Berjaya Tioman vs Tunamaya: what to compare
One is the island's biggest resort and the other a villa resort, so scale is the first difference.
The sharpest contrast we hold is scale. Berjaya Tioman Resort is recorded as the biggest on the island, with 268 rooms [1]. Tunamaya Beach & Spa Resort is recorded with 54 villas [2].
Both numbers come from one travel guide, so ask each resort to confirm.
Scale shapes how busy a resort feels, how many places there are to eat and how long it takes to reach your room. Read the Pulau Tioman island guide for the layout of the villages.
What do we know about each resort?
| Berjaya Tioman Resort | Tunamaya Beach & Spa Resort | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 268 rooms, biggest on the island [1] | 54 villas [2] |
| Area | Near Tekek | Village unverified |
| Rooms | Types not confirmed in our notes | Villas, other types not confirmed |
| Meals | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Official page | A Berjaya page exists, not fetched | None found |
Our pages on Berjaya Tioman Resort and Tunamaya Beach & Spa go into each.
What might scale mean for your stay?
A larger resort may offer more rooms, more places to eat and more set facilities, but it may also feel busier. A villa resort may feel quieter and more private, but it may have fewer places to eat on site.
These are possibilities, not findings. Ask each resort how many guests it expects on your dates, how many restaurants are open, and how far your room is from the beach and the jetty. If you are weighing quiet against choice, our guide to big resort versus small family-run stay explains the trade.
How do you get to either resort?
Ferries run from Mersing in Johor and from Tanjung Gemok in Pahang, operated by Bluewater Express and Cataferry, and tickets are best bought in advance [3]. The village you land at depends on the resort, so ask which village and whether the ferry or a boat transfer is in the price.
Our guides on Mersing versus Tanjung Gemok and the ferry versus speedboat choice help you choose the departure.
What fees sit outside the room rate?
The marine park fee is reported at RM5 for a Malaysian adult and RM2 for a child, with higher rates for non-Malaysians [5]. One listing reported different amounts at Mersing jetty. The source is secondary, so ask each resort to state the amount and whether it is in the price.
Add the ferry fare for each guest, any village transfer and meals if they are not included. The Tioman package inclusions guide lists what is usually in or out.
A better fit if…
Berjaya Tioman may be a better fit if you want a large resort with set facilities and you value having many rooms and choices. Confirm the facilities you need.
Tunamaya may be a better fit if you prefer a villa setting. Confirm its village first, since we cannot place it.
Either may be a poor fit if you are on a very tight budget. Ask both for written quotations before you decide.
When can you go?
Tioman rainfall peaks from November to January, and many resorts close during the northeast monsoon, with exact months unknown [4]. Ask each for its dates, and see the Tioman season guide.
Common questions
Which resort is bigger?
Berjaya Tioman Resort is recorded as the biggest on the island, with 268 rooms, and Tunamaya Beach & Spa Resort as having 54 villas. Both figures come from one travel guide as noted in our research. Ask each resort for its current room count.
Where on Tioman is Tunamaya?
The village is unverified in our notes. Berjaya is recorded near Tekek. Ask Tunamaya which village it is in, how guests land from the ferry and whether a transfer is included. Check the answer on a map before you book flights or ferries.
How do I reach either resort?
Ferries run from Mersing in Johor and from Tanjung Gemok in Pahang, operated by Bluewater Express and Cataferry, and tickets are best bought in advance. Ask each resort whether the ferry is in the package and which village you land at.
Do they close during the monsoon?
Many Tioman resorts close in the northeast monsoon, when rainfall peaks from November to January, though exact months are not confirmed. Ask each resort for its opening dates in writing and what is refunded if the ferry cannot sail.
Sources
- Lonely Planet (as recorded in our research notes) (accessed 2026-10-16)
- Lonely Planet (as recorded in our research notes) (accessed 2026-10-16)
- Wikipedia (accessed 2026-10-16)
- Wikipedia (accessed 2026-10-16)
- Berjaya Tioman page (fee schedule from 1 Jan 2017) and thesmartlocal.com (accessed 2026-10-16)