ROYAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL GUILDFORD DUBAI | TIOMAN ISLAND, MALAYSIA

Follow along with RGS as they have a week of adventure on the beautiful Malaysian Island of Tioman!

April 28^th, 2025

DAY 1 - WE'RE ON OUR WAY!

After an early start at DXB, the RGS Year 8 group boarded their flight to Singapore, buzzing with excitement. We touched down in Singapore late in the evening and made our way to our lovely hotel for the night. After settling in, we got some much-needed rest, ready for our big adventure to Tioman Island in Malaysia tomorrow morning.

ROYAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL GUILDFORD DUBAI | TIOMAN ISLAND, MALAYSIA

DAY 2 - Malaysia bound

We set off from Singapore bright and early, making our way towards the Malaysian border. After a quick stretch and a smooth pass through border control, we continued into the beautiful landscapes of Malaysia. We had a brief stop for snacks before heading to the ferry terminal, where we boarded our boat bound for Tioman Island. Upon arrival at the stunning island, we enjoyed a short trek along the scenic coastline to reach our resort. A delicious lunch was waiting for us, offering a warm and much-appreciated welcome.

DAY 2 - SNORKELLING FUN

In the afternoon it was straight on with our first activity - snorkelling! We swam in the beautiful waters just in front of our resort and had a practice to make sure we are all ready for our snorkelling day out on the boats this week. We saw some great coral and beautiful fish. We then had a lovely dinner and an early night after a long day of travel and adventure.

DAY 3 - BOAT TRIP!!

Today was an incredible day filled with snorkelling, exploration, and environmental care. We began our adventure in the mangroves, where we learned about the unique ecosystem and discovered the fascinating fish that call it home.

From there, we snorkelled our way to a stunning, uninhabited island, spotting vibrant fish and graceful stingrays along the way. Upon reaching the island, we enjoyed a relaxing lunch on the pristine white sands, taking in the beauty of the untouched surroundings.

After lunch, we gave back to nature with a beach clean-up, helping preserve the paradise we’d just enjoyed. Our next snorkelling stop revealed a thriving underwater world, teeming with colourful fish including parrotfish, snappers, and clown fish. We also got a close look at some intriguing sea cucumbers and learned more about their role in the marine environment.

Our final snorkelling site capped off the day perfectly, before we made our way back along the breathtaking coastline to Tioman Island. An unforgettable day of adventure and nature at its best!

DAY 3 - QUIZ NIGHT

After an action-packed day of snorkelling and exploration, we spent some well-earned free time relaxing on the beautiful beach, soaking in the last light of the day. Later, we gathered for another delicious evening meal, sharing stories and laughter over good food. The night ended on a high with a fun quiz that brought out everyone's competitive side. By the time we headed to bed, we were exhausted - but happy and fulfilled from such a memorable day.

DAT 4 - AN EPIC HIKE

Today’s adventure was a fantastic and challenging hike that took us right across Tioman Island, from one coast to the other. We kicked things off with a short boat ride from our resort, gliding along the island’s stunning coastline to reach the trailhead.

As we began our trek, we were immediately greeted by the surreal sight of hundreds of fruit bats hanging in the trees, a quiet and eerie welcome to the jungle. Our climb soon began in earnest, leading us up into the lush, tropical rainforest. The path wound through dense vegetation, towering trees, and exotic plants - each step revealing more of the island’s wild beauty. The scenery was absolutely breathtaking… and so was the steep ascent!

We paused for lunch at a beautiful waterfall, where we cooled off with a swim in its crisp, refreshing waters. Recharged, we pushed on through the jungle, rewarded with sweeping ocean views as we neared the far side of the island. Our hike ended at Juara Beach, a spectacular stretch of white sand and turquoise water. Naturally, we couldn’t resist diving in for another swim.

After trekking across the entire island, we wrapped up the day with a long, scenic boat ride back to our resort, soaking in the dramatic coastline one last time. A physically demanding, but incredibly rewarding day - wild adventure and pure paradise.

DAY 4 - MOVIE NIGHT

After returning to the island, we had some time to freshen up with a shower and change out of our hiking gear. The rest of the afternoon was free for us to unwind and enjoy the beautiful surroundings at our own pace. In the evening, we settled in for a chilled movie night, watching The Parent Trap together - a perfect way to relax and recharge before our final full day of adventure on Tioman Island tomorrow.

DAY 5 - VILLAGE TRAILS AND VIBRANT REEFS

Our last day on Tioman Island was packed with excitement and meaningful experiences, both on land and beneath the waves. We began with a scenic trek to the nearby village of Genting, where we had the chance to explore the local community and pick up a few souvenirs to remember our stay. It was fascinating to see daily life on the island and connect with the culture firsthand.

In the village, we discovered a new sport - sepak takraw! After learning the rules, we jumped into a friendly competition on the court, and it quickly became a highlight of the morning.

Following our hike back to the resort and a much-needed lunch break, we returned to the sea for our coral reef restoration project. We collected fragments of coral and carefully attached them to frames, which will later be replanted to support the growth of marine ecosystems.

It was a rewarding way to wrap up our time on the island - full of adventure, learning, and contributing to conservation efforts.

DAY 5 - FINAL FAREWELL TO TIOMAN

Our final evening on Tioman Island was a wonderful way to end the trip. We enjoyed a fantastic BBQ meal, featuring a delicious spread that included freshly caught local fish. Later, we gathered around a bonfire on the beach, spending time with friends, sharing stories from the week, and toasting marshmallows under a clear, starlit sky.

It was the perfect ending to an incredible island adventure - filled with good food, great company, and lasting memories.

DAY 6 - ISLAND LIFE TO CITY LIGHTS

Tioman Island who made our week of adventure truly unforgettable. We took one last scenic journey along the stunning coastline to the jetty, where we boarded the ferry back to mainland Malaysia and began our return trip to Singapore.

After crossing the border, we headed straight to the iconic Gardens by the Bay. Our first stop was the mesmerizing Cloud Forest, where we were greeted by a breathtaking indoor waterfall – a cool, misty escape that felt like stepping into another world. Next, we wandered through the magical Supertree Grove and were treated to the dazzling light show, a spectacular display of colour and music beneath the towering trees.

Dinner under the glowing trees was the perfect way to end the evening before checking into our beautiful hotel for a well-earned rest. Tomorrow promises even more excitement with a full day at Universal Studios!

DAY 7 - AN ADRENALINE PACKED LAST DAY

Our final day was one of thrills and excitement, spent at the incredible Universal Studios Singapore. From the adrenaline-pumping Revenge of the Mummy to the jaw-dropping Transformers 3D ride, we dove headfirst into the world of movie magic and heart-racing fun. We picked up a few fun souvenirs along the way, and the weather was just perfect.

After wrapping up at Universal, we headed to Changi Airport. With check-in out of the way, we had some time to explore Jewel and the mesmerising indoor waterfall before our flight back to Dubai.