Tioman, 56 km off Mersing, is the largest island in the archipelago at 20 km by 12 km. The interior is dominated by several jagged peaks and is densely forested, while its coast is fringed by white-sand beaches and traditional fishing kampongs. Despite development, many of these kampongs have retained their scruffy charm and are still very laid back. Thankfully, as yet, there are no nightclubs or fast-food restaurants and the tourist shops are very low key.
Most of the island’s inhabitants live on the west side of the island. The main village, Tekek, is where most passengers arrive and has most of the island’s facilities including shops, a post office, police post, clinic, money changes and an immigration office. Most of the accommodation is a five- to 10-minute walk south of the jetty, but much of it is run down. The beach is rocky at low tide at Ayer Batang (also known as ABC) and the sandy area quite small. There are a couple of mini markets for supplies and souvenirs, a small beach bar and internet. Kampong Salang is the northernmost development on the island and is set in a sheltered cove with a beautiful beach. The beach is more rowdy than Ayer Batang, with concrete development and more of a party scene, popular with backpackers. The island is virtually uninhabited on the southeast and southwest sides, with the kampongs of Nipah and Mukut just starting to open up to tourism. The only place to stay on the east of the island is Juara, which has a beautiful long white beach and good breakers (no good for snorkelling). Being on the seaward side, Juara has a different atmosphere from the west coast kampongs; it is quieter, friendlier, more laid back and bucolic, thanks mainly to its seclusion.
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