The forest and streams in Tioman comes alive at night and you will get to see many different animals if you are lucky (and quiet). It is highly recommended that you speak with the resort operator if you would like to have a nature tour at night. He can either arrange it or look out for your safe return. For the more adventurous, you can do this yourself, but I would suggest that you check out the place first during the day before going out at night. A torchlight or headlamp is an absolute necessity. Insect repellent is also a must!If you head south for a few minutes from Paya Beach Resort, you will reach Paya Village. There is a path that runs east through this village. Follow this path and you will come to an empty field. Beware of cow poops littering the field (cows feed here in the day). Cross the field and head towards a huge tree that is at least 4 storeys high. The track picks up again beside this tree. You will next pass through a secondary forest and before long, you should hear the sound of water. A clear forest stream will soon appear before you. This stream is littered with boulders which provided a large number of niches for the aquatic animals here. Go upstream by following the path (this requires you to cross the stream at one point). Before long you will reach a rocky part of the stream where there are many rock pools that you can take a dip in during the day, or watch out for animals at night.Be patient and look around in the water and on the rocks. You will be duly rewarded with the sight of various aquatic and semi-aquatic creatures, many of which are only found in Tioman. Many different types of prawns, barb fishes, catfishes and crabs inhabit these rocky pools and it is not difficult to spot them. Search the top of the rocks as well as many different types of frogs like to rest on them. Shine your light around and I'm sure you will see more than what I had described!
***I revisited Tioman in Oct 2006 and unfortunately, the trail I described above has changed and parts of it is no longer passable. Pls check with the locals on updated information on how to get to the "Rock Pool"***