Malaysia’s Tioman Island: An Introduction

Tioman Island will come into your memory the next time you plan a sudden vacation with a reasonable budget, get ready to explore your options!

 

THE TIOMAN ISLAND

 

Pulau Tioman

Tioman Island was popularized when in the 1970s the TIME Magazine had named it one of the most beautiful islands. Located in the South-eastern Coast of Malaysia, the Island has every deserving reason to be on your do-not-miss list!

The Island is a good place to spend your vacation whether solo or in group. There are budget resort packages and places accordingly. Unlike other South-eastern vacation islands like Perhentian Islands or Lang Tengah or Redang island, this Island welcomes visitors all year long.

 

HISTORY

Along history, Tioman Island has been a haven for fishermen, and also during War times (the wrecks of HMS Repulse and HMS Prince of Wales are still around the island – these ships of England were sunk on December 10, 1941 by Japanese bombs and torpedoes).

The Island’s lores however extend even before that. Legend has it that the Island is the body of a cursed dragon princess (possibly to explain the volcano Mount Kajang standing at 1,038 metres). Other legends say that it is a dragon prince and not a princess who was cursed. A story says that the dragon princess was enchanted by the beauty of the land that she decided to stay there. (In all cases, perhaps they had tried to explain the volcano!)

Today, snorkelling and diving around the Tioman Island at various points is very much rewarding, owing to its rich aquatic life and history. The resources on land are not any less compared to this.

 

TO DO AND SEE IN TIOMAN ISLAND

You want to laze out on the beaches and just stare at the sky? Super cool. Tioman has a place for you. (Just remember to have sunscreen, sunglasses, etc., when you’re doing it in daylight, and mosquito repellents in the night.)

Want to stay in both sea and land? Cool, walk around the beaches, lie on the beach, play some games.

Want to go into the sea? Great, you can go snorkelling, diving and surfing (depending on the season) here at the Island, and in many places around.

Don’t want to be anywhere near the water but want some adrenaline or a touch with nature? Great, go trekking in the thick tropical jungle and visit the Asah Waterfall (avail transport if you’re heading past 4.30 pm though. You do not want to get lost there.) You can also go shopping after all that.

SOME BASIC GEOGRAPHY AND ECOLOGY

Depending on the seasons you’re visiting – rainy or dry – the weather varies. The afternoons are hot, evenings warm and night cool. The best time to visit Tioman Island would be in July and August when the weather is dry. Otherwise, the best time to visit the Malaysia islands on this part is March to October.

Like we said, there are fewer transports to get around the Tioman island. You can go either foot, rent a bicycle or by sea taxi. For some routes, you can hire a jeep. The lush jungles are the major part of the island, and people are found only in the coasts.

The area is a protected marine park (though unfortunately it faces littering issues). Swimming underwater, you can expect to see Corals, Greenback Turtles, Blacktip Reef Sharks, Blue Spotted Manta Rays, Barracuda, Cuttlefish, etc.,

In the forests, you can expect to see snakes, monitor lizards, Long Tail Macaques, Fruit Bats, Black Giant Squirrels, Red Giant Flying Squirrels, Brush Tailed Porcupines, Slow Loris, Mouse Deer, various insects, etc., (Beware of the monkeys in regards to food though. And, you can find a lot of cats around.) And Tioman has its own indigenous species too, like the walking catfish Clarias batu and Kajang slender litter frog.

 

GET READY!

So yes, now that you have the basic information, get ready to do more research, and plan your vacation! Check pointers on ATM facilities, SIM card, WiFi, goods, and other things you’ll need! Also, you could hop on to other neighbouring islands!

So, what are you waiting for? Have fun!

Want more of Malaysia island experience?
Hop on to Summer Bay Resort, Lang Tengah Island!

Our lovely resort awaits you at Lang Tengah Island!

Visiting Lang Tengah Island for a stress-free, hassle-free abode, a warm home away from home to enjoy? Come stay with us then! Our resort provides 4-star accommodation and services, bringing you the best of tropical island vacation with the comforts of air-conditioned spaces and luxurious amenities. Standard, Superior Room, Garden View, Pool View room – choose what is best for you!

We have different Lang Tengah Island holiday packages to cater to your holiday needs, just take your pick and be on your way to an awesome and unforgettable holiday experience!

Summer Bay Resort is the accommodation for you, your gateway to a perfect Lang Tengah island vacation!

 

 

This article is brought to you by Summer Bay Resort.

(Image credits to respective owners.)

 
myths legends

Tales of Malaysia Islands

Stories are ways humans preserved histories.

Long and short tales of different genres, mostly fantasy or horror. Some passed to protect certain establishments, some passed to exploit certain establishments, and some crafted and passed in the mere sense of hoping to explain a phenomenon they couldn’t understand.

Myths and legends are very personal tales, and believing them, for some, is a hobby to collect. Like antiques and artefacts. For some, it’s amusing. Some others, it’s hilarious. And others, they sincerely take up such tales and legends inside them to understand and process.

However humans process or create them, they just never get old. We’ve a brief list of such popular legends you can look into and think on, and even perhaps, give your own touch to expand!

Mahsuri’s Legend

Kota Mahsuri Pulau Langkawi
Kota Mahsuri, Pulau Langkawi

One of the most popular legends is that of Langkawi Island’s. The legend of Mahsuri’s curse that made the island barren for generations is a well-known story. Once, there was a beautiful woman name Mahsuri, who was so beautiful that she was envied by everyone. When her husband is out to fight in a war, she gives generous shelter to a stranger. It so happens that, people use this chance and accuse her of adultery. Death penalty is given, and despite her pleading her chastity, no one believes her. She is stabbed, and then, white blood flows out of her own, proving her purity. She curses the island to be barren for seven generations. She is believed to have a tomb on the island even today.

The Lake of the Pregnant Maiden

 
Tasik Dayang Bunting (Lake of Pregnant Maiden)
Tasik Dayang Bunting (Lake of Pregnant Maiden)

In the same Langkawi Island stands the Lake of the Pregnant Maiden. The name itself may help you guess what the legend may be about – so a celestial maiden had a child with a mortal. But the child unfortunately died. In pain, the maiden buried the child where the lake stands. The lake is believed to be blessed by her, and the waters of the lake are believed to give divine strength and help maidens who bathe there to conceive a child.

The Giant Serpent

In the Perhentian Islands, once, there lived a giant serpent who was called Naga Pulau Berjuang. When another giant serpent threatens this Island, the serpent sets out to battle it to protect the Island. The impact of their battle is believed to have caused a tract in the hill of the Island. Since this huge poisonous snake is legendary and divine, it is believed to be the reason for the absence of poisonous snakes on the Island.

The Dragon Island

Dragon Horns, Pulau Tioman
Dragon Horns, Pulau Tioman

The volcanic mountain and two horn-like structures on the Tioman Island has led to the creation of legends with dragons. One legend says that a dragon princess while crossing the sea was enchanted by the waters that she decided to be there. Another legend says that Island is actually a cursed dragon prince who was prohibited to meet his sister.

Fairy Lake

Telaga Tujuh Waterfalls
Telaga Tujuh Waterfalls, Pulau Langkawi

Another Malaysian Island story is that of the beautiful and lush flora around Telega Tujuh Waterfalls, Langkawi Island, is believed to be the house of fairies. The water is believed to have healing properties because of that.

There are also some horror stories. Definitely, more if you visit. Redang Island is taken to be a cursed island where people die mysteriously, and people give some recorded instances of French toursists who underwent that. An abandoned resort on Lang Tengah Island has been warned that, there may be ghosts to haunt!

Whether any of these tales are true or not, they give us interesting insights into humans and their understanding of the world. It also gives us a lot of creative space to create and think.

This article is brought to you by Summer Bay Resort.

Hope you enjoyed reading the article. Don’t forget to like and share!

What other legends do you know of? Let us know in the comments!

(Image credits to respective owners.)

(NOTE: The above list is only a compilation of heard and collected legends, and not historically or spiritually researched primary data.)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
perhentian island malaysia

Star of Malaysia Islands: Perhentian Island

The Perhentian Island off the North-Eastern coast of Malaysia has a little secret for us. It’s not going to tell us all a new secret, but is going to remind us what we know  – Like Mary Oliver’s quote that goes: “Instruction for living a life: Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.”

Malaysia islands: Pulau Perhentian
Malaysia islands: Pulau Perhentian (Source: Booking.com)

The Perhentian Island

The word “perhentian” (per-hen-tee-an not per-hen-she-an or per-hen-shen) translates to “stopping point”. A reference to its history, it holds true even today – metaphorically as a stopping point for your heart, mind, and ecological conservation. The island is divided into two – the bigger one and the smaller one – Pulau Perhentian Besan and Pulau Perhentian Kecil, respectively. The former caters to specific people and is expensive while compared to the latter. There are also other little inhabited islands that are a part of this island. All these islands are a part of a protected marine park.

 

Best time to visit

Certainly, there is a specific time period which is best for you to visit the Island. The general accommodative period is between the months of February and October. This helps you to make the best of your vacation in a budget you can afford – unless you want to be caught indoors due to monsoon with not many outdoor provisions, with the local people and with costly and scarce food and water resources, which is fine if you’re okay with it! In that case, your time to visit may be off-season, in the months between October to February. (Which we do not recommend, though).

 

Traveling in the Perhentian Island

You can get around the island through water taxis or walking. Remember, except the main tracks of travel, the island is filled with jungles, so make sure not to get stuck.

 

The sights

It is not a lie when they said that the climb is worth the view – in the Perhentian Islands, you may not have many man-made tourist infrastructures like museums, nor any specific areas of viewpoint, but the Island doesn’t really specifically need one! A treasure by itself, it steals your attention and eyes with its spectacular on-land views. The beach is serene, and the sea is pristine, though sadly you may notice that these precious islands face the problem of littering. So make sure you don’t contribute something like that. If you’re in a good swing of excitement and adrenaline, you could go jungle trekking. Of course, watch out for big monitor lizards and large spiders, and other lovely hairy friends.

Nemo in Pulau Perhentian
Nemo fish in Pulau Perhentian

The best sights on this island aren’t limited to above the land – In addition to coral and fish, the Island is a home to sea turtles and many species of shark, none of them dangerous unless provoked. (Since we’ve shifted to non-human population, here’s a titbit – Kecil Island has a huge population of cats.) The underwater scenario around the Island makes it one of the most apt places for scuba diving, kayaking, snorkeling, etc.,

 

Other things to do

The Perhentian Islands are home to a significant green turtle nesting population. Unfortunately, the number of nestings are reducing, owing to the pollution caused by oil in the seas. The Department of Fisheries are running a turtle hatchery on the islands to make the situation better.

You could simply sit on the beach, eat a lot of seafood (non-seafood is available, but surely more expensive as it is imported from the mainland), and at night, if you’re at the Kecil, enjoy some party time. But to respect local culture, alcohols are costly, and scarce, unless you bring your own booze.

 

Things to remember

But keep in mind – your travel to the Perhentian Island requires a lot of planning. For example, you may need to have a lot of cash in hand since credit cards are accepted only at a few locations. Power outages are common too. There is a significant nuisance from the mosquitoes. Clean water can be a costly commodity. And, don’t disturb any underwater and above-water wildlife. Leave behind a sustainable mark, don’t litter.

 

Intrigued? Read more about the Island here!

Looking for other places to hop, then perhaps add Lang Tengah Island to the list!

 

Want more of such experiences? Hop on to Summer Bay Resort, Lang Tengah Island!

Our lovely resort awaits you at Lang Tengah Island!

Visiting Lang Tengah Island for a stress-free, hassle-free abode, a warm home away from home to enjoy? Come stay with us then! Our resort provides 4-star accommodation and services, bringing you the best of tropical island vacation with the comforts of air-conditioned spaces and luxurious amenities. Standard, Superior Room, Garden View, Pool View room – choose what is best for you!

We have different Lang Tengah Island packages to cater to your holiday needs, just take your pick and be on your way to an awesome and unforgettable holiday experience!

Summer Bay Resort is the accommodation for you, your gateway to a perfect Lang Tengah island vacation!

 

This article is brought to you by Summer Bay Resort.

(Image credits to respective owners.)

redang island malaysia

Treat Yourself to Redang Island

Redang Island – a perfect place to treat yourself a little!

Pulau Redang, Malaysia Island
Pulau Redang, Malaysia Island

All of us carry a need to experience things the fullest, all that those we are exposed to and can afford ourselves to. Our senses take in all that there is to, treasurely holding on to places and people and events, and that threads us as human. That is how we connect to this world outside of us. We try to find pieces of ourselves everywhere and then we take in pieces from around us to create new parts of us.

There is a balance of contribution here, and some places on the planet are just the right choices to do so. Make sure you note down Redang Island on that list! Here is a brief outline of what you need to start with.

 

The Redang Island

One of the largest islands off the East coast of Malaysia, the Redang Island is a popular tourist destination. It is a part of the Redang archipelago (a chain of islands scattered in the lakes, rivers or the ocean). While Redang Island or Pulau Redang is the biggest island, the other islands are Pulau Lima, Pulau Paku Besar, Pulau Paku Kecil, Pulau Kerengga Kecil, Pulau Kerengga Besar, Pulau Ekor Tebu, Pulau Ling and Pulau Pinang. These islands are protected marine parks, protecting underwater life from humans.

Owing to its vibrant tourist accommodations, Redang’s accommodations are mostly resort-based. The Island has a tropical temper to it. The best time to visit such East Coast islands of Malaysia is typically between March to October, for the monsoon restricts movements in the other months.

Redang’s image as a mainstream island may affect the crowds found there, and that too, only in a relative sense to other islands around. However, it still is a serene cool place for you to hang out and relax – the beaches to the North and South end, resorts, the jungles, night life, sea, trekking, underwater life – you name it!

Pulau Redang, Malaysia
Pulau Redang, Malaysia

What to Expect

The white sandy beaches of Redang slowly lead you towards the crystal clear waters. A few meters further, the sights of tropical fish and coral reefs will delight you! Laze around in the beaches around, walk on the wooden bridge and the sand, relax and eat in the resort, trek and wander in the jungle (but safely with all necessary supplies), dance or sit among the night life, wash yourself with the sea, go snorkelling and diving…

  1. For island hopping, you can visit Perhentian Islands, Lang Tengah Island, Kapas Island, Ekor Tebu Island, Ling Island, Pinang Island, Bidong Island, Lima Island and Susu Dara Island. There are other little uninhabitated islands too!
  2. During snorkelling and diving you can see coral reefs, underwater wrecks, jacks, fusiliers and trevallies, black tip reef sharks, humphead, parrotfish, cuttlefish, turtles, manta rays, whale sharks, reeftip sharks, snappers, rabbitfish, silver barracudas, clownfish, triggerfish… (since it’s a protected marine park, there are thousands of other varities of aquatic life!)
  3. During trekking you can see macaque monkeys, monitor lizards, fruit bats, squirrels (and beware of mosquitoes in general), and thankfully, no large animals!
  4. In general, you can see the sunrise, sunset, stars and other people playing beach volleyball, kayaking, fishing, just sitting (depending on the season you go there).

 

What to do

Well. Pack your budget, pack a ticket straight to Redang Island. Or, accommodate yourself in the nearby Perhentian Islands. But before you do that, make sure you do all of these right.

  1. Confirm your payment methods.
  2. Remember to respect local culture and religion, no matter how differently conservative.
  3. Plan an itinerary and make sure you don’t miss out what you want to do.
  4. Make sure to book the rooms comfortable for you, in budget, activity and view sense.
  5. Gather details on local transport, and make sure you manage your time properly.
  6. Have a rough idea of underwater and above-water activities you’ll be doing, and do so accordingly.

Long story short, make the best out of it!

 

Want more of such experiences? Hop on to Summer Bay Resort, Lang Tengah Island!

Our lovely resort awaits you at Lang Tengah Island!

Visiting Lang Tengah Island for a stress-free, hassle-free abode, a warm home away from home to enjoy? Come stay with us then! Our resort provides 4-star accommodation and services, bringing you the best of tropical island vacation with the comforts of air-conditioned spaces and luxurious amenities. Standard, Superior Room, Garden View, Pool View room – choose what is best for you!

We have different Lang Tengah Island packages to cater to your holiday needs, just take your pick and be on your way to an awesome and unforgettable holiday experience!

Summer Bay Resort is the accommodation for you, your gateway to a perfect Lang Tengah island vacation!

 

 

This article is brought to you by Summer Bay Resort.

Hope you enjoyed reading the article, and we bet you now know what you want to do.

Don’t forget to like and share! Will you make sure to go to Redang Island? Let us know in the comments!

 

(Image credits to respective owners.)

kapas island

Hidden Paradise among Malaysia Islands: Kapas Island

Pulau Kapas, Malaysia Island
Pulau Kapas, Malaysia Island (Source: Vocket)

To be human to be touched – through any of the senses and the feelings we imbibe in. And there are places you can retreat to, just for sufficing your senses, and capture what’s more important, and what makes us human and functional – memories. And as one such places, we present to you, Pulau Kapas, or as we generally know, Kapas Island of Malaysia.

The Island

Kapas Island of Malaysia is located near the city of Kuala Teregganu, in the Eastern part of the peninsula. The name of the island translates as “Cotton”, and thus is called “Cotton Island”, because of the colour of the beaches in there.

Kapas Island is little compared to its neighbouring islands of Pulau Perhentian (Perhentian Island) and Pulau Redang (Redang Island), but is still quite wholesome. Kapas Island is thus less populated than its peers, making it the right place for you to take in silence, something so much needed these days, a silence that is not haunting. And this silence gives you a different passage of time, and sticks on with you. Kapas Island is accurately called “Hidden Paradise” for this reason.

What you can do in Kapas Island

Does it mean it’s a boring island? Absolutely not, especially if you’re looking to inhale some space away from the world. It’s a quiet place, but that doesn’t mean it’s devoid of all action for you. So what are more things you can do here to stretch out your stress?

Snorkelling in Kapas Island
Snorkelling in Kapas Island (Source: Expedia)

WATER ACTIVTIES:

It’s an island, and thus the major highlights you can do here definitely include diving and snorkeling! You can swim around with schools of fishes and also turtles. A note to remember is that, Kapas Island is a part of the marine national park, so yes, you’re in for a good underwater sight-seeing. Beginner or already practicing, there’s help for you to go snorkeling and diving. Also, there’s a World War II ship wreckage site 30 minutes from the island, how cool is that!

You can also go kayaking in the island, and that helps you get around the island and explore places less explored, and to hop to nearby islands.

SHORE ACTIVITIES:

Kapas Island is known for having some of the best beaches, hands down. There are a total of 5 to 6 beaches in the island. They’re all connected by bridges, so you could just take a walk around.

Other options for you are to explore the shoreline beauty, of the rock formations beautifully carved by nature around the island.

It is thus an ethereal island you should visit, beyond doubt.

Want more of such experiences? Hop on to Summer Bay Resort, Lang Tengah Island!

Our lovely resort awaits you at Lang Tengah Island!

Visiting Lang Tengah Island for a stress-free, hassle-free abode, a warm home away from home, to enjoy? Come stay with us then! Our resort provides 4-star accommodation and services, bringing you the best of tropical island vacation with the comforts of air-conditioned spaces and luxurious amenities. Standard, Superior Room, Garden View, Pool View room – choose what is best for you!

We have different Lang Tengah Island packages to cater to your holiday needs, just take your pick and be on your way to an awesome and unforgettable holiday experience!

Summer Bay Resort is the accommodation for you, your gateway to a perfect Lang Tengah island vacation!

 

This article is brought to you by Summer Bay Resort.

(Image credits to respective owners.)

#NaPoWriMo Prompts: Malaysian Islands edition

It’s #NaPoWriMo!!

National Poetry Writing Month is here! The social media and everyone’s diary is brimming with poetry and expression of words. Poetry is an expression of what you feel. It is valid whether you post on social media or not! ‘Tis the season to celebrate your inner verbal expressiveness!

Some of us are inspired by the aesthetics of images. So with no further ado, we present to you some picturesque frames with prompts, words and ideas splattered, with which you can fly your kites of thoughts!

 

1.

scattered / bottled colours / slowly between the velvet layers of the sea / i drown not sink

2.

isolation ripples your nerves / a quiet canopy you call home / sands of time prevail across your thoughts

3.

i saw an old photograph of us / our love is a drone / misty sea breeze / walk into the sea slowly / welcoming all colours we smeared on us

4.

underneath the hands is roughness / sun filters through the leaves to fall as darkness / you slip into grounds that don’t hold you

5.

you are celestial / the shades cower beneath your lush / grandeur runs naked to pursue your simple fingers / amidst them all you breath

6.

your childhood folktales / you slept hugging the rainbow / prisms were never understood as glass, like your heart / you exhale hues, you exhale hues

7.

little things / clusters / shapes / distance / proximity / twilight / paintings above us / narrow / journey / lights

8.

down the lane of time / sea horses / memories / remember to forget / forget to discover / discover to feel / feel to be human

9.

lost / wander / found / loud silences / dust on the leaves / dirt on the ground / mist in the air / what is in your hands?

10.

gently slapped against the walls / withering / strength / crushing / cliffs / freeze the moments / drench in colours

11.

farthest star / wild skies and tamed winds / embrace / tickles by the water / limitless / beyond / constricted / fly

12.

sharpness softens you / waves echo your heartstrings / tenderness in your strength / rhythms striking your ears / spin your own tales / build your own land

 

So! What are you waiting for! Grab that notepad and treat yourself with the flow of creativity!

 

This article is brought to you by Summer Bay Resort.

Hope you enjoyed reading the article. Don’t forget to like and share! What prompt was your favourite? Did you try them out? Let us know in the comments!

(Image credits to respective owners.)

拉哇岛 (Pulau Rawa) —— 天堂般的隐藏式岛屿

Pulau Rawa, Malaysia
#image_title 马来西亚拉哇岛 (Source: Holidaygogogo)

碧海蓝天为证,绝对限量版的旅游记

位于马来亚半岛南部的柔佛州,是通往邻国新加坡的连接点。柔佛州内其一的丰盛港县海域15公里外有一座小岛,一座人烟稀少、保留原貌、无当地岛民居住、犹如天堂般的旅游性质岛屿——拉哇岛

Read More “拉哇岛 (Pulau Rawa) —— 天堂般的隐藏式岛屿”

探索吉打宝石之岛—— 浮罗交怡

一秒看懂浮罗交怡在哪儿

Map of Malaysia - Pulau Langkawi
#image_title 左上角见浮罗交怡岛

浮罗交怡位于马六甲海峡,由100个左右石灰岩岛屿组成,是马来西亚最大的群岛。它属于“稻米之乡”——吉打州,北邻泰国,南邻槟榔屿。浮罗交怡为马来语Pulau Langkawi的译名,Pulau即“岛屿”之意,Langkawi则由helang(老鹰)与kawi(红褐色)两个词结合而成。浮罗交怡全年气候较为炎热潮湿,不过每年10月至次年4、5 月是最凉爽的时候,也是旅游的最佳时间。

Read More “探索吉打宝石之岛—— 浮罗交怡”

Sign Up for Exclusive
Offers from Us

Address

219-E, 1st Floor, Wisma Cemerlang, Jalan Sultan Zainal Abidin, 20000 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu.

Phone

+609-6313366
+609-6239911

Mobile

+6019-9344666

follow us

Copyrights © 2023 All rights reserved. Summer Bay Travels & Tours Sdn Bhd (1165017-V).
Designed & developed by Travoxis Technology SDN BHD