Tioman Dive Centre

Tioman Dive Centre July 2026

Tioman Dive Centre July 2026 Actually located in Tekek Village. I've been Scuba Diving on Tioman since 2007. I live between Penang & Bangkok. I normally travel the East Coast of Malaysia at least once a year and visit the islands. Over the last 21 years, I have stayed in all of the village / resort locations on Tioman and seen many Dive Schools, start and finish. Background: I opted to stay in Tekek because ABC was unusually very busy. Tioman Dice Centre (TDC) just happened to be located next to the footpath which ran between my accommodation and the beach. I noticed that TDC was always quiet when I passed by; I assumed they were all out diving. TDC school is a Canvass / nylon shelter located in a rough grounded area, in a rundown former holiday resort; now mostly derelict rooms. With hindsight, I recalled the following, which should have set my alarm bells ringing: Suspicious lack of scuba diving paraphernalia in preparedness for use No tanks being filled or visible, in the open, and ready to use No dive boat support equipment in view. No normal dive school activity was being performed. The actual diving day: it became apparent that TDC does not have a working dive boat and are merely surviving as a dive school, by paying another one, for “a seat on their dive trips with tanks supplied; this is historically, the usual routine, before a dive school finally admits defeat and closes. Historically I do not recall ever seeing a TDC boat moored in the local bay or marina. I was made to wait on-shore at another companies dive shop, for nearly 1 hour: When I agreed on the 2 Fun Dives with TDC, I was advised that we will leave for diving at 0815 and return @ lunchtime. At the same time, a European man and his 2 very young children agreed on a Scuba Review lesson for all of them. I arrived the next morning at 0810, with my own dive gear, ready to go. The TDC Owner asked me to “Wait a few minutes”. He returned 50 minutes later and waffled some BS. By the time he arrived, I had been asked to move from TDS shop area by the non-diving assistant, to a different Dive School located by Tioman Cabanas(TC), on the beach front; this was to provide the perception of being active. The Owner should have informed me that he was going to perform a Scuba Review and I would have arrived later. However, he lied to me. We eventually boarded the Dive boat (Sciff) at 0915; 1 hour later than planned. The Dive School at TC supplied the dive tanks and the Skiff with a Helmsman / driver. Constant BS: the owner gave me a protracted BS story about the dive boat being in Malacca for repairs. He described the issues, as if the boat had an In-board engine. Day Dive Boats in Malaysia are usually Skiffs which have an Outboard Motor. When I advised the owner that “I am very familiar with the Geography of Malaysia and that I am a qualified UK “Royal Yachting Association Sailing Instructor” he began to alter his BS stories. Malacca is on the West Coast of Malaysia. Why would anybody transport a boat to the opposite side of the Malay Peninsular for repairs! Diving: The Dive Guide (DM) was a Malaysian man @ 25 years old and had little personality and was rather dull. He was very unaware of his surroundings and focused mainly on finding nudibranch. a. I spotted several turtles, black tip reef sharks, frog fish and box fish. Most dive spots in Tioman waters are very active, with sea-life. Dishonesty: The owner's wife lied to me and then overcharged me; see photos. 4 When I agreed to do the Fun Dives, I was advised of the price and the discount for using my own equipment, + a 15%; which was rather nice & sealed the deal. This was very clear and I thanked her for this: a. When the diving day was completed, I wanted to pay and leave immediately. I was definitely not going to return the next day. b. I paid by card. I was charged 150Myr per dive. A total of 300Myr. The ‘Own equipment discount’ & 15% discount were ignored. When I enquired about this, the owner's wife laughed and said “it includes your discount” so pay 300Myr! c. By this time, I just wanted to be gone from them and the TDC school. I had been cheated, lied to and made to hang around needlessly. Later: It was later that I reviewed the TDC FB site and I noticed that for several months, the posts of them in action, included using the same Dive Boat, which belonged to the other school. Honesty is always the best policy! TDC. If there is anything untrue in this review, then take legal action against me. I told you how to find me in Penang.