Complete Travel Guide 2025

How to Go Tioman Island Your Gateway to Paradise

Discover every route, ferry schedule, and insider tip for reaching Malaysia's most beautiful marine paradise.

56 km
Off East Coast Peninsular
1.5-2 hrs
Ferry Duration
Mar - Oct
Best Season to Visit
RM 70+
Ferry from (Return)

How to Reach Tioman Island

Multiple jetty points connect mainland Malaysia to Tioman. Choose your route based on your starting location.

Most Popular

From Mersing Jetty

Johor, East Coast
  • Drive or Bus to Mersing
    4-5 hours from KL, 2 hours from JB
  • Buy Ferry Ticket
    Purchase at Mersing Harbour Centre
  • Board the Ferry
    Bluewater Express or Cataferry available
Scenic Route

From Tanjung Gemok

Pahang, Rompin
  • Drive to Tanjung Gemok
    3.5-4 hours from KL via Gambang
  • Shorter Sea Crossing
    Newer jetty with better facilities
  • Arrive at Tioman
    Stops at multiple kampungs
International

From Singapore

Via Mersing or Tanah Merah
  • Cross to Malaysia
    Bus via Woodlands or Second Link
  • Transfer to Mersing
    Direct bus or private transfer available
  • Ferry to Tioman
    Same ferries as Mersing route

Bus & Ferry Tickets

Secure your tickets in advance for a hassle-free journey to Tioman Island

Bus Tickets to Mersing

Express buses run daily from major cities including Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and Johor Bahru to Mersing Jetty.

Bluewater Express Ferry

One of the main ferry operators with multiple daily departures from Mersing and Tanjung Gemok to Tioman.

Cataferry

Book your ferry tickets online with Cataferry's convenient booking system. Check schedules and availability.

Marine Park Entry Fee

All visitors must pay the marine park conservation fee upon arrival

Tioman Marine Park Fee

This fee supports the protection of Tioman's marine ecosystem

Malaysian (MyKad) Adult
RM 5
Malaysian (MyKad) Child / Senior
RM 2
Non-Malaysian Adult
RM 30
Non-Malaysian Child
RM 15
Disabled (OKU) All Nationalities
FREE
Pay at the Marine Park Centre or Jetty Terminal at Mersing or Tanjung Gemok before boarding the ferry.

Your Journey Timeline

What to expect from booking to arrival at Tioman Island

Book Your Ferry

Reserve your ferry tickets online in advance, especially during peak season (June-August). Book via Bluewater Express, Cataferry, or Easybook.

1

Travel to Jetty

Arrive at Mersing or Tanjung Gemok jetty at least 30-45 minutes before departure. Check tide schedules as they affect departure times.

2

Pay Marine Park Fee

Pay at the Marine Park Centre or Jetty Terminal. Foreigners pay RM 30 (adult) / RM 15 (child), Malaysians pay RM 5 (adult) / RM 2 (child/senior). OKU is free.

3

Enjoy the Crossing

Sit back and enjoy the South China Sea. Keep motion sickness tablets handy if prone to seasickness. Views of the island approaching are stunning!

4

Arrive at Your Kampung

The ferry stops at multiple villages. Listen for announcements for Tekek, Air Batang (ABC), Salang, Juara, or Genting - wherever your accommodation is located.

5

Essential Travel Tips

Make your journey smooth with these insider recommendations

Best Time to Visit

Visit between March to October. The island closes November to February due to monsoon season. June to August is peak season.

Choose Your Village

Tekek is the main hub, ABC (Air Batang) is backpacker-friendly, Salang offers diving, and Juara has the best beach on the east coast.

Book in Advance

Ferry tickets and accommodation fill up quickly during weekends and holidays. Book at least 1-2 weeks ahead for peak periods.

Bring Cash

ATMs are limited and unreliable on the island. Bring enough Malaysian Ringgit for your entire stay. Credit cards aren't widely accepted.

Pack Light

You may need to wade to shore at some jetties. Waterproof bags for electronics are essential. Sandals are more practical than sneakers.

Check Tide Times

Ferry schedules depend on tides. Morning ferries often depart earlier than listed. Confirm timings with your operator the day before.

Ready to Explore Tioman?

Book your diving adventure or snorkeling trip with Tioman Dive Buddy. We'll handle all the logistics so you can focus on the experience.