How to get to Tioman Island
Tioman Dive Centre are not able to arrange your transport to Tioman Island, however we have gathered some information below, which should help you to make these bookings more easily.
Tioman Island is located around 32km off the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia, on the border between the Johor and Pahang states of Malaysia.
You can reach Tioman easily;
- By Bus/Car/Taxi and then a ferry from Mersing (Johor state) or Tanjung Gemok (Pahang state) ferry terminals
or
- By Plane from Kuala Lumpur’s Subang Airport, Johor Bahru or Singapore’s Selatar Airport (This service is temporarily suspended, but plans are currently underway with www.SKSairways.com)
Important Note: There are only 2 ferry companies operating services to Tioman Island, CataFerry and BlueWater. These companies run from both Mersing and Tanjung Gemok. If you are travelling to Tioman from Mersing, please note… the ferry timetables change daily, due to the tides in Mersing River.
CataFerry – www.cataferry.com
BlueWater Ferries – www.bluewater.my
See below for more details…
Singapore to Tioman
SINGAPORE – MERSING Ferry Terminal
Please Note: The Ferry Company and Bus companies are separate, and so the timetables are independent. There are 2 ferry companies running from Mersing
- CataFerry (ferry timetables and bookings can be made online.. www.cataferry.com)
- BlueWater Ferries (ferry timetables and bookings can be made online.. www.bluewater.my)
The timetables from Mersing change every day, due to the tides in Mersing, so you will find that the bus and ferry times sometimes do not coincide. There are ATMs, cafes, restaurants and hotels in Mersing if you need to spend any time there.
- BY BUS
Buses run from various locations in Singapore to Mersing daily. The journey generally takes around 3.5 – 5 hours, depending on the time of day and if the immigration check point between Singapore and Malaysia is busy.
Common bus stations in Singapore are; Golden Mile Complex, Boon Lay and The Plaza @ Beach Road
You can book your bus tickets online through;
- BY TAXI
If you are short on time, you can also take a taxi directly from any location in Singapore to Mersing Ferry Terminal. The price is usually around SING$180 and if you are interested in this, just let us know and we can help you get in contact with a taxi driver if needed.
Alternatively, check out www.sgmytaxi.com
SINGAPORE – TANJUNG GEMOK Ferry Terminal
- BY BUS
Buses run less frequently to Tanjung Gemok, as it is a less popular destination (though it is becoming more popular due to the more reliable ferry service). The journey takes 4 – 6 hours… again, depending on the time of day and if the immigration check point between Singapore and Malaysia is busy.
The ferry timetable from Tanjung Gemok is more consistent, as the tides do not affect the ferries.. The 2 ferry companies that run from TG to Tioman are…
- www.CataFerry.com (ferry timetables and bookings can be made online)
- BlueWater Ferries (ferry timetables and bookings can be made online.. www.bluewater.my)
You can book your bus tickets online through;
If you are able to reach Mersing by bus, you can then easily find a taxi driver in Mersing to take you to Tanjung Gemok. This journey takes around 40 minutes and the cost in a taxi will be RM60 – RM70.
- BY TAXI
If you are short on time, you can also take a taxi directly from any location in Singapore to Tanjung Gemok Ferry Terminal. The price is usually around SING$210 and if you are interested in this, just let us know and we can help you contact a taxi driver to help.
Alternatively, check out www.sgmytaxi.com
Kuala Lumpur to Tioman
KUALA LUMPUR – MERSING Ferry Terminal
Please Note: The Ferry Company and Bus companies are separate, and so the timetables are independent. The ferry timetable from Mersing changes every day, due to the tides in Mersing, so you will find that the bus and ferry times often do not coincide. There are cafes, restaurants and hotels in Mersing if you need to spend any time there. There is only 1 ferry company running from Mersing – Tioman. This is BlueWater Ferries.
- BY BUS
Buses run from a few locations in Kuala Lumpur to Mersing daily. The journey generally takes around 6 hours, depending on the time of day.
The easiest bus departure terminal is TBS (Terminal Bersepadu Selatan located at Bandar Tasik Selatan). There is a high speed train (The KLIA Ekspres) which links KL Sentral station and Kuala Lumpur International Airports, via ‘TBS’.
Bus tickets can be bought online;
- BY TAXI
Taxis are rather expensive from Kuala Lumpur to Mersing, however it is possible for around RM500. Ask us for contact details if you would like to book a taxi. Shared between friends, this can be a great option.
KUALA LUMPUR – TANJUNG GEMOK Ferry Terminal
- BY BUS
It is becoming more popular to travel from Kuala Lumpur to Tanjung Gemok, due to the better ferry services. There is a hotel in Tanjung Gemok called Hotel Jeti Tg Gemok which is located close to the ferry terminal. There are also some restaurants close by if you need to wait a couple of hours for your ferry.
Bus companies operating out of Kuala Lumpur can be booked online;
- BY TAXI
Taxis are rather expensive from Kuala Lumpur to Tanjung Gemok, however it is possible for around RM500. Ask us for contact details if you would like to book a taxi. Shared between friends, this can be a great option.
CATAFERRY and BLUEWATER ferry services
The ferry journey from Mersing to Tekek Village, Tioman, takes 2 – 2.5 hrs, depending on how many stops the ferry takes when arriving in Tioman. There are up to 6 village stops, and Tekek is usually the 3rd stop, depending on time of day… if you are not sure, please check directly with the ferry staff, so that you get off the ferry in the correct place.. Tekek Village!
CataFerry – This is a newer ferry company operating great quality boats from Mersing to Tioman. This is our recommended choice, if the ferry timings work well with your plans.
The ferry timings to and from Mersing change daily, due to the shallow river in Mersing, and the tides. Therefore, please check online for your particular date of travel – www.cataferry.com
You will find that the CataFerry timetables are released further in advance than BlueWater Ferries, so it is more convenient if you are booking your trip well in advance which we always strongly recommend.
The prices with this company change, based on demand, and the earlier you book your trip, often, the better deal you will find!
Blue Water Ferries – As with CataFerry, BlueWater Ferries do not depart on a regular basis from Mersing, and the timetable is based on the tide charts, so change everyday.
Please Note – Through an agent, you can buy your tickets for a particular day, well in advance, and when the ferry timetable is released, the agent will send you the ferry times to choose from. If you plan to do this, it is important to be flexible.
You can also buy tickets directly with BlueWater through their new online system at www.bluewater.my
Tickets can be bought on the day, at the ferry terminal, however if you are visiting over a busy weekend, or over holiday times, we would highly advise you to book your tickets online well in advance.
You can use;
Tioman Ferry – www.tiomanferry.com
Island Connection – www.tiomanferryticket.com
EasyBook.com – www.easybook.com (bus and ferry tickets – make sure you select ‘ferry ticket’ in the tab selection.. It is nor possible to buy a 1 way ticket with EasyBook.)
Tickets with BlueWater, if bought directly, cost RM35 per way.
Please be aware that schedules change without warning so give Blue Water Ferries a call if you want to double-check their schedule: +60 77 994 811 or +60 77 998 518
PLEASE NOTE – Before collecting your boarding pass, you will be asked to pay the RM40 Marine Park Conservation fee. This is a one off payment per person, valid for the duration of your trip to Tioman.
CATAFERRY and BISTARI GEMILANG ferry services
Tanjung Gemok is around a 40-minute drive north from Mersing. It is slightly more tricky to reach, but is a great option, as the ferry times here are not based on the tides.
At present, 2 ferry companies operate from Tanjung Gemok;
- CataFerry (Our No. 1 Choice!)
- Bistari Gemilang (also under the BlueWater Ferries company)
CataFerry is our first recommendation for anyone travelling to Tioman. It is the newest company and although sometimes a little more expensive, is very reliable and efficient.
You can book your ferry tickets directly with the ferry companies above by phone, or online at www.cataferry.com , www.bluewater.my and www.easybook.com
CATAFERRY
This company has been running since 2017 and seems to be very well managed and organised. You can find more details on their website at www.cataferry.com
The ferry timetables for CataFerry are released a few months in advance, so check their website for more information.
CataFerry – enquiry@cataferry.com or Ms Halleda – +6011 1219 0842
BISTARI GEMILANG (AKA. BLUEWATER FERRIES)
The ferry timetable for Bistari Gemilang is usually released around the 20th of the previous month, but sometimes earlier. You can book your tickets directly through www.bluewater.my
You can contact Bistari Gemilang Ferries on +60 77 994 811
Tickets:
RM35 per person, per way
Flying to Tioman
“PLEASE NOTE; THIS ROUTE IS NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE”
HOWEVER SKS Airways ARE CURRENTLY DEVELOPING ROUTES FROM
- KUALA LUMPUR – Subang Airport
- JOHOR BAHRU – Senai Airport
- SINGAPORE – Selatar Airport
You can fly directly into Tekek Village, Tioman Island. This is only a 15 minute walk from us!
Check back here for more details coming later in 2020!
Please Note;
It is no problem to dive directly after flying onto the island, however you must leave 12 or 18 hours no fly time before you fly, after diving.
No Fly Time After Diving:
After a single dive – 12 hours
After multiple dives – 18 hours
