Tioman, Malaysia
What it lacks in size, Tioman Island on peninsular Malaysia’s eastern coast makes up for in beauty: lush jungles, crystal-clear streams, and dazzling white-sand beaches teeming with marine life. You may already have seen Tioman Island without even knowing it – the place stood in for Bali Hai in the movie South Pacific.
The profusion of white coral reefs around the island makes Tioman a scuba diver’s dream—clear waters to depths of a hundred feet provide an unobstructed view of multi-hued coral and tropical fish.
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Tioman is not as developed as Bali or Phuket – good news for the backpacker looking for something off the beaten track. Juara Bay is as isolated as you can get: a quiet beach on the east coast, braced by three rivers leading to waterfalls in the jungle.
Accommodations range from Spartan to comfortable. You can rent a hut on the beach for about US$7 a night, or you could spend a bit more for an air-conditioned chalet. Rooms may be fully booked during peak season (Christmas breaks, and the Chinese New Year season), so it’s prudent to reserve in advance.