Dive in Pulau Tioman

Tioman is the largest and most developed on the chain of volcanic islands comprising the Pulau Tioman Marine Park. Although the islands were volcanically formed, volcanic activity here ceased thousands of years ago. In total, there are 64 islands within the chain. Nine of these are reasonably large but Tioman is by far the biggest.

Famed as the site of the Hollywood movie - South Pacific, Pulau Tioman is an excellent land destination, which also features a top class marine environment.

The Island of Tioman is the main centre along with 9 other islands in the Marine Reserve, especially selected for the great diversity of reef life so abundant in this clear water zone. Often 20 to 30 metres visibility shows off the turtles, rays, myriad of reef fish and the exquisite coral reefs. Napoleon wrasse and bumphead parrotfish are some of the larger aquatic specimens.

The coastline of granite boulders spotted with coconut palms is very typical as are the small deserted beaches found dotted all along the coast. Whilst offshore the jumble of boulders form rocky outcrops where corals and many fish make it their home. Good for both snorkeling and diving.

Dive in Tioman Island

This mountainous island is covered with dense rainforest and is home to a wide variety of wildlife. Some 45 species of mammals have so far been discovered and these include the long-tailed macaque, slow loris, red giant flying squirrel, palm civet and mouse deer.

There are also 138 species of birds and 25 species of sankes. In addition to this, the island has several unique species of mammals, freshwater fish and plants, which include catfish, rodents, crabs, stick insects and butterflies.

However, it is primarily the sea that attracts visitors to this group of islands. Divers come to enjoy the warm clear seas and the many reefs around Pulau Tioman and the neighbouring islands, which offer a profusion of marine life.

It is believed that the island separated from the mainland about 10,000 years ago as sea levels rose at the end of the last Ice Age. The existing reefs have been radio-carbon dated to about 6,000 years before present and have many varieties of coral and reef fish as well as larger species such as turtles, sharks, manta rays and giant clams.

Tioman dive sites offer something for everyone. Some are no more than a minute from shore while others in the outer islands take at most 30 minutes, travel time.

Dive sites also include a dozen or so wrecks, mainly wooden hulled fishing vessels. The shallow, calm water sites such as Pirate Reef and Renggis Island are ideal for dive training and new divers. Sites further afield, like Chebeh and Tiger Reef, offer deeper waters, more challenging currents and the chance to see larger species of marine life.

The underwater topography features coral reef and huge granite boulders, many covered with soft tree corals and sea fans. Blue Spotted Lagoon Rays (toeniura lymma), Blue-ringed Angel Fish (pomacanthus annularis) and the Six Banded Angle Fish (pomacanthus sextriatus) are common here although rare elsewhere. Most diving centers are closed from November to February due to monsoon weather but the major resorts are open.

However, if diving is not your forte, snorkeling also offers you excellent opportunities to explore inner reefs no more than a minute from the shore. Or, you can just relax on the beautiful, white sandy beaches or frolic in the warm, clear sea.

Getting to Tioman - Flights are available from both Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. There are three main routes if you are travelling by sea. Ferry boats are available from the Singapore World Trade Centre daily. In Malaysia, boats travel from the Mersing Jetty in Johor and the Tanjung Gemok Jetty in Pahang. Accommodation can also be arranged when booking your ferry tickets.

Accommodation - Tioman offers five-star to budget chalet accommodation. It is best to book early during the peak periods of July and August. Bookings can be made through travel agents or at the jetty where on boards the boat for the one hour or so journey to the island. Surrounding islands of the park can be reached by boats from Tioman.

Tioman Dive Sites