The final time I used to be wherever close to Tioman, I used to be doing a dwell on board scuba diving journey on a dinky little boat. Cramped down within the hull in a bunk mattress dorm subsequent to the hum of the engine, I’ve since determined that I’m somewhat extra prepared to pay for some consolation today. So when the Berjaya Tioman Resort invited me to take a look at their refurbished lodge, I used to be positively excited to make a protracted awaited journey again to Tioman and see what it’d be like dwelling the excessive life on this lovely island for as soon as.
My keep on the Berjaya Tioman Resort was sponsored by the lodge. All opinions are my very own.
I wrote about issues you are able to do on Tioman moreover scuba diving for The Straits Times – learn the web article at ST [paywall] or try extra right here.
Location
South Tekek
Berjaya Tioman Resort is situated in Tekek, the most important village in Tioman and the place many of the administration and facilities are situated. The resort takes up about 200 acres of land to the south of the village.
The resort is straightforward to get to as the general public ferries (Bluewater & Cataferry) cease at Tekek. It’s positively extra handy in comparison with among the different resorts in additional distant villages that require a separate water taxi switch or non-public ferry association.
The resort is about 20mins strolling distance from the ferry terminal, although I wouldn’t say it’s simple to stroll and and from the village as there’s a small steep hill in between. The lodge can drop you through automobile/van on the ferry terminal and foremost village space if requested.
Hotel
Kampung Style
Berjaya Tioman Resort opened again in 1985 so it is likely one of the older villages on the island. Occupying an enormous space alongside the Tekek shoreline, the resort is virtually a village in itself which is what I believe the design was impressed by.
The foremost constructing and the person chalets and duplexes are constructed like typical picket Malay homes with sloping roofs and raised flooring on stilts and appear to be grouped in little clusters, which makes it nice for households and teams reserving a number of rooms as there are not any giant family-style suites or rooms – every room solely homes 2 folks although you’ll be able to add 1 additional mattress if you have to.
*That mentioned, there are 2-bedroom chalets marked on the resort’s map although it’s not mirrored within the web site
Even in case you can’t get a beachfront view that are the most costly rooms, the mountain view or backyard chalets has a pleasant inexperienced view, although among the Garden rooms are fairly distant from the primary reception and required buggy transfers in case you don’t need to stroll.
Room
Comfortable
I stayed in Room 103, a Garden Premier Terrace room which was in the identical block because the reception space. It’s one of many bigger rooms obtainable and I preferred that it was near reception and many of the resort’s facilities with out having to name a buggy.
The room itself was spacious with two queen beds and a settee set to relaxation on. There was a small desk within the nook the place I spent some late nights banging out some writing, and for leisure there’s a giant television with Netflix. One signal of the resort’s age is its energy outlet scenario – there have been retailers at each the work desk and the dressing room desk, however not any proper subsequent to the mattress, nor any signal of USB retailers both.
The bathroom was lengthy and spacious with an oddly giant dressing room space the place the wardrobes are. It had each bathtub tub and bathe, 2 sinks, a sitting bathroom and bidet subsequent to it.
I like that the room had a pleasant outside terrace with chairs, however the sea view was principally blocked by the very giant recreation corridor proper in entrance of it. Also, can be good if they’d a rack to hold moist garments out to dry on the terrace so we don’t need to drape garments on the railing.
Dining
Berjaya Tioman’s foremost restaurant is the ASEAN All Day Dining the place you may get breakfast on a primary bundle. I received to attempt the resort’s new premium all entry bundle (extra 500 RM per day) the place you may get all three meals and tea together with free circulation drinks (beers, home pour wines and a few exhausting liquors included!) – in case you don’t intend to enterprise out of the resort in any respect, that is one thing you’ll be able to think about. The buffet dishes change day-after-day and there’s a number of Malaysian and western dishes on the buffet and a la carte menu.
On Friday and Saturday nights, dinner is a extra raucous affair as they’ve dwell BBQ grills with meat and seafood as an alternative of the standard buffet meals. The odor is fairly wonderful all through the resort then. Also, look out for the employees performing an precise fireplace present!
If you’re within the resort for an important day, the resort may customise some particular meals for you. They kindly let me expertise a few of these too. First, breakfast on the seaside in case you’re a morning particular person:
Berjaya Tioman Resort faces the west coast and its sunsets are its most spectacular pure sight. There is somewhat elevated house above the pool that’s excellent for small events or non-public dinners, the place they’ll even throw in some decorations together with a 3-course plated meal.
Beach + water actions
The seaside is after all the primary spotlight of Tioman, and the resort has an ideal stretch of personal white sand seaside, although for all of the seashores in Tioman: BEWARE OF SANDFLIES. The resort has a bunch of sprays with do-it-yourself sandfly repellent close to the sand – spray that liberally on any uncovered physique elements. I principally sprayed my ft however my higher thighs, arms and shoulders ended up fairly itchy >_<
You may lease a kayak or SUP board if you need a bit extra of a exercise, however I used to be pleased sufficient simply wading within the lovely blue waters. You may lease snorkelling tools, although I’d advocate taking a snorkelling journey to close by Renggis Island or someplace additional for higher fish recognizing.
Scuba Diving
The resort has began its personal dive centre and considered one of its highlights is being only a literal stone’s throw away from Renggis Island, top-of-the-line spots for scuba diving and snorkelling in Tioman. Sea turtles and black-tipped sharks are frequently noticed in these shallow waters right here which are about 10-15m deep.
I’ve dived in different elements of Tioman earlier than and solely had time for 1 dive on this journey, however nonetheless managed to see some turtles and make pals with some sociable pufferfish. The visibility was not tremendous excessive, possibly 10-15m? Lots of small fish shoals as properly right here at Renggis Island.
Tioman truthfully shouldn’t be a nasty place to get your dive certification as a result of there are sufficient fish and corals to curiosity newbies and water situations often aren’t too troublesome. Those fascinated about scuba diving often keep alongside the west coast of Tioman – Salang up north is nearer to extra of the dive websites, although you will discover a lot of dive outlets in Tekek, ABC, Paya and Genting as properly.
Swim within the beachfront pool
If you’re not a fan of sand, there’s a beautiful swimming pool space that faces the seaside so you’ll be able to get pleasure from a soak whereas nonetheless taking within the coastal views. There is a swim up bar so you’ll be able to seize a drink whereas within the water, and deck chairs for lounging across the pool.
Other land actions
Yoga by the seaside
One free factor you are able to do within the resort day-after-day is to take a morning or night yoga class within the beachfront pavilion. Just enroll, flip up and revel in a serene stretch with sea views and hill views to wake you up. We did a 1-hour yoga session within the morning which was a refreshing solution to begin the day.
Movies on the seaside
Tioman doesn’t have a lot nightlife, so in case you get bored at evening, you could possibly come out to the film nights that they organise on the seaside. Just pull up a mat and a few beanbags and catch what’s enjoying – we had The Secrets of Dumbledore working once we popped by. There is Netflix in your room with a big TV if you need higher decision and sound, however it’s good simply chilling out beneath the celebs on the seaside.
Taaras Spa
Kick off your journey with a soothing therapeutic massage, physique scrub or wrap on the lodge’s Taaras Spa. I had a fairly good 1hr deep tissue therapeutic massage, although you’ll be able to go for aromatherapy as properly. There is a cute little jacuzzi pool in the course of the spa’s backyard space which was being cleaned once we have been there sadly, however in any other case it has a very nice view of the mountains the place you’ll be able to soak and loosen up.
ATV Rides
You can lease bicycles, e-scooters and quadricycles to higher discover Berjaya Tioman Resort’s large 200 acre compound, however I assumed the ATV journey was really one of many extra enjoyable issues you are able to do. We received a fast primer on deal with the ATV proper initially, after which we adopted our information south previous the golf course…
… all the best way to the Condotel property on the finish of the principally paved street. From there issues get a bit dicier because the gravel street turns into extra rocky and it’s a must to be fairly cautious to not steer your self off the downward sloping path.
But ultimately, you’re rewarded with a beautiful secluded seaside identified to the locals as Bunut Beach, although it was renamed TAT Turtle Sanctuary afterward. There’s no sanctuary right here now although – it’s a must to head to Juara if you wish to see the precise turtle centre. There is an deserted hut right here so possibly there have been actions right here earlier than, however now it’s only a very beautiful quiet stretch of seaside the place you’ll be able to try and journey your ATV on sand (simply don’t get caught in a sand pit like me…)
You can’t journey your ATV past this seaside space due to the thick forests. More on that subsequent…
Jungle Trekking
One of the issues I used to be positively inquisitive about was jungle trekking in Tioman. I’ve spent far more time underwater than on land in Tioman thus far, so it was good to have the ability to really discover its forests. Because of our restricted time, the resort organized for considered one of their employees to take us on a brief hike from the southern finish of the resort to the neighbouring village Paya.
This specific hike is one thing you’ll in all probability solely be capable to do with the Berjaya Tioman Resort because it passes by their non-public property, however among the different villages are linked by jungle paths as properly.
We saved a good quantity of strolling by getting a carry on the buggy so far as the Condotel property that’s perched on the cliffside, and from there we walked alongside the grime paths, previous Bunut seaside till we reached the forested space. This half requires some climbing, however there’s a path marked and a few handholds and ropes on the steeper bits to assist.
The crossing didn’t take that lengthy – about 20-Half-hour of strolling and climbing up and down the hilly forested ridge later, we discovered ourselves within the village of Paya!
Over there, we took one other trek to see some attention-grabbing issues across the space. First up: the rock falls.
After an extended stroll by the forest (ATV can be an choice in case you don’t need to stroll a lot – there’s a rental place on the village space initially of the trail), we made it to Mother Willow, an enormous tree on high of a rock that’s apparently over 300 years previous! You can climb up through a ladder constructed into the facet of the rock for a pleasant excessive view of the forest ground.
There are different treks obtainable – there’s a extra hardcore trek from Tekek to Juara, and a extra wildlife centered one round Tekek to search for Rafflesia flowers. If you’re actually into trekking, Mukut down south is the place you’ll be able to climb the dual peaks, or scale Tioman’s highest peak Gunung Kajang, 1000m excessive between Paya and Juara.
Best time to go to Tioman
Tioman’s excessive season is from March to October, when the climate is mostly drier and seas are calmer so you are able to do all of the outside actions as in comparison with November to February when it’s monsoon season. However, it’s not which you could’t go to Tioman in any respect through the wetter months. Berjaya Tioman Resort presents a high-quality climate assure the place it’s possible you’ll get evening extensions or reductions in case your journey is affected by perpetual rain. Also, the rain in these tropical elements is intermittent and customarily you’ll nonetheless get some solar even through the wet season – having a bigger resort like Berjaya with many exercise choices enables you to tide over these wet moments in between.
How to get from Singapore to Tioman
Despite its relative distance from Singapore, Tioman is definitely a little bit of a ache to get to from Singapore, principally as a result of there are not any direct choices from Singapore to Tioman.
You have two choices:
Cheaper: Bus to Mersing, Ferry to Tekek Jetty
KKKL has a coach service from Kovan Hub (6am) or Tan Quee Lan Street (630am) to Mersing Ferry Terminal. The journey often takes about 3-3.5 hours however relies on how briskly you get by customs. I visited over the college holidays and solely reached Mersing at round 1130am.
The bus is comfy and a information hops on after you cross Malaysian customs who will transient passengers on what to anticipate on the ferry terminal.
A one-way bus ticket on KKKL prices $39 and might be booked at kkkl.com.sg or subsidiaries like Busonlineticket or Easybook.
An various is to rearrange for a non-public automobile switch from Singapore to Mersing. It could also be dearer however presents extra flexibility and could also be worthwhile if travelling in a big group. Sgmytaxi.com has automobiles that begin from $440 per automobile (spherical journey).
The bus drops you in entrance of Mersing Ferry Terminal, however you will have to cross the street to Mersing Harbour Centre to select up your ferry tickets in case you haven’t already printed them out, in addition to to pay the necessary Tioman Marine Park Fee. Look for the Taman Laut Malaysia signal. The price is RM30 ($10) for non-Malaysians and a receipt is issued that you have to present along with your ferry ticket if you board.
There are two ferry choices from Mersing to Tioman: Bluewater Ferry is older and their seats are extra rundown and has one normal worth of RM65 ($20). Despite the quantity on the ticket, it’s free seating so hustle on board for a great seat. Cataferry is newer and has a nicer atmosphere with assigned seating and a premium choice on the higher deck.
The ferries usually make stops on the villages in a loop: Genting, Paya, Tekek, Air Batang (ABC) and Salang earlier than returning to Mersing. Pay consideration to the place names which are shouted out and alight promptly when the boat is in dock. Some villages like Juara, Nipah and Mukut are usually not on the general public ferry route and require particular preparations to attach.
A one-way ferry ticket on Bluewater Ferry prices RM65 ($20) and might be booked at bluewater.my or Easybook.
Cataferry tickets have variable costs from RM40-300 ($12-94) relying on the day and seat class. Book tickets at cataferry.com – they’re identified to run promos the place costs drop as little as RM5, so e book as early as potential.
A notice that buses and ferries do hook up with Tioman from Tanjung Gemok as properly, which is farther from Singapore, so your bus journey is roughly half an hour longer, and the ferry journey correspondingly shorter. There are much less ferry connections at Tanjung Gemok in comparison with Mersing, so within the occasion of missed connections, you have got a greater likelihood of rebooking at Mersing.
Expensive: Flight to Subang Airport, Flight to Tioman Airport
If you get seasick or are prepared to pay for it, you’ll be able to fly from Seletar Airport to Subang Airport in Kuala Lumpur. There are two flights per day which you could then take to Tioman’s airport in Tekek, however notice that the airplane may be very small so there are very strict baggage limits (10kg max).
- Firefly Airline worldwide flight from Singapore Seletar Airport (XSP) to Sultan Abdul Azziz Shah Airport (SZB) in Subang, Selangor (1hr 20 minutes) – estimated $200-250 spherical journey price.
- SKS Airways home flight from Sultan Abdul Azziz Shah Airport (SZB) to Tioman Airport (TOD) in Tekek (1hr 30 minutes) – estimated price 600-1,000RM ($180-$320) relying on fare title
I’ve not tried this for myself, however given the timings of the flights and the necessity to transit within the airport, it looks like it’ll take about the identical period of time as taking the bus/ferry – the earliest you’ll arrive in Tioman is on the 2nd SKS Airways flight
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