The following questions have been compiled from the most frequently asked questions we've received. If you have a question and you can't find it below, then by all means let us know.

- Do I need to book my ferry tickets in advance?
- Do I receive any tickets through the post?
- When can I see the ferry departure times?
- Will I always be able to depart according to my selection in the form dropdown?
- Do you have any all-in-one promotional packages?
- How much do I pay for a round-trip ferry ticket from Mersing to Tioman?
- Do I qualify for a group discount?
- I'd like an invoice for my purchase. Can you provide me with one?
- What does it cost to pay for my tickets by PayPal?
- Is booking online safe?
- If it looks like I might miss my ferry, can I get the next ferry?
- Can I reserve my tickets by phone?
- My PayPal account email differs from my normal email. Can I still use my normal email with you?
- I want to book a one-way ferry ticket to Tioman only. Can I?
- Do I get a refund if we need to cancel our trip?
- How early do I need to arrive prior to departure?
- How long does the ferry take to reach Tioman?
- I need one-way tickets only. Where can I get these?
- We're flying into Tioman. How do we collect our tickets?
- What does it mean when it's "monsoon"?
- Is there any parking in Mersing?
- If I arrive early, will I be permitted to board early too?
- How do I know where to disembark?
- Do our children get charged a lower rate? What if they sit on our lap?
- I get seasick easily, is there another way to get to Tioman?
- Are there toilets on board the ferry?
- Are there any restaurants on Tioman?
- Do the people on Tioman speak English?
- Do they accept US$ on Tioman?
- Should we need to stay overnight in Mersing, are there any hotels, banks, shops, etc?
- If we need to spend a night in Mersing, can you suggest a nice affordable hotel?
- Can I depart to Tioman from Tanjung Gemok after I booked for Mersing?
- Does the ferry carry life jackets on board?


Do I need to book my ferry tickets in advance?
Tioman is a beautiful, exotic, yet affordable holiday destination, a short hop away from Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. Lately, it's also been riding a wave of popularity amongst young European holiday-makers, the result of the various "Survival" and "Expedition Robinson" type reality shows being recorded in the Tioman vicinity for years. With this in mind, to avoid disappointment, yes, it's advisable to book in advance. This applies to your bus tickets to Mersing, ferry tickets and your Tioman accommodation, particularly, during weekends, school holidays and public holidays, especially in light of the record-breaking numbers anticipated for the 2023 Visit Malaysia Year.

NOTE: Since Berjaya Air suspended its Singapore to Tioman operations, in March 2014, the Mersing to Tioman ferry has been running at full capacity, particularly during weekends, school holidays and public holidays.

N.B. Please also note that, by law, the maximum number of passengers on the ferry is limited to the number of seats/matching number of life-jackets. In other words, once all ferry seats have been reserved, the ferry is considered fully booked and no further tickets can be sold. There are no standing-room only tickets.

Do I receive any tickets through the post?
No. Once you have made an online booking, you'll receive an on-screen booking confirmation. The information here is also sent to you by confirmation email. If you placed your booking before the ferry schedule for your date was online, you need to let us know your ferry times the moment the schedule is published, by using the online ferry time selection form provided. If your booking was made whilst ferry times were known, you need to let us know your ferry times right after you've completed your booking, by using the online ferry time selection form provided. NOTE: We're able to confirm selected ferry times only when submitted by the ferry time selection form provided. After your full itinerary details have been submitted, you'll be sent the Bluewater confirmation email, which includes your check-in link. We recommend checking in for your ferry ride immediately.

Please note that ferry vessels fill up progresssively and chronologically, which means that ferry times selected by passengers are subject to first come first serve.

Where and when can I see the ferry departure times?
As exact departure time is subject to the weather, Ferry Tioman travelers are advised to refer to our exclusive Mersing Harbour Centre Hotline number. You can call this number at any time for your latest weather and ferry departure/return time updates. In addition, all our travelers will receive the ferry schedule for the entire month once tickets have been reserved.

Please note that ferry vessels fill up progresssively and chronologically. As such, please submit your ferry times as soon as possible.

You can also refer to our website news page, Facebook and Twitter feed for the latest updates*. *Terms and conditions apply.

Will I always be able to depart according to my selection in the reservation form dropdown?
Not always. We do at all times try to make stated departure time. However, during extreme low-tide days, when preferred departure time wasn't feasible, tickets remain valid for the next ferry departure.

Do you have any all-in-one promotional packages?
Yes, we do. Please click here for more details....

How much do I pay for a round-trip ferry ticket from Mersing to Tioman?
A round-trip walk-in ticket from Mersing to Tioman and then back to Mersing is 120 Ringgit. That is, if the ferry isn't yet fully booked of course, always a possibility when buying tickets last-minute. Please note that starting September 2013, the Johor authorities levy a RM 20 toll per Tioman traveler, to be paid at the Johor administration counter before boarding the ferry.

Do I qualify for a group discount?
Yes, if you order in excess of 30 tickets, you pay just US$22.50,- per round-trip ticket.

I'd like an invoice for my purchase. Can you provide me with one?
Yes. In fact, your PayPal/credit card transaction qualifies as an invoice. You can print out this screen and archive it for later use.

What does it cost to pay by PayPal?
If you prefer paying by credit card, you don't need to use PayPal. But in any case, using PayPal is 100% free of charge.

Is booking online safe?
Yes, online credit card payments are fast, safe and secure. In fact, PayPal now has over 200 million active accounts worldwide.

- If it looks like I might miss my ferry, can I get the next ferry?
If you inform us that you may miss your ferry with a minimum of 24 hours' notice, we will try to arrange the next available ferry for you. However, changing to the next ferry is subject to Bluewater Express's approval of your request, as well as availability of the next ferry. NOTE: Once you have missed your ferry, you will need to book new tickets. For more details, please see our terms and conditions.

I want to book a one-way ferry ticket to Tioman only. Can I?
Yes. Simply select your date and number of one-way tickets here and proceed to the payment page. Once payment has been completed, you can select your ferry times from our confirmation email, just like a normal round-trip ticket. NOTE: Only Mersing to Tioman one-way tickets can be booked. Tioman to Mersing is not available, due to technical reasons.

Can I reserve my ferry tickets by phone?
No. Telephone bookings are not possible, because we need to send you our confirmation email to your email address.

My PayPal account email differs from my normal email. Can I still use my normal email with you?
No. Please note that for confidentiality reasons, we're only permitted to correspond about a booking with the email address used for that specific booking. Additionally, we're only able to confirm ferry timing selection submissions when sent from the same email address as the original booking was sent.

Do I get a refund if we need to cancel our trip?
Any and all cancellation and itinerary amendment requests are subject to approval by Bluewater Express. Please also see our Terms and Conditions for more details.

How early do I need to arrive prior to departure?
Given that there are a number of outside factors that could influence ferry departure times, such as wind, weather and sea state, we highly recommend that you arrive at Mersing Harbour Centre at least 1.5 hours before planned departure time.

How long does the ferry take to reach Tioman?
Depending on the tide and the general sea conditions, the trip takes about 2 hours.

I need one-way tickets only. Where can I get these?
Please proceed to the booking form.

We're flying into Tioman. How do we collect our tickets?
If you can't collect your tickets at our Mersing counter because you're flying into Tioman, just let us know. You can collect your tickets at the Tioman Airport upon your arrival. The details will be sent to you in a separate email once you've made your ticket reservation.

What does it mean when it's "monsoon"?
The monsoon months are the windy months, the time of year when wind and weather is rather severe and changeable. During this period, the ferry tends to run fewer departures to Tioman per day, usually just one. On a particularly windy day, the ferry operator may be prohibited from running for that day altogether. Should this occur, your tickets will remain valid for the next available ferry.

Is there any parking in Mersing
Yes, there is a fenced car park that's manned by security right next to the ferry departure terminal. The parking rate is RM15 per day.

If I arrive early will I be permitted to board early?
Due to safety concerns, you're not permitted to board the ferry before the official check-in time. For your information, the ticket counter closes ends 30 minutes before departure time. Please arrive at the terminal 1 - 1.5 hours before departure time. Passengers with new-born babies, pregnant passengers or those on crutches, in a wheelchair or accompanying elderlies may, on request, board early.

How do I know where to disembark?
The names of the destinations (the various villages) will be announced about 5 minutes before reaching the destination in question. This is the usual order of the stops on your way to Tioman. Please ask the crew if you're not sure where to disembark.

1. Kampong Genting
2. Kampong Paya (Don't mistake "Paya" for "Berjaya", which is in the next village)
3. Kampong Tekek (Get off here if you're going to Berjaya, Tekek or Kampong Juara*)
4. Kampong Air Batang (Also announced as "ABC")
x. Panuba Jetty (If and when there are passengers on the ferry that are staying at this resort)
5. Kampong Salang



Simply reverse the order on your way back to Mersing. (Please note that during the Northeast monsoon, the route taken may be adjusted. By all means ask the crew if you're not sure where to disembark.)

By the way, if you're going to Kampong Mukut or Nipah, please inform the ferry crew in advance, so they can inform you accordingly, because these kampongs are generally not on the usual destination list.

Do our children get charged a lower rate? What if they sit on our lap?
Tickets for adults are the same price as tickets for children. There's no need to pay for your infant, however, if it's below 2 years of age and can be carried on your lap.

I get seasick easily, is there another way to get to Tioman?
Yes, you can take a plane. Berjaya Air flies to Tioman from Singapore and KL. The take-offs and landings are a bit hairy, but it's fast and quite comfortable, albeit it a little costly. Check the Air Berjaya website for more details. (NOTE: Berjaya Air has announced it has suspended its flights to Tioman indefinitely - Ed.).

Are there toilets on board the ferry?
Yes, the ferry has two toilets, right at the back of the cabin.

Are there any restaurants on Tioman?
Yes, Tioman is peppered with simple little eateries that sell decent meals, usually Malay dishes. Some Western food, like sandwiches and french fries can also be found. If you're not used to spicy food, then just ask the staff to go easy on the chilli.

Do the people on Tioman speak English?
Yes, most of the staff working on Tioman can communicate in English.

Do they accept US$ on Tioman?
Yes, but you're not likely to get a good exchange. You're better off changing your foreign currency to Malaysia Ringgit on the mainland.

Should we need to stay overnight in Mersing, are there any amenities? Hotels, banks, supermarkets etc?
Yes, in Mersing town, about a 15 minutes’ stroll from the main jetty, there are banks, ATMs, internet cafes, supermarkets, all kinds of shops and hotels too.

If we need to spend a night in Mersing, can you recommend or find us nice and affordable accommodation?
Yes, just let us know what your budget is and we'll check all suitable hotels in Mersing for room(s) available.

Can I depart to Tioman from Tanjung Gemok after I booked for Mersing?
You may, but this is not always the case, because only some tickets are valid in Mersing and Tanjung Gemok. Contact the Mersing Harbour Centre Hotline number if you've decided to depart from Tanjung Gemuk instead of Mersing or vice versa. We'll try to amend your booking, but it's good to know that this is subject to Bluewater Express HQ. Please note that the ferry does not run consistently from Tanjung Gemok during the monsoon months (December - January).

Does the ferry carry life jackets on board?
Yes, the ferry carries life jackets in the open overhead compartments.

N.B. Please also note that, by law, the maximum number of passengers on the ferry is limited to the number of seats and matching number of life jackets. In other words, once all seats have been reserved, the ferry is considered fully booked and no further tickets can be sold. There are no standing-room only tickets. Can't find your particular question here? Ask us.