Pulau Tioman Off The Beaten Path

We took a van from RM20 to Tekek from Berjaya Resort early in the morning. We negotiated a speed boat for RM120 for 5 family members (youngest one 6 year old girl) from Tekek pontoon to Monkey Bay, The journey took less then 30 minute. At Monkey Bay we landed at the left beach which is sheltered by the trees. Spend the whole day snorkeling and picnic. There are many power boat and sailboat anchoring further away from the beach but we have the whole beach to ourself for the day. We start moving to the right beach around 3 pm during low tide. Start the jungle treking following the electric cable towards Penuba. Stop briefly at Monkey Beach and continue journey towards Penuba. My daughter was attacked by a water monitor lizard but my wife manage to chase it away. Its better to carry a walking stick for stability and just in case some animal become agresive. There are plenty around before you enter the jungle. We were all using flip flop. It is possble but due to the hilly nature of the trail, its better to wear simple shoes or sneakers. We also encounter a group of monkeys that sounded hostile. We group closer together and do not look up to the tree. We finally reach Penuba beach after 40 minute journey. Everybody scramble for the water that we carry in a 3.7 liter Coleman jug.

From Penuba we decided to take the beach trek to ABC since the tide is still low. Be careful under the Penuba jetty. The rock are full of barnacle and very sharp. Move slowly from rock to rock. The flip flop is better because it grip the barnacle but test some of the rock first. Some are slippery. It is much faster than the jungle trek but more dangerous and may not be possible at high tide. We buy 5 bottle of 500 ml water at the first shop hut at ABC after the beach trek.

From ABC, it was a leisure walk through the village to Marine Park. From Marine Park, the road is big enough for a van. You can call the driver to pick you up form RM20 back to Berjaya.

Its really an experience. We will do it again next time from Salang to Monkey Bay. Plan to stay at Salang next time.

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You must try this when you´r here, just ask som of the lokal inhabitants if the can give you a coconut, ask them to open it for you. This is a memory I never forget. Fresh coconut direct from the tree.

The Cashew Nut Tree (Anacardium occidentale) is indigenous to Malaysia. There are quite a number at Paya, and in the grounds of the Tioman Paya Resort. The Cashew Apple is edible, usually eaten as a salad or a fruit when fully ripen and the nut (at the end of the apple) is collected and roasted for consumption. Cashew nut cannot be eaten raw due to toxins present and must be roasted to remove them.

Some people tend to hang around their resorts or spend too much time at the beach...but I was pleasantly surprised when I took a slow walk through the main road of the island....You'll see the occassional monkey or monitor lizard....or local kids enjoying a splash...

I heard many positive reviews regarding this small island earlier. So, we planned to visit Pulau Rawa for a half-day-trip, from Pulau Tioman. I checked from websites that we could do so by hiring boat. However, the result is negative!

There are no direct boats from Tioman to Rawa. You must start your Pulau Rawa journey from Mersing!

So if you are interested, put a night on that island but do remember, the resorts there are quite high-end. I've checked thru and a 2 days one night package would costs you more than RM 400 (twin share basis). There is a well-known and reliable tour operator for Pulau Rawa, it's Rawa Safaris. Their sales office is just next to jetty.

The island is a veritable paradise with spectacular flora and fauna and packs a variety of streams and cascading waterfalls. Kampong Asah Waterfall Exploration:-
Time: 7.30am - 11.15am / 2.30pm - 6.15pm
Check with: Activity desk
Min. pax: 4 pax
Rate/pax: RM60/adult & RM40/child
Rate inclusive of: return speed boat transfers to Kampong Mukut & a guide with trekking knowledge
What to wear: sneakers / sandals, T-shirts or any comfortable wear with swimming attire

from Tekek in the west to Juara on the east coast of the island.

Depending on your fitness this will take between 1.5 to 4 hours so obviously you should not start this trek in the late afternoon.

This walk will take you over the hilly "spine" of the island and will pass through lush tropical rainforest terrain including bypassing a small waterfall/stream.

From Juara you can either trek back or try to hitch a boat back to one of the villages on the west coast.

Although not strictly challenging, you should wear proper shoes.

I walked the paths a couple of times each day, and rarely ran into anyone. Great area for running, especially if you want the challenge of the mountains and the views of the sparkling water.

This is a smaller island across the Pulau Aur. The channel between the two islands is one of the best drift dive site.

There are more than 10 dive spots identified around Pulau Dayang & Aur waters.