Tioman Tips please!

[gigsy]

am trying to get out to Tioman Island this weekend, cant leave till after work Friday though. Any advice on how to maximize time there?? I see about a bus to Mersing, then ferry to Tioman, but cant really find official times etc. Also late return on Sunday? Is there really no direct ferry from Singapore anymore??

[zjules]

It is possible to fly there, although the times are not great. Often find that leaving SG on Fri evening to Mersing (3.5 hours) you then need to stay overnight in Mersing and get a ferry at about 5am to Tioman (another 1.5 hours). Flight goes from seletar and takes 35 mins. Its run by Berjaya Air

[Bonobo2005]

What we usually do is take a taxi from Singapore to Mersing in the evening - On Fri night that can cost as much as S$120,-- which includes 2 hours of traffic jam at the border. At any other time it should be cheaper and far less time consuming. NB from JB to Mersing by taxi will cost between RM 130-RM 180 depending the time. From JB to Mersing jetty takes 2 hours + 15 minutes. In Mersing there are decent rooms for RM 55 per night (fe Embassy Hotel).
The ferry to Tioman leaves at 7.30am and takes 2-2,5 hours incl the inevitable delays and depending which beach you want to be dropped.

Last ferry on Sunday back to Mersing is around 4.30pm. At Mersing pier "taxis" (private cars) are waiting - on Sunday night the going price to Woodlands checkpoint is RM 180 since they have to return mt. Usually there are others looking for a cab, so it is sometimes possible to ask around and share.

Anyway with this kind of arrangement you will be on Tioman from SAT by 9.30am until 4.30pm on Sun. Total travelling time expect at least 6 hours one way.