Getting Around

Transportation around Tioman revolves around the water taxi service, which are small speedboats driven by noisy propellors and paid for in gold. Well, not quite gold, but extremely expensive prices for short trips over the sea between village to village. The gravel roads that wind throughout Tekek and also lead to Juara are plied by taxis, which are small jeeps that charge equally crazy sums of money for quick distances.

The water taxi service is the quickest (and laziest) way for visitors and tourists of getting around Pulau Tioman, but also the dirtiest and costly. Prices to get from place to place have been fixed and agreed upon by all water taxi operators so the rates are roughly the same everywhere. Anyway, there will be signboards posted at each village listing the prices to get from one village to another. Essentially, the water taxis are tiny fishing boats used by locals that can be made of wood or fibreglass, driven by propellor engines that make quite the noise despite their diminutive size. Each boat usually transports between 4-6 people, and you have to hop in quickly or risk falling in the water. They can be hailed from anywhere or asked for among the locals in each village.

The prices are so exorbitant, that it would worthwhile to walk the long distance just for the sake of not being ripped off and also for the good exercise. For example, a ferry ticket from Mersing to Tioman (36 nautical miles) costs MYR35, but a trip from Kampung Paya to Salang Beach costs the same amount at less than one tenth the distance! Unless you're heavily obese or suffer from bad knees, it would be far better for your health (and wallet) to just use the trails. These trails lead through most villages in Tioman, perhaps even all if the hidden trail from Kampung Genting to Mukut exists. You'll also get to see some amazing sights along the coastal trails, such as vibrant wildlife, lush forests and fascinating rock formations.

On land, you'll also find thieves on wheels instead of boats. If you happen to be in Tekek or Juara and wish to go either way, then you cough up MYR35 per person (minimum of 2) for the 7 km journey over the cross island road by jeep. These small taxis are Perodua Kembara 4WD vehicles that fit at most, 4 people excluding the driver, which will be an extremely tight squeeze. Again, it is far better to use the cross island jungle trail or walk on the gravel road. While the road is steep and cuts across a mountain, you get amazing scenery of lush forests along the way and a cooling breeze at the top. In Kampung Juara, there are also bike taxis, which are motorbikes that ferry one person each to Tekek at MYR45.

There is one reasonable means of transport, that requires effort on your part but nothing too exhausting - Bicycles are available for rent at MYR5 per hour or MYR25 for the whole day in Kampung Tekek, Ayer Batang and Juara Beach. These bikes are of simple construction and lack gears, so if you plan on riding one over the cross island road, you'll have to push it for the entire uphill journey. While going down the steep descent, watch out that you do not overpower the brakes and control your speed wisely by pausing at intervals. These bicycles are mostly good for getting around the stretches of village, since Tekek, ABC Village and Juara are long in distance.

Motorbikes can also be rented at MYR75-85 per day, or MYR35 per hour. Although still expensive, as renting a motorbike would cost only MYR20 for the whole day in a similar island like Langkawi and Pangkor, it gives you the flexibility of travel while allowing you mobility throughout the entire day. You can also carry a person riding behind the back. These motorbikes for hire are only available in Kampung Tekek. Often, you'll be asked not to ride them over to Juara but you paid for it so... Fuel for the bikes is available from sundry shops. They'll have 1.5 liter mineral water bottles filled with petrol at MYR4 each for sale. Driving licenses are not needed, as long as you know how to ride a motorbike.

The best way to get around Tioman is simply to walk. It's free and good for the body, while providing some amazing sights of what Tioman is truly famous for - Its majestic landscape of lush rainforest, rock formations, cooling streams, exciting wildlife and brilliant blue seas. However, be prepared that it is no easy feat if you plan to walk from one end of Tioman to the other, such as from Kampung Genting to Salang Beach. Tioman is much bigger than it looks (about half the size of Langkawi) so be prepared with water bottles and do rest frequently so you do not burn out with fatigue! The pay off is the scenery and large savings of money from avoiding the use of water taxis or jeeps. This is money that can be spent on far better things... like duty free beer! The trails are clearly marked and can be followed from any tourist map available in each village.