Tioman Island Dive Sites

I have to admit, Tioman came as quite a surprise to me. Not sure what I was expecting, but it wasn't crystal clear waters and beaches lined with coconut trees and a few huts, which is pretty much what Tioman is. Granted, many of the little resorts are a bit fancier than huts, but not by much in many cases. And then there's the diving. I had set my sights low, hoping that it would be at least a little better than Pattaya. Well, it's a lot better than Pattaya. In fact, in many ways I think I would rate it better than Koh Tao. You're very unlikely to see large pelagics around Tioman, but in all other respects the diving is fantastic.

Batu Malang

I last dived this site on 11 April 2009

Also called: Malang Rock

Malang Rock is a small pile of boulders that pokes out of the sea just southeast of Tulai Island. The side facing Tulai is rather shallow, and so popular with snorkelers day-tripping from Tioman.

On the deeper side of the rock, sharks have been seen, as well as blue-spotted rays, triggerfish and blue-ringed angelfish. The rocks are covered with various corals, such as lettuce, brain and potato.

Chebeh

I last dived this site on 12 April 2009

Also called: Coral Garden

Pulau Chebeh is a small island north of Pulau Tulai. You can dive either the east or west side of the island. The west side is the part generally referred to as the Coral Garden, for its many types of floral-like corals. Currents can sometimes be very strong on this side. The usually strategy is to get down quick and stay close to the wall.

If the west side of the island is the coral garden, then the east side should be called the "anemone patch". The large boulders are covered with anemones of every different type and color. Of course, most of them have their friends, the cute little clown fish. The diving here is usually easier, and a little deeper, than on the coral garden.

There are a couple of very nice, and big, swim-throughs here. One is sort of a two-parter, you swim through an arch, turn left and through a slightly longer tunnel.

Aside from anemone fish, you'll see a lot of other reef fish, a moray or two and maybe some turtles. Whale sharks have been known to pass through, but you'll be very lucky indeed to spot one.

Fan Canyon

I last dived this site on 11 April 2009

Fan Canyon on the east side of Tulai Island is a popular poor conditions dive spot. Its location is sheltered when storms blow in from the mainland to the west.

But, that doesn't mean it's a bad dive site. It's actually quite nice, although I didn't see too many fans, or canyons for that matter. There are many types of corals living on the large boulders, with many reef fish in among them.

Renggis

I last dived this site on 13 April 2009

Also called: Pirate Reef

The reef surrounding the tiny islet of Renggis is by far the most popular dive spot around Tioman. Not without good reason: on my first diver here, I saw a sea snake, many turtles, white-tipped reef sharks, morays, blue-spotted rays, blue-ringed angelfish and the biggest spotted pufferfish I've ever seen. On my second dive, I saw a very large cuttlefish, apparently protecting some eggs.

This is a relatively shallow dive site. I dived it twice, and my deepest depth was under 12 meters. The shallowness means you can really enjoy a nice long dive here, especially if you just drift along with the current.

The reef is mostly covered by large patches of staghorn coral, which the turtles seem to break down and 'nest' in. There are also some huge table corals. Look under them for the big pufferfish and other surprises.

Check where the currents are going before you dive. In some cases you may have to swim against the current for a little until you get into the flow. Then you can just drift along.

Sawasdee Wreck

I last dived this site on 13 April 2009

The Sawasdee wreck is actually two fishing boats which sunk about 400 meters off the marine park headquarters pier. It is the easiest deep dive around Tioman. A mooring buoy marks the location. Due to limited visibility and strong-ish currents, you should follow the mooring rope down (use gloves if you need to hold the rope, if you don't like stings.)

The wrecks lie on a sandy bottom 30 meters down. Another rope connects the mooring line anchor with the wreck, in case visibility is really bad. Watch your buoyancy so you don't stir up the bottom, and keep an eye out for stone fish in the sand. The wreck is home to a lot of fish, and was the only place in Tioman that I saw a Moorish Idol. A large grouper is usually hanging around under the wreck as well.

Soyak

I last dived this site on 13 April 2009

Pulau Soyak is a small rocky islet directly off Salang Beach. The boulders continue on into the sea, where they're covered by a variety of soft and hard corals, interspersed with a sandy bottom. The varied landscape is home to a large variety of reef fish.

There are essentially two dives you can do at Soyak. The reef is the easier dive, although even here currents can be strong, especially on the western side of the islet, which is also the best landscape. It's best to do it as a drift dive, having your boat drop you in on one side and wait on the other. There are mooring lines conveniently placed on both the northern and southern points of the island for this. Just have your captain or dive master check which way the current is flowing. You're unlikely to get below 16 to 18 meters at this site, and you can easily end the dive with a long leasurly browse at around 6 meters.

The second, deeper and more challenging dive is on a pair of wrecks further off the western side of the islet. Currents here are very strong, which means using the mooring line to keep you on target during you descent. Once you get to the wrecks, you can shelter beside them while you watch the various critters that have made them home. A giant grouper is usually hanging around here, as well as a white-tipped reef shark. After a brief wander around (you're at 25 meters, remember) most divers then drift towards the island for their safety stop and pick-up.

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