Malaysia Travel Forum

could anyone please advise us. We would like to travel to tioman island from 19th November for 3 nights stay. We are concerned about the monsoon, and want to know if there is a high risk of being stuck on the island (as we already have return tickets on 23rd november, 08 to fly back home to australia) and will accommodation (budget) be difficult to get at this time? Also will there be open restuarants? Is there any part of the island that is less effected by the monsoon? As we are traveling with children we have concerns for there safety if we travel during monsoon season should we be concerned? R the beaches still calm during this time? Many thanx keen travellers from australia

avoid tioman in november at any cost as it is heavily affected from oct-feb. most resorts and restaurants close. a responsible travel agent will not make booking for you at this time. extreme tide conditions cause ferries to delay or completely stop(if running at all). Not worth it especially with kids.

Tioman is a small island. There is really no parts of it that is monsoon-proof. It is an island on the eastern part of west malaysia, and all of the islands which happen to be major tourist attractions (redang, perhentians, lang tengah, sibu, rawa etc) happen to fall in that region. Depending on waht you are really after some suggestions are:
1. If you are determined to visit tioman come back again between march and oct.
2.If island vacation is all you are looking for in malaysia go to pangkor. It is not effected by monsoon (being on the western side)and has nice beaches best one being nipah beach. the only islands worth mentioning on the western side is pangkor, langkawi and penang. Out of these three pangkor is probably more comparable to tioman. if budget allows stay at pangkor laut- 5* and the best resort hotel in malaysia.
3. If snorkelling is what you want go to langkawi or penang and take a ferry to payar island which is a marine park good for snorkelling. lots of fish but not live or colorful coral. you cannot stay at payar as it is against their conservation policy.

I hope that helps. come back if you have more questions.

Lisette

i agree with lisreb,,,from nov-feb is the monsoon time,,,maybe u should go to west coast like langkawi, pangkor or penang,,,but i recommend langkawi,,,u still can go to tioman but many of resort over there close due monsoon time at that time.

Thank you so much for your information we will take your advice and go to one of the other Islands you suggested.