Used as the location for the fictional ‘Bali Hai’ in the 1958 Hollywood movie South Pacific, Tioman (pronounced Tee-oh-mahn) offers an idyllic island setting with a wide range of watersport and eco tourism activities – perfect for adventurous honeymoon couples.
Experience lush, densely forested mountain peaks and hills that rise steeply from secluded bays and palm-fringed golden-sand beaches surrounded by rich coral gardens teeming with marine life.
Explore on foot the unspoiled 12,000ha rainforest to view rare flora and fauna set amid jungle overflowing with picturesque waterfalls and streams.
On a network of easy walking trails, look out for the endemic soft-shelled turtle and walking catfish, as well as bearcats, giant and red flying squirrels, lemurs, long-tailed macaques, monitor lizards and mousedeer.
Or hike up to the majestic twin peaks of Bukit Nenet Semukut and rock-climb Tioman's highest peak, the often cloud-shrouded Gunung Kajang (1038m).
Head offshore to dive and snorkel coral reefs rich with marine life, including schools of parrotfish and butterfly fish. Along the coast, look out for the majestic frigate bird, just one of 135 species of birds that inhabit the island
Read more about the best things to do in Tioman Island…
Tioman's best beaches are typically monopolized by private resorts, while other more private beaches are just a short boat ride away.
Apart from a jungle track that stretches across the island from Tekek to Juara, there are no roads (or cars) on Tioman, so exploring the scattered beaches means hopping on an island ferry or hiring a sea taxi.
The best beaches in Tioman Island, include the following…
Located on the quiet east coast, Juara offers arguably the best beach on Tioman, a 20m-wide, 2km-long sweep of pristine golden sand separated by a small hill and framed by a rocky headland to the north and a lagoon to the south.
Cool off in the cold freshwater run-off that pours into the sea from three rivers located at either end of the beach.
Hike into the jungle to admire the nearby waterfall, enjoy a freshwater dip in the natural rock basins and listen to the raucous cries of monkeys and spot monitor lizards in the pristine jungle.
To the south of the lagoon there is a popular nesting place for turtles. The beach is shared by the Juara Beach Resort, several budget chalets and a few beachside restaurants.
The easiest way to reach Juara is by four-wheel drive or motorcycle from Tekek Village, a two-hour journey, or by boat from any west coast village.
Relax on this beautiful palm-fringed, kilometre-long crescent of soft golden sand that nestles beneath the Berjaya Tioman Beach Resort, an architecturally impressive Malay-style hotel offering a variety of amenities including an 18-hole golf course in a secluded retreat surrounded by virgin rainforest.
This narrow stretch of soft golden sand is surrounded by steep jungle-clad hills and framed by grey granite boulders.
A walking path behind the beach leads to restaurants, cafes, shops and several chalets before following the shoreline to the nearby village of Paya.
Relax on the beach, wander jungle trails and ford streams, listen to the call of birds and see monkeys and monitor lizards flitter through the forest, then watch a sunset with a cold duty-free beer at a beachside restaurant.
This crescent of golden sand hugs a horseshoe-shaped bay and is probably the best beach on the west side of the island.
The southern end of the beach is the most popular, with soft sand and good snorkelling in warm crystal clear water with a variety of colourful reef fish on display.
Behind the beach lies Tioman’s liveliest village, crowded with resorts, restaurants and shops, especially around the jetty, which, together with a freshwater lagoon, divides the village.
Easily reached by water taxi or by hiking a trail over the headland from Salang Beach, this golden-sand beach offers a quiet alternative to its busy neighbour.
Sunbathe on the beach, take a diving course in the shallow waters, go snorkelling or savour ice-cold duty-free beer at one of the beachside bars and restaurants.
Dip your toes into the soft golden sand of this small, tree-fringed beach that fronts the Panuba Inn Resort.
A coastal trail leads north to Monkey Bay and Salang Village and south to Ayer Batang Village.
Known as ABC, this popular causarina-fringed golden-sand beach is crowded with chalets and restaurants.
The beach stretches north of Tekek Village until Panuba Inn Resort. A jetty divides the beach in half, with the best swimming found at the southern end of the village.
A path hung with lush vegetation runs the length of the beach and continues over the headland to Penuba Bay.
Come for a day, or stay longer at Nazri's Place (photo), the largest hotel at Air Batang, offering modern accommodation in well-appointed rooms.
Discover a 300m-long crescent of soft golden sand that shelves gently into a crystal clear bay framed by giant granite boulders.
Listen to the cry of monkeys and parrots in the surrounding rainforest, visit the nearby turtle sanctuary and snorkel the offshore coral gardens.
Located in front of the Berjaya Resort, this tiny rocky island offers good snorkelling and diving over impressive coral formations.
Tioman Island offers an excellent range of accommodation options, from budget chalets located in beachfront kampungs (villages) to luxury beachfront resorts, including the following…
Japamala Resorts - By Samadhi
Location: Lanting Village, Tioman Island
Rating: 4.5-star
Prices: from AUD883 per room
Description: Located on the beautiful Tioman Island, Japamala Resorts - By Samadhi is set amidst a tropical rainforest. It features an outdoor pool, 2 dining options and elegant accommodation with a terrace. WiFi is free in public areas. Tastefully decorated, the suites and villas come with classic wooden interiors and windows that provide natural light. Each stylish unit is equipped with a seating area, flat-screen TV and an attached bathroom. Guests can fish, snorkel or go on a diving trip. Indulging in a relaxing body massage is another good recreation choice. Tamarind Tioman Restaurant serves a spread of Indochinese and Thai dishes, while Western specialities are offered at Mandi-Mandi Restaurant. Japamala Resorts - By Samadhi is a 20-minute boat ride from Tioman Airport. Facilities incl.: 2 restaurants, 2 bars, outdoor pool, spa and watersports including snorkelling and scuba diving.
Tunamaya Beach & Spa Resort
Location: Mukim Tioman, Tioman Island
Rating: 4-star
Prices: from AUD216 per room
Description: Tunamaya Beach & Spa Resort is a 2-hour ferry ride from Tanjung Gemok jetty. Featuring modern villas with a balcony, the resort features snorkeling activities and a spa. The air-conditioned villas come equipped with a flat-screen satellite TV. Full-length windows lead out to a balcony overlooking the beach or rainforest. An electric teakettle and tea/coffee maker are included in each villa. Relax with a soothing massage or try out a luxurious body treatment at Tunamaya’s spa. Guests with young children can use the babysitting service. Tunamaya Beach & Spa Resort is a 15-minute boat ride to Genting Village. It is also a 30-minute boat ride from Tekek Airport on Tioman Island.
Berjaya Tioman Resort
Location:Pahang Darul Makmur
Rating: 4-star
Prices: from AUD138 per room
Description: This luxury resort faces a beautiful white-sand beach. Guestrooms and private chalets offer balconies with sea or garden views and are fully equipped with modern amenities including refrigerators, televisions with satellite channels and air conditioning. The resort provides 2 dining options, an outdoor pool and free Wi-Fi in its public areas. It features Malay-style chalets with sea or garden views. A beautiful 18-hole golf course boasts views of the sea and rainforest. Fitted with hardwood floors and furnishings, spacious chalets feature air conditioning and a private balcony. They come with cable TV and a tea/coffee maker. Sri Nelayan serves Malaysian and international specialties, and Coriander Seeds Restaurant is open for dinner. For drinks and light snacks, the sunken pool bar and beach bar are available. Guests can exercise in the fitness center or choose from a range of treatments at Taaras Spa. Tennis courts and a game room are provided. Berjaya Tioman Resort is a 1-hour, 30-minute ferry ride from Mersing Jetty or Tanjung Gemok Jetty. Facilities incl.: 4 restaurants, 2 bars, 2 outdoor pools, small health club, spa, golf course, room service, 4 lighted tennis courts, Internet access, PADI diving site and complimentary watersports.
The best time to visit Tioman Island is from mid-January to late-March.
Tioman is hot and humid year-round. You can expect rainfall throughout the year in Tioman, however, rain generally arrives in heavy late-afternoon downpours, leaving the rest of the day sunny and dry.
The drier season lasts from early-January through to mid-May. The month with the fewest wet days in Tioman Island is February, with an average of 9 days with some rain.
Daytime temperatures average 26°C (78°F), with 85 per cent humidity.
More information about Tioman weather…
Tioman Island is located around 32km (20mi) off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia in the South China Sea.
The most convenient route to Tioman Island is by air to Singapore's Changi Airport (SIN), followed by bus and ferry ride to the island.
Several bus companies operate daily from Singapore to Mersing Jetty, taking on average 3 hour 25 minutes. Air-conditioned buses also make the six-hour trip from Kuala Lumpur’s Puduraya Bus Terminal as well as from Johor Bahru.
From Mersing Jetty the ferry operates five times daily and takes 1 hour 50 minutes to reach Kampung Tekak on Tioman Island.
Hotels and resorts on Tioman can also arrange private transport by prior arrangement.
To guarantee a ferry seat, visitors can reserve tickets in advance at www.tiomanferry.com.
More information about how to get to Tioman Island…
Latest update: Tioman Island: 25 June, 2022
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