Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Check out our FAQ list below with useful information about Tioman Island and our business or send an email for any questions you might still have.

When is the best time to travel & dive?

The diving season for Tioman Island starts on 1st February and ends by early November. Tioman is pretty much shut down over monsoon (Nov-Jan).

  • February-March:

    Mating season of the Pharaoh Reef Cuttlefish (don’t miss it!)

  • March-May and September-November:

    Best visibility, averaging between 15m and 30m

  • June-August:

    Summer season where visibility usually drops to around 8m to 12m (though diving is still great)

  • Currents are fairly mild throughout the season.

What's the weather like and how warm is it?

The weather on Tioman Island is fine all year around. On most days you can expect sunny skies and little wind with a few clouds overhead.

Brief rain showers are common since Tioman Island lies in the tropics and is covered by dense rain forest. These showers usually last less than an hour.

  • Average air temperature: 32 Degrees Celsius (90° F)
  • Average water temperature: 27 to 29 Degrees Celsius (80° F to 84° F)

Check out the current weather situation on Tioman.

What are the Malaysian Entry Requirements?

Visitors to Malaysia must be in possession of a valid passport or travel document with a minimum validity of six months beyond the intended visiting period.

Most nationalities do not require visas for social or business visits but to be sure, better check with your embassy or on this Tripadvisor blog.

Do I need a special vaccination before coming to Malaysia?

No special vaccinations are required. There is no Malaria or other tropical disease present on Tioman Island or on Peninsular Malaysia.

Sandflies and mosquitoes are common in Malaysia. We recommend to bring along some tropical insect repellent (i.e. containing +/- 30% DEET) and after bite ointment. Sandfly bites can be nasty and can get infected if scratched open. Antiseptic cream is recommended.

There is no decompression chamber available on Tioman Island and the closest is in Singapore (some 6 hours transportation). We are therefore very careful with our diving profiles and have never had a dive accident since we were established in 1986.

What languages are spoken?

Malay (Bahasa Melayu) is the native tongue, but English is widely spoken. All our staff are fluent in English and we teach courses in:

  • English
  • Bahasa Melayu
  • German
  • French

Do I need cash or can I pay by credit card?

You can pay us for your diving packages either in cash (MYR = Malaysian Ringgit) or by credit card (credit card payment surcharges apply).

Most of the other resorts do accept credit cards but you need cash to pay for your meals and beverages.

Foreign currencies are best exchanged on the mainland prior to your visit to Tioman Island. We exchange major currencies but the rates are not very good.

There is only one ATM on the island, located in the main village of Tekek (next to the airport). We recommend you bring enough cash along so you don’t have to go there in case you find that it’s out of cash.

How can I get to Tioman Island?

Check-out our Getting There page for all the details on how to get to Tioman Island.

Do I have to pay any kind of fee to get into Tioman Island?

Tioman lies in a dedicated Marine Park and as such there’s a Marine Park fee payable to the local authorities. This must be done in cash (Ringgit) at the jetty of either Mersing or Tanjung Gemok. Currently the fees are:

  • MYR 5.00 per entry for Malaysian citizens
  • MYR 30.00 per entry for foreigners

Is there WiFi available and which phone card shall I use?

Free WiFi is available at our dive centre and bar. There is usually no WiFi in the hotel rooms.

The most reliable telecom providers for Tioman are Celcom and Maxis . Purchase a pre-paid card if you prefer to have your own internet dataplan and/or if you need to make phone calls.

Do I need an adapter for my electrical devices?

Check out this site to see if you require an adapter.

Voltage is 220V to 240V, Frequency 50Hz, Power Socket Type G.

I have lost my certification card, can I still dive with you?

Yes you can, provided that we can retrace your card on the internet. Please email us the following information:

  • First Name
  • Middle Initial
  • Last Name
  • Date of Birth

What brand of dive equipment do you provide?

We are using the following rental dive equipment:

  • Scubapro T-One BCD
  • Scubapro MK2 Regulators
  • B&J own brand shorty wetsuits (3mm)
  • Fullfoot and Open Heel Fins
  • Children: BCD, Regulator Mouthpiece and smaller tanks available
  • 80cf (11L) Aluminum Tanks with INT (Yoke) fitting
  • DIN Tanks, Twin Tanks and stage tanks in various sizes available
  • Nitrox, Oxygen and Helium available

Do you have NITROX?

Yes, as a Technical Diving Training Facility we are providing Enriched Air Nitrox, Oxygen and Helium gas mixes.

Can I just snorkel with your diving centre?

If you come with a non-diver then this person(s) can join us on the boat and go snorkelling while you are diving.

On the other hand, if you’re planning a trip to Tioman for snorkelling only, then we recommend that you stay at our Tioman Dive Resort but arrange dedicated snorkel trips on the spot with one of the local operators.

Do you provide any meals?

We support the local restaurants on the island, so we don’t provide any meals at our resort. Lunch will be provided on the boat if you’re joining our day dive trip.

There are a number of restaurants within easy walking distance from our dive centre / resort where you can find local and international cuisine. Read more on our Food Page.

What shall I pack?

You don’t need anything special for Tioman. Just pack your usual swim/beach wear, a towel, sun lotion, maybe some insect repellent and don’t forget to bring a lot of fun!