Kampung Air Batang
1.5km of beach on Tioman’s west coast, with jungle behind it and the sea in front. The best thing about Kampung ABC is the people who live there.
Kampung Air Batang runs for about a kilometre and a half along the west coast of Tioman, just north of Tekek. Kampung houses, small resort chalets, restaurants and a handful of dive centres are strung out along the beach. The jetty sits right in the middle, where tourists, residents and cargo all come ashore. Most people know it as Kampung ABC, or ABC Beach.
The jungle starts a few steps behind the houses and the water in front is clear. Because the beach faces west, it catches the sunset. The kampung sits inside Tioman Island Marine Park, and it mostly closes through the northeast monsoon from around November to February, when the ferry crossings are cut back or stop altogether.
But the best thing about Air Batang is the people. They are inviting, friendly and full of stories, and they are what makes the kampung what it is. It is hard not to fall in love with the place.
PS: Admin is very biased when it comes to Kampung Air Batang, as they were stuck there for 3 months during COVID and now call it their 2nd home and the Nazri Family as their adopted family. ❤️
Many say Air Batang is named after the small stream at the northern end of the beach.
Some also say Air Batang means pole water. The kampung is named for the stream at its northern end, where a bamboo pole still carries fresh water down from the hills. Air is water, batang is the pole it runs through.
Stay longer than you think you need. Most people come for 2 nights and wish they had booked 5.
- Early MorningMorning walk to Tekek or Trek to Salang
- MorningBreakfast - Nazri's or Zinza’s cafe Dive or Snorkelling Trip
- AfternoonLunch - Mawar Beach Restaurant Nap (it gets hot, best to nap between 2-4pm)
- Late AfternoonDesserts at Kupi Dessert Cafe Swim, play volleyball, chill by the beach.
- EveningWatch the sunset while having dinner - Sunset Corner (pizza and fresh fruit juice) - Kenyalang Smoke House Cafe (roasted chicken)
These our usual activities when we are in Air Batang.
Reef Check Malaysia has been working on Tioman since 2014, under a programme called Cintai Tioman. The thinking behind it is simple. The reefs belong to the people who live on the island, so train them to look after it. In 2019 they set up the Tioman Marine Conservation Group, made up of islanders from all seven villages. Over 80 members have been trained so far, doing reef surveys, coral rehabilitation and mooring buoy installation so boats stop dropping anchor on live coral. The Fisheries Department recognises them as a partner in running the marine park. It was the first group of its kind in Malaysia, and it is now the template Reef Check uses at every other site they work.
Kelab Gunung Pulau Tioman is the island's hiking club. Tioman is the most mountainous island off the east coast, and the club covers the inland half of it. Their guides go by Trailmasters. Several sat the 17-day nature guide course run by MOTAC Pahang and PERHILITAN at Bukit Fraser, so they are green badge certified. The club also helps run the Kailas Tioman Ultra. For Gunung Kajang or the trail out to the Mother Willow tree, go through them.
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Kampung Air Batang, Pulau Tioman
Open in Google MapsGetting there
Ferries run from Mersing or Tanjung Gemok on the mainland and take about an hour and a half to two hours. Before boarding you pay the Tioman Marine Park conservation fee at the terminal counter, around RM30 for foreign visitors and RM5 for Malaysians, with lower rates for children. Ferries call at ABC’s own jetty in the middle of the beach. If yours lands at Tekek instead, ask you accommodation to book the transportation for you.
There are 2 ferry options into Tioman:
1. Bluewater Ferry
Older ferries, but cheaper and stops at ABC beach.
2. Cataferry
Faster and newer ferries, sometimes more expensive stops at Tekek beach, you have to get a taxi to ABC.
Documented on the ground, 14 September 2026. We were here with a camera. Prices and hours change — tell us if something is out of date.