Pular Tioman, Malaysia - recommendations?

[Jensm]

Hi,

I'll be in Singapore on business for a couple of weeks from March next week, and along with a colleague I'm thinking of spending the weekend on Tioman to do some dives because it's so near by and easy to get to.

Any suggestions? Accommodation, dive sites to go to or to avoid? What are the conditions like this time of year? What sort of thing should I get my expectations up to?

Thanks,

Jens Maigaard

 

[Bombarie]

Any suggestions? Accommodation, dive sites to go to or to avoid? What are the conditions like this time of year? What sort of thing should I get my expectations up to?

Hi Jens -

Haven't been there myself but my brother did (Spring 2002). He still mentions the sand flies that ravished his travel buddy - so make sure to come prepared. Dunno about the diving, he only snorkelled a the time - which reputedly was great. We went diving on the Perhentians Isles further north later end May 2002 (got our certificates there and hooked ever since) - that was pretty good. So I guess Tioman is nice as well. Please note the season though - i think the easterly monsoon only ends April / May - may be a bit choppy and decreased viz?

Anyway - have fun! Arjan

 

[fishnchips]

Hi,

I'll be in Singapore on business for a couple of weeks from March next week, and along with a colleague I'm thinking of spending the weekend on Tioman to do some dives because it's so near by and easy to get to.

Any suggestions? Accommodation, dive sites to go to or to avoid? What are the conditions like this time of year? What sort of thing should I get my expectations up to?

Thanks,

Jens Maigaard

After 1500 plus dives, I thought I've seen it all until I went to Tioman. It is a great place tivist and dive. There is a high end resort I think it is Berjaya, check out the Tioman web site. I like the wooden hut the rent for RM25 to RM50.

I stay at ABC Guesthouse/restaurant. Dive with a few different dive ops. Then move to another beach call Salang Beach. Dive with "Dive Asia or Asia Diver". I like them the best cause its boat captain won't mind the longer journey and will bring you to better dive sites. Ask for "Tiger Reef"..... Great dive site

Night Life on Salang Beach is great, other part of the island...... dead quiet after 8pm.

This time of the year, expect high wind, choppy waters..... But still divable.

You can take a ferry from Singapore to Tioman. Have fun!

 

[DrMike]

Check out Divetioman.com

They are by far the best on Tioman. IMNSHO.

They are out of Salang and are IANTD as well as being PADI 5 star.

They can even run you out to the WWII wrecks on a day trip if you like.

 

[Albion]

Conditions are actually quite good this year so far, was there two weeks ago, choppy crossing but once there it was a flat sea.

If you are just going for a weekend the problem is the fast ferry from singapore sets off at 8am (dont quote me) and arrives 12pm and leaves 1pm. So if you do that route only 25 hours there and not much time to organise diving. I would suggest that you try and book some diving thorough one of the singapore operators that organise weekend trips up there or Pulau Aur / Dayang.

Usually set of from singapore by bus friday night and travel overland to Mersing on east coast, then take boat from there over to tioman or aur, returning sunday night.


heres two options for you, i use vincent a lot although only MV vincent not white manta is operating at this time of year.

http://www.vincentdive.com/index2.htm

http://www.bigbubble.com/

 

[frogfish]

Conditions are actually quite good this year so far, was there two weeks ago, choppy crossing but once there it was a flat sea.
I would suggest that you try and book some diving thorough one of the singapore operators that organise weekend trips up there or Pulau Aur / Dayang.

heres two options for you, i use vincent a lot although only MV vincent not white manta is operating at this time of year.

http://www.vincentdive.com/index2.htm

http://www.bigbubble.com/

Would second Albion and recoomend Vincent as well.

 

[Zippsy]

would third albion and recommend Vincent as well. But I am biased as hell. I work for him sometimes. The monsoon season has already ended so you should be able to expect nice weather. If you can only make a weekend out of it, one of the Singapore operators is definitely the way to go. If you can spend more time there, I'd second Dr. Mike's recommendation. Either way, have fun.

 

[DrMike]

Usually set of from singapore by bus friday night and travel overland to Mersing on east coast, then take boat from there over to tioman or aur, returning sunday night.
QUOTE]

Yuck! I only did that once and hated it. Now I always fly from Seletar. It doesnt work out that much more expensive and saves shed loads of time. I leave Friday morning at 12ish and I can be underwater by 1:30pm! Cost is around 220 bucks

 

[Zippsy]

And the return flight.......??? conservative or not??? and don't give me your high and mighty altitude either

 

[DrMike]

Another operator out of Singapore offering trips to Tioman and a few other places is penetrationdivers.com

They have some special offers at the moment that look very tempting.