Last July 2024, the Gaya Travel Magazine team members stayed at the newly opened The Boathouse Pulau Tioman, a property developed and managed by the Singapore-based HPL Hotels & Resorts’ Boutique Collection.
Located on the southern side of Tioman island and accessible only by boat, we love how The Boathouse Pulau Tioman is laid out similarly to a typical kampung (Malay traditional village) facing a pristine stretch of beach with a private jetty, which is quaint and nostalgic but with modern conveniences, creature comforts, and contemporary twists. This 31-key boutique resort is entirely designed and built using local materials, offering guests a uniquely tranquil experience on Tioman island, a gazetted wildlife reserve and marine park with 16 dive sites.
“The Boathouse Pulau Tioman aims to capture the essence of Tioman island, presenting it as an idyllic getaway and sharing the rich narrative of the island and its people. We are truly excited to warmly welcome our guests, inviting them to immerse themselves in an authentic island experience,” expressed Felix Yeo, Resort Manager of The Boathouse Pulau Tioman.
ADVERTISEMENTS
Good to know:
i) If you would like to stay at The Boathouse Pulau Tioman, remember that the property is closed from November until February next year due to the northeast monsoon that brings torrents and strong wind, thus turning the waters unbearably rough.
ii) Take note that between May and September, due to the property’s southerly location, the waters in the area are choppier compared to the other parts of Tioman because of the southwest monsoon. Take your pill if you were prone to motion sickness before boarding the ferry or boat.
iii) If you had never been to The Boathouse Pulau Tioman, it is recommended that you first find the person in The Boathouse Pulau Tioman uniform at the Mersing jetty in Johor or Tanjung Gemok jetty in Pahang to help you with your passage. Once you reach Tioman island, you need to disembark at Genting jetty and then transfer to another boat belonging to The Boathouse Pulau Tioman to reach the property.
Accommodations
The accommodations at The Boathouse Pulau Tioman consist of a selection of beachfront bungalows crafted from renewable, locally sourced timber, each thoughtfully designed to ensure comfort and memorable stay. Guests staying at these bungalows will wake up to breathtaking views of the sea and enjoy direct access to the beach. Each unit features a private terrace with a daybed, perfect for lounging and soaking in the serene surroundings.
Compared to the other bungalows, The Boathouse Pulau Tioman’s Beach House possesses a more spacious layout featuring three separate bedrooms, living, and dining area. Designed with modularity in mind, the Beach House’s versatility befits large groups or big families. This two-level structure comprises two suites and one loft, providing guests with the flexibility to book the entire Beach House or individual units separately.
Gaya Travel team members were so taken in by our Deluxe Bungalows at The Boathouse Pulau Tioman, so much so that we didn’t want to leave our rooms for a second! Though there is no bathtub, each of the property’s rooms comes with earthen-toned furnishings, custom-made wooden furniture and room accessories sourced from Muar (a town in the Malaysian state of Johor), Peranakan-inspired embellishments, high ceilings, naturally well-lit interiors, expansive balcony with daybed, strong Wi-Fi connectivity, and smart television set with access to Netflix and Youtube, which were all we ever needed.
In line with the property’s commitment towards sustainability, no plastic drinking water bottles are provided in the rooms; instead, they are replaced by drinking water contained in reusable glass bottles. Even the shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel are filled inside permanent marble-looking pump dispensers.
ADVERTISEMENTS
Activities
Despite our obsession with the rooms, we couldn’t help but eventually having to leave them because the scenic surroundings of The Boathouse Pulau Tioman are remarkably inviting, comprising the ideal combination of sea, sand, age-old trees, undulating terrain, sky, and sun. Guests can choose to swim amongst coral reefs, embark on jungle treks, or engage in traditional Malaysian activities as well.
Though we are not outdoorsy, for some reason, during our stay at The Boathouse Pulau Tioman, we felt motivated to engage in activities like flying kites along the beach; adoring the sight of the iconic ‘Dragon Horns’ or Twin Peaks plus the captivating Tioman landscape from the property’s grounds and jetty; climbing up the concrete steps to visit the refreshing Asah waterfall from Mukut jetty; and trekking uphill for 40 minutes to witness the majestic 300-year-old Mother Willow Tree of Tioman from Paya jetty. Those seeking a greater adrenaline-infused thrill can opt for rock-climbing on Tioman’s very own colossal sandstone boulders.
Should you find those activities strenuous, you could instead dip into the swimming pool that fronts the resort’s all-day dining outlet, Attap Seed. Alternatively, guests can enjoy a variety of other leisure activities throughout their stay such as learning the secrets of traditional Malaysian cuisine and flavours through cooking demonstrations, or immersing themselves in local culture through kite-making and traditional games like congkak (a local mancala game), five-stone game (a traditional game involving players trying to grab the stones laying on the ground after throwing one stone in the air), checkers, and other board games, all can be accessed from the Games Room.
Side note:
If you were feeling peckish and prefer a dish that is outside the stated menu, Attap Seed can prepare made-to-order, as long as the ingredients are readily available. We asked for our favourite comfort food mee goreng (Malaysian fried noodles) that was not part of the menu, and it turned out to be one of the most satiating we have ever tasted. The Boathouse Pulau Tioman’s food and beverage team also serves up a delectable Malaysian and international barbecue seafood dinner buffet spread by the beach at least once a week.
Meanwhile, a stay at The Boathouse Pulau Tioman isn’t complete without a little adventure in the beautiful waters of Pulau Tioman. Guests staying at the resort could also indulge in snorkelling and diving to explore the vibrant coral reefs, which is what Tioman is famous for. Those who wish to venture a little further and deeper can make use of a wide range of on-site diving programmes and excursions – from leisure dives to PADI certified courses – offered by the property’s Dive Centre.
On the other hand, guests who prefer activities above water can enjoy the breathtaking panoramic views on a sunset cruise, take to the seas with fishing experts, or visit neighbouring islands such as Coral and Renggis via a boat excursion, including other settlements on Tioman like Tekek (considered as the island’s capital), Juara (the largest village on the island), and Air Batang Chalet (the island’s backpackers’ central). Those visiting between March and October might even witness passionate volunteers protecting diverse turtle species.
Commitment to nature conservation
The Boathouse Pulau Tioman prioritises the conservation of the rich biological diversity and the indigenous heritage of Tioman island. The property conscientiously engages in green projects aimed at mitigating environmental impact while inspiring and empowering the community and guests to actively participate in marine conservation efforts.
The property intentionally avoids using single-use plastics and prefers refillable water bottles and bamboo containers. Additionally, The Boathouse Pulau Tioman collaborates with The Ayer Ayer Project in installing ‘Whale You Refill’ drinking water fountains at the property’s Dive Centre and restaurant. By encouraging guests to use these fountains to fill reusable bottles, the resort aims to significantly reduce and gradually eliminate single-use plastics.
The property even go as far as having its own water bottling plant – an initiative that is almost unheard of at any other properties – to filter drinking water twice using the reverse-osmosis method, then filled inside reusable glass bottles, which are then placed in the rooms, Attap Seed, and the Communal Hall (an indoor air-conditioned space where functions are held) when required, thereby drastically cutting plastic use and waste.
Taking sustainability up another notch, The Boathouse Pulau Tioman supports marine environment management and conservation at Tioman island by partnering with Reef Check Malaysia. This ongoing partnership – particularly with Reef Check’s Chief Programme Officer and marine biologist based on Pulau Tioman, Alvin Chelliah – in large part focusses on coral rehabilitation and conservation. Through a marine health survey conducted by Reef Check, The Boathouse Pulau Tioman was able to assess the condition of corals around Kampung Nipah area during the property’s construction. The property now agrees to become Reef Check Malaysia’s eyes in monitoring the waters in the southern part of Tioman so that the coral reefs and marine life remain intact.
Conclusion
The Boathouse Pulau Tioman opened our hearts to all of the enchantment that Tioman offers, making us feel protective of the island, which is our most precious takeaway. We look forward to returning to this property soon, this time bringing the rest of the Gaya Travel group for a much-deserved break. For travellers intending to come in groups, bear in mind that The Boathouse Pulau Tioman accommodates only up to 48 persons at any one time to ensure that guests’ experience remains as intimate and exquisite as the property…
For reservations and more information, contact +6 09 419 2888 or visit www.boathouse-tioman.com.
