12 hours spare in Mersing, what to do?

I think that's the reason my Malaysian colleagues suggested a bus transfer in Kuantan.

Yes now I've got your point :-) Unfortunately I've received the ferry schedule just the day after booking the bus so now we are plenty of time for sightseeing in the magnificent Mersing!
Flavio

Not a lot in Mersing....a few shops,restaurants, a small park near the river.

I spent about 3 hours there waiting for a bus once and just crashed out near the bus station,in front of the rivet....

Look on the bright side, there's worse places to be stuck for 12 hours.

Just buy another bus ticket, they're not expensive and surely 12 hours of holiday time is more precious.

Not many option to change bus ticket to kota bharu as the service are a bit limited to either night or early morning trip.
But ferry from tioman to mersing usually a bit flexible. U can request to change it to other time or alternatively you can hop to other part of tioman where the same ferry service is available at other time that suits your schedule.

If you looking for something to do in Mersing please visit the link below
http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Asia/Malaysia/Negeri_Johor/Mersing-1280886/Things_To_Do-Mersing-TG-C-1.html

I spent a night in Mersing in June. The 'city' grew much busier in the last 10+ years but it is not much to do there. Kota Bharu isn't much better though (my guess is you are heading to Perhentian).

Hi guys and thanks to everybody for your suggestions
We definitely are heading to Perhentian for the second slot of our sea side vacation and we find convenient travelling by night. I was just diasppointed by discovering that the ferry leaves Tioman so early. Two options in my mind:
1 - Find a reasonably nice place around Mersing to spend some time either on a beach or in a short tour or jungle walk or whatever
2 - Find an alternative way to leave Tioman later that day, is there any private boat that could be rented? perhaps arranging a day-trip to Seribuat archipelago. Does anyone know how I could arrange? How much could that cost? Anyone interested in sharing a boat?

Flavio

Boat leaving tioman is available anytime. You can rearrange it once you reach the checin-in counter for your hotel/chalet.

If you travel by bus to Kota Bharu, you can request bus driver to drop you off at the jetty to Perhentian (kuala Besut). They will happy to help as they will get some tips from the boat operator. Unless your plan to visit kota bharu first.