Tioman Island

Travelers' Takes

Rates and Deals

Paradise - well almost

A May 2001 trip to Tioman Island by estnet

berjMore Photos

A magical dragon princess stopped to rest and fell in love with this beautiful place - or so the legend goes. Not too hard to believe once you are here.

  • 9 reviews
  • 14 photos

Paradise - well almostBest of IgoUgo

Overview

island
Hike, golf, snorkel, eat, scuba, walk, explore the village, enjoy the beach. This is a gorgeous island which has varied terrain - beaches, rain forests, a golf course.

Quick Tips:

Getting here is a bit of a hassle (4 hour ferry from Singapore or 2-3 hour ferry from east coast of Malaysia.

Best Way To Get Around:

Berjaya ResortBest of IgoUgo

Hotel

roomtioman
This is the largest resort (well the only one) on the island. There are basic rooms (around US $50) up to deluxe suites. The basic chalet includes a basic but clean room with attached bath. Remote controlled air conditioner and television (with amazingly good reception) are included. A mini bar helps to keep drinks cold and coffee/tea making is available at no extra charge.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by estnet on May 17, 2001

Berjaya Resort
Palau Tioman Tioman Island, Malaysia

Bali Hai (continental restaurant)Best of IgoUgo

Restaurant

balihai
An indoor luxury restaurant. Attached is a disco - in case you want to dance late into the night. Food is beautifully prepared but I didn't expect rack of lamb in the middle of a Malaysian island! There is an extensive choice of appetizers, main courses (including meat, seafood - local and some rather pricey imported lobster) and desserts. Good place for a big splurge/romantic evening.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by estnet on May 18, 2001

Bali Hai (continental restaurant)
Berjaya Resort Tioman Island, Malaysia

Fortune Court (Chinese restaurant)Best of IgoUgo

Restaurant

chin
This elegant indoor restaurant serves mostly Cantonese style food. The same (rather expensive - soups US $3-6, main courses $5-12) menu is available for lunch and dinner. No lunch specials :( and no dim sum. If you venture into the local village you can get similar food for half or a third the cost but in much less luxurious surroundings.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by estnet on May 18, 2001

Fortune Court (Chinese restaurant)
Berjaya Resort Tioman Island, Malaysia

Matahari (beach restaurant)Best of IgoUgo

Restaurant

beachrest
Eat right next to the beach or in the open air restaurant. Burgers and such are served during the day.

In the evening there is a chinese Steamboat dinner available for a minimum of 2 people at around US $10/person. There is also a barbecue buffet each night for a few dollars more. Quite a romantic setting - especially if you are not there at peak season.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by estnet on May 18, 2001

Matahari (beach restaurant)
Berjaya Resort Tioman Island, Malaysia

Berjaya Tioman Beach RestaurantsBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Pool bar/snack"

pool
A little thirsty during your swim? Pangs of hunger from all that playing on the water slide? Just swim up, sit down and order a drink - fresh fruit or alcohol. Hungry? - order up a burger with your drink. Just remember not to swim too fast and soon after you imbibe.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by estnet on May 18, 2001

Berjaya Tioman Beach Restaurants
In the Hotel Tioman Island, Malaysia

Sri Nelayan Coffee HouseBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Sri Nelayan Coffee Shop"

outrest
This is a very large open air restaurant overlooking the pool and the ocean. Breakfast is served here (book a package including breakfast which is much cheaper than paying for the room at the regular rates)

The buffet breakfast includes a huge variety, including eggs made to order, waffles made to order, many cereals, fruits, etc. but what I especially enjoyed was the ROTI - one of my favorites and made fresh. There were a few Asian items as well as the American ones - and since I will choice almost any Asian food over American I was very happy.

Lunch and dinner are served as well. Each evening a buffet dinner with a different theme is served (US $11) - expensive for Malaysia but certainly convenient and worth it if you like the theme and want to sample a lot of different items.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by estnet on May 17, 2001

Sri Nelayan Coffee House
Berjaya Tioman Beach Resort Tioman Island, Malaysia

Berjaya ResortBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Berjaya Resort Dive Shop"

rengiss
I enjoy shallow rather than deep dives so I didn't go on any of the far boat dives. The water was very warm at this time of year and there is an amazing variety of sealife - on one dive I saw more fish (and different species) than I could count, a shark, crown of thorns (unfortunately destroying the coral slowly), turtle, moray. I really like to imagine that I am one of the fish and the fish here are unafraid so you can see them up close and personal!

The dive shop is attended by a very friendly lady (and sometimes the youngest diver of all - her 18 month old son - and no he doesn't really dive but he sure is cute) and the dive guides seem quite good. Some guides are better at pointing out "goodies" than others, but I guess I too could get bored with diving every day (as one of the guides seemed to be). Francis was an especially good guide and very helpful teaching me a few useful hints on land as well.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by estnet on May 18, 2001

Berjaya Resort
Resort Tioman Island, Malaysia

Berjaya ResortBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

golf1
Please see the photos below. It is very hot during the day so I only saw a few people playing - but I was there at a not very busy time so this may not have been typical.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by estnet on May 18, 2001

Berjaya Resort
Resort Tioman Island, Malaysia

About the Writer

estnet
estnet
menlo park, California

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