Tioman Island | Meet Malaysia
3. The Dive Resort
BnJ Diving Centre is one of the oldest dive centers on the island and undoubtedly the most popular.
Ben Rahman, who is half-Malay and half-German, helped his father open the dive center in 1986. His real name is Zainal, but everyone calls him Ben, after his father.
“I think we get overshadowed,” says Ben, “especially by Sipadan and Layang-Layang.
“But if you look at diversity and coral fields — Tioman, hands down.”
Ben, Sr. and his partner Jean-Claude were the two original owners, hence the name “BnJ.” It might raise an eyebrow or make you snicker because of its closeness to a certain raunchy slang. It actually suits the personality of the owners quite well.
“Satisfaction guaranteed,” smirks Ben.
Photographer: Martin Ritter.
Ben runs the company with his longtime friend, Martin Ritter.
They’re a dynamic duo, with Ben managing the day-to-day operations while Martin handles the marketing.
“I’m lucky enough to have been many places in my life,” says Martin.
“And I’ve realized, damn, this is really great biodiversity that we have at Tioman. And everywhere is fish.”
In so many countries, the locals are only employed as porters or office staff, while the diving jobs go mostly to expats. Not the case in Malaysia, where locals are frequently employed as divemasters and instructors.
The economy in Malaysia is stronger than in neighboring countries, so it’s easier for locals to get the training and experience required to dive professionally. And most Malaysians speak very good English so they’re not hindered by the language barrier.
There’s plenty of local divers on staff at BnJ Diving Centre.
3 Familiar Faces
Danny
Role: Instructor
From: Malaysia
Fun Fact: Danny started working at BnJ as a bartender before being lured into the world of diving.
Danny is the most senior instructor at BnJ, having been on the staff for 10 years. He’s got a swagger earned by a decade of diving these waters.
“I have divers always coming back. Divers that came here 8 years ago and I see them grow. That’s what makes you wanna stick around here.”
Adlin
Role: Instructor
From: Malaysia
Fun Fact: Adlin is working to become a course director.
Adlin has a graceful confidence about her, the mark of a seasoned pro. She’s worked in some awesome places, like the Perhentians, Gili Islands, and Fiji, but she loves the healthy reefs on Tioman.
“When I got here and went diving, in deep waters I see baby corals growing. That’s a really good sign. If you have new corals blooming, imagine ten years later — you’re still going to have a beautiful reef.”
Adlin is also one of the few Muslim women working as a dive instructor, still a rarity in this sport. Not that she gives it much thought.
“I don’t see myself as different. It’s a passion that I wanted to do.”
Dan
Role: Instructor
From: Malaysia
Fun Fact: When someone breaks out a guitar, Dan will happily provide the vocals (in English or Malay).
Dan is one of the dive center’s brightest personalities, with a big smile and a good sense of humor. A city boy from Kuala Lumpur, Dan was quick to embrace the slower pace of island life.
“Tioman is just rich with coral.
“At other islands I worked, it’s common to get whale sharks or mobula rays. But the coral at those islands? Nah.
“Not as good as Tioman.”
Tioman does not have the greatest infrastructure. However, BnJ Diving Centre has everything you need to have a good time. They’ve got the basics and also the bells and whistles.
“Facilities — we have everything,” says Dan. “You want to do Nitrox? You want to do sidemount? You want to do twin set? Want to do rebreather? Whatever you want is possible.”
The dive center runs twin speedboats that get you out to the dive sites in 10 or 15 minutes. They’re not quite luxurious, but they’re a hell of a lot of fun to ride. These engines just purr. A beautiful sound.
The standard lodging on Tioman consists of bare-basic chalets designed primarily for backpackers. Those were the only travelers who came to Tioman back in the day.
When the Malaysian economy picked up, more locals got into scuba diving and ultimately replaced backpackers as the main clientele at the dive center.
Naturally, there was rising demand for higher-end accommodations, so the dive center opened Tioman Dive Resort in 2012.
“We felt it was important that people have a nice place to stay,” says Ben. “I’m a traveler myself, and when I travel I don’t mind spending a little money to get something nice. I’ve done enough roughing! Now I want air con. I want a nice, comfy bed, a mini-fridge where I can chill my beers.
“We have that here.”