Panuba

Panuba Bay is a small, private cove occupied by the Panuba Inn Resort located near Ayer Batang. Visitors and tourists looking for a destination in Tioman which promises seclusion and privacy but at reasonable rates will enjoy staying in this pleasant area that fronts a peaceful beach. Panuba Inn is the only establisment in the bay, which means there are no restaurants, shops or pubs other than those run by the resort itself.

The beach, like Ayer Batang, is littered with rocks and some large boulders towards the deeper end, but most parts remains clear and clean with a good view of Tekek and the southern part of Pulau Tioman. The waters are also very pleasant and teeming with some corals and fishes. Snorkelling can be done as well as diving (provided by Panuba's own dive center).

While Panuba does not have a large expanse of white sandy beach, the tranquility and privacy of the area is an excellent trade-off. Visitors staying here can enjoy the whole beach to themselves, save for the occassional visitor coming over from Ayer Batang by jungle trail. The lush forest that lines the bay also provides a cooling background for relaxation.

The resort itself looks like a pastiche of traditional Malay wooden chalets when viewed from afar. All of the chalets have an ocean view and are built mostly on stilts or pillars. Ferries coming from Mersing do not stop by the ramshackle jetty of Panuba unless requested. Even if they don't, the resort provides their own pick-up for guests from Ayer Batang. Visitors from Tekek or Ayer Batang can take a 30 minute walk through the coastal forest to reach Panuba Bay, which lies north. If you proceed on this jungle trail further past Panuba, it'll take you to Monkey Beach (1 hour) and then Salang (another 1 hour). For reasonably priced accommodation with an almost private beach, Panuba would be a good budget choice compared to similar establishments such as Japamala Resort.