Tioman Island is located off the shores of Johor state in Malaysia. Film buffs may remember that this island served as a backdrop in the movie Bali High which was filmed in the 1950s. This island is the most popular island destination this side of Peninsular Malaysia. But despite its popularity, it still has a lot of rustic and rural charm.
Tioman Island is shaped like a drum stick with the “fleshier” part to the south. The most developed town on the island is Kampung Tekek. Nearby is the airport and the main jetty for ferries from the mainland. There is only a stretch of paved road that covers part of the west coast. It connects Kampung Tekek with Kampung Bunut, Kampung Paya and Kampung Genting. Kampungs are rural Malay villages characterized by wooden houses on stilts. The western part of Tioman Island is dominated by kampungs while the eastern part is mostly uninhabited, with Kampung Juara and Kampung Dungun as the only villages on that side.
How to get to Tioman Island
There are ferries that leave Mersing or Tanjung Gemuk, in Johor and the journey takes about 4.5 hours. Apart from regular ferries, there are also catamarans that are speedier and they cut the journey time down to two hours. Tickets can be purchased in Mersing from the many booking agents around the dock, which is situated near to the R&R Plaza. Tioman Island is also accessible by air. There are non-stop flights originating from Kuala Lumpur and Kuantan to Tioman.
For those who are headed from Singapore, there is a ferry service from Finger Pier. The catamaran ferry departs daily except on Wednesdays. Daily shuttle flights out of Changi International Airport to Tioman is another option.
Accommodation
There is only one true resort on the entire island believe it or not. It is called Berjaya Tioman Beach Resort and is situated southwest of Kampung Tekek. The telephone number for reservations starting with the country code is 60-9-419-1000 or fax 60-9-419-1718. The resort’s address for correspondence is P.O. Box 4, Mersing, Johor 86807, Malaysia.
Berjaya Resort offers air-conditioned rooms with all the amenities expected from a hotel.
There are other types of accommodation but the facilities are the barest of the minimum. Often these are chalets or kampung type houses, without hot water or telephones. There may be canteens where one can buy their meals. Bring mosquito nets and insect repellents and a flash light. The prices for this type of accommodation will vary according to the season and the bargaining ability of the renter.
Attractions
This island is a haven for those who are looking to hike and enjoy the abundance of flora and fauna. Bukit Nenek Sri Mukut and Bukit Batu Sirau are the twin peaks that were made famous by Bali High. They are situated at the southern end of the island. Water taxis can take you to any of the beaches close by and can pick you up again at a prearranged time. Near to the twin peaks is Mukut Waterfalls where you can go for cool refreshing dips.
Towards the northern part of the island is a trail that starts at Kampung Salang and continues south toward Kampung Tekek through Kampung Penuba and Kampung Air Batang. The trail turns on a south by south easterly direction that cuts across the island to Kampung Juara. This trail goes over mountains and passes by a rubber plantation. Kampung Juara is accessible only by this trail on land. The alternative is to take a water taxi. This secluded kampung offers some amenities and is the only village on the eastern side of the island. There are accommodations here for rent but a lot of them are older huts. The only television in this kampung belongs to the only eating establishment, The Happy Café.
For those who are more into water activities, the sea around Tioman is crystal clear. Snorkeling and scuba diving are best in the waters around the smaller islands near Tioman. The blue azure sea hosts a wide variety of tropical fish and coral reefs. There are underwater caves around Pulau Cebeh for divers to explore. Diving trips can be easily arranged through the Tioman Island Resort, Ben’s Diving Center on Salang Beach, and Samudra Swiss Cottages on Tekek Beach.
Salang Beach by Kampung Salang is also a great spot for diving and snorkeling. The white sandy beach is another favorite stop for tourists. The ferry that comes from Mersing will stop here after Kampung Tekek and Kampung Air Batang.
For those who want to island hop, Rawa Island is the most developed of all the surrounding islands in the area. Rawa Island Safari Resort on the island offers guests activities such as wind surfing, canoeing, fishing and skin diving. To make reservations for this resort, call 60-7-799-1204
Babi Besar Island is bigger then Rawa and is closer to the mainland. Accommodations are cheap at the budget chalets and bungalows that dot the island. Do remember that all the islands close down during the monsoon season which is from November to January.
Telephones and Banks
The only public phones aside from the ones in Tioman Resort are at Kampung Tekek, Kampung Air Batang and Kampung Salang. Telekom phone cards for these phones can be bought anywhere in Malaysia or on the island. There are no banks on the island but you can exchange your currencies at money changers at the airport, Kampung Tekek by the jetty and at Tioman Island Resort. Some of the islanders have cell phones and are willing to let you use them for a fee.
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