Tioman Island, on the east coast of Malaysia, immediately caught our attention as we approached by ferry. The island is incredibly green, with lush jungle covering much of the landscape and the famous Dragon Horns rising above it — more on those later! As soon as we arrived, we noticed how beautiful the beaches actually are. Long, soft sand beaches with clear waters.
We noticed a different kind of island vibe than we’re used to. It was peaceful and quiet, especially as we were getting closer to the low season. We also appreciated that the island felt well-kept, with no stray dogs and plenty of cats instead. Locals are also quite clear about respecting local customs, so you won’t see bikinis or shirtless people walking around or sitting at restaurants.
For Muslim travelers, Tioman is a comfortable destination, with several fully halal restaurants, prayer spaces, and places that don’t serve alcohol. Add the quiet beaches and jungle adventures, and you have a great mix of relaxing and exploring.
High season starts from April to September, with June to August being the peak months. This is when most tourists visit, everything is open and the sun is shining almost every day, but prices are also higher.
The low season would be from October to March, with monsoon (very low season) from November to Februari. We came in September and it was already very quiet and the weather was not that sunny. During monsoon, heavy rain and rough seas are common, and many accommodations and activities close temporarily. For this reason, visiting outside the high season is generally not recommended, as most of the island is closed.
If you’re staying in Kuala Lumpur there are basically 2 options to reach Tioman. Eitherway, you’ll need to take the bus to Mersing, where you’ll take the boat to Tioman.
The first option being, to take the bus at night and arrive next morning at the jetty in Mersing, so you can directly take the boat to Tioman.
The second option is what we did. We took the bus at 12:30 AM, so we stayed the night at Mersing, because our boat was scheduled the next morning.
The bus departs from station TBS in Kuala Lumpur and costs 65 MYR/14 EUR. The busride takes about 5 hours to reach Mersing, depending on how many stops it takes. You get dropped off right at the jetty. We booked the bus on redBus.
Then for the boat to Tioman there are basically two boat companies, Bluewater Express and Cataferry. We always try to book the boat with Cataferry, as they are more reliable. It takes 1 hour and 15 min to Tioman and costs 70 MYR/ 15 EUR. We used this website.
Tioman Island has a small airport, but is only used for emergencies and important events.
TIP: ATMs on Tioman Island are very limited, and withdrawing money often comes with high fees or may not be possible at all. We highly recommend to bring enough cash with you.
Tioman Island is not that small of an island. The way to go from one side of the island to the other, can be with taxi or boat. There is only 1 main road going from ABC and Tekek (westside) to Juara (eastside).
There are many pick-up trucks owned by locals who work as a taxi or tour operator. Usually they charge 50 MYR/ 11 EUR per person. If you want to take the boat to another part of the island, just go to the jetty in your area to check the schedule and book at the counter. Short trips, on the same side of the island usually cost 25 MYR/ 6 EUR.
Furthermore, there is the possibility to rent a scooter or bicycle to explore on your own and be free as a bird. You’ll see plenty of options where to rent them in the streets. Check the picture below for the prices.
We were very happy that the Tioman Island is NOT about nightlife or busy attractions, but about enjoying nature, and spending time in and around the sea. There aren’t a lot of different things to do on the island, but these are the activities we did:
Coral reefs, colorful fish, and sea turtles! We went on a boat trip and got to snorkel at different points. The tour made 5 stops, being Renggis Island, Coral Island, Salang village, Soyak bay and Cukai bay. They are all snorkeling points, except for Salang village, which is a local beach village with some restaurants and accommodations.
The underwater life we saw was interesting, because we saw new things, like many small non-harmful jellyfish, but also 2 types of big jellyfish, with one being over 1 meter long! A shark was also spotted at one of the last stops.
To join a tour like this, it’s best to ask at your accommodation for the best tour operator.
The price is 110 MYR/24 EUR per adult, 90 MYR/20 EUR for age 9-12 years old and 60 MYR/13 EUR for age 4-8 years old.
TIP: If you don’t want to join such tour or don’t have that time, you can snorkel freely at Taman Laut, which is basically a natural aquarium. Throw some bread in the water and watch it come alive! If you don’t want to snorkel you can still feed the fish from the road and enjoy the view.
Tioman Island is amazing for both beginners and experienced divers, with calm waters, good visibility, and dive sites nearby. On every side you’ll find plenty of options to book a diving trip. It is said that Tioman is one of the cheapest places where you can get a diving certificate.
There are diving sites in almost every area, for example in ABC there is B&J Diving Centre and Ocean 13. In Tekek you have Born To Dive Center, or if you like freediving go to Freedive Tioman. Lastly, in Juara, there is Juara Scuba Academy amongst the best of the area.
One of our highlights! Azeddine tends to like impressive trees, so this was his climax, of course!
We booked the tour with Ari, an experienced guide who lives on Tioman with his wife and maintains his family’s land.
We got picked up at our hotel and got driven to our first stop, a turtle sanctuary with unique types of turtles. It’s a local man taking care of the turtles as his passion and does voluntarily instead of an NGO. He explains about the species beautifully and is very knowledgeable. The only thing he asks is a feeding donation of 10 MYR/2 EUR for the turtles.
Then we started our hike to our next stop. On the way we passed through Paya village. It’s a small village in the jungle where people used to live. Nowadays it’s a base where you can ride ATV with a guide through the jungle. Our next stop was the rockfalls. A rocky river that was very low, so it became a rocky waterfall. We took a break here to cool off in the water.
The last part was another 1 hour hike to Mother Willow, the reason why we did this tour. This tree is absolutely incredible. We’ve never seen something like this and is something you have to experience.
On the way back, we stopped at a resort to have a drink. You can also have a meal.
Whatsapp Ari on +60 19 460 8467
Price is 200 MYR/43 EUR pax
TIP: On the way home, ask Ari to show you where the flying foxes sleep. A great finisher of the day!
For the adventurous! The Tioman Dragon Horns via ferrata is a guided “iron path” climb up the island’s iconic granite spires near Kampung Mukut. You start with a steep, humid jungle hike, then move onto fixed cables, iron rungs and short vertical sections that form roughly 60 m of protected climbing near the 630–700 m summit. The full round trip usually takes 5–7 hours, is physically demanding and exposed, and is often promoted as the highest via ferrata in Peninsular Malaysia. Most people do it through local operators who provide helmets, harnesses and safety briefing, typically as part of a 2–3 day island package that also includes snorkeling and beach time.
We haven’t done it ourselves, but it was worth to add to the list. For more information and more activities in Kampung Mukut visit this website.
Another jungle tour with Ari, but this time, on the other side of the island, in Juara! The jungle on this side is more lush and untouched, which is why there is more wildlife and flora to spot.
Again, we got picked up around 10 AM at our hotel and drove through the jungle on a paved road. As soon as we arrived Ari gathered some plants that are used as an insect repellant. This hike is very easy and more like a walk. We spotted 2 types of chameleons and a flying/gliding gecko, snakes, etc. We saw trees in unique shapes and got explanations of how plants and trees communicate and more. A stop at a waterfall is included for a refreshing swim.
The highlight of this tour is finding a bloomed rafflesia flower. This is the biggest flower in the world and usually gives off a bad smell, but the type in Tioman is a bit smaller and doesn’t smell at all. The difficulty is that these flowers take years to grow and only bloom for about 5 days. Grateful for this experience!
On the way back Ari stopped somewhere to show us where king cobra’s sleep. they were massive!
Before going back, we added an extra stop at Juara Beach to have lunch and take a quick swim, because the sun was shining good! This tour is a must-do!
Whatsapp Ari on +60 19 460 8467
Price is 170 MYR/37 EUR pax.
Juara is the only side of the island with mangroves where you can kayak through, if the timing of the tide is right. The tide needs to be high enough, so inform yourself at the local organizations, like Juara Scuba Academy and find yourself exploring in a tropical, yet peaceful, wildlife spotting adventure. If you’re not comfortable going alone, book with a local guide and get the most out of it!
Price for a kayak rental can be 40-50 MYR/10 EUR per hour.
Tioman’s beaches really impressed us, even though they didn’t get a good chance to prove themselves, because of the weather. It was too cloudy most of the time, but once it became sunny, our dopamine levels went through the roof, because the tropical island feeling instantly came back.
Genting Beach at Kampung Genting is on the south part of the westside and is a very good, clean and quiet beach, for swimming and snorkeling.
Tekek Beach or Pantai Kampung Tekek was right behind our stay and already one of the better beaches. It’s a long stretch of beach with soft sand and the possibility to snorkel and see fishes, corals, or even turtles.
Monkey Bay is more up north and has a beautiful piece of tropical beach, with white sand and crystal clear water.
Kampung Salang is even more up north. It’s a local village where you can stay and which you also visit with the snorkel tour. Their beach is also a real piece of paradise!
Juara Beach or Pantai Kampung Juara is probably one of the best beaches. The combination of long and wide beach, palm trees, clear water and quietness is just perfect to lower your stress level.
Planning a trip to Malaysia and want everything in one place? Our Malaysia e-book includes ready-made itineraries, kid-friendly activities, the best cafés and restaurants, practical travel tips, and hidden gems, so you can plan your trip easily and stress-free.
As you know, Malaysia is a Muslim majority country and that clearly shows on Tioman. Expect to hear the ‘adhaan (call to prayer) out loud, signs that say to cover up in restaurants and on the streets, no stray dogs, many cats and lastly, no pork in the restaurants! Some of the restaurants also don’t sell alcohol and are completely halal.
Masjid Kampung Genting is the mosque you’ll go to if you stay in Genting village. Very peaceful, because of the quiet area.
Masjid Jamek Kampung Tekek is the main mosque in Tekek village. A well maintained and clean mosque, completely in blue.
An-Nur Mosque is a unique and very beautiful mosque in the south of Tioman in Kampung Mukut.
Juara Mosque is basically the only mosque on the eastside.
Halal food is everywhere on Tioman, but it’s mostly local food. We did find some places with not bad pizza for our cravings! Overall the food scene is not that extensive, but we share the best ones here. Like always, we mention when the place sells alcohol.
Sunset Corner – a relaxed seaside restaurant on Ayer Batang Beach, known for pizza, drinks, ocean views, and beautiful sunsets.
Kenyalang Smoke House Cafe – a casual café in ABC Village serving rotisserie chicken, fish and chips, chicken chop, BBQ dishes, and refreshing drinks with ocean views.
Wherever Cafe – is a pastel green minivan camper, turned into a cafe. If you’re coffee addicts, like us, this is where you need to go.
HL Restaurant – a good local restaurant with fresh seafood and Asian options.
Satay Faili – right across HL restaurant is where you can get good satay.
Tioman Cabbana beach bistro – to us, this is the best. These guys are a hardworking team, providing great service. They have delicious local food and drinks, but also good pizza! They sell no alcohol and have a praying room downstairs.
TIP: They close from 3 PM until 7 PM, but you can go to the small beach bar next to it from 3 PM to 5 PM. They have pizza and snacks!
Island Cafe – was our go-to cafe for coffee and snacks, like bapao!
Luma Forest – a cute forest café in Kampung Paya, serving coffee and light bites in a peaceful, tropical environment.
The Gingerbread Cafe – another cosy café in Kampung Paya offering coffee, bubble tea, waffles, cakes, and other light bites
Juara Beach Restaurant – a casual looking local restaurant in Kampung Juara, but one of the best local food ever!
Pantai Cafe (sells alcohol) – a welcoming café, known for coffee, Western-style dishes, near the beach.
Accommodation on Tioman ranges from simple beach huts to older style resorts. There aren’t big brands hotels and resorts with luxury rooms and facilities. While there are options for different budgets, the overall choice is limited, and most places are similar.
The area’s most people stay in is either on the westside in ABC or Tekek. This is where most restaurants and water activities take place. More south is Genting, a peaceful village where you can stay if you need more quietness, but not too far from most places.
On the eastside you basically only have Juara. This side is very calm, but it may have the best beach of the island.
Lastly, you can also stay in the southside in or near Mukut. On this side it’s mostly resorts and Mukut is the base village where the via ferrata tour starts.
€ – ABC Chalet is a simple beachfront stay in ABC Bay, with some great snorkeling spots just a few strokes from shore. We love that you can walk straight from your chalet onto the beach and spend the evening watching the sunset from your balcony.
€€ – Papaya Resort is a simple but comfortable stay in Tekek, just a short walk from the beach and ferry marina. We like its convenient location, with restaurants and shops nearby, making it a practical base for exploring Tioman.
€€ – Coral Reef is right on the beach in Tekek, where you can step outside and go for a swim or snorkel. We like the sea views and the on-site café, with more restaurants just a short walk away. The rooms are fairly simple, but the beachfront location makes it a good option.
€€€ – Berjaya Tioman is a spacious beachfront resort surrounded by rainforest, offering a different experience with more facilities and activities in one place. We love the setting between the jungle and the sea, with a swimming pool and plenty of opportunities for snorkeling and diving nearby.
€€ – Tunamaya is a beachfront resort in Mukut, surrounded by lush rainforest. We like the combination of private bungalows, a swimming pool and easy access to snorkeling. It’s also a great base for exploring Dragon’s Horns and Asah Waterfall.
€€€ – Japamala is a secluded luxury resort tucked into the rainforest, with elegant villas and a private beach. We love the chance to spend the day snorkeling before enjoying dinner by the sea. A great choice for couples looking for a quiet, more luxurious stay.
€€€ – The Boathouse is also a secluded beachfront resort with a private beach, beautiful rooms and a swimming pool. We love the thoughtful design. A great option if you want to get away from it all.
€ – Juara Mutiara is a budget-friendly stay right on Juara Beach. We like the beachfront location and the option to arrange snorkeling trips directly through the resort. A good base for exploring this quieter side of Tioman.
€ – Pondok Beach Shack is a laid-back stay near Mentawak Beach, with simple rooms and a relaxed atmosphere. We love that the beach is just a short walk away and guests often praise the helpful staff and peaceful surroundings.
€€ – 1511 Coconut Grove is a lovely beachfront stay in Juara, with cosy chalets and sea views. We like the relaxed setting, friendly hosts and good food, while the nearby Turtle Project makes it a great spot for nature lovers.
