Juara

Juara has the most beautiful and largest beach among the villages of Pulau Tioman. The wide expanse of warm sands that stretch for miles with crystal clear waters teeming with fish are what makes Kampung Juara an attractive destination among visitors and tourists. The atmosphere is remarkably laid-back and the people a little more friendly than other places. The old traditional Malay village lifestyle of olden days is pretty much intact here.

Even during the peak tourist periods, Juara remains a quiet destination due to its remote location on the other side of Tioman, along the east coast. While the beach is long, covering over 2 km long and split in the middle by a small cape (thus forming two seperate bays), there are only five resort operators in Juara, providing accommodation that are well spaced apart from each other. These resorts offer rooms in wooden chalets that range from budget to mid-range prices. Only a few restaurants and cafes that double up as pubs during peak seasons can be found in the village.

A small narrow gravel road runs the length of the beach, connecting the various places in Juara together which are made up of mostly coconut trees and village houses. Because of its size and low commercial development, Juara exudes a spacious feeling, which also means you have to walk further to get around! Diving activities are provided by two dive centers towards the end of Juara in the south. Snorkelling can be done from anywhere off the beach, as there are plenty of fish in the water, but the best places are at either end of the bays. These spots are where rocks and corals are concentrated, allowing visitors to spot the occassional turtle or reef shark.

Located right at the end of Juara at the south is a TAT turtle sanctuary, called the 'Juara Turtle Project', run by a European man since 2006. This sanctuary collects turtle eggs laid on shore and then bury them within fenced enclosures, releasing them into the sea upon hatching. A walk to the sanctuary takes about 20-30 minutes from the start of Juara village, which is also the length of time to traverse the whole place.

In case you're wondering, Juara takes its name from the Malay word for 'champion'; how that came about as its inspiration is a mystery. Perhaps they refer to the excellent pedigree of its beach and waters compared with the other tourist destinations in Tioman. During the monsoon months, almost everything is closed save for a few cafes, the sundry shop and one or two resorts.

While Juara has a jetty, the ferries from Mersing do not stop here to drop off guests who wish to visit. Instead, you need to take the water taxi or a jeep ride from Tekek, both which are exorbitant choices. There is a way to get to Juara without getting scammed off the transport options, which is to walk there via the cross-island jungle trail or the new paved road from Tekek.

The cross-island jungle trail starts from the middle of Tekek town; its entrance can be reached from a small narrow road that ends at the mosque. The trail will initially be filled with mosquitoes, but as you climb higher, the forest becomes more lush and free of blood-sucking insects. The trail is paved with steps at some uphill parts and easy to hike on. Spotting wildlife along the way can be a pleasurable activity. You'll even pass by a beautiful stream and waterfalls along with towering trees, large granite boulders and delightful jungle foliage. After about an hour, you'll head downhill and cut back to a gravel road that leads to Juara, which is another 1 hour walk. This new gravel road begins from Tekek, just after the Tioman Dive Center along a slope that lies before the Berjaya Tioman Resort.

Walking along this road to Juara is further, but takes about the same amount of time as you don't need to negotiate your way through forested trails. The downhill ascent on the steep gravel road, which also cuts across a mountain summit, can be a real killer on the knees, so the jungle trail is the more recommended option. If you're a visitor that likes isolated places, tranquility and a smaller crowd, Juara is a great place to go. It has a beautiful beach and the clearest waters off any part of Pulau Tioman, while being the only place where you can catch the sunrise (since it lies on the east). While getting there is expensive (if you use the commercial transport options) or tiring (walking through the jungle trail or road), the serenity and beauty of Juara may well be worth the hassle.