice small bay in the south of Tioman, with only two small resorts, the beach and a creek. Nipah is the right beach for people, who want to get away from it all because there is not even a public telephone! The atmosphere is laid back and relaxed, most of the travelers are backpackers who put up at Nipah Beach Chalets. The second resort - Nipah Paradise - is a haven for the backpackers. It offers small cheap chalets. The nice owners offer a two days trekking tour through the jungle to the peak of Gunung Kajang, Tioman's highest peak (1038 m).

Splurge [ edit ]

• Berjaya Tioman Resort , ☏ +60 9-419 1000 . 18-hole golf course, Taaras Spa, and a wide variety of restaurants and bars. As of 2018, all of the garbage and recyclables generated by this resort was dumped in the jungle next to the resort. Berjaya is a major Malaysian corporation, so consider whether you support such behaviour when booking. ( updated Nov 2022 )
• Japamala Resort . A very private and intimate resort with 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 real getaway from the rest of the world. Impeccable service from its attentive staff.  
• Bagus Place . At the southern tip near Minang. A chalet resort run by young Europeans as an eco-resort. Private beach, with a small number of simple and tasteful luxurious chalets. Starting at a whooping RM900 a night this resort still manages to get fully booked for many months.  

Connect [ edit ]

Internet [ edit ].

Wifi is widely available on Tioman. Accommodations that do provide it often only cover the restaurant area and even then it can be painfully slow. If internet is important to you, you should buy a Malaysian SIM.

• 3G Mobile Broadband If you have your own laptop then by far the cheapest way to get online on Tioman is to subscribe to a mobile broadband service from Celcom or Maxis . The cost from Celcom is about RM20 per week for unlimited access (5GB). Buy your internet package before you arrive in Tioman, such as in Mersing.
• Broadband: There is an Internet café across from the airport in Tekek. The rate is RM10/hour. It is open 9AM-6PM. There is also broadband available at Berjaya Tioman Beach, Golf & Spa Resort for similar rates, and one at Paya Beach Resort.
• Bamboo Hill has dialup for RM10/hr available 8:30AM-7:30PM. There is also an Internet café near the jetty with 2 computers, open until late
• Tioman Cabana You can surf the internet and also have access to hotspot-wifi, The rate is RM10/hour.Open from 9AM-2AM.
• Berjaya Tioman Beach, Golf & Spa Resort if you have a laptop, wireless broadband is available at RM80 for the duration of your stay but only available in public areas - poolside, restaurant, café and lobby.
• Tioman Dive Centre [1] Located at Swiss Cottage, Tioman Dive Centre offers free wifi for customers with their own laptops who are diving with them, for the duration of their stay. They also have an on-site computer with internet access for RM10/hr.
• Panuba offers a single internet service for RM1 per 5 min.
• Tioman Cozy Hotel internet is available for free and unlimited time at the 1st floor after the last room.

Telephone [ edit ]

Celcom, DIGI and Maxis networks are available but coverage may be limited in some areas. You can buy prepaid SIM cards from the shops at Tioman or at the airport. By regulation, prepaid registration is mandatory; expect a day or two for line activation.

Tioman advertises that it has a number of payphones that can be used upon purchasing a phonecard; many travellers buy the cards before realising that none of these phones work . If you want to call home, many hotels offer international call services at a price, otherwise consider using Skype or other communication apps.

Television [ edit ]

Only one TV station is broadcast to Tioman. The only way to watch more channels is to find somewhere with cable TV. On Salang, the 4 S Cafe (which is in fact a bar) and the Salang Dreams Cafe both have cable TV. Ask nicely, and you might get the staff to change the channel - though watching TV is usually low on the list of things to do in Tioman.

Stay safe [ edit ]

There have been repeat outbreaks of Sarcocystosis, caused by a single-celled gut parasite, amongst travellers to Tioman, particularly in 2012 (more than 100 cases) and in May 2014 (more than 40 cases). While the parasites that cause sarcocystosis are endemic in Malaysia, is not well known amongst physicians and is often misdiagnosed. It is usually spread by eating raw or undercooked meat. If you have flu-like symptoms and severe muscle aches after traveling to Tioman consult a tropical disease specialist immediately. Treatments are available.

Another infection risk comes from being cut by sharp corals while swimming. Coral are bacteria-laden and the resulting cuts can become infected if not disinfected and covered quickly. Bring alcohol wipes and antiseptic for coral cuts; wash and treat them immediately to avoid a nasty infection.

Watch out for the triggerfish as well; these little pointy-nosed fish are very cute but they do get territorial and attack swimmers during their mating season. Monkeys have been known to attempt to force open windows and doors to look for food, thanks to irresponsible tourists who insist on feeding the monkeys. Theft committed by humans is not generally an issue in private rooms.

Some young men in their 20s may invite female tourists to have a drink with them. Their offers should be politely but firmly declined. There have been some rapes on this island.

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Pulau Tioman Guide: Everything You Need To Know

One of the few islands on the east coast of Malaysia that’s popular with Westerners, Pulau Tioman has a reputation for being a place to party and dive. We planned to stay here for 2 days and ended up leaving within 24 hours as we didn’t like it very much. I wouldn’t recommend going here unless you would like to dive or go to a bar – even the nicest beaches here are far outshone by the ones on any of the surrounding islands (Rawa Island, Pulau Besar or Pulau Sibu). We visited at low season, in March, which could be why we didn’t enjoy it, but I wouldn’t be in any rush to return. 

• When to go to Pulau Tioman

How to get to Pulau Tioman

• What to do in Pulau Tioman

Where to stay in Pulau Tioman

Where to eat in pulau tioman.

• What to bring to Pulau Tioman
• Running routes in Pulau Tioman

When To Go To Pulau Tioman

The resorts on Tioman island start opening up from March, once the monsoon season ends, and close again in October. June and July are the peak months to visit here, when the resorts will be busiest and weather will be best. October and March are considered the worst months to visit. We visited in March and the weather was bright and sunny, but the island was extremely quiet. While a lack of tourists can be appealing on a beautiful little island like Babi Besar, wandering around deserted towns strewn with rubbish and empty bars is not so great! If you were to go to Tioman I would recommend going in the busier months.

Pulau Tioman is a 2 hour boat ride from Mersing Jetty on the south eastern coast of Malaysia. You can take a public boat for 70MYR / £13 / €14 return and tickets can be bought directly from the office at the jetty.

To get to Mersing Jetty you can get a direct bus from Kuala Lumpur (4-5 hours, 34MYR / £6 / €7 each way) or Singapore (3.5-4 hours, 30SGD / £16 / €18 each way). It’s best to book your bus before you go, even in low season and especially at weekends, when a lot of Singaporean and Malaysian people will visit the islands.  We used  12go.asia  to book our buses. The prices are the same as quoted on other websites but the customer service is better. You get to choose your seats when you book so you will be guaranteed to sit with your travel buddy!

There are three areas where people usually stay on Tioman, and where you stay depends on what kind of holiday you want to have.

Kampung Air Batang (usually referred to as ABC)

ABC is known as the party area on the island and where a lot of the backpackers tend to stay. There wasn’t any nightlife to speak of when we were on the island, presumably this picks up in the peak season.

There is plenty of cheap accommodation and lots of beach bars that open late here (this is unusual on Malaysian islands as you can’t even buy alcohol on some of them). We decided to stay in ABC as we wanted somewhere cheap and to meet some people. We didn’t book in advance but found a room at SP Barakah right beside the jetty. They charge 80MYR / £15 /€16 for a fan room and 130MYR / £24 /€27 per night for an air con room overlooking the sea. The rooms are basic but comfortable, and no breakfast is included but the food is really cheap.

This is the capital of Pulau Tioman and the main village on the island. There are a few long stretches of golden beaches nearby and a lot of accommodation. Unlike ABC where you mainly just see other backpackers, in Tekek there are a lot of local people working and living there. I’m not sure that this would be a great place to stay as the beaches aren’t great and it’s quite busy, but not in a way that’s good for tourists. We were stopped a few times to ask if we wanted taxis or a guide somewhere which was a little annoying.

Much like ABC, Salang has a reputation as a backpacker party area but it has better beaches. This is a good place for budget seekers and those seeking to meet new people or hit the beach bars. There are also a lot of diving schools here if you want to try diving or get your certification.

This is the most beautiful area on Tioman, with the best beach on the island (although it’s not as nice as those on Besar or Lang Tengah!). Stay at Juara if you are looking for tranquility and don’t mind spending a little more money for your accommodation. It’s a very quiet part of the island and lacks any nightlife you would find in ABC or Salang, but is a lot prettier. You can only get to and from the livelier parts of the island by hiring a 4×4 taxi up and down a steep mountain.

Unlike the other islands I’ve written about there is a wide variety of places to eat on Tioman. As we were only here for 1 day we didn’t try many places but the two we did eat at I would definitely recommend.

Tioman House Bungalows

If you’re on a budget this is the place to eat. A tiny outdoor restaurant with just 5 tables, this was the most popular place to have breakfast and lunch while we were on the island. Breakfast  starts from just 4MYR / £ / € and tea & coffee is just 1MYR. Lunch starts at 6myr for fried noodles.

Aqiss Bistro

This rustic outdoor restaurant is right by the jetty and a popular spot in the evenings. Sit at wooden tables with your feet in the sand,  surrounded by little hand painted signs with cheerful quotes on them. It’s a lovely little spot and I’d definitely recommend it.

The Malaysian food is amazing but from reviews I have read online the Thai & western food isn’t great. I had a really good Malay curry which wasn’t too spicy. It’s a family run place and super laid back so it can take a while to get your food, but that’s pretty common around Asia.

There’s no alcohol served here but you can bring your own if you pay corkage.

What To Do in Pulau Tioman

From what I’ve seen, people mainly go to Tioman to dive, surf or drink. There is a lot to do on the island depending on where you stay, but not all of these are available off season from our experience. Diving schools can be found all around the island, snorkelling tours and multi island trips are offered from most guesthouses and shops, and there is also a hike that you can do across the island between Tekek and Juara.

As I said we only stayed there for less than 24 hours so we weren’t able to fit a lot in. We mainly walked around the island, from the top of ABC to the end of Tekek where the Juara hike starts. By the time we reached the start of the hike we had seen enough and decided we didn’t want to stay any more and went back to book onto the next boat back to Mersing.

What To Bring to Pulau Tioman

Unlike the rest of the islands we visited on the east cost, Tioman has plenty of shops so you can buy most things you would need there. There are also ATMs on the island, but its good to bring cash in case you are not staying near one. There are sandflies on the beaches so bring or buy coconut oil to stop them biting you. Don’t forget this or you will be itching for weeks after you leave! Any normal tanning oil works too.

Running Routes in Pulau Tioman

The only running we did on Pulau Besar was back to the Jetty to get out of there! But there is a paved path that runs all the way from ABC to Tekek which would give you a great workout.

Other islands on the East Coast of Malaysia:

• Pulau Kapas
• Pulau Babi Besar
• Pulau Lang Tengah

Thanks for reading! Steph x

stephmylifetravel

Pulau lang tengah guide (2019 update), pulau babi besar: planning your trip, you may also like, stephmylife group tour schedule 2024, 24 travel destinations to visit in 2024, sri lanka travel guide 2023, 2023 guide: how to book the train from..., best budget accommodation in thailand, best restaurants in bangkok, travel guide bali: the nusa islands, monsoon season in bali, 10 awesome things to do in pays des..., unusual dining experiences in kuala lumpur, leave a comment cancel reply.

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Top 20 Things to Do in Tioman Island, Malaysia & Places to Explore

Tioman island with its white sandy beaches and azure water looks like a tropical paradise and the island represents Bali Hai. Tioman island is also a famous shooting spot for filmmaking. With the water activities, dining with fresh seafood, and getting some insights into the fishermen’s life, Tioman Island will unbind the spirit of a tropical traveller within you. If you’re looking for things to do in Tioman island , this post has you covered.

Historically, Tioman is nestled by fishermen and was a popular spot for trading fish, and firewood. It currently has six main villages and is a popular spot for a relaxing and fun beach getaway. Tioman island is a popular tourist attraction in Malaysia .

WHAT IS COVERED IN THIS ARTICLE?

The Location of Tioman Island & How to reach it there?

Tioman Island is located in the Rompin District, Pahang Malaysia. It’s located on the east coast of Malaysia and Tioman Island on the South China Sea is ringed by beaches. Tioman Island has a total of 7 villages: Terek village, Salang village, Juara Village, Air Batang Village, Genting village, Nipah village, and Mukut village.

Here are the top 12 activities to explore Tioman Island . Kayaking, snorkelling, diving, and beach hopping are a few things you must not miss. And on top of that, you can go for exploring the beaches nearby on a boat. Experience the best of Tioman through hiking, diving and bathing in sun.

Main Activities on Tioman Island:

• Snorkelling
• Beach Hopping
• Visiting fishing village

Visiting Tioman is equivalent to enjoying a lot of beach activities. Surreal beaches nestled behind the forest and rocks. Beach hopping is a must on Tioman to explore the tropical beauty of Peninsular Malaysia.

And on top of that, you can go for exploring beaches nearby on a boat. Experience the best of Tioman through hiking, diving and bathing in sun.

1. Sunbathing at Paya Beach Resort:

Paya beach, located on the western shore of Tioman Island, is famous for Paya Beach Spa & Resort. You can relax well on Paya Beach and sunbathe to feel rejuvenated, The Paya Beach resort offers you amazing spa services and traditional Massages. It’s a must-have experience on Paya beach. The Paya Beach resort offers 8 packages to explore different activities including water activities, group activities, and experiencing massages.

Activities & Packages on Paya Beach Resort:

• Food, Accommodation & half-day snorkelling experience
• Romantic gateway package
• Seafood tour package
• Diving & Snorkeling Package
• Scuba Diving License earning package
• Paya Classic Massage package

Whether you want a romantic getaway or want to spend some time to relax Paya Beach resort is the perfect place to ramp up your experience on Tioman.

2. Visiting Salang Beach

How to reach:

• Through ferry from Mersing Jetty
• Through ferry from Tanjung Gemok Jetty

A picturesque beach on the northern tip of Tioman is in a crescent shape which features white sand, swaying coconut trees and a gentle breeze. Salang beach has warm water and is less crowded. You can enjoy the scenery sitting here quietly or also experience snorkelling. Salang beach doesn’t have big waves or wind, and the sea is warm and comfortable.

Main Activities: Diving, Relaxing, Bonfire Parties

Famous Diving Spots from Salang: Chebeh, Batu Malang, Coral Island, Fan Canyon

3. Snorkelling in Juara Beach

• 4WD taxi from Tekek Tioman
• Through Speedboat from Genting
• 3-hour jungle trk from Tioman

One of the most popular and adventurous beaches in Tioman is Juara beach. Filled with golden sand Juara beach has formidable beauty with the backdrop of the green hill. The beach is located on the east coast, the sun rises are spectacular. On the southern part of the beach, there is a lagoon where you can take a dip and relax while sun-basking.

Also, for hiking enthusiasts, there are hiking trails on the mountain on Juara beach. To go to Juara Beach, you have to take a 4WD taxi from tekek Tioman.

Main Activities: Snorkelling, Swimming, Diving, Seeing sunrise

4. Be a part of the Juara Turtle Project:

Juara Turtle project is a sustainable project that visitors can partake in to protect the coral life of Tioman. Juara turtle project is a pledge to reduce plastic pollution, bring balance to nature and protect the marine life of Tioman.

As a tourist, you can take part in the beach clean up the beaches s, meet up with the community and help protect the beautiful place together. You will have a lovely time seeing their Turtle conservation and knowing about their mission as well.

5. Touring Monkey Bay

• Water Taxi from Salang
• Jungle trekking from Salang

One of the lesser-known beaches in Tioman is Monkey beach. The beach is filled with monkeys. You can get on a water taxi from Salang beach to reach Monkey beach. You can laze around the beach and get a tan. You can go by booking a boat from Penang or Tioman to Monkey beach. You can hike up the mountain on monkey beach to visit the lighthouse.

Main Activities: Swimming, jungle trekking, hiking

6. Trekking to Genting Beach

• Via ferry from Mersing to Tanjung Gemuk route

A very narrow beach on the west coast of Tioman, filled with golden sand, Genting beach is perfect for a party or picnic on the beach. Genting is just 2km away from the capital resort village, Teke and you can reach there by ferry from Mersing.

  Genting beach’s view has a charm with the boulders on the shore, and chalets, shops on the beach. There are plenty of restaurants, eateries, duty-free shops for shopping and chalets to take a rest. You can also take a walk on the Jungle trail near the beach and visit the quaint Paya village where the beach ends.  Spend some time on quaint Nipah beach on Genting, watch batik painting while exploring the village.

Main Activities: Tanning, snorkelling, diving, exploring the genting village

Thing to do in Genting Village:

• Visit the local fishing community
• Trek through the hilly Jungle terrains of Genting
• Explore the craft of Batik painting

7. Bike Rides & Watching Sunset on Berjaya Beach

Ferry from Tekek to Tioman and then by taxi, you can reach Berjaya Beach.

To finish your beach visit in Tioman, Berjaya should be the last one. The beach lights up in night. You can enjoy the best of water activities and shows here. You can also stay in the luxury accommodations like Berjaya Tioman Beach resort enjoying the overlooking view of the ocean. On Berjaya you can enjoy bike ride on beach, snorkelling trip on Renggis island, Kayaking and more

Main Activities:

Kayaking, Snorkelling, biking on beach

8. Scuba Diving at Kampung Tekek:

The central village of Tioman Island, Kampung Terek is known for its spot of Scuba diving. You will arrive in Kampung Terek weather by Mersing Jetty or Tanjung jetty.

You can find scuba diving centres at Kampung Terek that are heavenly during the Summer. The insane water clarity will give you ample chance to explore the waters and its ecosystem. The best snorkelling site at Kampung Terek is the Marine Park Centre. Also, there is a free-diving centre near Swiss Cottage Resort where you can book sessions for beginner to advanced levels.

9. Jungle Trekking in Tioman:

Trekking in Tioman is adventurous as well as a fine experience as you explore the luscious rainforest around Tioman.

Tioman to Mukut Trail: Get the best out of the Jungle Trekking experience in Tioman, Mukut Island presents you with a rewarding journey of trekking in Tioman as you see the clear blue water below. Right after trekking if you want to stay the night there, you will find the Tanjung Inn.

Genting to Paya Trail: Another trail worth exploring is the one between Genting and Paya village and the trail takes you around one hour to finish. The trail is a total of 2.9 km and you. On this trail, you will see mesmerising beaches on the route and also various species of flora and fauna.

Tekek-Juara Trail:  The third most famous trail to trek in Tioman is the 7km long Tekek-Juara trail. Many travellers take a ferry or taxi from Terek to Juara. But we recommend you take the jungle trail.

10. Diving in Tioman

Tioman has more than 25 diving spots. Most of them are suitable for scuba diving while a few of them are good for wreck diving as well. Tioman is the perfect place for scuba diving and macro underwater photography, diving spots like tiger reef, and Teluk kador, and for wreck diving, you can visit offshore islands like Soyak island. Here are the top diving spots in Tioman:

Tiger Reef (level: advanced divers):  

The water pinnacle starts at 10m depth and ends around 28m. The spot is easily accessible from the main island. Tiger reef is most abundant in corals on soft and hard rocks during February and March.

Teluk Kador (level: advanced divers):  

The water pinnacle ends at around 22m depth. Teluk Kador diving sports in perfect to visit abundant marine life including moray eels, lobster, turtles, blacktip sharks and fishes of different varieties.

Magician Rock (Level: CMAS2 / advanced):

  Untouched and deep green corals along with bountiful fish’s manta rays and whale sharks. The diving spot is in open water and is around 8m deep.

Bahara rocks (level: advanced divers):

Located on the southwest corner of Pulau Tioman. The diving pinnacle starts at 10m depth and goes down to 20m. You can expect clear visibility on bahara rocks and fish species will include angel fish, butterfly fish, puffer, parrot fish, scorpion fish, moray eel and more.

Soyak Island (For beginners):

A perfect diving spot for beginners and snorkelling. The current is medium to none and the island is just beside Tioman. The Soyak reef is around 15m in depth and has a great variety of nudibranchs, barracudas, bump head parrot fish, lionfish and more.

Soyak Wreck (level: Open-water advanced divers):

The diving pinnacle starts at 20m, and you will have clear visibility up to 30m. The diving spot is one of the deepest endings at around 40m. Beautiful hard and soft corals, barracuda, batfish, nudibranch, and stone fish is visible in this region.

Chebeh Island:  

The Chebeh island reef surface is made of underwater volcanic rock 21m deep. While diving on Chebeh island you will pass through tunnels and will see a lot of pelagic fishes and reef sharks.

Malang Rock (For beginners):

The diving spot near Malang Rock is a great diving site for beginners. The reef is composed of many hard corals and one can see barracuda, butterfly fish, cuttlefish, clownfish, lionfish, black tip shark and more.  

Fan Canyon:

Fan Canyon have a huge bed of colourful sea fans between two rocks and a variety of fishes with soft corals. Divers have to be very careful so as to not damage the soft corals and it’s advisable to go to open water to see the soft and few hard corals.

11. Acquire PADI Certification in Diving:

While you are travelling to this tropica paradise you can go on a 3-4day diving trip and get a certification in open water divin. Many agencies like Klook provides PADI certification package where you will learn the techniques of diving, explore the untouched corals and vibrant marine life of Tioman while getting a diving certification for the rest of your life.

12. Surfing at Juara Beach:

Located on the east coast of Pulau Tioman Juara beach is a paradise for surfers. Juara village has its own charm with spacious lush flora, open beaches and warm weather. Coming down to Juara Beach is a must if you want to ride some huge waves.

The monsoon season is the best one to surf at Juara beach. The owner who conducts Juara beach surfing sessions also gives surfing lessons. It is recommended to bring surfboards of your own as renting may be costly and during peak season, they might be unavailable.

Best time to surf: April to September

Estimated time: 2 Hours

Estimated price range: RM 250 to RM 400

13. Snorkelling on Renggis Island:

Tioman snorkelling is a must-do activity and the best place to visit low-depth coral is Renggis island. Renggis island is a cluster of trees on a small island, and it’s located just beside Berjaya Tioman Resort.  It offers a large but shallow circular reef that makes it perfect to see marine life without going too deep.

The deepest spot of the reef is around 16m, and you can see blacktip shark and green turtle on Renggis.

14. Visit Kampung Mukut:

Kampung Mukut is in the southern part of Pulau Tioman. Mukut is a scenic fishing village that’s easily accessible from Tioman. You can wander around the village and see its famous Asha waterfalls and Dragon Horns. Mukut village is also a fantastic place to explore kayaking, fishing and camping. Mukut is a quaint village that you must see to enjoy the village life and nature of Tioman.

15. Visit Asha Waterfalls:

  Located in the village of kampung ash in Mukut Asha falls is curtained by lush greenery. Asha falls cascades into a pool from a height of 500ft. The pool is hemmed by granite slabs. The nestled waterfall in the abandoned village will feel you with happiness and bring you closer to nature.

16. Rock Climbing on Dragon Horns:

  The twin peaks of the mountain on Mukut village are called the Dragon Horns because of their resemblance. The peaks are 700 meters high and are ideal for rock climbing. This is one of Malaysia’s finest spots to climb. You will find the base of the trails up the mountains in Mukut village.

17. Go on a Fishing Trip:

For those of you who love fishing, Tioman island is a goldmine for local fish. Go on a cruise with the local fishermen to enjoy a spectacular fishing trip. You can expect sailfish, wahoo, tuna, cobia, dorado, narrow-barred Spanish mackerel and more.

You can book 3–4-day fishing trips and private charters in advance through agencies for a full-fledged experience. The packages generally include hotel accommodation, boat ride fare, fishing trip expenses, food and beverage expenses, and more.

18. Visit the Marine Park Information Centre:

The Marine Park Information Centre in Tioman is a coral sanctuary where you can learn a lot about the existing coral life of Tioman Island. It’s located at the east edge of Tekek and has plenty of information on coral and marine life. The entrance is free and on round trips to islands, travellers stop here to visit the information centre and dive.

The display glorifies the underwater heritage of Tekek, showcasing flora, fauna, marine life and ecology of the underwater. The Marine Park Information Centre is a stop-worthy spot, especially for divers and snorkelers. The Marine Park Information centre also has an extended portion of the reefs where you can feed the fish. 

Location: North of Tekek Airport

Opening Hours: 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM (except during monsoon season)

Entrance Fee: Free

19. Nightlife in Tioman:

You can enjoy the nightlife on Tioman by relaxing at the beach, drinking beer, or enjoying frisbee or volleyball in the evening. You can head towards Tioman Cabana bar to enjoy a few cocktails and have a relaxing evening. Obviously, you can’t expect nightclubs or parties. But you will find many bistros and seaside bars open till midnight.

A few such bars are Cabana Beach Bistro on Tekek, Sunset Bar, Aqiss Bistro, and B&J bar. Having a beer, or margarita with grilled seafood is a must if you enjoy the sea breeze and chilled evenings. Zion is the perfect place to enjoy some fish, chicken, squid or beef skewers, drinks and live music. 

Famous Bars:  

Tioman Cabana Beach Bistro, B&J Bar, Sunset Corner, Seaside Cafe, Zion House, Dragon Bar

20. Try Seafood on ABCD restaurant:

To try an exquisite range of seafood, go to ABCD restaurants (ABC Chalet AND Restaurant). This restaurant is in Air Batang village. It’s popular for grilled seafood and it’s a must-try for seafood lovers. The seafood is served fresh with peanut sauce and has a refreshing taste.

You can also choose to stay in this lodge or just dine in the restaurant. It’s a popular spot for having dinner and watching the sunset. You may find other seafood restaurants but none with this kind of stunning view.

Location: 

Cost: RM 30 for one

Special: Seafood BBQ with fresh catch at dinner

How to Book a Tioman package that’s suitable for you?

You must re-plan and chalk out your journey to enjoy th best beach vacation on Tioman. You can book through travel agencies like Klook that provides tourist guide nad gives the perfect itinerary. Klook.com has 17 packages to experience Tioman in its full glory. Whether you want to enjoy snorkelling or want a quiet, relaxing holiday, Klook has got you.  Here are the Tioman packages you might want ot explore.

1. Snorkelling in Tioman Package :

• Book your snorkelling sessions starting at just RM58.
• Meet up at the spot with your group and guide.
• The duration of the snorkelling will be 2 and half hours.
• Get a boat ride to the spot.
• All equipments for diving is included in the package.

2.   3D 4N Padi Open Water Diving Learning:

• Learn open water diving in open water within 4 days.
• Learn open water diving from certified instructor.
• A professional environment and exploration of marine life
• Earn certification from PADI after the course.
• Price: RM1710

3.   3D2N Berjaya Tioman Resort Stay

• 3days and 2 nights saty on Berjaya Tioman Resort at RM 2580.
• Breakfast, Lunch, Tea and Dinner are included in the package.
• Staying in 200 acre Berjaya Tioman Resort in the tropical rainforest and beach view on Tekek village.
• Complementary shuttle service for couples.

4.   2D2N Leisure Dive & tour (for tourists from SIngapore):

• Diving tour for two days at different days.
• Arrangement of transfer and return to and from Singapore.
• Exploring marine life at Tiger reef, chebeh island and more.

Visit Viator or Klook to explore more such packages and satisfy your quest for travel at best prices. On tioman island more diving packages, romantic packages are available.

Tioman Island FAQs:

How to reach Tioman Island from Kl?

To reach Tioman Island from Kuala Lumpur , you can either take a domestic flight or go by road or by ferry from Mersing. Buses from Kuala Lumpur to Mersing Jetty takes around six hours. For flights available, visit Skyscanner

Where to stay on Tioman Island ?

The best resorts on Tioman Island include Paya beach resort, Barat Tioman Beach Resort, Berjaya Tioman Resort, and Tunamaya Beach & Spa Resort. Here are some of the best reviewed hotels on Tioman for family stay:

• Bushman Tioman
• Tioman Dive Resort
• Cheers Chalet

How to reach Tioman island from Singapore?

You can get direct buses to Mersing Jetty from Singapore . From Mersing Jetty, you will get ferries to Tioman island. The buses from Singapore either comes to Tioman directly or you may have to break the journey through Larking Sentral bus station (Larkin Johor). Alternatively, you may also can opt for private tours from here

When is Tioman Island closed?

Tioman island is closed from November to mid-February as the coast experiences a monsoon. The best time to visit Tioman is from April to September. If you want to experience warm water and a great experience for diving, you must come in between March and June.

How far is Tioman from Singapore?

The by-road distance from Singapore to Mersing jetty is 150km and it takes around 1.5 hours to come to Mersing. If you travel by bus, it will take you 3 to 3.5 hours in total.

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Ferry To Tioman: Schedule, Latest Ferry Ticket Prices, Where To Book & More

Have you already decided to go to Tioman Island but yet to find out how to get yourself there?

Whichever mode of transportation that you take, you will end up needing to take the ferry to Tioman.

Tioman ferry services are efficient since Pulau Tioman is one of the top beach destination in Malaysia.

Where to board the ferry? Which ferry service to take? How much does it cost? What time schedule do they have?

These are the questions that will be answered in this post.

1. How To Get To Tioman Island From Singapore

There are a couple of ways that can get you from Singapore to Tioman Island, such as:

• Private Car From Singapore to Tioman
• Bus From Singapore to Tioman (via Larkin Sentral)
• Direct Bus From Singapore to Tioman
• Coach From Singapore to Tioman
• Flight From Singapore to Tioman

1.1 Private Car From Singapore To Tioman Island

Estimated Travel Time (differs depending on traffic conditions):

• 3 – 3.5 hours (private car from Singapore to Mersing Jetty or Tanjung Gemok Jetty) (Teluk Gading Jetty)
• 1.5 to 2 hours (ferry ride)

Be sure to get a reliable private car from Singapore to Mersing Jetty or Tanjung Gemok Jetty (Teluk Gading Jetty) service in order to get the best travelling journey (it is a long ride, so this is very important).

SGMYTAXI is a reliable as well as a trustable private car service provider particularly in travelling between Singapore to Malaysia.

You can relax and travel without worries while their trustworthy driver brings you all the way to Mersing Jetty or Tanjung Gemok Jetty (Teluk Gading Jetty) .

Be rest assured that SGMYTAXI will certainly be able to provide you:

• A comfortable ride in a private car directly from Singapore to Mersing Jetty or Tanjung Gemok Jetty (Teluk Gading Jetty) without needing to wait or stop for other passengers.
• A reasonable and also affordable pricing for a smooth journey experience
• Private cars that can accommodate up to 10 passengers per car!
• Well trained and experienced drivers that will provide you the outmost comfort and worry-free ride.

All you need is to pick a DATE, TIME, PICK-UP Location and DROP-OFF Location (either Mersing Jetty or Tanjung Gemok Jetty (Teluk Gading Jetty) ) and you are ready to go!

Quick Links:

• Pricing Rates
• How To Book
• Customer 5* Reviews
• Fleets (Vehicles)

Vehicles Details:

To avoid any hassle and make sure you always get to your destination on time, just  make your booking NOW ! Hassle-free, convenient and flexible!

SGMYTAXI Happy Customers:

SGMYTAXI private car is new and well maintained and has been receiving good feedback from customers’ experience.

1.2 Bus From Singapore To Tioman (via Larkin Sentral)

Estimated Travel Time (differs depending on traffic and public bus timing):

• 5 hours (on-road)

Here is a Step by Step Guide From Singapore to Tioman Island:

• MRT Train to Woodlands MRT
• Bus from Woodlands MRT to Woodland Checkpoint
• Bus from Woodlands Checkpoint to Johor Customs
• Bus from JB Sentral to Larkin Sentral
• Bus from Larkin Sentral to Mersing Bus Terminal
• Taxi from Mersing Bus Terminal to Mersing Jetty or Tanjung Gemok Jetty (Teluk Gading Jetty)

If you have other choices in hand, I would recommend you NOT to take this way of transportation.

The journey will take more than half of your day time, drain your energy fast and it is a hassle to go up and down the busses (especially while lugging your belongings along).

This is really not a nice way to start a holiday isn’t it?

1.3 Direct Bus From Singapore To Tioman

Estimated Travel Time (differs depending on traffic condition)

• 4 hours (direct bus from Singapore to Mersing Jetty or Tanjung Gemok Jetty (Teluk Gading Jetty) )

Taking this direct bus service is much better than taking the public transportation from Singapore (less hassle but you will still need to alight the bus for immigration and custom clearance)

Also read:  How To Get To Mersing From Singapore

KKKL Singapore is only direct bus service providers that you can consider taking.

1.4 Coach From Singapore To Tioman

Estimated Travel Time (differs depending on traffic conditions)

• 4 hours (coach from Singapore to Mersing Jetty or Tanjung Gemok Jetty (Teluk Gading Jetty) )

The upside of taking a coach compared to the direct bus is that they provide much more comfortable seats and their busses are more well maintained.

Coach services provider like Diamond Coach Singapore  covers not only the journey to Tanjung Gemok Jetty (Teluk Gading Jetty) but also the ferry ride to Tioman Island (this way, you won’t miss your ferry ride)

1.5 Flight From Singapore To Tioman

This was still an option quite some time back by Berjaya Air.

Unfortunately, it has been discontinued a couple of years ago.

Also read:  3D2N Singapore To Tioman Package

2. Ferry To Tioman Island

Basically, there are two ferry operators namely Cataferry and Bluewater Ferry that are able to bring you to Tioman Island from either Mersing Jetty or Tanjung Gemok Jetty (Teluk Gading Jetty) .

2.1 Ferry To Tioman Island From Mersing

Both Bluewater Ferry and Cataferry operate from Mersing Jetty to Tioman Island.

Mersing Jetty is the nearest jetty location from Singapore and Johor Bahru.

You may refer to the link for further details, Mersing Jetty To Tioman

2.2 Ferry To Tioman Island From Tanjung Gemok

Only Bluewater Ferry  operate from Tanjung Gemok.

Tanjung Gemok Jetty (Teluk Gading Jetty) is located in between Endau and Rompin, Pahang and it is about 40 minutes’ drive away from Mersing Jetty.

You may refer to the link for further details, Tanjung Gemok Jetty To Tioman

2.3 Ferry To Tioman Island From Singapore (Tanah Merah Terminal)

A ferry operator name Penguin Ferry used to provide ferry services from Tanah Merah Terminal in Singapore to Tioman Island.

It was a very convenient way to travel to Tioman Island from Singapore but unfortunately, it is NO LONGER AVAILABLE after 2005.

3. Ferry Terminal To Tioman

You may choose to depart from Mersing Jetty or Tanjung Gemok Jetty (Teluk Gading Jetty) to take the ferry to Tioman (it all depends on where you are travelling from)

3.1 Mersing Jetty Ferry Terminal (Mersing Harbour Center)

Mersing Jetty Ferry Terminal is most popular among tourists especially from those who travel by coach because Mersing bus terminal is very close by to Mersing Jetty.

The downside of this jetty is that there is a possibility of your ferry schedule being affected due to the tidal wave issue.

Also read:  9 Best Things To Do In Mersing

3.1.1 How To Get To Mersing Ferry Terminal

Tioman Island is no doubt a very popular tourist destination, hence it is fairly easy to find a way to travel from Singapore to Mersing Ferry Terminal.

The popular mode of transportation would be by bus because there are quite a number of bus operators out there and some even operate on a daily basis to Mersing.

However, there are people who choose to drive there by themselves and some would prefer to hire private car services for comfort and convenience.

You can refer to this link if you are looking up for a reliable private car service company Private Taxi Service From Singapore to Mersing Jetty

For more detailed information, do scroll up to the top of this article under the topic “ How To Get To Tioman Island From Singapore”

Location of Mersing Ferry Terminal: http://bit.ly/MersingFerryTerminal

3.1.2 Mersing Jetty Ferry Terminal Parking Area

If you are driving to Mersing Ferry Terminal, you can park at four different areas nearby the jetty.

These are the car park locations that are available:

• Car Park A – Behind Jetty (Guarded an open early in the morning)
• Car Park B – R & R Plaza.
• Car Park C – Mersing Jetty car park. (Guarded and open early in the morning)
• Car Park D – ONLY for Rawa Island travellers (Guarded)

The parking fee is about RM15 per day

3.2 Tanjung Gemok Ferry Terminal (Teluk Gading Ferry Terminal)

Apart from Mersing Jetty Ferry Terminal, Tanjung Gemok (Teluk Gading) Ferry Terminal is another departure point that you can take to Tioman Island.

Although it is 30 – 40 minutes away from Mersing Jetty and located further away from Singapore, it might be worth the additional ride time there.

The tides at Tanjung Gemok (Teluk Gading) Ferry Terminal is not as bad as at Mersing Jetty and this means less disruption to the ferry schedules.

Location of Tanjung Gemok (Teluk Gading) Ferry Terminal: http://bit.ly/TanjungGemokFerryTerminal

3.2.1 How To Get To Tanjung Gemok (Teluk Gading) Ferry Terminal

Tanjung Gemok (Teluk Gading) Ferry Terminal is about 38km up north of Mersing Jetty.

Just drive up north towards Endau town and cross the river to get to the jetty.

Similar to Mersing Jetty, you can opt for taking the bus, drive there or hire a private car service.

If you are considering getting a private car service there, SGMYTAXI is a reliable company.

You may refer to this link before making your decision Singapore to Tanjung Gemok Jetty

For more detailed information, do scroll up to the top of this article under the topic “ How To Get To Tioman Island From Singapore “

3.2.2 Tanjung Gemok Jetty (Teluk Gading Jetty) Ferry Terminal Parking Area

You can park at the open-air car park at the jetty itself

The parking fee is about RM15 per day.

4. Tioman Ferry Route

The ferry route from both Mersing Jetty and Tanjung Gemok Jetty (Teluk Gading Jetty) are similar, just that their starting point is different.

4.1 Ferry To Tioman Island From Mersing Route

Here are the routes taken from Mersing Jetty (in order from the first point of departure to the last point of arrival)

Mersing Jetty -> Genting Jetty -> Paya Jetty -> Tekek Jetty -> Air Batang Jetty (ABC Jetty) -> Salang Jetty

4.2 Ferry To Tioman Island From Tanjung Gemok Route

Both Cataferry and Bluewater Ferry takes the same route and this are the orders of the stops taken:

Tanjung Gemok Jetty (Teluk Gading Jetty) -> Genting Jetty -> Paya Jetty -> Tekek Jetty -> Air Batang Jetty (ABC Jetty) -> Salang Jetty

5. Tioman Ferry Operators

Below is the ticket pricing for both Cataferry and Bluewater Ferry .

5.1 Cataferry Tioman Ferry

Cataferry Tioman Price

Cataferry provides two different types of tickets (for both adult and child) depending on the comfort and view from the ferry (premium seats are at the 1 st floor of the ferry).

• Two Way Standard Ticket (Usually between RM40.00 – RM120.00 for both adult & child)
• Two Way Premium Ticket (Usually between RM160.00 – RM240.00 for adult & RM100.00 – RM160.00 for child)
• If you are lucky (and depending on when you are travelling), you may get the tickets at the lowest price of RM5!

5.2 Bluewater Express Tioman Ferry

Bluewater Ferry Tioman Price

Bluewater Ferry provides tickets for:

• One Way Standard fare of RM 60.00 (adult) & RM 55.00 (child) one way

5.3 Cataferry Or Bluewater

You must be wondering by now what is the difference between Cataferry and Bluewater Express Tioman?

There are surely some significant differences between these two operators.

I have simplified the information on the differences in table format for you.

Overall Comfort (Facilities & Features)

Jetty Location & Counter

Ticket Information & Pricing

Provided Services

Safety Issues

For more info, click here: Cataferry vs BW Ferry

6. Tioman Ferry Duration

6.1 mersing jetty to tioman ferry duration.

The journey from Mersing Jetty to Pulau Tioman typically takes about 1.5 hour to 2 hours depending on:

• Your jetty destination at Tioman Island
• Tide condition
• Wind factor

6.2 Tanjung Gemok To Tioman Ferry Duration

As Tanjung Gemok location does not get affected much by the tidal condition, hence it takes about 1.5 hour depending on your jetty destination at Tioman Island.

7. Tioman Ferry Ticket

There is significant difference in ticket pricing and it all depends on your priorities such as:

• Price itself (your budgeting)
• Comfort (seats and ferry condition)
• Stability Feeling

7.1 Tioman Ferry Ticket Price Comparison

7.2 how to buy cataferry tioman ferry ticket, step 1: buy cataferry ticket to tioman.

There are three ways on purchasing your Cataferry Ticket to Tioman

1. Buy Online

Booking online is one of the easiest means of buying your tickets.

You can purchase your tickets online at https://www.cataferry.com/usr/ticket.aspx

Just follow the instructions given and fill in the necessary information to get your tickets.

2. Buy At The Counter

You may purchase an over the counter ticket at the dedicated counter at Tanjung Gemok Jetty (Teluk Gading Jetty) .

3. Buy Together With Resort Package

Ferry tickets are normally included in the All-In-One Resort Packages.

Do check with the travel agencies that you will be purchasing these packages from.

Also read:  Tioman Island Packages (How To Choose The Right Package)

Step 2: Collect Cataferry Ticket At Counter

Collect your Cataferry ticket at the Tanjung Gemok Jetty (Teluk Gading Jetty) counter (bring along your passport or MYKad and booking receipt if applicable).

7.2 How To Buy Bluewater Express Tioman Ferry Ticket

Step 1: buy bluewater express ticket to tioman.

Similar to Cataferry, there are three ways which you may purchase your tickets

You can book ferry to Tioman ticket online at https://bluewater.my/

You will just need to key in the necessary information and subsequently follow their instructions.

Over the counter tickets are available at:

• Mersing Jetty: Mersing Harbour Centre Counters R22 or W2)
• Tanjung Gemok Jetty (Teluk Gading Jetty) : Gemilang Counter 3

Step 2: Collect Bluewater Express Ticket At Counter

Collect your Bluewater Ferry ticket at the respective jetty’s counter (Mersing Jetty or Tanjung Gemok (Teluk Gading) Jetty) counter

Bring along the following items to collect your tickets:

• Passport/ MyKad
• Payment and Ferry Timing Confirmation (Printed or Electronic, both are accepted)
• It is important that you arrive 90 minutes before departure to collect your tickets during peak period such as public holidays, Malaysia school holidays and weekends.
• Marine Park Fee (payable at Mersing Jetty or Tanjung Gemok Jetty (Teluk Gading Jetty) ), Johor National Park Fee (only applicable to Mersing Jetty, payable at the jetty)

8. Tioman Ferry Schedule

Do take note that the availability of ferries all depends on the dry and monsoon season.

The peak period where many ferry services operates is between March to September.

So, do expect lesser (or sometimes none) ferry services on the other months.

8.1 Mersing To Tioman Ferry Schedule

Bluewater Ferry provides ferry services 2 to 4 times a day during peak period compared to Cataferry which only provides 1 to 2 rides per day for most days.

Both ferry operators change their ferry timetable monthly.

The next months’ ferry schedule will usually be announced two weeks before that end of the month.

For example, schedule for March will only be available around the middle of February

You can get the latest Mersing to Tioman ferry schedule here: Mersing to Tioman Ferry Schedule

8.2 Tanjung Gemok To Tioman Ferry Schedule

Similar to the ferry schedule from Mersing Jetty, the following months’ schedule will be released two weeks before the month end of the month before.

You can get the latest Tanjung Gemok to Tioman ferry schedule here: Tanjung Gemok to Tioman Ferry Schedule

8.3 Singapore To Tioman Ferry Schedule

IMPORTANT : This service has been ceased in 2005 (previously departure was from Tanah Merah Terminal)

9. Speedboat To Tioman

It is important to note that the government has banned speedboats services due to its safety issues.

The only way to travel to Tioman Island is through the licensed Tioman Ferry services (i.e Currently by Bluewater Ferry and Cataferry)

There are however certain resorts that provide private boat transfer (eg. Japamala Tioman Island provides a 12 seater speedboat service at the price of RM530 for two-way transfer).

Note: Travellers who end up missing the ferry ride and couldn’t get any other rides on the same day will normally either stay overnight at Mersing Jetty or take the speedboat to Tioman Island by sharing the cost with other travellers in the same predicament.However as mentioned, these speedboat rides are unlicensed and you need to take it AT YOUR OWN RISK .

10. Tioman Jetty

10.1 tioman ferry to paya jetty.

Paya Jetty is the second stop from both Mersing Jetty and Tanjung Gemok Jetty (Teluk Gading Jetty) (direct ferry by Cataferry or Bluewater Ferry).

To know more about Paya Tioman, you can refer to this link Paya Tioman

10.2 Tioman Ferry To Genting Jetty

Genting Jetty is the first stop from both Mersing Jetty and Tanjung Gemok Jetty (Teluk Gading Jetty) (direct ferry by Cataferry or Bluewater Ferry).

To know more about Genting Tioman, you can refer to this link Genting Tioman

10.3 Tioman Ferry To Tekek Jetty

Tekek Jetty is the third stop from both Mersing Jetty and Tanjung Gemok Jetty (Teluk Gading Jetty) (direct ferry by Cataferry or Bluewater Ferry).

To know more about Tekek Tioman, you can refer to this link Tekek Tioman

10.4 Tioman Ferry To Salang Jetty

Salang Jetty is the last stop from both Mersing Jetty and Tanjung Gemok Jetty (Teluk Gading Jetty) (direct ferry by Cataferry or Bluewater Ferry).

To know more about Salang Tioman, you can refer to this link Salang Tioman

10.5 Tioman Ferry To Air Batang Jetty

Air Batang Jetty (ABC Jetty) is the second last stop from both Mersing Jetty and Tanjung Gemok Jetty (Teluk Gading Jetty) (direct ferry by Cataferry or Bluewater Ferry).

To know more about Air Batang Tioman, you can refer to this link Air Batang Tioman

10.6 Tioman Ferry To Juara Jetty

Due to its location which is a little out of the way from other villages, Juara Tioman did not have any direct ferries operating here.

BUT the good news is, Cataferry has recently provided a direct ferry route to Juara Jetty!

However, if you are travelling with the ferry schedule that doesn’t stop at Juara Tioman, you will need to stop at Tekek Village and then take a 30-minutes land transfer.

To know more about Juara Tioman, you can refer to this link Juara Tioman

10.7 Tioman Ferry To Nipah jetty

To get to Nipah Jetty, you will first need to go to Genting Village Jetty through a direct ferry by either Cataferry or Bluewater Ferry.

From here, you can take a private speedboat to Nipah Jetty.

To know more about Nipah Tioman, you can refer to this link Nipah Tioman

10.8 Tioman Ferry To Mukut Jetty

To get to Mukut Jetty, you will first need to go to Genting Village Jetty through a direct ferry by either Cataferry or Bluewater Ferry.

From here, you can take a private speedboat to Mukut Jetty.

Here is the good news! Cataferry has now included Mukut Jetty as one of their direct stops (for more information, you may click here Cataferry

To know more about Mukut Tioman, you can refer to this link Mukut Tioman

Tioman Ferry Related FAQ

Q1: what should i do if i missed my ferry ride to tioman island.

A1: Normally, these are the ways that travellers handle this situation

• Find a hotel or homestay near Mersing Jetty to stay one night.

• Share cost with other travellers to take the speedboat to Tioman (however, these speedboats are unlicensed so you will take it at your own risk)

Q2: How far is Mersing Bus Terminal to Mersing Jetty?

A2: Mersing Jetty is just a 10 minutes’ walk or 2 minutes’ drive away from Mersing Bus Terminal

Q3: Can I book my ferry tickets in advance? Is it a must to book in advance?

A3: You do not need to book your tickets in advance. However, it is highly recommended for you to purchase your tickets as early as possible because it gets reserved very quickly especially during the weekends, Malaysia public holidays, Singapore public holidays and Malaysia school holidays.

In order not to get disappointed, go get your tickets EARLY!

Q4: Where can I check on the departure time for the ferry rides?

A4: The ferry schedule changes monthly and you may get the exact timing two weeks before month end of the month before.

For example, to get the schedule for September, you can start searching for it during middle of August (you may refer to www.sgmytaxi.com/tioman-ferry-schedule/)

Alternatively, you may also call up Mersing Harbour Centre at +6019-784 2977 to find out the latest ferry schedule.

Q5: How early should I arrive at the jetty?

A5: Please arrive between 60 – 90 minutes before departure to settle your boarding pass collection, pay the Marine Park Fee and Johor National Park Fee (applicable for Mersing Jetty only)

Q6: Can I just purchase a one-way ferry ticket?

A6: Yes. You can make your purchase online at https://www.cataferry.com/ for Cataferry or https://bluewater.my/ for Bluewater Ferry.

Q7: Does the ferries provide car holding area for me to drive my car into the ferry?

Q8: can i board earlier and wait in the ferry till departure time.

A8: Passengers are not allowed to board the ferry early due to safety issues.

Q9: There are so many jetties in Tioman. Which one should I go to?

A9: You may refer to “Tioman Ferry Route” in this article. If you are still unsure, you may ask the ferry operator staffs.

Q10: I usually experience travel sickness. Is there another option to get to Tioman other than the ferry?

A10: Unfortunately it is a NO. Few years ago, Berjaya Air flies from Singapore to Tioman but they have ceased their operations already.

Q11: Any toilets provided in the ferries?

Q12: i have booked my ferry tickets from mersing can i change my departure venue to tanjung gemok.

A12: It might be possible for non-peak period but you must check on the availability of seats with the ferry operators or you may call Mersing Harbour Centre at +6019-784 2977.

It is however impossible during public holidays, weekends and peak period because it will be fully packed.

Q13: Are there any additional cost that I need to pay to go to Tioman?

Mersing Marine Park Fee (both Mersing Jetty and Tanjung Gemok Jetty (Teluk Gading Jetty)): Foreign Tourists: RM30 (Adult) & RM15 (Child & Senior Citizen) Malaysians: RM5 (Adult) & RM2 (Child & Senior Citizen)

Johor National Park Fee (ONLY from Mersing Jetty): Foreign Tourists: RM20 (Adult) & RM10 (Child) Malaysians: RM5 (Adult) & RM3 (Child)

Q14: When is the best time to go to Tioman?

A14: The best time to go to Tioman is during the dry season which falls between March to September.

If possible, avoid the monsoon season which falls between October to February (even the ferry rides are limited during this period)

Q15: Can I withdraw money in Tioman? Any ATM machines available?

A15: There is an ATM machine right outside a small bank (BSN) which is located in front of the airport at Tekek Village.

There are also ATMs available in Mersing town which is about 15 minutes’ walk from Mersing Jetty.

Tips: Do bring enough cash with you before you leave for Tioman Island and also your credit card in case you have insufficient cash for hotel accomodation as most resorts have credit card payment facilities.

Q16: If I get sick, where is the nearest clinic in Tioman?

A16: There are clinics available at Tekek Village. If you are from the other villages, then you will need to take the boat to Tekek.

Tips: Most resorts have their own first aid kit that can treat minor injuries or sickness. Please call to check with them before your departure.

Q17: How do I get to Tanjung Gemok Jetty (Teluk Gading) from Mersing?

A17: You can either take a local taxi or a direct bus from Mersing Bus Terminal which is just about 10 minutes’ walk away from Mersing Jetty.

You Might Also Like:

• How To Go To Johor Island
• Private Car Transport From Singapore To Tioman
• Singapore To Tioman Island (Transport Guide)
• 29 Best Things To Do In Tioman Island (The First Time Visitor’s Guide)
• Tioman Island Diving : 7 Things You Need To Know Before Your First Dive
• 13 Best Tioman Resort & Hotel For Perfect Island Getaway

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• Singapore To Mersing
• Singapore To Tioman Island
• Singapore To Mersing Jetty
• Singapore To Malaysia
• Singapore To JB
• Singapore To Desaru
• Singapore To KL
• Singapore To JPO
• Singapore To Legoland Malaysia
• Singapore To Senai
• Singapore To Melaka
• Ferry To Tioman & Rawa
• Getting There
• Mersing Jetty
• Tanjung Gemok Jetty
• Mersing and Tioman Ferry Schedule
• Tanjung Gemok and Tioman Ferry Schedule
• Aman Tioman Beach Resort
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7 Ways To Get To Tioman Island (The Complete Guide: Travel Tips, Bus Ticket & Ferry Ticket Guide Included)

Want to get to Tioman Island but don’t know where to start?

Here are 7 ways you can get to Tioman Island from Singapore and other major cities in Peninsula Malaysia.

Note that all prices and time schedules in the list below are at the sole discretion of the respective transport operator and are subject to change.

Table of contents:

• How To Go To Tioman Island From Singapore
• How To Go To Tioman Island From Johor Bahru (JB)
• How To Go To Tioman Island From Kuala Lumpur (KL)
• How To Go To Tioman Island From Malacca
• How To Go To Tioman Island From Penang
• How To Go To Tioman Island From Mersing Jetty
• How To Go To Tioman Island From Tanjung Gemok Jetty

1. How To Go To Tioman Island From Singapore

Since there’s no direct flight from Singapore to Tioman Island yet, you basically have two options – take a bus (or coach) or drive!

Regardless, all options will lead to either Mersing or Tanjung Gemok jetty so you can take the ferry to Tioman Island .

Read also: How To Go To Rawa Island From Singapore

1.1 Bus From Singapore To Tioman Island

It’s a long way to paradise so you might as well pick a direct bus so you can sleep on the way.

The journey is usually anywhere from 3 to 5 hours .

Step 1: Bus From Singapore To Mersing

There are a few options if you want to take a bus from Singapore to Mersing Bus Terminal.

Where, it’s just a short walk ( 10-15 minutes ) to Mersing Jetty.

Note: From Mersing Bus Terminal, you can also take a taxi up to Tanjung Gemok if your ferry departs from there.

Bus Operators

• Transnasional
• Starmart Express
• KKKL Singapore
• Causeway Link Express

Singapore To Mersing:

How To Book A Bus From Singapore To Mersing

This link will take you to the booking page on easybook.com.

All you have to do is change the date, preferred departure point and the number of people in your travel group.

Read also: How To Go To Tioman Island From Changi Airport

Step 2: Ferry From Mersing Jetty To Tioman Island

Presently, you will find yourself in Mersing. Mersing is after all, the gateway to Tioman Islands. You can take ferry from Mersing Jetty to Tioman Island .

Click here for more information on the Tioman Island ferries including their prices and schedules .

1.2 Coach From Singapore To Tioman Island

Prefer a coach over bus as your go-to travel mode?

Depending on the coach operator you choose, you can arrive at Mersing Jetty or Tanjung Gemok Jetty.

Read also: Tioman Vs Rawa: Which Island Is The Best For First-Timer From Singapore

Step 1: Coach From Singapore To Mersing/ Tanjung Gemok Jetty

There are daily coaches that will take you from Singapore to Tanjung Gemok Jett y and Mersing Jetty.

Coach Departure Time: The coaches typically leave Singapore at 6.30am .

Tip: Be at the departure point 30 minutes early.

Coach Operators

• Discovery Singapore

For Discovery Singapore, there is a surcharge of SGD$5 to the total cost per booking.

WTS is cheaper than Discovery Singapore if you choose dates between Sunday to Thursday .

How To Book A Coach From Singapore To Mersing/ Tanjung Gemok Jetty

If you want to take a coach from Singapore to Mersing or Tanjung Gemok Jetty, you can book a coach from Discovery Singapore here .

Or you can book a coach from WTS here .

Read also: 4 Simple Steps On How To Take The Train To JB From Singapore

Step 2: Ferry From Mersing Or Tanjung Gemok Jetty To Tioman Island

There are some differences between taking a ferry from Mersing Jetty or Tanjung Gemok Jetty.

Click here for more information on Mersing and Tanjung Gemok Jetty .

1.3 Self-Drive From Singapore To Tioman Island

Or you could make the journey to Mersing Jetty by driving ( 2.5 hours ).

Which is significantly shorter than taking the bus or coach!

This is a great option if you want to have a flexible schedule! Or pick up your travel buddies along the way!

Read also: How To Get To Mersing Jetty

Step 1: Self Drive From Singapore To Mersing

It is quite a straightforward drive to get from Singapore to Mersing Jetty :

Singapore (via Laluan Persekutuan 3/AH18) – Johor Bahru- Kota Tinggi – Jemualang – Mersing

View route details and map here: http://bit.ly/SingaporetoMersingJetty

When you reach Mersing Jetty, you can park your car there for about RM15/day (bring ringgit for this!).

For more information on taking the ferry from Mersing Jetty .

2. How To Go To Tioman Island From Johor Bahru (JB)

Even though Mersing Jetty is in Johor, it’s still quite a ways to go. You can decide to take the bus or drive on your own.

Allow at least 2.5 hours of travel before you reach Mersing Jetty.

Plan ahead to avoid missing your ferry!

2.1 Bus From Johor Bahru To Tioman Island

There are regular daily buses to Mersing if you choose to take a bus from Johor Bahru.

Step 1: Bus From Johor Bahru To Mersing

The departure point from Johor Bahru to Mersing is at JB Larkin Terminal .

• S&S International (M) Express

All bus journeys from Johor Bahru to Mersing will take 2 hours and 37 minute s roughly.

Bus Departure Time: Daily from 7:25 to 23:00, every ~1 to 3 hours

Bus Price Range:

Adult: RM12.70 – RM17.60

Child: RM9.50 – RM17.60

How To Book A Bus From Johor Bahru To Mersing

To book a bus from Johor Bahru to Mersing, you can check out this link .

Once at Mersing, you can board a ferry to go to Tioman Island.

Click here for more information on taking a ferry from Mersing Jetty to Tioman Island .

2.2 Self-Drive From Johor Bahru To Tioman Island

If you do not mind a 2 hour drive (130km), you can get to Mersing from Johor Bahru via any of the two routes below:

Step 1: Self Drive From Johor Bahru To Mersing

Johor Bahru (via Laluan Persekutuan 3/AH18) – Kota Tinggi – Jemaluang – Mersing Harbour Centre – Mersing Jetty

View route details and map here: http://bit.ly/JBtoMersing-Route1

Johor Bahru (via Jalan Jemaluang/Laluan Persekutuan 3/AH18 for 14km) – Bandar Penawar (via Lebuhraya Senai-desaru/E22) – Kota Tinggi (via route 92 and 99) – Mawai (via Jalan Jemaluang/Laluan Persekutuan 3/AH18 again) – Mersing

View route details and map here: http://bit.ly/JBtoMersing-Route2

Leave your car at the guarded carpark beside Mersing jetty for RM15/day .

Read more information on taking the ferry from Mersing Jetty .

3. How To Go To Tioman Island From Kuala Lumpur (KL)

Choose between 4 possible options to get from Kuala Lumpur to Tioman Island :

• Bus to Mersing Jetty
• Bus to Tanjung Gemok Jetty

3.1 Bus From Kuala Lumpur To Tioman Island (Mersing Jetty)

Taking the bus from Kuala Lumpur to Mersing will typically take ~5.5 hours either way, regardless of the bus operator. That depends greatly on the traffic in Kuala Lumpur too.

Step 1: Bus From Kuala Lumpur To Mersing

If you want to take a direct bus from Kuala Lumpur to Mersing, the main terminal is TBS (Terminal Bersepadu Selatan) .

Bus operators

• Sanwa Tours (M) Sdn Bhd
• Sepakat Liner (Mersing)

Bus Departure Time: Daily from 9:00 to 23.45 starting at 9:00 then 11:00, 11:30, 12:30, 16:30 and 17:00.

The last three departures are at 23:00, 23:30 and 23:45.

Adult: RM32.80 – RM41.50

Child: RM28.50 – RM38.30

How To Book A Bus From Kuala Lumpur To Mersing

You can check out this link .

Be at the jetty at least an hour before your departure time in case of unexpected delays.

Click here for more information on taking the ferry from Mersing Jetty .

3.2 Bus From Kuala Lumpur To Tioman Island (Tanjung Gemok Jetty)

Step 1: bus from kuala lumpur to tanjung gemok.

There are basically 3 bus operators that offer routes from TBS (Terminal Bersepadu Selatan) in Kuala Lumpur to Tanjung Gemok Jetty.

Adult: RM32.80 – RM38.30

Child: RM23.30 – RM38.30

How To Book A Bus From Kuala Lumpur To Tanjung Gemok

Book a bus from easybook.com to get to Tanjung Gemok Jetty from Kuala Lumpur here .

Step 2: Ferry From Tanjung Gemok Jetty To Tioman Island

Read more information on how to take a ferry to Tioman Island from Tanjung Gemok Jetty .

3.3 Self-Drive From Kuala Lumpur To Tioman Island

Of course, you can always drive from Kuala Lumpur to Mersing Jetty.

There are a couple of ways you can do this drive but please allow at least 5.5 hours of travel time, to be on the safe side.

Step 1: Self Drive From Kuala Lumpur To Mersing

The drive will take you close to 4.5-5 hours .

Kuala Lumpur (via Lebuhraya Utara-Selatan/E2) – Ayer Hitam (Take exit 244-Ayer Hitam) – Kluang & Kayang (via Route 50) – Mersing

View route details and map here: http://bit.ly/KLtoMersing-Route1

Kuala Lumpur – Cheras – Kajang – Kuala Pihah – Bahau (via Jalan Bahau)- Muadzam Shah – Kuala Rompin (via Laluan Persekutuan 3/AH18) – Endau – Mersing

View route details and map here: http://bit.ly/KLtoMersing-Route2

Kuala Lumpur – Hulu Langat – Muadzam Shah – Kuala Rompin (via Laluan Persekutuan 3/AH18) – Endau – Mersing

View route details and map here: http://bit.ly/KLtoMersing-Route3

The duration for all three routes depends on traffic in Kuala Lumpur.

You can buy tickets from the Mersing Harbour Centre before proceeding to the Mersing Jetty for the ferry departures.

3.4 Flight From Kuala Lumpur To Tioman Island

While there is currently no direct commercial flight to Tioman Island from Kuala Lumpur, you can arrange for a private charter flight (Through Systematic Aviation Services here .)

4. How To Go To Tioman Island From Malacca

The state of Malacca (or Melaka) shares its eastern border with Johor so you can very well get to Tioman Island from Malacca if you wish.

4.1 Bus From Melaka To Tioman Island

Want to avoid driving? Then take a bus from Melaka to Mersing instead!

Step 1: Bus From Melaka To Mersing

At the moment, S&S International (M) Express is the sole bus operator that offers transfer from Melaka to Mersing.

Bus Departure Location: Melaka Sentral

Bus Departure Time: Daily at 7:45AM and 12:45PM

Bus Ticket Price: RM25.1 (Adult), RM18.8 (Child)

Duration of Journey: 4 hours, 19 minutes

Once you arrive at Mersing Bus Terminal, it is only a 10 to 15 minutes’ walk to Mersing Jetty.

4.2 Self-Drive From Melaka To Tioman Island

You are essentially going to drive across Peninsula Malaysia from the west coast (Melaka) to the East Coast (Mersing).

It is not exactly a straight road either since you will have to skirt around the Endau Rompin National Park too.

Step 1: Self Drive From Melaka To Mersing

So to drive from Melaka to Mersing, there are 4 different routes you can take.

Durations for all 4 routes can range between 3.5-4.5 hours , depending on traffic congestion.

Route 1 (3hrs 28min)

Malacca – Jasin (via Lebuhraya Utara-Selatan/AH2/E2) – Ayer Hitam (Take exit 244-Ayer Hitam) – Kluang & Kayang (via Route 50) – Mersing

View route details and map here: http://bit.ly/MelakatoMersing-Route1

Malacca (via Lebuh AMJ/Route 19 for 14km) – M109 (3.6km)- Tangkak (via Jalan Merlimau / Jasin/M25) – Chaah – Paloh – Kluang & Kayang (via Route 50) – Mersing

View route details and map here: http://bit.ly/MelakatoMersing-Route2

Malacca – Bemban – Selandar – Batang Melaka – Kampung Pasir Besar – Muadzam Shah – Kuala Rompin (via Laluan Persekutuan 3/AH18) – Endau – Mersing

View route details and map here: http://bit.ly/MelakatoMersing-Route3

Malacca – Durian Tunggal ( Lebuhraya Utara-Selatan/AH2/E2) – Pagoh Toll – Ayer Hitam – Senai – Ulu Tiram (exit 2204 from Lebuhraya Senai-desaru/E22) – Kota Tinggi (Laluan Persekutuan 3/AH18) – Jemaluang – Mersing

View route details and map here: http://bit.ly/MelakatoMersing-Route4

Park your car near at the designated car park for RM15/ day once you get to Mersing Jetty.

5. How To Go To Tioman Island From Penang

Yes, Penang has its own beaches and Langkawi is close too.

But what if you want to go somewhere a little less crowded? A diving paradise with super clear waters? Like Tioman Island.

So if you want to visit Tioman Island from Penang, a flight is unavoidable. Because a drive all the way down to Mersing will take you 8 hours .

5.1 Flight From Penang To Tioman Island

There are direct 1-hour flights from Penang to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA2) and Senai International Airport.

But in terms of convenience (less bus changes), you better stick with the flight to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA2)

Step 1: Flight From Penang To Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA2)

Flights to KLIA2 from Penang are typically in the evening and cost around RM130-150 . Pick a weekday for a cheaper flight!

Airlines from Penang to KLIA2

• Malindo Air

Step 2: Train From KLIA2 To Bandar Tasik Selatan

Take the KLIA2 T2 transit train for 29 minutes to Bandar Tasik Selatan . Get off at Bandar Tasik Selatan.

Train time interval: Every 30 minutes

Ticket price: RM35 to RM65

Step 3: Bus from Terminal Bersepadu Selatan to Mersing

At Terminal Bersepadu Selatan, take a bus for around 5 hours to Mersing.

Bus operators:

• Sepakat Liner

Bus Departure Time: Every 2-3 hours

Ticket price range: RM30 to RM60 (Adult/ Child)

You can book a bus here . Filter out the search by selecting “ Terminal Bersepadu Selatan ” or “ TBS ” under pick up points.

Step 4: Ferry From Mersing Jetty To Tioman Island

From the Mersing Bus Terminal in Mersing, it’s a 13 minute walk to Mersing Jetty.

6. How To Go To Tioman Island From Mersing Jetty

At Mersing Jetty, there is only one ferry operator, Bluewater Express .

Read also: How To Go To Rawa Island From Changi Airport

6.1 Ferry From Mersing Jetty To Tioman Island

Ferries from Mersing Jetty to Tioman Island are very dependent on the tidal conditions .

Remember to check the tioman ferry schedule which will be updated monthly.

These are the 5 places where Bluewater Express will drop off its passengers on Tioman Island:

• Air Batang (ABC)
• Genting Pier
• Salang Pier

Either way, the crossing will take approximately 2 hours .

Tip: It is advisable to take an early morning bus to maximize your time in Tioman Island.

6.2 How To Purchase A Ferry Ticket From Mersing Jetty To Tioman Island

You need the following to get to Tioman Island from Mersing Jetty:

• Ferry tickets
• Marine Park entrance fee
• Johor National Park fee

These can be paid at various counters in the Mersing Harbour Centre .

Note: You do not need to buy a ferry ticket if you have already bought a package from a travel agency.

6.3 What Is The Marine Park Entrance Fee?

Since Tioman Island is in Mersing Marine Park (a private property), visitors that do not live close to the islands in the Marine Park need to pay a small entrance fee.

That includes foreigners. You can see the prices below:

Marine Park Entrance Fee At Mersing Jetty

Johor National Park Fee At Mersing Jetty

After getting your ferry tickets at Mersing Harbour Centre , you can make your way to the jetty to take the ferry to Tioman Island.

Be there at least an hour before.

Mersing Harbour Centre: http://bit.ly/mersingharbourcenter

Mersing Jetty location: http://bit.ly/mersingjettylocation

6.4 Ferry Ticket Prices At Mersing Jetty

One Way – RM35 (Adult), RM30 (Child)

Two Way –  RM80 (Adult), RM70 (Child)

Note: Prices are subject to change by the respective ferry operator and can vary differently than what is listed here

7. How To Go To Tioman Island From Tanjung Gemok Jetty

Tanjung Gemok Jetty is an additional 35 minutes’ drive time if you come up from Singapore.

But if you are coming from Kuala Lumpur, you can save some driving time (20 minutes) if you choose Tanjung Gemok Jetty over Mersing Jetty.

Ferries from Tanjung Gemok Jetty to Tioman Island are less susceptible to unfavorable tidal conditions.

Read also: How To Get To Tanjung Gemok Jetty

7.1 Ferry From Tanjung Gemok Jetty To Tioman Island

Another reason to come to this jetty is to take a newer ferry operator, Cataferry .

Ferry Operators At Tanjung Gemok Jetty

• Bluewater Express

Both ferry operators will make their stop at the same 5 villages on Tioman Island:

Note: Cataferry now has two new stops which are Mukut Pier & Juara Pier.

7.2 How To Purchase A Ferry Ticket From Tanjung Gemok Jetty To Tioman Island

Even though you can buy your ferry tickets over the counter, it is better to buy them online .

This is because tickets at the counter are sold on a first come first serve basis .

Tip: Make sure you bring ringgit because the counter does not offer currency exchange services!

Don’t forget to pay your Marine Park entrance fee! There is only one counter where you can do this at Tanjung Gemok Jetty!

These entrance fees help to pay for the conservation of the Marine Park.

7.3 Marine Park Entrance Fee At Tanjung Gemok Jetty

Johor National Park Fee At Tanjung Gemok Jetty

Note that unlike in Mersing Jetty, you do not have to pay the Johor National Park Fee if you choose to take a ferry from Tanjung Gemok Jetty instead.

7.4 Ferry Ticket Prices At Tanjung Gemok Jetty

Two Way –  RM70 (Adult), RM60 (Child)

Note: Prices are subject to change by the respective ferry operators and can vary differently than what is listed here.

Depending on the dates selected too! Especially applicable when booking Cataferry.

With this post, you can find out how to get to Tioman Island and which is the best method that suits your travel group and yourself.

You Might Also Like

• Singapore To Tioman Package : All-inclusive Package For Fuss-free Trip To Tioman
• Best Option From Singapore To Tioman Island

Dive Into Malaysia

EXACTLY How To Get From Singapore To Tioman Island [2024]

You’re ready for some perfect beach time surrounded by jungle…

You’ve narrowed down your choices to Tioman…

And now you are wondering how to get to Tioman from Singapore? We can help!

While Singapore to Tioman is relatively close as the crow flies, getting to Tioman Island from Singapore can seem complicated.

But it doesn’t have to be! It is relatively straightforward to work out how to go to Tioman Island from Singapore – especially when you take it step-by-step. And that is what you have here!

Below, I break up exactly how to get to Tioman Island from Singapore so you know exactly what you need to do, when, whether you are looking for a Singapore to Tioman Island bus or a ferry from Singapore to Tioman Island. This way, you will be in paradise surrounded by nature as soon as possible!

Simply read the following and select the option best for you Then book your bus from Singapore to Tioman Island, ferry and get ready to be relaxing on the beach soon!

Coming from elsewhere? Find our full guide for how to get to Tioman Island from anywhere here.

Travelling to Malaysia? Click here to download your free Malaysia Trip Planning checklist . We’ll help you get ready for your trip!  

Have any questions? Join our Malaysia Travel Planning Facebook group here now! It’s the perfect place to ask any questions and to be inspired.

How To Get From Singapore To Tioman Island

There are two ways to travel to Tioman from Singapore. We have detailed each option below and show them on a map. For both options, there is an overland component by car or bus and then a ferry across to the island. I also summarise them on the table below.

Either option has pros on cons based on whether you would prefer to have to travel overland further (Option 2) for a more reliable ferry versus less overland travel (Option 1) but a less reliable ferry.

Map: Singapore To Pulau Tioman

The following map shows the route to take from Singapore to Mersing by car OR from Singapore to Tanjung Gemok. Both will be described more below.

The Singapore to Mersing distance is 150 kilometres and a 2.5 hour drive. The distance from Singapore to Tioman Island via Tanjung Gemok is a drive of 187 kilometres and just over 3 hours. This is if you drive yourself or get a taxi. Buses are much slower.

In both cases, you still need to take a ferry across to Tioman Island. How busy the border is between Singapore and Malaysia makes a big difference to how long this takes as well.

Want the Easiest (and BEST) Way to travel between Singapore and Tioman?

We can book a taxi for you from anywhere in Singapore to the ferry to Tioman for a great price.

A taxi is the best way to cross the border as you don’t have to leave the air-conditioned comfort of your vehicle, and you don’t have to worry about missing your bus.

Click here for prices and online booking.

Option 1: Travel Via Mersing

Part 1: Singapore To Mersing Jetty

With this option, you need to drive, hire a taxi or take a Singapore to Mersing coach. There are buses that take this route directly so it is not overly complicated to choose a bus to Mersing Jetty from Singapore for your Tioman adventure.

However, a taxi will make things much easier and quicker. By bus, you do need to get out of the bus on both sides of the border with all your luggage and go through immigration and hope that you aren’t slow or the bus can leave without you.

The Singapore to Mersing distance is 150 kilometres. Note, there is no train transport from Singapore to Mersing or Singapore to Mersing ferry. If you are travelling by public transport, it is all about the buses.

You can find the latest bus schedules and ticket prices here. You can also find more bus options here.

The bus from Singapore to Mersing Jetty takes about 3.5 hours and there are some early morning departures so you will be able to get a morning ferry across to Tioman Island.

If you drive by Singapore to Mersing private car, there is safe parking available at Mersing Harbour Centre opposite the jetty.

The easiest answer for how to get to Mersing from Singapore is by taxi. A Singapore to Mersing taxi is quite affordable and is very easy.

You can book it online here for SG$210.

This makes things super easy as you’ll travel straight to Mersing and don’t need to hop out of the taxi at the border. You can be picked up at your hotel in Singapore or the airport and taken straight to Mersing Jetty.

Make sure you get to Mersing Jetty 1-2 hours before your scheduled ferry.

You can also take a cheap bus over the border from Singapore to Johor Bahru and take a bus or taxi from here to Mersing which does save money.

You can book a private taxi from Johor Bahru to Mersing here. It costs around RM490.

Part 2: Mersing Jetty To Tioman Island

Once you have made it to Mersing Jetty, the next step for how to travel to Tioman from Singapore is to take a ferry.

Ferry timetables are subject to weather and tidal conditions so this means that the timetable varies daily. The timetable for a new month is released in the middle of the previous month. For example, the timetable for June will be released around May 15.

You can book tickets online and see the latest prices and schedules here.

I recommend you book your ferry as soon as the new timetable is released because they can sell out especially around weekends and school holiday periods.

Timetables can change at the last minute thanks to this reliance on weather and tidal conditions. You should check your ferry departure time either the day before or the morning of your trip.

Ferries usually run a few times a day except in the monsoon season when there might only be one (but these can be cancelled or heavily delayed at this time of year). Ferries take 1.5 -2 hours depending on where you are getting off on Tioman Island as they make multiple stops along the west coast.

Once you have your ticket and you are in Mersing, you need to get your boarding pass and pay the entry fee for the Marine Park (currently RM30 adults/RM15 kids – cheaper for Malaysians).

There are a few steps to this process and you can read them all and see full details of getting the ferry from Mersing to Tioman Island here.

This can be the best option from Singapore as it is a lot faster if you are travelling by bus to go this way.

Option 2: Travel Via Tanjung Gemok

Part 1: Singapore To Tanjung Gemok

The second choice for how to reach Tioman Island from Singapore is to travel to Tanjung Gemok.

With this option, you need to drive, take a taxi or a bus to Tanjung Gemok. There is a direct bus from Singapore to Tanjung Gemok so this is straightforward.

You can find the latest timetables and prices for the bus from Singapore to Tanjung Gemok here.

The bus takes closer to 6.5 hours depending on the time of day you leave and, like the Mersing bus, many leave very early in the morning or the night before, so you can catch a morning ferry. It also stops at the border and you’ll need to get out at both sides with all of your belongings.

A private taxi can pick you up anywhere in Singapore and drop you off at the jetty ready for your ferry to Tioman.

A private costs SG$230 for up to five people and you can click here to book it online right now.

For drivers, you can leave your car at a fenced car park at the terminal building.

Plan to arrive at the terminal one hour early.

Part 2: Tanjung Gemok To Tioman Island

Once you have made it to the Tanjung Gemok Jetty, the next step for how to go Pulau Tioman from Singapore is to take a ferry.

Ferry timetables do vary. However, it is not as variable as from Mersing and ferries are less likely to be cancelled or delayed.

As with Mersing, the timetable for a new month is released in the middle of the previous month.

I recommend you book your ferry as soon as the new timetable is released because they can sell out especially around weekends. If you wait to buy a ticket once you get to Tanjung Gemok, you run the risk of not getting on a boat. Not a great way to start your holiday.

At busy times, there can be a few ferries a day. In the monsoon season, there can be one or none. Shoulder seasons vary somewhere between these two extremes.

The journey is similar as from Mersing at about 1.5 to 2 hours depending on where you are getting off on Tioman Island. It heads up the west coast of the island and you can choose the beach closest to your accommodation.

After you arrive at the jetty in Tanjung Gemok, you need to get your boarding pass and pay the entry fee to the Marine Park. The fee is the same as from Mersing.

The ferry schedule being less likely to change can make it more straightforward and easier from Tanjung Gemok compared to Mersing. This can make it a better option, particularly if you have your own car so you don’t have to drive much further.

However, it is a lot longer in a bus and either option will get you there.

Option 3: Singapore To Tioman Island Flight?

There used to be a Berjaya Air Singapore to Tioman Island flight but unfortunately now, all options for a flight to Tioman from Singapore have been suspended. This means you can no longer fly here direct.

However, SKS Airways do fly here from Kuala Lumpur at the Subang Airport. In theory, you could fly to Subang Airport (note this is different to Kuala Lumpur International Airport) and then fly on to Tioman Island. However, this will probably not save you any time.

I recommend you travel overland instead.

You can check out flight timetables here.

Option 4: Singapore To Tioman Island Ferry?

Unfortunately, the direct ferry from Singapore to Tioman Island has gone the same way as the option to fly to Tioman from Singapore – it’s no longer available.

The only way to get from Singapore to Tioman by ferry is to follow the above instructions and go via Mersing or Tanjung Temok.

Want An Amazing Diving Experience In Tioman Island?

Join one of our multi-day Tioman Island Experiences!

You won’t just get to dive every day (or learn how to dive), but you’ll also get great accommodation and breakfast included.

If you can already dive, click here for prices and online booking.

If you want to learn how to dive, click here for prices and online booking.

Tioman To Singapore

When making the journey from Tioman Island to Singapore, you just need to do everything listed above in reverse.

I recommend you always book return tickets to Tioman Island as you don’t want to get stuck. They stop at the same places on Tioman as they did on your arrival and you can get on at any of these points where you have a ticket.

However, we found that they only stopped at the ports where they knew people had tickets – so make sure you are booked in for the particular ferry you want.

There is a ticket office at the jetty in Tekek on Tioman Island if your resort can’t help you and you don’t have a booked ticket.

Ferries can be delayed coming off Tioman especially to Mersing or in the monsoon season so be careful about booking a bus Mersing to Singapore shortly after the time you should be back in Mersing.

You can click here for timetables and prices for buses from Mersing to Singapore or here for buses from Tanjung Gemok.

In addition to the bus, if you are wondering how to go Mersing from Singapore, you can get a Mersing to Singapore taxi. It is best to pre-book this.

Click here to prebook this now for SG$210.

You can also click here to book a taxi from Tanjung Gemok to Singapore for SG$230.

Just like when booking transport to Tioman from Singapore, travelling via Tanjung Gemok can make things easier, but it can also be longer.

Want To Dive When You Get There?

Check out our fabulous diving experiences in Tioman.

If you are already a certified diver, find our leisure diving package here.

If you want to learn to dive, here’s our top experience to teach you.

Final Words

It is straightforward, albeit time consuming, to travel from Singapore to Tioman Island, but the good news is that it is possible to arrive on the island on the same day ready to eat lunch!

I am also sure that the second you see Tioman Island in the distance, you will know it was all worth it!

Whether you travel from Singapore via Mersing or Tanjung Gemok, it is easy. Tanjung Gemok is a good option because the ferries are more likely to run on time. Mersing is a good option because if it all goes well, it will be faster.

A taxi is your best option to get to the jetty which you can book here.

Want more details for how to get to Tioman Island? Read our full guide here. You can also find all our guides to Tioman Island here.

Planning a trip to Malaysia? Have any questions? Join our Malaysia Travel Planning Facebook group here now! It’s the perfect place to ask any questions and to be inspired!

Related posts:

By Sharon Gourlay

Sharon is a certified Malaysia travel expert and can't get enough of travelling and talking about Malaysia since she first visited 21 years ago. She travels around Malaysia multiple times a year both alone and with her kids. She used to call Penang home and especially loves this food paradise. Sharon also has a Bachelor of Arts in Asian Studies, a Certificate III in International Travel Sales and has been certified by Tourism Malaysia as a Malaysia Travel Expert. Through this site, she'll help you have the perfect trip to this amazing destination.

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How to Go to Pulau Tioman Island from Singapore to Mersing

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How to Get to Tioman Island from Singapore?

1. By Car from Singapore to Mersing 2. By Bus from Singapore to Mersing 3. By Ferry from Mersing to Tioman Island 4. Lunch at Mersing Food Centre 5. Inside the Ferry to Tioman Island 6. Arrival in Tioman Kampung Tekek Jetty 7. By Ferry from Pulau Tioman to Mersing ⦿ Shuttle Bus Back to Kampung Tekek Ferry Terminal ⦿ Where is My Coach Back to Singapore?

Getting to Tioman from Singapore and Mersing

Just two weeks later after spending a weekend in  Pulai Springs Resort (Johor Bahru, Malaysia) in my last blog with my friends, I went to Pulau Tioman (also known as Tioman Island) in Pahang, the largest island situated in the South China Sea. I had been to nearly all the islands in the South China Sea region when I went fishing with my friends ten years ago.

The islands around the South China Sea are renowned for their diving spots and fishing. The area experiences the seasonal monsoon from November to March and with limited water sports during this period. Please check the schedules and activities if you are planning to go during the monsoon period as the water is very choppy.

A word of caution: It is dangerous to take a ferry or do water sports during monsoon season as the waves can go up very high and the water is very choppy. Many of my friends vomited non-stop due to severe seasickness. The boat could capsize and therefore, please think twice before taking the risk to go during this period.

I remember that I stayed in a budget and rundown resort when I went fishing in Tioman Island. I did not know the name of the resort. I did not know the name of the resort. We stayed there for a night or two just to shower. Most time, we stayed on board the fishing boat. We used taxi boats to ferry us to the centre of Tioman so we could see more people and feel its vibrancy.

How to Go to Tioman Island from Singapore to Mersing Jetty?

Berjaya Air, the only commercial flight carrier serving Pulau Tioman had ceased its operation in March 2014. One can reach Pulau Tioman by chartering a private plane.

1. By Car from Singapore to Mersing

The distance from Singapore to Mersing takes approximately 3 to 4 hours, 150 km of driving. One can park at Mersing Harbour Centre for RM15 per day. I have heard stories about people losing their car, tyres, theft, vehicle damage while parking overnight at the old car park of Mersing Jetty, especially vehicles and accessories that were perceived to have a higher value by the thieves. Park at your risk.

You can also book a private charter from Johor at your designated pick up location and have him send you to Mersing. Alternatively, for people arriving at Senai Airport in Johor, you can also book a private car to bring you to Mersing.

2. By Coach from Singapore to Mersing

Booking a coach ticket online from Singapore to Mersing from 4 departure points – Golden Mile, Singapore Flyer, The Plaza and Boon Lay. The price ranges from SGD 21 to 35 (RM 67 to 113) for a single trip and is available at different timings.

*Bear in mind that it takes 5 hours from Singapore to Mersing by bus. There are approximately three ferries per day departing from Mersing Jetty to Pulau Tioman with no fixed timing. Read more on the ferry from Mersing Jetty to Tioman Island in the next section below.

Assuming you choose to take the earliest coach departing at 6.30 am from Golden Mile Complex shown from the image above, it will first go to Singapore Flyer, then to Boon Lay pick-up point. It will arrive at Mersing between 11.00 am to 12 pm.

I took the earliest coach from Boon Lay pick up point and arrived at Mersing Jetty around 11 plus (5.5 hrs bus trip). The Singapore to Mersing coach did not stop during the journey for the passengers to take their breakfast, which was unusual. Therefore, eat some food before the trip or consume it on the bus.

It is not possible to select the 10.30 am Mersing Ferry departure time unless you plan to take the night coach from Singapore at 10 pm and stay for a night in a cheap hostel that will cost you RM $ 10 to 20 per person. (It is not difficult to find lodging there but book in advance because you will arrive in the middle of the night).

3. By Ferry from Mersing to Pulau Tioman

Many years ago, I was afraid not to get any ferry tickets in Mersing Ferry Terminal. Hence, I called up the only ferry company to Tioman, Bluewater Express (+607 – 799 4811 / 799 8518) to ask about the ferry schedules before booking my coach tickets. They gave me three ferry timing from Mersing to Tioman (10.30 am, 12.30 pm and 3.30 pm) and advised me to book the 12.30 pm slot based on the earliest departure time from Singapore.

Each ferry ticket from Mersing to Pulau Tioman cost RM70 then. The trip took about 1.5 to 2 hours to your departing ferry destination, depending on the hotel that you stayed at as there were many ferry stops on Tioman island. Upon arrival, I went straight to the Bluewater Express Counter in Mersing Ferry Terminal. It was very packed, messy, noisy and disorganised at the ticket counters. The feeling arising from the crowd and making sure that no one cut into my queue was unpleasant.

How to buy ferry tickets to Tioman from Mersing?

Nowadays, it is so easy to book a ferry ticket online. As mentioned above, there are at least 3 ferry schedules per day. If you take the first bus from Singapore to Mersing, you should arrive between 11 am to 12 pm. You can catch a ferry in the afternoon. Unfortunately, the timing is never fixed daily and you can get a ferry as late as 3:00 pm in the afternoon. The adult ferry ticket to Tioman costs RM 40.25 or SGD 14.26.

Make sure you select “Mersing Jetty” as your departure point. There are 5 ferry stops in Tioman Island – Kg Air Batang, Kg Genting, Kg Paya, Kg Salang and Tekek Ferry Terminal. You will book the one nearest to your hotel/resort. If you have not decided on your hotel yet, you can select “Pahang” and look at all the timing. Anyway, all the ferry terminals have the same departure time and the same cost. So, get your ticket online here.

» Tioman Marine Park Fee 2020

With effect from January 2017 and remaining unchanged till 2020, all visitors to Tioman Island has to pay a Tioman Marine Park Fee, which is a conservation fee that goes to a trust fund for managing and maintaining the park. Non-Malaysians will have to pay RM30 for adults and RM15 for both senior citizens and children. The fees for Malaysians remain the same at RM5 for adults and RM2 for children. This is a fee that is compulsory to pay. If you do not pay it, you will be rejected of boarding.

» Johor National Fee

There is another fee that is supposedly mandatory to pay. I have not come across it in the past and wasn’t sure if it is really compulsory to pay. The fees for adults is RM30 and RM10 for children. Locals will pay RM5 and RM3 respectively. Anyway, make sure you have brought enough cash (ringgits) to pay both types of charges which are not included in your ferry ticket. Look for the counters inside Mersing Harbour Centre. If you forget to pay, you will be rejected during the ferry boarding after queuing for so long.

4. Lunch at Mersing Food Centre

If you have time to get some food, there is a food centre beside the Mersing jetty called “Plaza D’Jeti” to get lunch. If you follow the map below and scroll left further down the road, you can see the hawker centre entrance. In the middle of the building are some travel agencies, clothing shops and toilets. Be careful of what you order at the hawker stall as some do not come with any menu or price tags. 

That is to say that the seller can quote you any price they want and you may be overcharged. I had chosen a large  sotong (aka squid), prawns and egg from one stall there – Restoran Sutera Emas. The plate of food cost me MYR 40+, which I did not expect! However, the seafood was very delicious and fresh, especially the chilli, which somewhat compensated for the expensive food and left me with a little regret.

5. Inside the Ferry to Pulau Tioman

The queue was long but orderly. The ferry tickets had seat numbers allocated. We were assigned to sit on the top deck, which had fewer seats compared to the lower one. When we found one of our places occupied by someone else, we sat at other seat numbers as we did not want to make a fuss about it and asked the person to shift away. Shortly, a couple approached us telling us that we had taken up one of their seats.

Disorganised Seating Arrangement on Board the Ferry

We told them nicely that someone else had also taken our place, hinting that they should just find another available seat on the top deck. The man was unhappy upon hearing our explanation and exclaimed that he didn’t care. Well, we didn’t care either since that was the result of poor management. The woman walked down the lower deck to get another seat while the man sat in one corner sulking.

Soon, another family of three came and faced the same problem because the man had sat in their place. However, they did not kick up a fuss and found two seats for themselves while the husband sat on a container top as there was no more seat left. From this incident, we could see that passengers did not bother to respect the seat number, and the ferry staff might even count wrongly and issue duplicate seat numbers.

Overall, it was very disorganised on board the ferry as everyone was moving around trying to locate their seat numbers. It came as no surprise that some people would sit anywhere they wanted in this state when the direction was not clear. The whole process of boarding the ferry can be quite a nightmare watching such an arrangement from the start.

6. Arrival in Tioman – Kampung Tekek

Whenever the ferryboat arrived at each stop on Tioman Island, the staff would announce the name of the terminal for the passengers to alight correctly. The ferry terminal of our hotel, Berjaya Tioman Resort was in the middle of the island, so it took some time to reach. The correct ferry stop to alight for Berjaya Tioman Resort is Kampung Tekek.

Upon crossing the road, there would be a bus shelter right in front of a food centre where the shuttle bus from Berjaya Tioman Resort came and picked us up at the assembly point. There were also people distributing flyers for the various activities and things to do in Pulau Tioman such as diving, island hopping, and visits to nearby islands for snorkelling.

Getting Back from Tioman to Mersing

7. by ferry from pulau tioman to mersing.

Going back from Tioman Island to Mersing to take a coach was another tricky decision. You have to know the ferry departure time from Pulau Tioman to decide the coach ticket timing back to Singapore. At that time, I had to call Bluewater Express first as their ferry schedules were never fixed. Therefore, the ideal way was to book your bus and ferry ticket online so you can coordinate the two modes of transport together .

Shuttle Bus to Kampung Tekek Ferry Terminal

The shuttle bus left from Berjaya Tioman Resort to Kampung Tekek Ferry Terminal at 10 am. It was a long queue at the ferry terminal when we were collecting the boarding pass. During passenger boarding, the passengers were more orderly this time as compared to the boarding situation at the Mersing Jetty. There was nothing to see or do at this place – no shop and no eatery. It was plain boring waiting for the time to pass.

Where is my Travel Bus back to Singapore from Mersing?

It was tough to guess the parking position of the coach in Mersing going back to Singapore as there was no signboard indication. The reservation slip did not state the Mersing pickup point too. Moreover, the area around Mersing Jetty was quite big. The coach could park anywhere. We walked around hunting for the travel bus and asked many people and travel agencies, who did not know either where the travel buses would park.

It was a very scorching and humid afternoon in Malaysia, as always. The thought of walking back again with luggage on hand irked me. A man told us confidently that he knew where the bus we were searching for was parked and offered a taxi ride for RM10. We rejected him politely because we had spent all our money (ringgits) away. The friendliness diminished on his face like lightning.

So, one has to be careful being approached by overly warm and helpful people there as their intention was to find ways for you to pay for their assistance. Finally, after asking a dozen people, some young chaps pointed to us in the direction of the coach on the photo below. The location was opposite the Mersing Harbour Centre.

We boarded the bus and saw the same friendly Malay driver who drove us to Mersing on the first day. We requested to alight in Boon Lay. He said he would stop at Golden Mile Complex first, before proceeding to Boon Lay. Eventually, we decided to alight at Golden Mile Complex to have Thai dinner first before taking a cab back home. As we had left a few dollars of Malaysian Ringgits with us, we gave the leftover to him as tips.

Booking a coach ticket online to Tioman Island was a breeze. The challenge was buying a ferry ticket and it has to be purchased in Mersing Ferry Terminal unless you want to spend more money buying Tioman ferry tickets online which might not be too secure either.

About Author

Hi, I'm MissSJ, your virtual travel guide here. Travelling, Google Maps and YOU are my interests. I enjoy amplifying my stories and tips with online maps to calculate the distance figuratively and navigate the direction so several points of interests are conglomerated in the same area as possible. With a virtual assistant, take my ride and join me!

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