Marine Paradise at Tioman Island, Pahang

A marine paradise surrounds Tioman Island or "Pulau Tioman" of Pahang, an alluring island which lies about 56 km off the south-eastern coastline of Peninsular Malaysia.It is the largest island in Pahang and in fact is the largest off-shore island in the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It is about 39km long and 12 km wide with a total land area of 133.6 sq km.In size this Pahang island is the third largest island in Peninsula Malaysia behind Penang and Langkawi. As comparison, Langkawi Island (largest island in Peninsular Malaysia) is about 478.5 sq km in size, which is three and a half times larger than Tioman Island.

Did you know?The Tioman Island belonged originally to the state of Johore, Malaysia?
It became part of Pahang on 1st September 1868, when Temenggong Abu Bakar of Johore signed an agreement with Sultan Wan Ahmad of Pahang giving the island and a few other islands around there to Pahang. This Agreement was witnessed by the British Governor of the Straits Settlements, Sir Harry Ord.

THE ORIGIN OF THE ISLAND'S NAME

It is said that the name "Tioman" comes from a "tiong" (mynah) bird owned by an old man on the island. This bird was quite special, with ability to imitate the language of the village folks and had a beautiful voice.

And it became the favorite of the Island folks who always meet and gather at the old man’s house to listen to the bird’s singing and antics.

But, as all living things, one day the "tiong" bird died. The old man really felt sad and depressed. Everytime the village folks meet him, he would say, "Tiong man sudah mati" (meaning "my tiong bird is dead").

P.S. – "man" is short for "teman" (friend), which in local Pahang dialect is "I" or "me" or "mine", and collectively "ours").

As a mark of respect, the folks dedicated the island to the bird referring it as "Pulau tiong man" (or "our tiong Island"). It later became "Pulau Tioman" by foreigners, who are unfamiliar with the soft and almost inaudible nasal "ng" sound spoken in the local dialect.

LEGENDS OF THE DRAGONS

The origin of the Island is shrouded with intriguing legends of dragons - the sometimes respected and sometimes dreaded creature of ancient times.

A common version of Tioman’s origin says that it is the final resting place of a magical dragon princess who whilst flying from China to her beloved prince in Singapore, sought solitude and solace in the crystal clear waters of the South China Sea.

Feeling enchanted and intriguingly charmed by the natural beauty of the place and the underwater world, she decided to stay there forever. She eventually turned herself into an island and in gratitude for the beautiful resting place, she promised Mother Nature that she would extend her kindness and comfort to all and sundry, especially travelers and fishermen who seek shelter in the island.

Tioman Island is accessible from either Mersing (Johor) or Tanjung Gemok (Pahang) by fast boats and ferry services. Tanjung Gemok jetty near Rompin is situated 150 km south of Kuantan and about 60 km from Mersing. The fast air-conditioned ferry takes about an hour and a half to reach Tioman Island from Tanjung Gemok, while it takes about 2 hours if from Mersing.