Diving in Tioman: Our First Time on the Island

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Diving in Tioman: Our First Time on the Island

We had heard stories about Tioman Island for years — tales of warm tropical waters, coral reefs teeming with life, and dramatic underwater landscapes. But until this trip, it had always remained just a dream destination on the list. Last week, that dream became reality. We visited Tioman for the first time, and what we discovered underwater was far more captivating than we ever expected.

Our journey started with a long ferry ride from Mersing, Malaysia. As the island came into view — lush green hills rising from the sea, ringed by white sand beaches — we already felt the excitement bubbling. Tioman is known for its laid-back atmosphere and rich marine biodiversity, and we were here for one thing: diving.

To our surprise and delight, on our first evening at the dive center, we ran into an old friend — David Bong. We had met David years ago on a dive trip in Indonesia, and it turned out he now works as an instructor and dive guide on Tioman. It was like bumping into a piece of home in a faraway paradise.

David hadn't changed a bit — same wide grin, same calm voice that always made everyone feel safe underwater. We told him it was our first time diving in Tioman, and he immediately offered to join us for a couple of fun dives. More than that, he gave us a refresher on technique:
“Don’t fight the current, move with it,” he reminded us. “Keep your breathing steady — your lungs are your best BCD.”

These small tips made a huge difference, especially once we got underwater. On our first dive, we dropped into a world of shadows and light, colored in shades of gray and steel-blue. The visibility wasn’t perfect, but that only added to the mystery. There was something mesmerizing about the way light filtered through the water, dancing across rocks and coral like silver ribbons.

We weren’t swimming through the typical bright and colorful coral gardens of the brochures. Instead, the dive site had a rugged, almost industrial beauty — overgrown coral formations with patches of sharp textures, schools of silvery fish flashing in synchronized movements, and the occasional lionfish peeking out from a rocky crevice.

The highlight of the day came during our second dive: a wreck lying quietly on the seabed, partially encrusted with coral. It wasn’t a massive ship, more like a medium-sized patrol boat or fishing vessel, but it had a haunting beauty. We circled it slowly, letting our eyes adjust to the gloom, watching as the fish claimed every rusting beam and broken hatch as their own. A large grouper hovered near the wheelhouse, unmoved by our presence, while a moray eel slithered through the lower deck.

Just when we thought the dive couldn’t get more surreal, we noticed a guy in white swim shorts — and nothing else — swimming toward the wreck. No wetsuit, no rash guard, just those impossibly bright white shorts and a wide smile. He waved at us, completely unbothered by the cold or the depth. We exchanged glances through our masks. Who was this guy?

Back on the boat, he introduced himself casually:
“Oh, I just love the water,” he laughed. “Wetsuits are too clingy.”

We couldn’t help but laugh along. He was an experienced free diver, and apparently, this was just his style. He became the unofficial mascot of our dive group for the rest of the day. Every time we saw a flash of white shorts underwater, someone would give a thumbs-up and giggle into their regulator.

In the evenings, we relaxed at one of the beach cafés with our feet in the sand and fresh seafood on the table. David joined us most nights, and the conversation always drifted back to diving. He shared stories of underwater caves, shark sightings, and once even rescuing a tangled turtle. The more we talked, the more we realized how much Tioman had to offer — and how little we had seen so far.

As the weekend drew to a close, we knew this wouldn’t be our only visit. Tioman had that rare mix of adventure and calm, mystery and humor. We came for the diving, but we left with memories of ghostly wrecks, silvery underwater light, and one unforgettable guy in white shorts.

And of course, we left with a promise to ourselves: we’ll be back. Preferably with David Bong guiding the way — and maybe even in white shorts.

That,s all for today.
Stand by













Sincerely yours

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