Hi Everyone
My wife and I are heading for the first time to Tioman Island for a couple weeks the beginning of March, we will be staying at The Berjaya Resort. The on-site dive shop is the Berjaya Tioman Dive Shop, tried to look them up on the web but they do not have a site. If anybody has recently visited the area and have any suggestions on diving or other activities around Tioman please let me know the lowdown on the Island.
Thanks
Hi,
I thought I would add a little info to the good advice you have already received. I've stayed at most of the Berjaya resorts, and although Tioman is not quite as nice as their resorts on Redang or Langkawi, it's still quite comfortable. I met the guys who were running the dive shop at Berjaya Tioman when I stayed there in the Spring about a year ago, but I didn't dive with them so can't comment on their proficiency. But as others have mentioned, there are several established, professionally-run dive operations easily available to you in Tekek, ABC, or Panuba, if you want branch out a bit. Personally, because I prefer to meet and dive with as many locals as I can, so I tend to search beyond the main shops, with their constantly-changing cast of young foreign dive masters. There are some experienced and competent local divers in Tekek, ABC, and Juara, and they can be found (ask locals), if you're looking for a little more laid-back approach to business and don't want to risk getting lumped into a PADI class of tourists that might be running out of the other shops.
So, my suggestion is that you don't spend all your time at the resort
. If you do you will miss much of the island's charms. At first, the road in Tekek makes it appear somewhat hectic. But having been to the island many times, it's now my favorite village and a good base for exploration. For example, ABC is just a short walk over a hill from the Marine Park (making it a nice place to go for dinner in the evening), and Panuba is also just a short hike over another hill from ABC (maybe a nice place to have lunch). So you see, from your base at the Berjaya, you actually have easy access to three other places. And now that the new road over the mountains has been completed, you are also just a short ride in the back of a truck to Juara. It is certainly worth a day trip, especially if you are capable of hiking back (if not, use the truck taxi again).
Oh, one more thing. Sand flies; tiny creatures with a very irritating bite. Sometimes they are more of a problem than others, but I think they are always around during daylight hours, in all seasons. So don't let them ruin your vacation. None of the repellants sold on the island work, so bring the best you can get in Canada/Florida with you. Your best defense is to keep moving if they are around, or cover up (long sleeves and long pants). When I was on Tioman last September, one of the locals who works at the Berjaya told me about one of their guests who had got bitten so badly she had to go to the hospital. Most foreigners will get an allergic reaction to the bite. I have found a product available in the U.S., called After Bite (contains ammonia), to be effective at reducing the itch and necrosis caused by bacteria in their bite.
Regards,
John