13 minute read
Destinations: Tioman
Tioman, I’m in Love!
Text & Images by HANIA RAFEI
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Editor: Nia, you’re going to Tioman Me: *freeze for a while* Oh okay, sure! (Trying hard to hide my excitement)
I’ve never been to Tioman before, but it has always been on my bucket list. Imagine the excitement when I was told I’ll be going there for four days and three nights to follow a media familiarisation trip! With my suitcase already packed together in my island outfit, hat, and sunblock, I was raring to go. Follow me as I share my experience on Tioman Island for the first time in my life.
The name Tioman is believed to have been derived from the combination of the words tiong (a type of a local bird classified as common myna) and man (meaning ‘mine’ in local slang). If you look closely at the shape of the island on the map, it seems to resemble a tear drop. Tioman has always been one of the cleanest islands in Malaysia because it is well maintained.
How to get to Tioman/Getting to Tioman
If you come from Kuala Lumpur, you can simply drive your car or ride a bus to Jeti Tanjung Gemok in Pahang. The journey takes around five hours. The jetty provides ample parking spaces and you don’t have to worry about anyone breaking into your car because it is well guarded. Once you arrived at the jetty, you can buy your tickets to board the ferry at MYR35 per adult and MYR30 per child one way. Each return ticket costs MYR70 per adult and MY60 per child. The journey to Tioman from Tanjung Gemok by ferry takes another two hours.
If you’re heading to Kampung Juara, which is on the eastern side of the island, there’s a four-wheel drive service that takes you there from Kampung Tekek, the place where you disembark form the ferry. Due to the rough road conditions and uneven terrain passing through the middle of the island, it is obvious why fourwheel drive is the only type of vehicle used on the island. The journey from Kampung Tekek to Kampung Juara is between 30 to 40 minutes.
Tip:
» An alternative way to reach Tioman is to directly board the ferry from Mersing, which makes sense if you come from Johor or Singapore.
» Though the ferry ticket displays your seat number, it is actually free seating when you get on board, so don’t be surprised if you find someone else sitting at the seat that bears your number; just plonk yourself in any other available seat.
» The four-wheel drive service is only available at Kampung Tekek jetty and it will take you to Kampung Juara using the sole road on Tioman that connects the two villages. To get to the other parts of the island, you need water taxi or speedboat provided at each jetty that dot around the island or at the resort where you choose to stay.
WHAT TO DO IN TIOMAN
A view of Tioman Island landscape.
When you’re going to an island, you definitely have your own bucket list on what to do there. Check the following activities to see whether you would like to do them when you are in Tioman, which are quite varied!
Snorkelling
Snorkelling is a must-do activity when you’re in Tioman! The water is crystal clear that you can see all the fish and corals beneath you. You can snorkel anywhere in Tioman, but the best spots for snorkelling are Pulau Rengis, Marine Park and Pulau Tumok. If you’re planning to snorkel at two spots, then I suggest that you choose Pulau Rengis and Pulau Tumok, which are unique and beautiful in their own way. When you snorkel at Pulau Rengis, you will witness a variety of beautiful fishes; when you are in Pulau Tumok, you will see beautiful corals in many sizes.
Tip: You can purchase snorkelling packages not only at the resort where you are staying but also from any other independent providers or operators on the island. You can rent snorkelling gear and speedboat service to other villages in Tioman from them too. The price for snorkelling package starts at MYR70 - MYR120 per person.
Discovery Scuba Diving (DSD)
PADI Diving centre near Damai Tioman Resort where you can try Discover Scuba Diving or take diving license.
This is definitely the highlight of my trip. It would be a waste if you don’t try this activity, which gives you the chance to dive into the sea rather than just snorkel. Before diving, you need to fill in an indemnification form. Then, you can choose the diving suit according to your size, including scuba fins. As for the rest of the equipment, the instructors will carry it for you. The instructors will then brief you on how to handle the equipment and what you should do underwater. When I went down, I felt so small compared to the wide ocean, and seemed like I entered a different world. But believe me, the experience was worth it because I swam side by side with variety of fishes and turtles while admiring the seabed covered with corals and sand. The amount of time allocated for DSD is two hours. If you plan to try DSD, best to do it in the morning or afternoon as the water is clearer at those times rather than in the evening.
Tip: » In Kampung Genting, there’s a PADI centre offering DSD activities for as low as MYR180. The equipment provided are new and comfortable, plus the instructors are super friendly and helpful, who will guide you one by one and won’t leave you alone underwater. You can reach the instructor (Irwan Ismail) personally at +6 012 214 1979 or email him at sortemetstell@gmail.com for any booking. » If you plan to take a diving licence, I was told that it requires at least four days’ stay in Tioman to obtain licence from a PADI centre at the price of MYR1,200. Be sure to research on the best places to take diving licence in Tioman before arriving if you plan to do so.
Island-Hopping
There are many small islands around Tioman, so you can take the chance to visit most of it. Island-hopping packages are usually included with snorkelling, so you don’t have to book separately. Enjoy the breeze, wind blowing in your face, and looking at the beautiful islands as you are whisked on a speedboat to the middle of the sea.
Dipping into the Waterfalls at Kampung Asah
The refreshing Asah Waterfall - be sure to wear a life jacket if you can’t swim.
Not many travellers know about this hidden gem in Tioman. If you’ve had enough of vitamin sea, head out to Kampung Asah for a refreshing dip at the waterfalls. You need to take the speedboat to Kampung Asah jetty and then hike for about 600 metres to reach the waterfalls – once you reach the waterfalls, you will find that the hike was totally worth it as you dip into the refreshing cool water.
Tip: If you can’t swim (like me), I suggest that you to wear a life jacket because certain places are deep that you will be totally submerged, a boon to those who are adventurous enough to jump into the water from higher ground.
Rock-Climbing at Gunung Nenek Semukut
Gunung Nenek Semukut or ‘Dragon Horns’ offers a challenging rockclimbing experience. I was told that if anyone wishes to do rockclimbing, it requires around five days to scale it. Interestingly, only nine people have managed to reach the top of Gunung Nenek Semukut.
Jungle-Trekking
While riding on a four-wheel drive from Tekek to Juara, the driver told me that one of the famous activities in Tioman is jungle-trekking! There’s a lot of rainforest to be explored on Tioman and you will find many species of flora and fauna. But bear in mind, some tracks are challenging so DO NOT GO JUNGLETREKKING ALONE – it is best for you to hire an experienced jungle-trekker to guide you.
Witnessing Sunset at Marine Park
Besides snorkelling and playing near the beach, you can witness a beautiful sunset at Marine Park. Afterwards, walk to the nearby stalls and enjoy scrumptious island dinner there!
Shopping at Duty-Free Shop
Believe it or not, there is a duty-free shop in Tioman. Chocolate lovers are definitely spoiled for choice
Berjaya Tioman Resort (https://www.berjayahotel.com/tioman)
Situated in Kampung Tekek and not far from the jetty, this resort is definitely a good and stylish place, fully equipped with expected conveniences and amenities, suitable for those who wish for a luxury stay in Tioman. It is also the jump off point to Pulau Renggis, where you can easily snorkel to observe marine life! This resort’s rate starts from MYR345 per night, which includes breakfast.
Cycling
If you love to cycle, then you should rent a bicycle at Kampung Tekek or Kampung Juara and cycle around for MYR10 an hour. You can stop and get off your bike at any place that catches your attention to take photos. Some spots in Tioman are too far to reach on foot, so cycling is a good option for you to get there.
WHERE TO STAY IN TIOMAN
Once you have decided on what activities to do in Tioman, it is now time to pick the place where you are going to stay in Tioman, which help to make your visit to the island more memorable!
Berjaya Tioman Resort (https://www.berjayahotel.com/tioman)
Situated in Kampung Tekek and not far from the jetty, this resort is definitely a good and stylish place, fully equipped with expected conveniences and amenities, suitable for those who wish for a luxury stay in Tioman. It is also the jump off point to Pulau Renggis, where you can easily snorkel to observe marine life! This resort’s rate starts from MYR345 per night, which includes breakfast.
Good to know: The room is spacious and comes with powerful air-conditioning unit. Staff are friendly and helpful. However, do take note that the commodes do not come with bidet or hose for washing down. You can request for a buggy ride to get to the dining area or simply walk there and take in the resort’s atmosphere at the same time. Be sure to NOT press the lock button on the door knob once you exit your room because the door locks automatically; if you press the lock button (like what I did), you can’t open your door and need to wait for the staff to come over to enter the room.
Side Note: Berjaya Tioman Resort is closed from 1 December 2019 until 19 January 2020 for maintenance.
Barat Tioman Beach Resort (https://barattioman.com/)
I really am in love with this resort, situated in Kampung Juara that requires you to take a four-wheel drive to reach here from Tekek. All rooms are designed facing the pool, and you only need to walk 50 metres to the beach! If you wish to watch television, you can go to the reception counter and they will give you a hard disk full of interesting movies to watch! The view is amazing and totally Instagram-worthy. The price starts from MYR280 for high season and MYR220 for low season.
Good to know: This place is suitable for those who are on backpacking trip and don’t wish to do that many activities, preferring to relax instead while enjoying the view of the beach views from the room. Neither internet connectivity nor electricity supply is strong in Kampung Juara, so travellers better be prepared. There is no telephone in the rooms, so you need to walk down to the reception (which is really close from your room) to make a request.
Damai Tioman Resort (https://damai-tioman-resort-pulautioman.business.site/)
Damai Tioman Resort’s comfortable room.
Nestled in Kampung Genting, Damai Tioman Resorts is strategically close to a variety of shops that you can walk to them without breaking a sweat. Kampung Genting is full of locals and visitors, and comes alive at night. This resort offers a diving package since a PADI-certified centre is located right next to it, making Kampung Genting a hub for divers. On top of that, Damai Tioman Resort offers an affordable price that starts at MYR210 per night.
Good to know: Damai Tioman resort is basically a ‘budget’ resort, therefore it is suited for those wishing to spend less on accommodation and prefer to spend more time outdoors. Shops are accessible by foot. Since the resort has no telephone in the rooms, you need to go down to the reception counter to make a request. DTR offers interesting packages for guests to choose, including snorkelling, island hopping and more.
Tunamaya Beach & Spa Resort (https://careluxuryhotels.com/tunamayatioman/)
Tunamaya Resort, which offers private beach.
If you wish on a private luxury stays, then head out to Tunamaya resorts, it is located at Kampung Mukut. They have their own private jet/speedboat for their customers. When I arrived at the resort, the staff gathered at the jetty and greeted everyone by singing the upbeat local folk song ‘Rasa Sayang’. This resort is breathtaking as it overlooks the turquoise sea! It also boasts a private beach for guests to enjoy and the rate starts at MYR400++, which I think is reasonable since it offers the much needed privacy that guests seek.
Good to know: Tunamaya’s rooms offer three different views so that customers can choose the view they prefer: beach, garden, or jungle. Apart from that, since it is a private place, it is not crowded; in fact, you barely see anyone except the staff. You can swim in the resort’s infinity pool that faces the beach. This is a highly recommended place for those who wish to go on a honeymoon.
Aman Tioman Beach resort (https://amantioman.com/)
This resort is relatively new and started operating since mid-2018. Located at Kampung Paya, the prices of the rooms start at around MYR400++. This resort offers a unique experience because you’ll feel like you are staying in a resort right in the middle of a jungle due to the lush surrounding greenery. And most interestingly, you can swim in the pool where the water is sourced directly from the nearby mountain! The place is fully equipped and they even have their own shops, so you don’t have to go far to buy what you want. But when staying here, please be careful if you encounter harmless-looking-butno-less-mischievous monkeys that could snatch your things away.
Good to know: Aman Tioman offers three-day and two-night package, including breakfast and snorkelling for two persons at MYR300++ per person. Contact the resort at sales@amantioman.com for more information.
Travel tips:
» Internet access is patchy in Tioman, so do take a mental note that social media might not be accessible at many a time.
» It is highly recommended that you pay in cash when shopping on the island. Due to line / connectivity problem, there might be a delay in processing your payment if you use credit or debit cards, so you need to wait longer for the process to go through. On opt of that, cashless payment is applicable only if you spend at least MY50 and above.
» Most resorts in Tioman are closed during monsoon season (early December until midJanuary, sometimes even until early February), so there is limited ferry service that time. If you’re planning to go there during monsoon season, kindly do a thorough research on where to stay. Prices are generally low that time. From what I was told, Barat Tioman Resort would still be in operation during monsoon because the guests are there for surfing.
» When taking the ferry to Tioman, please be there at least an hour earlier because the ferry might not stick to the timetable and it might come and leave earlier than the stipulated time. Conversely, it would also arrive late yet still leave early and wouldn’t wait for you. Be sure to allocate ample time to accommodate such uncertainty.
» All villages in Tioman are uniquely beautiful in their own way, so you will totally experience a different feel when you visit each village.
» If you have seasickness, make sure to bring along your medicine because the ride on the ferry can be rough (I slept for two hours to stop feeling nauseous); fret not, the ferry provides a small plastic bag on every seat for you to use just in case.
