Tioman Island | Meet Malaysia
5. The Adventure
With thriving reefs and playful dive sites, you might expect the cost of Tioman to be up there with the high-priced dive resorts in the Philippines or Sulawesi. Surprisingly, it’s not.
“It’s damn damn damn cheap,” says Dan.
“When you compare us with all the big boys,” says Ben, “we’re just a fraction of the price. Sometimes this can be a turn-off when people see that it’s so cheap. They think, it can’t be good.
“But there’s a reason why we’re cheap.”
Of all the dive destinations in Southeast Asia, Malaysia has the strongest market of local divers. BnJ Diving Centre typically receives about 40% of its business from locals, so the prices are anchored to the Malaysian ringgit and not the euro or American dollar.
“I have to stay put,” says Ben. “I can’t just charge whatever I want because if I do that then I would lose my local market.”
So here’s the big question:
With diving so good, and prices so cheap, why isn’t Tioman a hot commodity?
Well, there could be many reasons.
Tioman doesn’t have the nightlife that appeals to so many young people who visit Southeast Asia. There’s also the fact that Malaysia is a predominantly Muslim country, which can make it harder to draw travelers from the west. It could also come down to marketing.
“At dive expos, we have a tourism booth to promote diving in Malaysia,” says Adlin. “But it’s just a small booth. So there’s not much funding to create this awareness of Malaysia. The dive centers here — they themselves have to market Malaysia.”
Of course, part of Tioman’s appeal is that it doesn’t get much tourism.
“The beauty of Tioman is that it never became commercial,” says Ben. “If you would have come here 30 years ago and came back now, you would recognize it. They haven’t cut down the forests or expanded into the island. It’s all nature.”
Tioman is 98% jungle. There are slivers of coastline just wide enough to accommodate small villages, yet the settlements hardly feel settled. You always have the feeling the jungle is creeping forward, steadily closing in on the little homes and bungalows, intent on sweeping civilization off the island and into the sea.
If you’re looking for a raw and rugged paradise, this is it.
“I don’t believe that Tioman will ever have mass tourism,” says Martin. “If you look at the terrain, it’s very difficult to build large hotels.”
Neither the islanders nor BnJ Diving Centre want mass tourism, anyway. Most people who live here feel that the island has struck a good balance.
The locals enjoy a laid-back, family-oriented lifestyle. Most of the businesses are family-run chalets, restaurants, and convenience stores that primarily serve tourists. However, the families will close on a whim for worship, family obligations, or when they feel burnt out. Sometimes this draws the ire of tourists and even the dive center, but it’s also undeniably part of the island’s charm.
Nobody is seeking profits above all else, so it’s easier to unwind on Tioman. You don’t get peddled here, like in so many parts of Southeast Asia, and when someone smiles at you it’s genuine.
Friendliness is the philosophy at BnJ.
“The mission was always to make our divers our friends,” says Ben. “We wanted inclusiveness, so no strangers.
“Sometimes we lose this mission because we get so busy and so caught up in the day-to-day… but you immediately realize the days become longer. You get tired more quickly.
“But when you have a big fun family, then time flies. This is what I’ve been preaching to my staff.”
Westerners tend to know little about Malaysia, so they’re pleasantly surprised by how friendly and accessible the country is.
“What tourists say they like about Malaysia,” says Dan, “is they can make friends with Malaysian people. It’s hard to make friends with some people in Thailand or Indonesia because they will always look at you like a tourist. They just see, cha-ching, cha-ching!
“Malaysian people do things for you not looking for you to repay them.”
When the day’s diving is over, travelers usually spend their time trekking through the jungle, searching the shores for wildlife, or relaxing by the beach. Some people rent a bike and cruise down to Tekek, a neighboring village. It’s always island time on Tioman, and nobody is ever in a rush to do anything or get anywhere.
However, there’s a fair number of people waiting anxiously for 5 PM, when BnJ Bar opens. It’s the only true bar on Tioman, so it draws not only divers but all travelers staying on this part of the island.
Most nights are chill, but the bar occasionally becomes an all-out beach party depending on who and how many are gathered. Ben and Martin are social butterflies, to say the least, and it carries over to their staff. When the vibe gets going, it keeps going.
Case in point: the annual Halloween party, which also marks the end of the dive season. Loyal customers return for the weekend to enjoy a roast and rave, complete with costumes, decorations, and a DJ. [Wish we could share the photos.]
While Tioman is always welcoming to tourists, the islanders do get their annual “introvert time,” courtesy of the winter monsoon season.
There’s plenty of good diving during the monsoon, but BnJ relishes the off-season. It gives the staff an opportunity to rest, travel, and spend time with their loved ones. Plus, the islanders have time to catch up with one another.
“I know everyone in this village,” says Danny, “from one beach to the other. We are close to each other, especially when it’s the monsoon season.”
But when the rainy season ends, the locals are refreshed and ready to welcome back the divers.
“You should come to Tioman and enjoy the stress-free life,” says Dan.
“No stress, brudduh!”
Don’t wait! You should dive this hidden gem before too many people find out about it. Contact Scuba Travel Ventures today to get your adventure started!