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| Tioman | ||
| State | Pahang | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 2.300 | |
other value for residents on Wikidata: 432   | ||
| Tourist info web | www.tioman.com.my | |
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | ||
| location | ||
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Pulau Tioman is an island off the south-east coast of Malaysia and is known within Southeast Asia as a paradise for divers and snorkellers.
background
Tioman has mighty and beautiful mountains covered with rainforest. About 2,300 people live on Tioman. Tourists are usually enthusiastic about the breathtakingly beautiful sandy beaches with palm trees and the clear water. Tioman became famous in the 1960s through the Hollywood film "South Pacific", in which Tioman was the location for the island "Bali Hai". It has since become popular with backpackers. Thereafter, Tioman was declared one of the 10 most beautiful islands in the world and has since been visited year after year by nature lovers and sun worshipers. The island (Pulau) Tioman is 36 nautical miles off the east coast of Malaysia.
The main season starts at the beginning of February and lasts until the end of October, although the beaches can be visited all year round. Those who want to travel there should be aware that the island has a Muslim population. With revealing clothing for women, walking through the villages in bathing suits, alcoholic beach parties, topless or even nudism, you don't make yourself popular. You should also include Ramadan when planning your trip.
getting there
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By plane
Pulau Tioman (IATA Airport Code TOD) was only used by Berjaya Air which a daily connection to and from Kuala Lumpur and 3 times a week to and from Singapore offered. The line service is currently closed. (July 2018) - The flight time to KualaLumpur is approximately 60 minutes; You can fly to Singapore in 40 minutes. Please note that in Kuala Lumpur the airport in Subang (IATA code SZB) and in Singapore the airport Seletar (IATA code XSP) are served. As tourists, however, usually at the international airports of Kuala Lumpur - KLIA (IATA code KUL) or Singapore Changi (IATA Code SIN) arriving and departing, you have to plan a transfer to the respective airport. In Kuala Lumpur you should plan at least 3 hours for a transfer from KLIA to Subang Airport! There are shuttle buses operating, alternatively you can of course also take a taxi (approx. MYR 60).
Berjaya Air flies to Tioman Airport with a DeHavilland Dash 7, which only seats 48 passengers. The reason for this small plane is the very short runway in Tioman. This guarantees a spectacular landing, as you enjoy the descent over turquoise water and then after a sharp right turn - close to the breathtaking rainforest - touch down on the runway and then come to an emergency stop.
IMPORTANT: Due to tropical rain or storms, Berjaya Air may cancel the flight to and from Kuala Lumpur. Since the machine flies the route Kuala Lumpur - Tioman - Singapore - Tioman - Kuala Lumpur, if you cancel in Singapore, the flight to Kuala Lumpur (and vice versa) is also canceled and you are stuck on Tioman until the next flight is offered the next day becomes. Since there are no alternatives in such weather, it is well advised to plan a "safety day" in Kuala Lumpur or Singapore, otherwise you will not be able to make your connecting flight in Kuala Lumpur or Singapore in the event of a flight cancellation.
By boat
In addition to the flight connection, you can also use ferry (1.5 hours) to get to Tioman Island. Ferries lay in Mersing and Tanjung Gemok from and cost MYR 35. The price is, at least in contrast to the above page (25 USD) [1] still up to date in 2018 (approx. 17 USD). The ferry times depend on the tides and are only published about a month in advance. A ferry usually runs in the afternoon! between 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. and is therefore mostly! by bus from Kuala Lumpur (9 a.m. - approx. 2:30 p.m.) [2] to reach. Otherwise an overnight stay in Mersing is due. Transnasional uses very comfortable buses. The route does not take the shortest route, but across the Malaysian peninsula to the eastern coastal road and then south to Mersing. (In this way the ferry from Gemok to Tioman) The jetty is about 1 km from the bus station and can be reached via a steep pedestrian bridge. [3] First, however, you have to go to the ferry office (right side of the street in front of the jetty (see info point on the map)). The national park fee of MYR 30 for adult foreigners and MYR 15 for children between 6 and 11 years old is also due there.
mobility
The only road leads from the airport (Lapangan Terbang) to Berjaya Tioman Resort. Taxis are rarely available and the best way to get around the island is by bike (borrow at the hotel).
In the meantime (as of 2018) the ways are open Tioman has been expanded somewhat. The road in Tekek ends at the northern end on a paved path around a rocky promontory to Air Batang. The road and path are separated by narrow bollards so that bicycles can fit straight through. Bicycles are therefore ideal means of transport that can be used individually.
Several accommodations transport guests' luggage to and from the boat docks on a motorcycle with a sidecar. Sometimes people, including tourists, are also transported with it. The various places on the island can be reached either by road, on small, sometimes steep hiking trails or by boat.
With boats
By far the best and cheapest way to jump from one village to another is to take the ferry to Mersing / Tioman. On the way to and from Mersing, it runs between Salang in the north and Genting in the south. The ferry takes you to most of the villages and is much cheaper than the private speedboat services, but it's not all the time. Speedboats cost between 20 and 60 RM for a single trip, depending on the destination. For example, a speedboat from Salang to Tekek costs around 30 RM, and a trip from Salang to Juara costs around 60 to 100 RM. A single boat trip from the west coast to the east coast costs RM150 and can be shared if there are more passengers. Expect to pay double at night.
On foot
There are several jungle walks along the power lines that connect the villages. Hiking shoes and long trousers are recommended for this.
- Tekek Juara: It is relatively easy to cross the island on foot from Tekek to Juara. The trail from Tekek is a well-developed, but unpaved, 7 km long, 300 m high path along the power line with occasional stone steps and some fallen tree trunks. This can be done with a small backpack, but it is quite exhausting. So take enough time (at least two hours each way for the route itself or three and a half hours when passing from settlement to settlement). The route north of the airport begins in Tekek. Alternatives to walking are speedboat or 4WD, RM50-100.
- Tekek-Air Batang: It is also possible to go from Tekek to Air Batang (ABC). The 3.5 km long path is relatively flat. Just go north on the concrete path.
- Air Batang-Monkey Bay: You follow the power cable again. The walk takes about 70 minutes and is exhausting. Panuba Resort comes first, Monkey Beach next.
- Monkey Bay Salang: Follow the power cord again. The path is difficult to see at times. This path is steeper than the previous ones. This part of the hike can take up to 90 minutes. Do not try a heavy backpack.
places
- 1 Tekek (Kampung Tekek).
.The busy little main town of the island is characterized by many shops (including a duty free shop with alcoholic beverages), a simple clinic, a police station and various accommodations south of the jetty. There are several sandy beaches. The access to the southern sandy beach is somewhat inconspicuous directly to the left of the marina or through the accommodations. There are several diving schools both north and south of the jetty.
- 2 Air Batangdo (Ayer Batang, ABC Beach). This much more secluded, elongated place has its own jetty. On both sides of this there are various accommodations, bars and diving schools. As a rule, alcohol is not sold in the small grocery stores. A faded sign is still visible near the jetty, which says that Muslims are prohibited from selling alcohol under threat of MYR 5000 or imprisonment. Alcohol consumption by non-Muslims is apparently not affected and is also tolerated. Accordingly, beer is only offered in a few bars and diving schools. In several restaurants, however, you are allowed to bring alcoholic beverages, sometimes for a fee of 2 MYR. There are partly longer beaches to the south and north of the village. In between there are rather stony stretches of beach. The place only has a narrow concrete path that extends to Tekek and is delimited there by narrow bollards. Accordingly, the largest motorized vehicles are the sidecar motorcycles described. At the northern end of the village, the concrete path turns into a hiking trail towards Kampung Salang. Rental bicycles are one of the best modes of transport with which the way to Tekek can be mastered without any problems.
- 3 Kampung Salang.
Nice little village with lots of restaurants and resorts and 2 wonderful beaches.
- 4 Juara (Kampung Mukut).is a very quiet beach on the east coast, especially in the off-season when there is almost no one around. Three rivers come from the mountains and flow onto the beach. With their cold fresh water, they are a cool alternative to swimming in the sea. The not over-commercialized and uncrowded beaches are some of the best on the island. There are a variety of restaurants and hotels on the beach, making it easy to spend a full day even if you don't want to stay on this side of the island.
- 5 Kampung Mukut.Quiet and clean Malay fishing village. with beautiful beaches, grocery stores and restaurants. Also suitable for families. People are friendly and you can hike to the waterfall. Alcohol is not sold in this area.
- 6 Kampung Genting.small fishing village with wonderful beaches and many accommodations, restaurants, mini markets.
- 7 Paya. small touristic place with beautiful beaches with resorts, restaurants, diving school.
Tourist Attractions
Tourists usually come to the island to dive, snorkel or enjoy the lush vegetation. You won't find any classic sights on Tioman. The island is a sight in itself.
- 1 Lubuk Teja Waterfall. Short hike from the village center, but steep climb. Good shoes! Not recommended for children or the elderly. Very clean, cool water invites you to swim.
- 2 Ali's Waterfall. Just a short walk from the main road to the waterfall and swimming pool.
- 3 Kampong Asah Waterfall. After about 15 minutes on foot you will reach this quiet place in the forest. A natural pool with a small waterfall is ideal for a refreshing swim. The place is well maintained and also suitable for children.
- 4 Mother Willow Tree. This is a large Ficus Benjamin tree. It's about a 45-minute walk from the beach mangroves. Follow the signs for "Rock Falls" into the forest. After the Rock Fall, there is a yellow marked trail to the tree for 30 minutes. It is more the path through the rainforest that inspires than the tree that is worth seeing.
activities
Tioman is the ideal place to relax and seek peace. Since there are no shopping centers, discos, bars or the like, you can often find a peaceful silence on the picture-perfect beaches, especially if you visit the island outside of the main tourist season. There are a number of lonely uninhabited beaches that can only be reached by boat. You have to know and trust the skipper very well, otherwise the way back (due to a lack of alternatives) can be very expensive, contrary to any previous agreement.
beaches
- 1 Monkey Bay. consists of 2 natural, beautiful beaches, which are connected by a not so easy path. From Salang it can be reached on foot in 45-60 minutes or by taxi boat. Beware of the monkeys on the beach. They like to steal food or the entire backpack and can be dangerous. They learned that the tourists like to feed them.
- 2 Segipong Bay Campsite. The most suitable place for camping with a tent on Tioman Island. You can rent tents or bring your own. Good beach for swimming and snorkeling.
Snorkeling and diving
Since the waters around Tioman are among the best diving areas in the world, the sight of colorful coral reefs with a multitude of fish, small canyons or shipwrecks should not be missed! The island, lined with white beaches and palm trees and covered with dense rainforest, offers some of the best reefs in Malaysia with clear, warm water and an immense wealth of marine flora and fauna. The snorkeling off most of the beaches is fantastic and can match any snorkeling excursion for a fraction of the cost.
- You should inform yourself well about the reef inhabitants beforehand. There are poisonous fish and lower animals, very unpleasant jellyfish, sea urchins and much more.If you snorkel in shallow waters, you should take special care not to come into contact with them. It may require medical attention, which is problematic on deserted beaches.
- Most resorts and all fishing villages can take you to the best snorkeling beaches and small uninhabited islands nearby (such as 1 Pulau Tulai, also known as "Coral Island") and to the island 2 Renggis come.
- You should pay particular attention to rental equipment, otherwise you will be subject to the arbitrary compensation claims of the lender.
- Many jellyfish can be found from May to September, which affects snorkeling.
The most popular snorkeling spots are:
- Paya: A group of rocks next to the beach offers a variety of colorful corals and fish.
- Tekek: The marine park, 3 km north of Tekek, has an artificial reef right next to its jetty. Visibility can be limited and there isn't a lot of coral, but it is full of fish.
- Air Batang: The best village for snorkeling. At ABC (the other end of the beach) you can snorkel around the rocks towards Panuba on a reef full of colorful corals and fish. It's not too deep and is perfect for snorkeling. The reef on either side of the jetty is even more colorful, where you can see turtles and a huge garden of yellow corals.
- Salang: South of the jetty, the corals start almost as soon as the water is deep enough to swim in, giving the less confident swimmer a great view of a wide variety of fish and even turtles. If you follow the rocks further out and around the headland, there is an even greater variety of marine life. The small island just off the headland is also worth swimming to see reef sharks.
Other
- golf: You can also play golf on the island. A good facility can be found at the Berjaya Tioman Beach, Golf & SPA Resort mentioned below.
- Surfing:: Waves up to 2 m come from the South China Sea, but only during the rainy season (November - March) and only hit the east side of the island.
- 3 Juara Turtle Project open to visitors during the day. Available volunteer and group programs. Sea turtle protection, sustainable habitat protection. privately financed and operated. 1-2 hours to learn more about how sea turtles live and how to protect them. You can see eggs or injured sea turtles depending on the current situation. Minimum donation of RM10 as entry fee.
shop
There are no malls or department stores on Tioman. However, there are a few small shops where you can buy everyday necessities (but no alcohol). Tioman is a duty free zone and has a good selection of alcohol and cigarettes at very reasonable prices. The main store is "Vision Duty Free"
- 1 Vision duty-free past the hospital and school, along the airport route
- Snorkel gear: Can be bought in Telek's larger stores if you don't want to rent it.
kitchen
On Tioman there are a number of small, local restaurants where you can experience the variety of Malaysian cuisine at a reasonable price. The seafood and of course the Malaysian national dishes are recommended.
Depending on where you eat, food on Tioman can be quite expensive compared to other places in Malaysia. Western food can cost up to 15 RM per plate, while local food is cheaper (between 8 and 12 RM). Especially if you eat in the restaurants that are attached to the resorts and chalets, you should plan around 30 RM per day (good breakfast, lunch and dinner). "Street food" in the form of fried rice or burger stands are everywhere, but opening times are unclear.
Most restaurants on the island are closed for lunch during Ramadan.
The 1.5 liter bottle of water costs RM4, some shops offer refills with locally filtered water for RM1-2. Canned soft drinks cost around RM3, beer starts at RM3 (Skol Beer in local store), but note that some restaurants do not allow you to order alcohol.
accommodation
Tioman is Malaysia's most commercialized east coast island, but it still lacks mass tourism and there are plenty of cheap accommodations. However, if you want to be anywhere other than backpacker villages on undeveloped beaches, you have to plan well. You can get there by speedboat, but the way back is more problematic. Cell phone reception is not everywhere and appointments with regard to time and especially the price with the speedboat owners for the purpose of return transport must be viewed with caution. You are then at the mercy of their demands.
Some places stay open all year round, but many close for the monsoon season (usually late October through mid / late February).
There are a large number of bungalows along the beaches. The accommodations are generally clean, but kept simple, with fans or air conditioning and a large balcony. Most of Tioman's backpacker accommodations are in the north of the island. Numerous budget chalets are located near Salang and Air Batang, and to a lesser extent in Tekek. Dorm beds start at RM 20, single rooms (cabins) at RM 40 and higher. .
This is the only 4-star hotel Berjaya Beach, Golf and SPA Resortwhich was built in the style of a Malaysian village. The individual chalets each have 4 rooms and are generously distributed over the hotel complex. The rooms are spacious and have the usual international 4-star standard. Some of the chalets are so close to the beach that the water ends just a few meters from the front door when the tide is high. Unfortunately, the rooms do not have an Internet connection, which is why you should bring a wireless modem with you if you don't want to do without the Internet. Alternatively, the hotel offers free WiFi in all restaurants. This does not necessarily contribute to a typical restaurant atmosphere (many guests sit at the table with laptops), but it is an inexpensive alternative to using the Internet. A business center is also available in the hotel.
nightlife
If you want nightlife and atmosphere, there are a few bars between Tekek Village and Air Batang serving everything from cheap beer to cocktails, and most of them do the occasional campfire night on the beach.
Practical advice
- Wifi is not widespread on Tioman. The accommodations it offers often only cover the dining area and even then it can be painfully slow. If the internet is important to you, better bring it with you through your SIM card provider.
- Cellular coverage: available almost everywhere, except e.g. on some remote beaches.
security
- In particular, in 2012 (more than 100 cases) and May 2014 (more than 40 cases), travelers to Tioman experienced repeated outbreaks of sarcocystosis, a rare and little-known tropical parasitic disease. Sarcocystosis is not well known among doctors and is often misdiagnosed. If you experience flu-like symptoms and severe muscle pain after a trip to Tioman, contact a tropical disease specialist right away. Experimental treatment options with co-trimoxazole and steroids are available.
- One thing to watch out for is coral cuttings, which are loaded with bacteria and become septic very quickly if not treated in a timely manner. Bring sterile wound wash and antiseptic cream for coral cutting; Wash and treat immediately to avoid nasty infection. Also watch out for the triggerfish. These little pointy fish are very cute, but during their mating season they become territorial and attack swimmers.
- Monkeys can be quite wild and are known to try opening windows and doors to forage, thanks to irresponsible tourists who insist on feeding the monkeys.
- Theft is generally not a problem in private rooms.
- Some young men (in their twenties) may invite female tourists for drinks. If you're not interested, politely but firmly decline their offer. There have been some rapes on this island. As a woman, you should be aware that this is a Muslim island and dress accordingly. Not sitting in a bikini in a restaurant and walking around, pulling a summer dress over it helps.
