Tioman: The Sleeping Dragon

According to legend, Tioman Island is the resting place of a beautiful dragon princess who, while flying to visit her prince in Singapore, fell in love with the area and turned herself into an island to offer shelter to travelers. Looking at the island’s profile from the sea, with its high, jagged peaks and green ridges, the dragon myth is easy to believe.

Located off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, Tioman was once voted one of the world’s most beautiful islands by Time Magazine in the 1970s. In 2026, it remains a stunningly green and lush destination. While it has developed, it has avoided the mass commercialization of other Southeast Asian hotspots. It is a marine park sanctuary, a duty-free zone, and a haven for eco-tourists.

Why Visit Tioman in 2026?

Tioman strikes a rare balance: it is accessible and has amenities, yet it feels wild. Jungle trekking here is authentic, with trails leading through ancient rainforests inhabited by monkeys, monitor lizards, and mouse deer. The marine life is spectacular, making it a favorite for divers and snorkelers from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.

Best Time to Visit

Dry Season (March - October): The seas are calm and visibility is excellent. This is the diving season.
Monsoon Season (November - February): The northeast monsoon hits hard. Heavy rains and rough seas mean many resorts close, and ferry services are disrupted. Avoid this period.

How to Get There

Ferry: The main entry point is via ferry from Mersing or Tanjung Gemok on the mainland. The ride takes 1.5 to 2 hours.
- Tip: The ferry tides at Mersing can be tricky. In 2026, Tanjung Gemok is often the more reliable departure point as it is less affected by tides.
Air: Berjaya Air operates flights from Subang Airport (KL) and Seletar Airport (Singapore) directly to Tioman (TOD). These are small propeller planes and offer a scenic arrival.

Iconic Villages & Beaches

Tioman is a collection of “Kampungs” (villages), each with a distinct vibe. There are few roads connecting them, so water taxis are the main mode of transport.

1. Salang (North)

The backpacker and diver hub. It has a lively atmosphere, cheap chalets, and great access to nearby reef sites like Coral Island (Pulau Tulai). The monitor lizards here are famous (and huge), often seen strolling through the village.

2. ABC (Air Batang)

A long, paved path runs through this village. It’s chilled out, friendly, and offers a good mix of budget and mid-range accommodation. A great place to watch the sunset.

3. Tekek

The “capital” and administrative center. Here you find the airport, the only marina, larger hotels, and the main duty-free shops. It’s less atmospheric than the other villages but convenient.

4. Juara (East Coast)

Located on the isolated east side, accessible by a steep road from Tekek or by boat. Juara is quieter, with a wider beach and bigger waves (surfable in the monsoon). It is home to the Juara Turtle Project.

5. Paya and Genting

Popular with Singaporean package groups and families. These villages have larger resorts and integrated facilities.

Things to Do

Snorkeling & Diving: Tioman is part of a Marine Park. “Renggis Island” right off Tekek offers blacktip reef sharks and turtles. “Chebeh” and “Labas” are world-class dive sites with volcanic rock formations and swim-throughs.
Jungle Trekking: The trek from Tekek to Juara (cutting across the island) is a classic. It takes about 2-3 hours through dense jungle.
Asah Waterfall: Located in the south near Mukut village. It appeared in the 1958 movie South Pacific. The setting is enchanting.
Golf: There is an 18-hole golf course at the Berjaya Tioman Resort for those who want to tee off in the tropics.

Gastronomy & Duty-Free

Duty-Free: Alcohol and chocolate are tax-free on Tioman, making them significantly cheaper than on the mainland (where alcohol tax is high).
Ikan Bakar: Grilled fish marinated in spices, wrapped in banana leaf.
Roti Canai: Flaky flatbread served with dhal or curry—the standard Malaysian breakfast.

Sustainability: The Juara Turtle Project

Tioman is a critical nesting site for Green and Hawksbill turtles. The Juara Turtle Project is a volunteer-based conservation center. Visitors can learn about turtle biology, see the hatcheries, and (if lucky) witness a release. They are leading the fight against plastic pollution on the island.

Safety and Tips

Sandflies: Some beaches (especially the quieter ones) can have sandflies. Use coconut oil or specialized repellent.
Monkeys: Long-tailed macaques can be aggressive if they see food. Don’t carry plastic bags openly.
Coral: Do not stand on the coral. The marine park rangers are strict, and damage to the reef is taken seriously.

Tioman in 2026 is a nostalgic tropical dream. It is lush, vibrant, and full of life above and below the water. It offers a “castaway” feeling with the comfort of a cold duty-free beer at the end of the day.