Joanna James
Tioman Island has become a popular tourist destination in the recent years and a few of the reasons are because it's great for relaxing, snorkelling, scuba diving and hiking.
First and foremost, the island is a great, inexpensive destination to get your Open Water diving certificate for around RM 1000. This course includes practical and theory lessons with 5 dives accompanied by a qualified diving instructor, watching diving training videos and required equipment. After gaining your certification, you can dive to a depth of 18 metres max. If you're looking for a hotel in Pulua Tioman; which is another, the more official name for the island, then check out beachfront properties such as Berjaya Tioman Resort. There are several dive centres dotting the coast offering a shore dive of $17 and $28 for a boat dive.
Tioman Island has 8 tiny villages located along the golden coast. The international airport is located on the north side in a village called Tekek, supposed to be the largest village here. Tioman is most iconic for visitors looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city life. The easiest way to travel around the island is by renting a bike.
The island is one of the top spots in the country for first-time divers, as access to the reefs are direct, easy and the waters are comparatively shallower than most dive sites, with no strong currents. Hone your skills and buoyancy here. Most of the iconic diving sites are located towards the north. Soyak Island, for example, is an islet that ideal for beginners. The maximum depth is 15 metres and you'll see tons of little reef fish, critters and a sea turtle if you're lucky. Other popular dive sites for beginners are Lapas, the house reef and jetty.
Teluk Kador is the most famous dive site amongst intermediates and professional divers. The area is home to colourful marine life and vibrant coral. While diving, you'll see sharks, moray eels, turtles and lobsters! Tiger Reef is for the more advanced divers and you need to have an Advanced Open Water certification before heading to this particular reef. The maximum depth stretches to 24 metres and currents are known to be quite strong here. The area is heavily dotted with boulders, both large and small, which create perfect hiding spots for numerous fish. Some of the larger types of fish you'll see are rainbow runners, mackerel, barracuda, puffer fish, batfish, parrotfish, angelfish, etc.
Divers are required to have an Advanced Open Water diving certificate before heading to Magician Rock. Clear waters and strong currents require the best diving practices. There are numerous sea turtles that live around here together with a variety of colourful fish. Other less known dive sites are Sawadee Wrecks and Renggis Island. Sawadee wrecks consist of two wooden wrecks that are covered by soft and hard corals. The shallower areas, which has more hard coral, is the best place to see reef sharks, reef fish and turtles. Renggis Island is home to black tip reef sharks, cuttlefish, hawksbill and green turtles.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
