Air Batang is a approx 2 km long stretch of beach, that attracts like Salang most of the travelers. The reason therefore might be less the beach, which is here mostly rocky, than rather the nice atmosphere, the contact to the native families and the peacefulness that you can find here. A narrow concrete path, on which the locals transport their children and luggage in the moped's sidecars, runs the length of the beach and connects the many resorts. Northerly of the jetty are the most chalet operations located. Also more tourist infrastructure and kampung (village) life can be found here. But the best beach stretches from the jetty to the south.
Salang is located on the northern tip of Tioman Island and most tourists prefer the idyllic quiet village. This might be because of the very nice beach, the little bit of nightlife (that you would find only here in Tioman) and the nearby diving sites. It is adjacent to Monkey bay and Tulai Island and therefore a preferred destination for snorkeling and scuba diving.
The place also offers many places to stay and dine. You can also find some mini markets, 4 dive operators and a few souvenir shops. For some travelers it's even too crowded and they prefer to go to a more secluded beach like Air Batang or Juara. Salang is divided in two parts by a new big concrete jetty and by the inflow of a freshwater lagoon. Around the jetty you can find the most crowds, coz here are the restaurants and bars.
Of course almost all resorts also have their own restaurants. In the northern part of Salang behind the Salang Indah Resort it is more quite and accommodation cheaper. However, most of the resorts are located south of the jetty due to the best beach here. Beyond the lagoon you can see many 2 metre long monitor lizards scurrying about their daily business. These impressive lizards can be found all over the island though they are not as numerous as they are in Salang.You have a fantastic view on the bay from the verandas of Nadia' Inn big wooden houses. A wooden footbridge over the rocks at the southern end of the beach leads out to the houses on the hill.
Midway between Paya and Genting, Melina Beach Resort has a lovely palm fringed little bay all for itself. Some big granite rocks interlard the fine sandy approx. 300m long beach. Unfortunately there are also a few rocks in the water, so watch out while swimming. The small resort is beautifully located in between the beach and the steeply rising jungle. Therefore some harmless monkeys are also regular visitors here. A Garman family who made their dream come true and expatriated to Tioman runs the resort. The 6 rooms in the large semi-detached chalets are furnished each with one double bed and one single bed. Additionally air condition and a very clean bathroom with hot shower. The restaurant serves a variety of German, Malay and Chinese food. Very kind and helpful owners. Pick-up service from Genting jetty can be arranged.
Mukut is located in the very south of the island below the twin peaks of the Dragon Horn. Mukut doesn't have a very nice beach because most of the places are rocky, only in the very west and east of the bay is some sand.
But who wants to enjoy absolute tranquility, genuine nature and traditional village life is at the right place.
Furthermore Mukut is departure point for the climbing of the Dragon Horn and an hour trek to a nice waterfall, where you can take a refreshing bath. There are some small restaurants and four operating resorts in Mukut. A few resorts like the Tanjung Adventure for instance had to close due to lacking guests and are now deserted.
Nipah is a small nice bay in the south of Tioman. There are only two small resorts, the beach and a creek. Nipah is the right beach for people, who want to get away from it all because there is not even a public telephone!
The atmosphere is laid back and relaxed, most of the travelers are backpackers who put up at Nipah Beach Chalets.
The second resort - Nipah Paradise - is primarily used for outings of a school in Singapore. Nevertheless you can try your luck, however the better choice is the very cozy Nipah Beach Chalets.
The nice owners also offer a two days trekking tour through the jungle to the peak of Gunung Kajang, the highest mountain in Tioman (1038m).
Juara village, about 2 kilometers away from the village, its strategic location promised to be the most peaceful and quiet place in Tioman Island for it happens to be the only resort there. At about 50 metres from the resort, a white water Mentawak River flows from Kajang mountain, the highest mountain in Tioman Island. Visitors will be able to feel the freshness and the coldness of the mountain, which cannot be found in any other part of this island.
The wooden chalets are built on stilts on a hill of palm trees and flowering plants. Some of them are quite cramped, but you have a fantastic view of the sea from every veranda. Additionally there is a double storey brick house with very comfortable rooms right at the beach (room type SD). You get to the Panuba Inn Resort either by a steep path that heads in 15 minutes from ABC Beach Resort around the rocks or by ferry that lands at their own jetty. If you have luggage, better take the ferry or charter a boat for 10 RM from the Air Batang jetty.
Tekek village can be considered as the heart of Tioman. The airport is located at Tekek and so does police station, the hospital, local authorities, other government offices and of course the mosque. You also find a few well-stocked shops and an Internet Café.
The only available road at Tioman is from Tekek village to Lalang village (Berjaya Tioman Beach Resort and Berjaya Tioman Suites) in the south. Heading north the road will turn in a good concrete path on which you can bicycle (rent in Tekek for RM5 an hour) until Nazri's II in Air Batang. Better don't rent a moped (RM15 an hour) because you can't climb the stairs at the headland between Tekek and Air Batang with it. For those who love thrill can try jungle trekking from Tekek village to Juara village. Main attraction while trekking is the waterfall.
Paya Village is located between a wide sandy bay and big forest surrounded fresh water lagoon. Here it is still relative peaceful and tranquil. There are four resorts, which are generally booked by package tours, a mini market and a diving center. Besides the nice beach the main attraction is a small waterfall, to which a path leads in 5 minutes from the Tioman Paya Resort. You can fabulously bath in the small stream under shady trees.
The wide shaped bay of Paya Village is approx. 500m long and fringed with a few palm trees. During high tide the beach gets quite narrow, but when it's low tide you can even swim here in contrast to many other beaches in Tioman. Only some stones will appear. And for those who grew tired of swimming in the sea can take a fresh bath in the creek behind the Tioman Paya Resort. For snorkelling the small island at the northern end of the beach is most suitable.
Genting is a village with numerous resorts, mosque, clinic and many restaurants. There is also a diving centre, a mini market and some small souvenir shops. Genting is a favourite destination of Chinese tourists and so there is Karaoke in the evening and Disco weekends. North of the jetty the first resorts are tightly packed between the short stretch of beach and the hill. Further up in the north the resorts are placed more apart and it is evidently quieter. Most of the resorts located at a hilly side thus illustrates a splendid sea view.
source: tioman.com.my
