Tioman Island, Malaysia: travel guide
A volcanic island of coral reefs and jungle-backed beaches off Pahang
Volcanic island off Pahang in the South China Sea, a protected marine park ringed by coral reefs, popular for diving and jungle-backed beaches.
About Tioman Island
Tioman is an island in the South China Sea off Pahang, a mountainous, jungle-covered island surrounded by coral reefs and protected as a marine park. It is a place for beach days, snorkelling and diving rather than sightseeing.
Villages such as Salang, Air Batang (Kampung ABC) and Juara are strung along the coast, each with a different feel, from busy dive centres to quiet beaches on the eastern shore. The Salang Viewpoint and Paya Beach are favourites for sea views and swimming, and clear water makes snorkelling easy.
Tioman suits divers, backpackers and anyone who wants a simple island stay. Ferry and boat services are tied to the monsoon, which makes the drier months from about March to September the usual season.
- Country
- Malaysia
- Currency
- MYR
- Time zone
- Asia/Kuala_Lumpur
Last updated
Top places to visit in Tioman Island
Paya Beach
Beach · 4.4 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
West-coast beach village between Genting and Air Batang with a handful of mid-range resorts.
Air Batang (Kampung ABC)
Beach · 4.4 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Backpacker-oriented village north of Tekek, chalets and dive shops along the beach.
Minang Cove
Nature · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Described as the only true cove on Tioman Island, near Mukut on the southern coast.
Pulau Tulai (Coral Island)
Nature · 4.8 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Small island off Tioman's west coast, standard stop on round-island snorkelling trips.
Monkey Beach
Beach · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Secluded cove reached by a coastal trail from Air Batang, known for calm snorkeling water.
Tioman Marine Park Information Centre
Museum · 4.7 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Visitor centre near Tekek with displays on the 9 protected islands of Tioman Marine Park.
Asah Waterfall
Waterfall · 4.9 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
30m granite-pool waterfall near the semi-abandoned Kampung Asah, reached by boat plus a jungle walk.
Gunung Nenek Semukut (Dragon's Horns)
Viewpoint · 5.0 rating · about 6 h · check the fee at the gate
Twin granite towers above Kampung Mukut, one of Tioman's toughest hikes, guide recommended.
Salang Viewpoint
Viewpoint · 4.1 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
~45-minute climb above Salang village for a sunrise view over the west coast.
Juara Beach
Beach · 4.0 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Tioman's only east-coast village, quieter with a surf spot in favourable wind.
Salang Beach
Beach · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Northernmost west-coast beach/village, base for divers and snorkellers.
Kampung Tekek
Cultural · 4.5 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Tioman's largest village and administrative centre.
Things to do
- PADI Open Water Diver Course Diving · 96 h · from MYR 1,050 per person
- Discover Scuba Dive Diving · 4 h · from MYR 300 per person
- Fun Dive (2-Tank, Certified Divers) Diving · 3 h · from MYR 100 per person
- Coral Island Snorkelling & Island Hopping Tour Snorkeling · 8 h · from MYR 260 per person
- Asah Waterfall Trek Adventure · 3 h
- Tekek-Juara Cross-Island Trek Adventure · 2.5 h
- Paya-Juara Jungle Trail Adventure · 3 h
- Gunung Nenek Semukut Climb Adventure · 8 h · from MYR 150 per person
Where to stay in Tioman Island
Hotels
- Japamala Resort 5-star · MYR 700 to MYR 1,400 per night
- Sun Beach Resort Tioman 3-star · MYR 150 to MYR 280 per night
- Bagus Place Retreat 4-star · MYR 700 to MYR 1,200 per night
- Tunamaya Beach & Spa Resort 4-star · MYR 400 to MYR 700 per night
- Minang Cove Resort 3-star · MYR 200 to MYR 350 per night
- Berjaya Tioman Resort 4-star · MYR 350 to MYR 650 per night
Where to eat
- Salang Dreams Restaurant Grill, BBQ, Seafood · about MYR 52 per person
- Salang Indah Restaurant Malay, Asian · about MYR 52 per person
- Chinese Salang Restaurant Chinese · about MYR 21 per person
- Tioman Cabana Beach Bistro Seafood, Western · about MYR 52 per person
- Warong Syahirah Malay BBQ Seafood · about MYR 21 per person
- Mawar Beach Restaurant Malay, Western · about MYR 21 per person
- ABC Chalet N Restaurant Seafood, Asian · about MYR 21 per person
- Sunset Bar Tioman Bar, Light Bites · about MYR 52 per person
Getting to Tioman Island
Nearest airport: Johor Bahru (JHB), about 141 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.
Getting around
- Boat
- Walking