Pulau Tioman, as it's known in Malaysia, has gained immense worldwide popularity in the past decade or so. Tioman sits just off Malaysia's east peninsular coast, fairly remote, yet easily accessible by ferry.
Tioman has been en vogue amongst holiday-makers from the immediate region, as well as from further afield, such as Europe, Australia and even South America. Collectively, all Tioman tourists represent a real mix of travelers. From backpackers, trekking their way around Asia, to those in search of a more exclusive getaway.
Versatile Island
Both holiday styles can be found in Tioman, along with plenty of budgets in between. Just about anyone can have their fill in Tioman Island, given its versatility.
Divers tend to flock to Tioman for its unrivalled coral gardens and abundance of marina flora and fauna. There are quite a few dive outfits on the island, all of which established and reputable. In fact, getting dive certified is another one of Tioman's fortes.
But one of Tioman's main attractions has been its breathtaking natural beauty. Whether you're below or above the waterline, you'll be in constant awe of the lush terrain, the dense emerald forest, the countless coral reef dwellers, large and small, putting on a show and the stunning beaches that look like glossy travel brochures come alive.
Tioman Ferry
In spite of Tioman's relative remoteness, it's actually not very hard to get to. This way, it has the best of both worlds: blissful tranquillity and good accessibility.
What's the best way of getting to Tioman? By far the most convenient way to travel to Tioman is by ferry. The journey is about 2 hours long, depending on which village you're booked your hotel. The departure point of the ferry is Mersing, a modest coastal town in the north of Johor. From the Malaysia/Singapore border, it takes about 2 hours by bus to reach Mersing.
Travel smart, book ahead
A word of warning about the Mersing ferry to Tioman. As Mersing's river mouth is quite shallow, the ferry can only sail when the tide is high. This restricts the number of crossings to Tioman and back. In other words, if you want to make sure that you have tickets for the ferry, it's advisable to book these in advance, for example on this Tioman Ferry website. The site comes recommended by numerous Tioman hotels, resorts and dive companies.