Tioman Island

Tioman Island (Pulau Tioman) is a mukim and an island in Rompin District, Pahang, Malaysia. It is located 32 kilometres (20 miles) off the east coast of the state, and is some 39 kilometres (24 miles) long and 12 kilometres (7.5 miles) wide.

Tioman Island has seven villages, the largest and most populous being Kampung Tekek on the central western coast. The densely forested island is sparsely inhabited, and is surrounded by numerous coral reefs, making it a popular scuba diving, snorkelling, and surfing spot. There are many resorts and chalets for tourists around the island, which has duty-free status.

The island is part of Pahang territory, although it is geographically closer to mainland Johor than to mainland Pahang, and is accessed via ferry service from the Johorean coastal town of Mersing.

LEGEND

According to legend, Tioman Island is the resting place of a beautiful dragon princess. While flying to visit her prince in Singapore, this beautiful maiden stopped to seek solace in the crystal-clear waters of the South China Sea. Enraptured by the charms of the place, she decided to discontinue her journey. By taking the form of an island, she pledged to offer shelter and comfort to passing travelers.

Local mythology claims that the island is the embodiment of the mighty dragon Sri Gumom. The dragon was on his way to visit his sister Gunung Linga (Lingin Peak) but the great Sri Rama forbade the meeting and Sri Gumom was turned into a stone and fell into the deep sea where he now remains, frozen in eternity as this beautiful island with its distinctive topography.

PARKS & RECREATION

The marine area around Tioman Island and eight other nearby islands have been declared as marine parks and marine reserves.

Apart from its diverse marine life, the inland rainforest area was protected in 1972 as the Pulau Tioman Wildlife Reserve. There are several protected species of mammals on the island, including the binturong, long-tailed macaque, slow loris, black giant squirrel, red giant flying squirrel, mouse deer, brush-tailed porcupine, and common palm civet, from a total of 45 species of mammals and 138 species of birds, including the majestic frigatebird.

Tioman's corals have been affected by a mass bleaching event in 2010 whereby the island lost a significant portion of its live coral cover. That resulted in a lot of the corals turning a dull white colour and some even fragmenting into pieces of dead coral skeleton.

ATTRACTIONS

Panuba Bay
Salang
Tekek Village
Minang Cove - The only cove of Tioman Island
Asah Waterfall
Bagus Place Retreat - The most eco-friendly area on Tioman Island
Juara Turtle Project - volunteer sea turtle and environmental conservation
Golden City - part of Salang village

Around Tioman:

Pulo Jehat
Tulai Island
Three Little Islands
Sepoi Island
Labas Island

FERRIES

The island is served by ferries from Mersing, Johor and Tanjung Gemok, Pahang. Both are located in Malaysia.

AIRPORTS

The island has the Tioman Airport with flights from Subang.