Tioman

Flying to Tioman

Tioman Airport (WMBT) sits on the west coast of the island, hemmed in by jungle ridges rising sharply to the east. The approach from the west is straightforward but the runway is relatively short. Familiarise yourself with the approach, pick appropriate checkpoints to check your altitude and airspeed, and commit to a landing or go-around early.

Refuel at Seletar before departure and you should not need to refuel at Tioman. The lighter fuel load will also help with takeoff performance.

Route from Singapore (WSSL)

The flight path heads north-northeast along the Malaysian coastline, passing Mersing before tracking towards the island. As you reach Tioman, contact Tioman Info for traffic information at the airport. You can request to fly around the island before landing or after takeoff if traffic permits.

What to See

Tioman’s draw is underwater. The reefs around Renggis Island - a short swim from shore - hold healthy hard coral, green turtles, and the occasional reef shark. Visibility in the dry season (March–October) regularly exceeds 15 m. Dive shops at Tekek and Salang rent equipment and run boat trips to the outer sites.

On land, the classic walk is the jungle trail connecting Tekek on the west coast to Juara on the east - roughly 7 km through lowland rainforest, with a river crossing and a viewpoint halfway. Allow two to three hours each way. The east coast at Juara is noticeably wilder and far quieter than the airport side.

Water taxis connect the villages along the west coast; rates are posted at the Tekek jetty.