PPJ Siri-3
largest in a group of 64 volcanic islands, which includes Seri Bulat Island, Sembilang Island, Tulai Island, Chebeh Island, Labas and Renggis Island. Blessed with miles and miles of soft white sand, swaying palms and cool waterfalls, it is located about 80 km off Peninsular Malaysia's east coast. Tioman is a relatively small island measuring only about 12 x 7.3 miles. It is approximately half the size of Singapore. Culminating at 1,040 meters, it is surrounded by reefs, but no roads: with the exception of 2km at the airport.
Noted for crystal clear water, as far down as 35 metres, Pulau Tioman is a veritable garden of colourful marine life, offering underwater sportsmen some of the best sites in the world. Said to be the final resting place of a fabled dragon princess who had turned herself into an island in the South China Sea, Tioman is truly one of the most beautiful islands in the region.
Water temperature: 26°C (79°F) to 30°C (86°F)
Suit: 3mm or 5mm shortie
Visibility: 5 to 12 metres (15 – 40 feet)
Rating: *****
Type of diving: The shallow reefs of Tulai Island and Renggis Island are popular spots for scuba diving and snorkeling. With extensive coral reefs teeming with a wide variety of tropical fish large and small, Tioman also has many wrecks offering something for every level of divers.
Marine life: Boulder, staghorn, brain corals, fusiliers, kingfish, pufferfish, angelfish, butterflyfish, sting rays, moray eels, trigger fish, giant groupers
When to go: March to November. The monsoon season is between December and early February. During this time there is a lot of rainfall and the seas tend to have huge waves and swells making Tioman inaccessible during this time.
How to get there: Fly via Kuala Lumpur with Malaysia Airlines, and then take a car/bus ride from KL to Mersing, Johor. Daily boat rides will take you to the island.
The shallow, calm waters of dive sites near Tioman, such as Pirate Reef and Renggis Island, are ideal for training and less experienced divers, as well as photography. A little further, sites such as Chebeh and Tiger Reef provide deeper waters, sometimes with challenging currents, plus the chance to see larger species.
