Legend has it that a beautiful dragon princess was on her way from China to visit her prince in Singapore when she decided to stop at one of the many islands in the South China Sea. Enchanted by the crystal-clear water and the vibrant nature of the place, she decided to discontinue her journey.
Poor prince never heard of her again, and we don’t judge her. How can you not fall in love with Tioman Island?
One of the many gems on the east coast of Malaysia, Tioman is every diver’s dream come true: an isolated island, surrounded by coral reefs packed with all sorts of fish and other marine life. We’re not divers, yet. But this does sound like paradise to us too!
So get ready and let’s (of course) dive right into everything you need to know before you go:
How to Get to Tioman Island
We’ll admit this isn’t the easiest of places to reach. A 2-hour long ferry leaves the continent from two different small towns, both of which you guessed it: have no airport. But don’t worry, let’s break this journey down for you:
Step 1: Travel to Mersing or Tanjung Gemok
🚌 By bus: buses are available from all major Malaysian cities, and even from Singapore. From Kuala Lumpur, you can expect a 4:30h ride.
Book your bus to Mersing or Tanjung Gemok here >
🚗 By car: if you opt to rent a car, you can park your vehicle at the ferry terminals in Mersing or Tanjung Gemok. Secure parking is available.
✈️ By plane: the nearest airports are the ones in Johor Bahru or Kuala Lumpur. From there you’ll need to take a bus. Johor Bahru is the closest option: a bus from here to Mersing takes about 2 hours only.
Hot tip: We highly recommend booking your transportation online through 12Go Asia or Bookaway – our go-to platform in SEA.
Step 2: Take the ferry to Tioman Island
Ferries operate regularly from Mersing and Tanjung Gemok to Tioman Island and as mentioned before, the journey takes approximately 2 hours.
The schedule can be affected by tidal conditions, so it’s advisable to check it in advance here. Although we’re pretty sure they didn’t care much about waves when we took the ferry back to the continent 😂
You can buy the tickets online via the official Cataferry website, which is the operator we recommend, or directly at the jetty (cash only).
Note: Tickets should be around RM 130 (around 25 euros per adult) each way depending on the season. During July-August (peak season), getting return tickets in advance is definitely best.
Step 3: Getting to your Accommodation
Check in advance with your hotel what is the pier you need to jump off. The ferry makes quite a few stops on the island and if you drop off at the wrong place, you might face some challenges since the island is not entirely connected by roads.
Once in Tioman, you can get to your accommodation by taxi (usually a 4×4) or taxi boat, depending on its location. Some resorts, such as the Tunamaya Resort will pick you up at the pier.
Also read: Tunamaya Beach & Spa: Resort Review – Tioman Island
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Tioman Island is typically between March and September. During these months you’ll find sunny and dry weather, with minimal rainfall. The sea is also pretty calm, providing excellent visibility for underwater activities.
June to August is the peak season, coinciding with the summer holidays. The island is livelier during these months, with more tourists and a bustling atmosphere.
March to April and September are considered shoulder seasons and are a great time to visit the island. Prices are a bit better and you will still enjoy good weather but with fewer crowds.
Note: Tioman Island experiences a monsoon season from mid-October to February. During this time, heavy rains and rough sea conditions can occur, leading to limited access to the island.
Also read: From Langkawi to Tioman: 7 Must-Visit Malaysian Islands
How Long to Stay on Tioman Island
To make the whole journey to Tioman worth it, we’d recommend staying for at least 3 to 4 days. This gives you enough time to enjoy the beautiful beaches, try some snorkeling or diving, and possibly go on a jungle trek. It’s a good duration for a quick but fulfilling island experience.
If you have more time, you can visit other parts of the island or do a diving course. Tioman is a top-tier diving destination!
Also read: Pangkor Island Travel Guide – Malaysia’s Best-Kept Secret Island
Getting Around
Tioman Island is not entirely connected by roads, so getting around here can be pretty challenging!
⛵ By boat: to get to different parts of the island, boats are the most common form of transport. You can hire a taxi boat to take you to various beaches and villages around the island. It’s also a great way to see the island from a different perspective.
🚗 By 4×4: for land travel, 4×4 taxis are the main mode of transport and are the only way to get from Tekek to Kampung Juara. Always agree on a fare before starting the ride!
👣 By foot or bike: for short distances, walking is the best way to get around, especially if you’re staying in a village or near the beach. You may also be able to rent a bike for the day.
Where to Stay
The most popular areas to stay at Tioman are Juara Beach, Tekek, and Genting Village. Salang, on the north of the island, is popular among divers and snorkelers due to its proximity to excellent dive sites. Some high-end resorts are isolated in the south of the island and only accessible by boat, like Tunamaya and Japamala.
Also read: Where to stay on Tioman Island: 1511 Coconut Grove Hotel Review
Best Things to Do on Tioman Islands
🐙 Diving: Tioman is a diver’s paradise – you can’t leave without doing at least one dive! Some of the best dive sites include Renggis Island, Tiger Reef, Labas Island, and Chebeh Island. If you’re not a certified diver, try a beginner’s class like this one.
🐢 Visit a Turtle Sanctuary: If you stay in Juara Beach, make sure to visit the Juara Turtle Project! It is a great place to learn about these beautiful creatures and the conservation efforts being made to protect them.
Tip: If you’re lucky, you might have the chance to watch them release the hatchlings into the sea. Hatchling season usually starts by the end of June and goes on until September.
🤿 Snorkeling: the crystal clear waters around Tioman Island offer some great opportunities for snorkeling! Salang Beach is a popular spot for snorkeling, as well as the private beaches of Tunamaya Resort. Juara Beach is mostly sandy, so you’ll only find marine life close to the rocky areas.
You can also hop on a snorkeling tour which will take you straight to the best spots around the island!
🌿 Go Waterfall Chasing: Tioman is covered in lush rainforest and hidden there, a few waterfalls are waiting for you! Check our waterfall guide to choose the closest to your accommodation.
🏄♂️ Surfing: during the monsoon season, the waves on the island are great for surfing! Juara Beach is a popular spot.
⚓ Explore the Local Villages: The island is dotted with small villages that offer a glimpse into the local way of life. Mukut Fishing Village is the most popular one – from here you can go jungle trekking, rock climbing, or kayaking over live coral.
Also read: Perhentian Islands – The ULTIMATE Travel Guide
Tioman Island on a Budget
Tioman is one of the most expensive places we visited in Malaysia, so be prepared to almost double your budget compared to that of the mainland.
🏠 Accommodation: The cheapest accommodation here starts at around €20-25 for small chalets and rooms, usually with no air conditioning.
🍔 Food: food ranges between €3-7, averaging €5 per dish.
🚗 Transport: the ferry will set you back at least €50 and if you need a 4×4 taxi to Juara Beach, at least more €15-20. Boat taxis to go from one ferry to another usually cost around €15-20 for foreigners, each way.
🎟️ Activities: it’s totally possible to visit Tioman Island without paying for any tours, but we’d recommend doing at least one good snorkeling tour (~ €60) or one dive (~ €90).
Tips for visiting Tioman Island
Book Accommodation in Advance: this is especially true during peak season. Tioman might be huge but the villages where the accommodations are located are pretty small, and therefore there’s only a number of hotels available here.
Cash First: Probably one of the most important things you need to know – there is only one ATM on the island and it’s located in Tekek (location here). Most places accept cash only so take enough cash with you to the island.
Pack Essentials: Sunscreen and insect repellent. Buying those on the island can be quite expensive – and quite difficult to find depending on where you are.
Be prepared for Limited Internet: There’s little to no service on the island. Some accommodations do provide wifi but it can be a bit spotty.
