Tioman Island (Pulau Tioman)

A Tropical Paradise in the South China Sea
About 36 nautical miles off Malaysia's east coast lies Pulau Tioman or Tioman Island, one of the region's most enchanting holiday spots. Scenic and tranquil, Tioman Island boasts miles and miles of white sandy beaches, swaying palm trees, charming villages and friendly people. Its crystal clear waters teem with spectacular marine life and colourful coral gardens. The twin peaks of Gunung Nenek Semukut provide a prominent landmark to this island, reputed to be one of the most beautiful and idyllic in the world.
The Resting Place of a Beautiful Dragon Princess
According to legend, Tioman Island is the resting place of a beautiful dragon princess, Whilst flying from China to visit her prince in Singapore, this beautiful maiden stopped to seek solace in the crystal-clear waters of the South China Sea. Enraptured by the charms of the place, she decided to discontinue her journey. By taking the form of an island, she pledged to offer shelter and comfort to passing travellers.

Tropical Playground for Water Sports Enthusiasts
Tioman Island is an excellent spot for fun-filled water sports activities. You can go scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, snorkelling, boating, water skiing, windsurfing, or enjoy the beauty of undersea gardens by ridding around the island in a glass-bottomed boat.

A Marine Treasure Trove
Tioman Island is a treasure trove of breathtaking marine attractions. Corals, seashells and limpets, thorny sea urchins, colourful seaweeds and anemones, starfish and a myriad of other aquatic wonders are abundant here. The crystal clear waters make scuba diving and snorkelling in Tioman an experience unlike any other. Other neighbouring islands recommended for scuba diving and snorkelling are Chebeh, Tulai, Renggis, Sembilang, Seri Buat and Gut.

Exciting Adventures Amidst The Splendour Of Nature
Tioman Island is the ideal spot for nature lovers, Whether at sea or on land, the wonders of nature that greet you are truly astounding and fascinating. Trek across the verdant hill from Tekek to Juara and enjoy the cool waterfalls cascading over moss-coverad rock formations at Mukut, or take a dip in the warm waters dotted with pastel-coloured reefs. Or head to the Marine Park Centre located between Tekek and Air Batang and swim amidst the various species of fishes.

Anglers' Bountiful Paradise
Fishing enthusiasts can enjoy a bountiful catch at Tioman Island, Just hire a boat for a day, anchor outside the Marine Park limits where fishing is permitted. By dusk, you will have a catch large enough for a sumptuous barbecue on the beach. If you want to try something different and challenging, try your hand at deep-sea fishing. Among the species if fishes and crustaceans found here are groupers, morays, tunas, parrotfish, sea-bass, red snappers, stingrays, plaices, soles, cora trouts, blue marlins, squids, cuttlefish, shrimps, crabs, prawns and lobsters.

A Delightful Respite from the Hustle and Bustle of City Life
When the stress of life's hectic pace gets to you, rejuvenate your mind and body at Tioman Island. Immerse yourself in the quiet and tranquil setting. Relax to the cool, refreshing breeze and soothing waves. Bask in the tropical sun or walk along the shores during sunset to experience the beauty of the island. Popular beaches are found around the villages of Tekek, Genting, Salang, Air Batang and Juara. For golf-lovers, tee off at the 18-hole international-standard golf course set amidst lush tropical greenery. Enjoy the picturesque sight of rustic villages scattered around the island, where the people are charming, friendly and gracious.
Tioman Island is accessible by boat from Mersing town or Tanjung Gemok, Rompin, a journey which takes about 1 to 2 hours. Or one can also take a plane either Kuala Lumpur, Singapore or Kuantan. Accommodation comes in the form of delightful wooden chalets on the beach or in luxurious hotel rooms. Whichever is the choice, comfort and hospitality is assured

diving spot

A good spot for diving to start the project for the beginner to intermediate level is the island of Tioman and Perhentian Island. Both places are filled with tropical reef has spectacular marine wildlife both large and small.

The best vacation ideas

There is a lot of place you can go for a vacation anywhere in the world. For me one of the best location spot for vacation is Malaysia. If you looking for relaxing on the beach and not too crowded with people Malaysia is the place you looking for. Malaysia has been known for a variety of beautiful island in the world. Here I will list down and tell a bit information about several of the most visited island by tourist in Malaysia.

Sipadan Island
SIpadan Island is located in Sabah, Malaysia. This island is known as one of the best diving and unique spot in South East Asia. It has a beautiful white sandy beach and one of the world most beautiful coral reef site. Sipadan Island was also had been awarded as the best beach dive in the world in 1993.

Tioman Island
Tioman Island is located at Pahang, Malaysia. It has been known as the biggest island in East Coast. This island also known for it beautiful Palm Beach. It also have a tropical forest and habitat for many kind of floral and fauna. For those who like spend time on the beach and love to walk in the forest this is suitable place for you. In 70’s time magazine selected Tioman Island as one of the most beautiful island.

Perhentian Island
Pehentian Island is located in Terengganu, Malaysia. This island has two main island (Perhentian Kecil Island and Perhentian Besar Island). Perhentian in english is mean one stop.
-Perhentian Besar Island : This island is covered by virgin tropical jungle an it also very suitable for tracking and hiking. It also has a several luxury resort for those who like luxury vacation. The are several activities you can do here beside relaxing on the beach and go hiking in the jungle. You can choose activities like scuba diving, snorkeling, boating, canoeing and wind surfing.
-Perhentian Kecil Island: This island is just beside Perhentian Besar Island. Tourist who came here rate this island to be the best gateway beach in the world. This island also have a long an beautiful beach, crystal clear water and the most special thing about this island is it has a calm water and you can swim just like you were swimming in the swimming pool.

Redang Island
This island is also located in Terengganu, Malaysia. Redang Island is a very special island because besaide the main island there also have 8 more island surrounding it. The name of these island is Pinang island, Kerengga Kecil Island, Kerengga Besar Island, Lima Island, Paku Kecil Island, Paku Besar Island, Ling Island and the last one is Ekor Tebu Island. Like other island in Malaysia, Redang also have a beautiful beach, crystal clear water and beautiful coral reef. It also known as a marvelous marine fishes and turtle. You also can scuba diving and snorkeling activities here.

These are a few attraction and tourist spot in Malaysia. Malaysian is known as one of the most popular place for tourist. Hope this information can guide you. For my last word I would like to say Visit Malaysia 2009.

Tioman Island adventure

First of all, getting to Tioman Island was an adventure in and of itself. My folks had to take a taxi to Mersing and a ferry to Tioman Island and I had to meet them via a 50-seater charter plane. One you get to the island though, it’s all relaxation. This island is the most beatiful place. You feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere with nobody watching you and nobody caring. That’s perfect bliss for me.

After frolicking in the pleasant sun for days, we arranged to go to the rainforest with a guide. Mohammad was our rainforest guide through this vivacious island jungle…and boy did he know his stuff. We were pleasantly amused by the amount of things God has put in the rainforest for mankind to seek out and use in times of need.

By the way, I always had a fantasy of hiding in the forest, pledging my secrets to the overpowering trees. Well, I must say the rainforest turned out to be not as friendly and as forgiving as I had last imagined it to be 20 years ago.

It was mesmerizing to venture through the fauna and discover God’s hidden treasures on Earth. Definitely an eye-opening experience.

tioman island

tioman island, trip, vacation, visit

huh..in d' end i can post dis 'thing'..
dunno wut is d prob wif my page..enable 4 me 2 publish d' post!
so..here d' story bout my vacation 2 the TIOMAN ISLAND...

Tioman Island is one of the famous island in Malaysia..
It comes with the crystal clear water and breath-taking view.
The island is divided into several beaches, as for me and my friends we've decided to stay in the Air Batang Beach also known as ABC Beach.
We are very lucky as we've got the chalet at NAZRI'S PLACE 1 three days before, where actually if you decided to visit this island, you should plan it at least 1 month before!
here the ph.no :
NAZRI'S PLACE 1
09-4191375 (for Malaysia)
When talk about the activity you can do here, of coz the first one that comes to my mind is snorkeling since this island is rich with corals and its blue water sea.

So, this is my backpaking budget..
(opps excluded car's fuel+foods..)
Ferry =RM 70
(Mersing Jetty-->Tioman Island-->Mersing Jetty)
Chalet =RM 80 (1 night )
Total =RM 150..
well actually divided by 5 of us =)
it becomes only RM 96.
I think we have enough here..so, lets see the pics of us there!

The look of Nazri's Place 1..the top one is our chalet!

The scenary at the ABC Beach of Tioman Island

Malaysia - Top 7 Beaches To Die For

Perhentian Islands: You could argue that when Leonardo Di Caprio chose to shoot his movie “The Beach” in Thailand, he was not familiar with the stunning Perhentian Islands! Just off the east coast of Malaysia in North East Terengganu are two islands which are known as Perhentian Islands. They are a massive hit with tourists now due to their silver sandy beaches and their crystal clear blue waters. Perhentian Islands is arguably one of the most beautiful places on this earth.

Redang Island: Not far from Perhentian Islands is that of Redang. In total it comprises nine smaller islands. Among the east coast islands this is the largest and arguably the most developed too. Designated as a marine park it’s a fantastic place for divers and snorkelers to enjoy the collection of coral reefs and various marine life.

Langkawi Island: If you have heard about Malaysia as a tourist then you will also have heard about Langkawi. Langkawi Island is actually made up of ninety nine smaller islands and is host to some of the most luxurious hotels in all Malaysia. UNESCO recently awarded Langkawi Island with “geopark” status. For the tourist to Kuala Lumpur its only around forty minutes traveling distance so there is no excuse not to visit!

Pangkor Laut Island : Off the coast of Perak State, north of Selangor , lies a cluster of fabulous islands with unquestionably some of the best coves and beaches on the western coast of peninsular Malaysia. Among them, two islands predominate in terms of accessibility, infrastructure and development - the largest island, Pangkor and her sister Pangkor Laut. Upon the island of Pangkor Laut is the Pangkor Laut Resort which is renowned as one of the best hotels in Malaysia, if not the world. It has won a number of awards over the past decade and for this alone the islands are well worth a visit!

Tioman Island: This place is popular for its beautiful soft and sandy beaches, where a great collection of underwater creatures and coral reefs can be found. It is a magnificent location to go snorkeling and even hiking, and while you are there you can stay at the Japamala Resort.

Rawa Island: Only a few miles from Tioman Island and offering similar luxuries is that of Rawa Island. This is privately owned and there is only one hotel on the island which may seem very limiting. However, its very exclusive and somewhat untouched.

Sipadan Island: Rated as one of the top five diving spots in the world, Sipadan Island is situated just off the coast of Sabah, Borneo - Malaysia’s eastern island, and previously known as North Borneo. The island did have a reputation as being a hunting ground for pirates but now its known not for its piracy but for its wonderful and luxurious beauty.

Tioman Island

Pahang, the largest state in Peninsular Malaysia, is also home to Tioman, an enchanting island in the South China Sea . The state is blessed with a beautiful coastline, which offers endless tropical bliss for sun-seekers

:: Magnificent Island In The Sun ::

About 36 nautical mile off Malaysia's east coast lies Pulau Tioman, or Tioman Island a tear-shape paradise. An enduring and tranquil island, Tioman Island boasts miles and miles of white sandy beaches and swaying palm trees, charming villages and friendly people. Its crystal clear water promise spectacular marine life and colourful coral gardens. The striking profile of the twin peaks of Gunung Nenek Semukut provides a markable landmark to this beautiful island reputed to be one of the most beautiful and idyllic islands in the world

10 Top Scuba Diving Destinations – All In Malaysia

The abundance of marine life in the waters of Malaysia has made it one of the prime diving destinations in the world.

Take the Island of Borneo for instance, this popular scuba diving destination, alone, has more than ninety-three diving spots that most experienced divers long to explore. Terengganu is another notable scuba diving destination since Palau Kapas, Palau Redang, Lang Tehgah Island and Tenggol Island is located within this place.

The Island of Borneo alone has more than 90 diving spots that are fantastic for anyone with an interest in scuba diving.

Ten of the best diving areas of Malaysia are

Sabah – otherwise known as North Borneo, Sabah offers the diver many wonderful experiences. Witness hammerhead sharks and whale sharks just as an example.

Redang Kalong Resort – Redang Resort on Redang Island is a wonderful place for diving beginners and snorkeling too.

Tioman Island – the world renowned Tioman Island is a superb place to spend time scuba diving and snorkeling. The shores host a beautiful array of colorful marine life that just has to be seen

Sabah is another very magnificent destination where divers can have the privilege of witnessing the likes of hammerhead and whale sharks.

Palau Kapas – located just off the coast from the town of Marang. Great for scuba diving learners and more experienced alike. Palau Kapas is famed for crystal clear waters and silver sand beaches.

Tioman Island, on the other hand, is a very tranquil place where very colorful marine creatures can be seen. The collection of very unusual marine creatures, are quite vast and because of this it has become one of the very notable scuba destinations in the world.

Redang Kalong Resort is a marine park that is consisting of nine different islands located at the north eastern coast of Peninsular Malaysia. This resort is an ideal location for experienced divers, as well as for those who want to learn, because the resort offers scuba lessons.

Lankayan Island, harboring a total of forty dive spots, is located in the Sulu Sea, in the north eastern portion of Sabah. It is a tropical paradise untouched by human occupation until recently. A Macroworld paradise of hard and soft corals and colorful species of marine creatures, it has become on of the most important dive spots in Malaysia.

Mabul – just off the coastline of Sipadan Island is Mabul Island. This island offers its own coral reefs and marine life that it should not be missed if you are to visit Sipadan.

Lankayan Island – situated off the north east coast of Sabah, towards the Philippines and in the Sulu Sea is Lankayan Island. This island offers 40 different diving sites alone so it’s a great spot for any keen diver.

a day trip to tioman island

Checked in at the Subang Sky Terminal...waiting anxiously to Tioman Island since varsity days 10 years ago...OMG! Those were the days with my house mates! The flight by Berjaya Air to Tioman Island for a round trip cost me RM456.

Clear blue skies bringing me back memories when I was flying KLM...

Its a forker flight and with 4 propellers ...

 

I sat at 2 (a) and it was very relaxing as no one sat in front of me...but the noise of the propeller just makes my head spinning and this is the first time I'm taking this kind of flight!

Ooops had to switch off my black berry...this is the only time my phone get to rest besides my sleeping time hehe!

Clear crystal turquoise blue water from the sky...

At the reception counter of Berjaya Tioman Golf, Spa & Suite Resort...and it was a privileged having people waiting for me at the entrance with my name and I was brought for lunch by the Rooms Division Manager Mr. Pravir Mishra from India and formerly worked for Berjaya Seychelles & Mauritius. Then he introduced me to the Hotel Manager Mr. Michael who was originally from Penang and was my school 10 years senior...what a coincidence! Anyway, both of them were very nice and pleasant people!

Miss Maria the Front Office Manager brought me around for a quick tour and the golf course was lushly green and nice!

Ewwwwh saw this monitor lizard at the property and you can always see this in Tioman Island and sometimes if you are lucky then you can see the size as huge as an aligator!

The Superior Chalets at Berjaya Tioman Resort

Had to leave Tioman Island...arrived 1.30pm and depart at 4.00pm...it was a rushed trip but yet informative for me to understand to meet my biggest affiliate in Malaysia which is the BVC!

Arrived @ The Sky terminal in Subang...pretty nice and cozy place for hang out and there were many outlets to choose around...

Nice and neat seating area...

Clean and brand new Sky Terminal @ Subang

Peaceful arrival and departure area!

Best international destinations for the US dollar

Imagine yourself walking down pristine white sand beaches on your next vacation, surrounded by swaying palm trees. You look out to the sea, marveling at it’s crystal blue clarity, and decide that tomorrow you’ll try your hand at a little deep-sea fishing. You’re on an island that has been rated by Time magazine as one of the ten most beautiful in the entire world, but you’re hardly making a dent in your checkbook. You’re on Tioman Island, about 36 nautical miles off the Eastern coast of Malaysia, and you’re about to have the time of your life!

Tioman Island has much to offer for today’s adventurous traveler, from hiking to scuba diving and windsurfing. Located on the South China Sea, the island is populated with friendly locals, and offers very affordable entertainment. In fact, 100 U.S. dollars translates to about 325 MYR, or Malaysian Ringgit, which is the accepted currency on Tioman. The main village on the island is Tekek, which has a permanent population of about 2,000, but it is such a popular vacation destination that most of the citizens speak English fluently.

You can reach Tioman Island by air or by sea, and either way, you get an incredible view of the azure seas and lush vegetation that the island has to offer. Once you arrive, you can bask in the sun, with a cool breeze drifting through your hair on one of the many beaches, such as Tekek, Genting, or Salang. Or maybe you’d rather raise the hair on the back of your neck as you try your hand at windsurfing! Scuba diving and snorkeling are great ways to check out the gorgeous coral reefs that border the island, but if you’d rather not get damp, there are glass bottom boat tours, which can be just as exciting and unique.

If you’d like to stay on the island instead of in the waters around it, you can hike from one town to another. The trek from Tekek to Juara offers gorgeous scenery, from the flora and fauna to crashing waterfalls. And where would your vacation be without a relaxing 18 holes of golf? Tioman Island is home to a stunning 18 hole international-standard golf course. To golf 18 holes, plus club rental and a buggy (cart) will cost approximately 180 MYR, or about 55 USD.

There are several restaurants on the island, including Chinese and local Malaysian cuisine, as well as a more recent seafood barbecue restaurant in Tekek. Maybe if you’re lucky on your deep-sea fishing trip, you’ll be inclined to have your own barbecue on the beach! Some frequent catches include grouper, moray, tuna, sea-bass, and blue marlin.

Beyond the standard “must see” list lies an island that is full of great culture. According to local legend, Tioman Island itself is the final resting place of a dragon princess. While she was flying from China to visit her prince in Singapore, the beautiful maiden stopped to seek comfort in the crystal-clear waters of the South China Sea. Intrigued by it’s beauty, she decided to discontinue her journey. By taking the form of an island, she pledged to offer shelter and aid to travelers, and this pledge is fulfilled by the island’s current inhabitants.

Overall, Tioman Island in Malaysia is a beautiful and very affordable place to vacation, full of adventure or relaxation Whatever it is you’re looking for. With luxurious accommodations and a great ambiance, Tioman Island is the place to go for your next trip abroad.

DISCOVER TIOMAN

Like a giant sleeping dragon, the dark green ridges of Tioman Island rise up above the waters of the South China Sea. On closer inspection, it becomes clear that the dragon’s dark green scales are in fact giant trees and impenetrable jungle; that the grey claws are giant granite boulders and that the dragon’s horns are twin peaks with smooth, straight cliffs, surrounded with swirls of mist.
The dragon-like appearance of Tioman Island is at the root of a legend surrounding its origin: A dragon princess from China was flying to her prince in Singapore and stopped to rest in these calm, warm waters. Enamoured by the beauty of the area, and the waves lapping at her sides, she discontinued her journey and took the form of an island.
The natural beauty of the island is its biggest attraction. Lush tropical jungle covers about 12,000 hectares of the island and countless mountain streams and waterfalls sustain the many protected species of mammals and birds. The waters around the island are filled with corals of all shapes and colours and home to a vast diversity of sea creatures, including two species of marine turtle. There are a few excellent beaches on Tioman, and these curves of golden sand are usually tucked away at the edges of villages or fronting one of the many resorts.
Tioman has options for every kind of holiday-maker: families with small children, honeymooners, scuba divers, backpackers, adventurers and even those looking for a slice of exclusivity and luxury. Most places to stay are clustered around the villages that are dotted along Tioman’s coastline while there are a few small resorts that are built around private beach coves.
Tioman is the largest in a volcanic group of islands off the east coast of peninsular Malaysia. Getting there is simple as there is both a ferry service from Mersing on the mainland and an airport on the island itself.
Tioman is a beautiful, popular and affordable holiday destination so book ahead!

Tioman has options for every kind of holiday-maker: families with small children, honeymooners, scuba divers, backpackers, adventurers and even those looking for a slice of exclusivity and luxury. Most places to stay are clustered around the villages that are dotted along Tioman’s coastline while there are a few small resorts that are built around private beach coves.
Tioman is the largest in a volcanic group of islands off the east coast of peninsular Malaysia. Getting there is simple as there is both a ferry service from Mersing on the mainland and an airport on the island itself.
Tioman is a beautiful, popular and affordable holiday destination so book ahead!

Tioman Island

Tioman Island

The largest island of the eastern Malaysia peninsula, Tioman Island (locally known as Pulau Tioman) is 32 kilometres off the coast in the state of Pahang. It is a part of the national marine park and boasts one of the best snorkelling and diving sites in Malaysia.

Viewed from the sea, it looks like a volcanic island covered with dense rain forests. But as you approach, long palm-fringed white sandy beaches arise in front of you. Small islands around Tioman Island such as Pulau Renggis, Pulau Tulai, and Pulau Chebeh are ideal for snorkelling and diving. Its crystal-clear water, colourful coral reefs and diverse marine life such as angelfish, barracuda, black-tip shark and turtles will please deep diving enthusiasts.

Over decades the island has successfully maintained its laid-back atmosphere. There are a number of quaint little fishing villages while the forests are still endowed with flora and fauna. Nature enthusiasts can choose from several trails to explore Tioman’s wilderness.

Despite its alluring beauty, Pulau Tioman is yet largely unknown to international tourists. Most of the accommodation comprises small chalets, which the locals run. The only boutique resort on the island is Japamala, which is nestled on a secluded beach on the south-western corner of the island.

Tioman Island can be reached by air from Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur, and by small planes from Singapore. A speedboat and a speed-ferry from a jetty in Mersing Village in Malaysia can take you to the island in about two hours.

Beautiful Island Ever!(tioman island)

The main attraction of the island is actually its natural splendor. The island is covered with about 12,000 hectares of vast tropical jungle which also housed streams, waterfalls and mountains as well as the 141 species of birds and some 45 species of mammals. The excellent granite formations that can be found around the island are great for rock climbing adventures. The most excitement climbers can get is at the cliff of Gunung Nenek Semukut or Dragon Horns. Hiking lovers can go cross-hike from the west to the east of the Tioman Island, which is from Tekek to Juara, two of the most populated villages on the island.

For travelers who are looking for a quiet retreat, they can find the stretch of white beaches, refreshing sea breeze, and tall swaying coconut trees very relaxing. Travelers can also enjoy the sight of the other major villages around the island such as Salang, Genting, Paya and Mukut. Other on land attractions can be found there are some historical place of interest like the Japanese Fort and mausoleums of the old rulers, and different artifacts in the Museum situated in Tekek including old coins, maps and shipwrecks.

Tioman Island is undoubtedly a great destination for all. Be it families with small children, scuba divers, backpackers, honeymooners and hikers looking for a perfect getaway far from the busy and hectic life back home.

Chilling on an Tioman island

We caught the 7.30 am ferry to the island of Tioman. We had booked a place to stay with a lady that had met us off the bus (not something we would normally do). We needn't have worried though as when we arrived to Panuba Bay and checked in to the Panuba Inn Resort it was lovely. We had a room with a balcony that looked out to the ocean on a paradise island. The best part was that the room was only costing us around 11 pound a night!

It was very relaxing and as there was little to do we filled our days eating, sleeping, snorkelling, playing cards, laying in a hammock, drinking, reading, playing yatzee...it was tough!

The snorkelling was cool. I'm sure when Dave has scuba dived before he has seen more but for me it was like floating in a huge fish tank. There were so many fish to swim amongst and quite a lot of coral (some of it was dead though). There were also some purple crabs that I thought I should stay away from! Dave enjoyed jumping off the jetty (I am sure we will put the pictures on here!).

There was also an unfortunate incident where a large millipede attached itself to one of Dave's toes! He didn't seem to notice (I'm not sure how) and brought it into our room (we'll get that picture on here too!).

We met a very nice Danish couple called Maria and Thomas that we spent time with who were very cool.

We thought about staying longer but decided that there is only so much lounging around that you can do! (N)

Top 10 Scuba Diving Destinations

If you are keen on scuba diving then you need look no further than the shores of Malaysia.
Take the Island of Borneo for instance, this popular scuba diving destination, alone, has more than ninety-three diving spots that most experienced divers long to explore. Terengganu is another notable scuba diving destination since  Kapas Island,  Redang Island, Lang Tehgah Island and Tenggol Island is located within this place.
Imagine being able to see all the colorful underwater creatures and being able to witness the magnificence of the unspoiled treasures of the sea. How great it must be to get the chance to swim amongst creatures you thought you can only find in television and colorful reference books. Malaysia has a very impressive collection of large schools of hammerhead sharks, barracudas, sea turtles, frogfish, pipefish and all the other different species of animals.
Tioman Island, located in the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia has become a very popular dive site because of the existence of the very fascinating and colorful marine creatures.
It is open for both expert divers who have travelled to Malaysia to experience the richness of its aquatic population and also for those who wish to learn how to dive. Offering more than twenty dive spots for you to explore, Tioman Island is the destination for water sports enthusiasts.
Redang Kalong Resort that is located in Redang Island, Malaysia is ideal for both experienced divers and beginners who would wish to acquire some scuba diving lessons. It is popular for the very beautiful beaches that line the shore and is visited by most vacationers who long to have some peace and quiet, away from the busy city streets.
Tioman Island - the world renowned Tioman Island is a superb place to spend time scuba diving and snorkeling. The shores host a beautiful array of colorful marine life that just has to be seen
Sabah is another very magnificent destination where divers can have the privilege of witnessing the likes of hammerhead and whale sharks.
Palau Kapas - located just off the coast from the town of Marang. Great for scuba diving learners and more experienced alike. Palau Kapas is famed for crystal clear waters and silver sand beaches.
Pulau Lang Tengah - great for scuba diving with its varying marine parks. The coral reefs here are vibrant with marine life.
Palau Tengol - another of the best diving sites in the world, Palau Tengol is a group of islands off the east coast of Malaysia, near Dungun. The waters are ideal to dive from April to June when the waters are crystal and teeming with marine life.
Sipadan - on the north east coast of Borneo is the island of Sipadan, known not only for its tales of pirates but also for its wonderful offerings to the avid scuba diver. Crystal clear blue waters for most of the year make it one of the best diving areas in the world too!
Mabul - just off the coastline of Sipadan Island is Mabul Island. This island offers its own coral reefs and marine life that it should not be missed if you are to visit Sipadan.
Mabul, located at the north of Sipadan, it exhibits a very vast collection of marine life. It has become one of the world's most famous macro diving sites where you can find rare macro-world sea creatures you cannot find anywhere else. - 2452

Travelling to Tioman Island

Travelling to Tioman Island

Hi All,
I will be travelling to Tioman Island on 24th December 2009 from Singapore and need advice on best way to get there. Also, i understand this time of the year is Monsoon season, with some heavy rains . Unfortunately it is the only time i can get time off, and not sure now if i should rather choose alternate destination, like Melaka, before heading to KL. ALso don't want to get to the point of catching a ferry to Tioman and they won't be available.
Any suggestions? Did Anyone travel there this time of year and your views?

Answers:

There are flights from Subang Airport outside of KL. You could take a bus from Singapore to Melacca and spend some time there, before continuing onto KL and fly to Tioman. A ferry in December would be dicey. There was a major ferry incident last year on the Tioman crossing (a fire I believe), so they are extremely careful these days.
It is a nice island -- but that time of year you will get better weather in Langkawi (the west coast duty-free island). However, Langkawi is much more developed than Tioman, so that is a plus or minus depending who you ask. If you opt for Langkawi, there are about nine flights a day with Air Asia. In fact, you can fly from Singapore right to Langkawi with Air Asia...

Tioman Island is top 3 cheapest travel destinations.

Greetings,

Actually there are two ways to look at
what constitutes the cheapest travel
destinations.

We all know that the air fare we must pay
to get to any destination is the largest single
expense of a trip….always….so cheaper
air fare to whatever destination makes
that a cheap destination even if you
are going to spend more money while you
are there.

The other thing that makes a cheap destination,
even if you must spend more on air fare getting
there, is if you are going to spend a lot less
while you are there.

More Information:
Cheap Travel Deals
The way to decide what the cheapest
destinations really are for yourself is
to know what is the most important to
you…..where you are going or how much
you are going to pay to get there.

Really cheap airfare to a place you
never had any desire to see isn’t a
bargain.  A more expensive air fare to a
place you cant wait to see where the
cost of being there will be less might
be the best bargain. It really is up to
you.

More Information:
Cheap Travel Deals
The exchange rate is the most important
thing to look at when deciding how
expensive visiting a destination will
be. You can find online exchange rate
calculators free by typing “exchange
rate” into your favorite search engine.

You will find that the better exchange
rates are in Mexico, South America and
less developed countries….which are all
great vacation spots.

More Information:
Cheap Travel Deals
Here are my top three picks for vacation
destinations that wont break the bank:

1.     Las Vegas: You can find
amazing vacation packages.  Las Vegas has
long been known for its cheap vacation
packages with hotels and resorts that
offer discount rates for rooms, meals
and entertainment in hopes of attracting
people to their gaming tables.

2.     Buenos Aires: South American
also has many destinations that are
affordable because of the savings once
you arrive.

3.     Tioman Island: It is located
at the southern end of the east coast
of Malaysia on the South China Sea.  The
rates are amazingly affordable, with a
two night lodging package for a suite
at a lovely ocean side resort averaging
around 100 U.S. dollars.

tioman island

A couple of weeks ago, we took a trip to Tioman Island in Malaysia.  It was our first outing as a family in South East Asia, and it was really a great trip.  In fact, Tioman Island is where the 1950’s movie South Pacific was filmed.  I’m not sure why that movie stuck in my head from when I saw it many many years ago, but I can still remember that haunting song “Bali Hai” where they are talking about the mountain behind their heads in this picture.

Well, we’ve been over that mountain now (and on those beaches), albeit in a Toyota 4×4 truck.  But I’m getting ahead of myself.  Let me start from the beginning…

Malaysia has many beautiful islands – the lush-jungle and white-sand tropical beaches that this area of the world is famous for.  You can see the red pushpin on the map that marks the location of Tioman (it’s an interactive map – you can click on it and look around).

It’s a short flight from Singapore – about 30 minutes from the local airport called Seletar (you don’t fly out of Changi, the International airport).  We flew on a 35 seat prop engine plane, on Berjaya Air.  You can see the gang walking to the plane here.  And you can also see that big storm coming in the background – we got out just ahead of that one.

Flying into Tioman, we literally swooped down out of the air in a big banking turn, bounced on the runway 3 times, and came to a rest.  I felt like I was in some sort of an Indiana Jones or Romancing the Stone movie.  They rolled our bags off the plane while we checked in through immigration.

While we were sitting in the bus, waiting for the rest of the passengers to get processed, we heard a bunch of shrieking in the trees next to the beach.  At first glance, it looked like leaves on the trees.  On second glance, the leaves were moving too much so they must be birds??  Nope, they were bats.  A crazy amount of bats, right out there in the daylight.  So many that they looked like leaves on the trees.  Click this picture and have a close look at the bigger version.  There are hundreds of bats in that tree.

The ride to the resort was a short one, but it was quite an experience in itself.  There is clearly a lot of poverty in Tioman, and we passed a lot of dilapidated buildings and stores.  The motor scooter is the vehicle of choice, and there was a steady stream of people ranging from the elderly to young children (all without helmets) whipping past us in the bus.  We arrived at the resort, and here are the kids standing at the entrance fountain to the resort while we get checked in. 

According to the adults, the best feature of the pool was the poolside bar.  You can see here Kirsten and I trying a sampling of their wares – me a Tiger beer (the local beer to the area, the equivalent of Budweiser in the US, but in my opinion much tastier) and Kirsten a glass of Chardonnay (the local drink choice of Kirsten, pretty much no matter where in the world she is).  You can also see a picture of the pool at night, with the main resort restaurant lit up in the background.

We ate most of our meals in that restaurant, which was buffet style.  The kids thought they had died and gone to heaven.  It was fun to watch them exercise their independence by taking as many trips to the buffet as they wanted, and picking whatever they wanted to eat (well, we had to put some limits on the dessert table ).

There was a three piece band that would roam around and play every evening, first at the pool bar, and then in the restaurant – two guitars and a girl kind of thing.  I wish I had a picture of them.  They came to our table and I requested “Country Road”.  They played a great rendition of it, complete with harmony.  Their understanding of the English lyrics was, understandably, a little thin in places.  So rather than “Miner’s lady, stranger to blue water” and “Dark and dusty, painted on the sky” as Mr. Denver had originally intended it, we instead had “Mystery lady” and “Dark and nasty”.  A few good chuckles as they made their way through an extensive catalog of American hits from the 70s and 80s.

You’ll notice in the seond picture that Cameron has a little friend under her chair.  There was a massive population of feral cats on Tioman, including Berjaya where we stayed.  It was a little surreal to sit there and eat dinner, while the cats just roamed around like they owned the place.  A couple of times they got in fights.  A few heads turned, then everyone would go back to eating. 

Cats and sea life were not the full extent of the wildlife at Tioman.  We also saw a ton of monitor lizards and monkeys.  This monitor lizard is right next to our house, and he’s probably about 7 feet long from tip to tail.  These things supposedly can really move out when they want to, but apparently this guy was not interested in much more than 1) sunning himself and, 2) staying away from us.  Kirsten had told me she’d seen a few monitor lizards in Singapore (Botanic Gardens and Bukit Timah trails), but I had this picture in my head of some 12-18 inch Chameleon-like thing.  I walked around the corner and saw this and my jaw dropped.  Kirsten was cracking up.

We also had this monkey (long tail macaque) come to our door, and my well intentioned wife and children fed him some Mango.  He was really cute.  He rubbed the sugar coating off the Mango and ate it all up.  He sat there for quite a while, just a few feet in front of us.  He returned later with a whole group of buddies.  They all had a mind to be treated to the same.  One was very insistent, jumping on a plastic chair about 2 feet away from me, and making every indication from his screeching and body language that he was going to throw himself at me.

As I mentioned early in the story, we had a chance to hire a driver with a 4×4 and take us over the jungle bound, mountainous interior of the island, to the other side.  The road was paved all the way, but it was unbelievably steep.  You can see us pictured here with our trusty steed (driver is taking the picture), looking out over the beautiful jungle behind us.  You can also see a picture taken from my vantage point in the passenger seat, looking down a typical steep stretch of the road (notice the stalwart tire wall which I’m sure would prevent disaster in the case where the brakes went out).

We arrived on the other side of the island, at a place called Juara Village.  There is a sea turtle sanctuary located there so we went to go check it out.  It’s inhabited by a few “peace corp.” like characters (one pictured here next to the orange kayak) who are responsible for maintaining the place including building it out, as well as taking care of the turtles.  It’s right on a beach, and the place is stunning.  For a certain type of individual, this must be a pretty cool life.  We did notice a little redness in the eyes of the caretakers – I’m sure it was just sunburn.

tioman island reviews

Me and my wife enjoyed our stay in Berjaya Tioman resort. Very nice surroundings! The room was a little bit less than may be expected by the pictures on internet. Good breakfast- buffet.
Highly recommendend to go by boat. We went to Tioman island as a little break in our world-trip to relax. As we suffered some problems in India before we where really wanting to relax.
The pity was the airplane to Tioman island from Berjaya air. This is really an old plane and we had a whole day delay > 8 hours. and missed this day in the resort. The planes are very old and the parts for repairing are not always there. Our plane was broken down and they "repaired" it. Also be warned that this is an 10 kg allowence flight for your luggage. On the airport are lockers so you can leave something behind and pick it up later.
It happens more often flights get cancelled, sometimes it last 3 days.
The other option is to go by boat. We had not done this, but I think this is the better option, also for your luggage.
When you go to this island, I can highly recommend the round-the-island private trip by speed-boat. If you are with 4 persons it is almost the same price per person as the big organised trip thing on an old boat and with a lot of people on the same spot.
Have fun!