Tioman Island In Malaysia

Crystal Water Tioman Island

An Island Shrouded in Legends
The origin of Tioman and its people are woven in a tapestry of intriguing legends.A Iegend synonymous with the island is the tale of a beautiful dragon princess. On her way from China to visit her prince in Singapore, this fabled maiden stopped to seek solace in the crystal clear waters of the South China Sea.

Enchanted by the charms of the place, she decided to discontinue her journey.The princess took the form of an island and pledged to offer shelter and comfort to passing travellers. Till today, the island bears startling resemblance to a sleeping dragon.

At a glance
Tioman Island is located about 56km off the East Coast of Peninsula Malaysia.The island enjoys a tropical climate, with temperatures ranging from 28C to 30C.The water temperature is 28C. Visitors can expect occasional torrential showers especially from the months of November to February. However, most resorts continue to operate during this season and activities may be carried out as usual.

A Marine Treasure Trove
Tioman is the largest and most developed of the volcanic islands that form the Tioman Marine Park. The cluster of islands was gazette as a Marine Park in 1990 to protect its precious marine resources. Tioman's waters are home to a splendid array of marine life. Its dense coral gardens include colourful gorgonian sea fans, staghorn corals, nidibranchs and beautifully sculptured sea sponges

As a protected area, only activities that do not harm or destroy marine life such as snorkeling, scuba diving, swimming and underwater photography are permitted. Coral and shellfish gathering as well as other damaging activities are strictly forbidden. Fishing is not allowed within a 3km radius of the island.


Sunset at Tioman Island

A Splashing Playground
Blessed with a sunny, tropical climate, Tioman is the perfect spot for a host of watersports activities. Visitors can indulge in swimming, boating or simply cruise in a glass bottomed boat to enjoy the breathtaking beauty. For a taste of adventure, you can contend the waves in a kayak or glide over the clear waters by windsurfing.

The warm waters and high visibility (20 - 30 metres) make Tioman a popular destination for snorkeling and diving.The colonies of corals provide habitat for a variety of small marine life, ideal for snorkelers who wish to swim alongside a symphony of fishes and enjoy the beauty of the undersea garden.Tioman was the setting for the Hollywood musical 'South Pacific' and Hong Kong TV series 'The Ultimate Goal'.


Tioman Island

Nature's Wonderland
Tioman has one of the last untouched dipterocarp forests in the South China Sea.The abundant sunshine and rain creates a luxuriant setting of tropical trees, sprinkled with an assortment of ferns and flowers.

The lush greenery is home to a wide range of wildlife including protected species. There are no large mammal predators on the island. The ecological galore also includes an interesting array of reptiles and amphibians.

Trekking is an excellent way to enjoy the sights and sounds of the forest while breathing in the fresh air. There are several trek routes in Tioman.The island's climate encourages the lush growth of Euricoma Longifolia (locally known as Tongkat Ali), a potent herb for promoting vitality.Avid climbers can take a six-hour hike to conquer Mount Kajang (1038 metres), the highest peak on the island.

Experienced rock climbing enthusiasts can embark on an adrenaline-pumping ascent over the Gunung Nenek Semukut (also known as Twin Peaks). Malaysia's highest freestanding spire. It is more than twice the height of the Eiffel Tower. So far, there have only been two successful climbs to its peak.

Getting Around
Getting around Tioman is interesting as boats are the main form of transportation.There are no cars or asphalt roads on the island, except around Tekek. All villages have regular boat and sea bus services that connect to other villages. Speedboats can be chartered for trips and island hopping activities. For short excursions, visitors can rent bicycles or motorbikes at a reasonable rate.

Getting There
Tioman Island is accessible by boat from Mersing in Johor Bahru or Tanjung Gemok in Pahang. Visitors can also travel by air/flight to the island. Berjaya Air operates daily flights from Kuala Lumpur and Singapore using a 48-seater De Havilland Dash7 aircraft.