Lying 15 mi/32 km off the southeastern coast of Pahang in peninsular Malaysia, this small tropical island was the stand-in for the mythical Bali Ha'i in the film South Pacific in the 1950s (none of the film was shot on the island). Since then, tourism development there has been sporadic, with mainly budget chalets for European backpackers dotting the island's many tiny coves. In truth, Tioman's beaches tend to be short and rocky, which is not ideal for swimming but great for snorkeling and scuba, two highly recommended activities.
There are no roads on Tioman Island, but it can be explored by boat. Most resorts and local boat owners offer tours. Stops on tours typically take in a waterfall at Mutuk village, the mountainous twin peaks at the southern end of the island known as the Dragon's Horns, and snorkeling in the marine park. The island's main village, Tekek, is home to many duty-free shops that sell alcohol, cigarettes and souvenirs.
Most accommodations tend to be simple, and there's only one upscale development on the island, the Berjaya Tioman Island Resort (which also has a golf course). Salang Beach is a popular place to stay. It has some midrange as well as budget accommodations, a few bars and some good fish barbecue restaurants. Tioman is easier to reach than many of the east coast islands, with charter flights available from Kuala Lumpur; otherwise, transport is by small boat from the coastal town of Mersing (this is rather tedious as it involves a long drive from Kuala Lumpur and then the boat journey). The limited access to the islands of the east coast is not beneficial for tourism. However, for those who like life in the slow lane and are planning an extended stay on one of the islands, they are idyllic.
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