Tioman trip March 27 - April 3; advice please

[Tortuga68]

Hi all,

I'm going to be finishing a work trip in Singapore on March 27, and thinking about going to Tioman for a week before heading home

Based on advice from friends, I think I'll fly to/from Singapore-Tioman, and stay at/near ABC on Tioman

Objective is to do some recreational diving, and maybe a Rescue course. Otherwise just chill out, have a few beers and relax - prefer avoiding crowds and staying in basic but comfortable accomodation. Money's not a big issue but I don't need/want a resort

Advice on the following would be most helpful:

1. Is ABC the right place to be based? Seems to be central to the dive sites
2. Where to sleep - I've heard Bamboo Hut is good basic accomodation? Location would ideally be a fairly short walk to the beach and dive shop
3. How busy will it be at that time, what - if anything - do I need to book in advance eg flights/accomodation/courses/dives. I understand it's the beginning of the dive season
4. Dive operators - I've heard good things about B&J and Tioman Dive Centre? Anyone else, or anyone to avoid?
5. Anything else that you think would be worthwhile

Also I'll most likely be on my own, so if anyone is interested in tagging along and being dive buddies, send me a PM

Thanks in advance,

T68

 

[Zippsy]

You've named the best two shops. B&J may be slightly better for training, TDC takes a slight edge for the local feel. ABC / Tekek are where I prefer staying but Salang has more nightlife if you are expecting that. I prefer night dives and quiet evenings myself. You should probably book in advance, particularly for the course to ensure there is someone around to teach. The rescue course manual is also something worth reading in advance. BTW, even staying at Berjaya is not really expensive if you do want to stay in a nicer roon and it's just over the hill from TDC. TDC does also have the cheap Babura rooms next door.

 

[morid]

Tioman Reef Divers, just next to TDC also has a good reputation and I have very good experiences with them myself.
I'd suggest to dive with TRD or TDC and stay at one of the beach front huts of the Swiss Cottage or Babura. I love to have my accommodation close to the dive shop, so they can wake me up for a morning dive if I oversleep. There is not much night-life around there though...
If you don't want to dive every day you can do a trek from Tekek to Juara on the other side of Tioman (3hrs over a hill through the jungle ) or get a boat to bring you to some other beach.

 

[Zippsy]

Oops. I also meant Tioman Reef Divers as the one I recommend along with B&J. I have not used TDC. Damn Alzheimers.

 

[MartianBeerPig]

I did my rescue with TDC about eighteen months ago. The instructor at the time was a bloke called Kaj, but he seems to have moved on. Pity, he was very good. I've heard good things about B&J from people I trust. Mixed reports on TRD - mostly good though. I either don't know about or have heard bad things about other operators on the island.

I have a preference for Tekek, don't really like the backpacker crowd. Can be fun when you get a good group.

I've stayed at Swiss Chalet quite a few times. Spartan is a good description. Never stayed at Babura but it looks okay.

Book in advance. See if you can get the rescue manual beforehand. And don't forget to get your EFR done before you go. Bring cash (Malaysian Ringgits). There's an ATM but it doesn't accept all cards.

 

[Tortuga68]

Thanks for the great advice guys - my work plans have changed, and I'm now going to do my Rescue course in the Philippines on the same dates, with my friends at Capt'n Gregg's in Sabang

But I'm looking forward to visiting Tioman another time, and will bear you suggestions in mind