The monsoon season on the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia sets in towards end of October and lasts through till late February/Early March. The best time to visit the East Coast is in March and April especially for diving where visibility can hit 40m. It is not advisable to visit this part of Peninsular Malaysia at its peak of the monsoon season - that is, November till early January. The seas are rough and the boat and resort operators would be closed between October and February.
Packing Checklist
- Swimsuit
- Snorkelling gear - mask, snorkel, fins, booties, life jacket (prescriptive mask if required)
- Diving equipment - mask, snorkel, fins, booties, regulator and octopus, BCD, dive table, dive logs, dive computers, knife, lycra or 3mm skin suits, gloves, underwater torches, dive watch - it's advisable to bring your own kit as rental can be expensive
- Dive card
- Life jackets especially for children
- Waterproof pouches
Clothing - shorts, t-shirts, sarong, towel, light dress
Toiletries - toothbrush, toothpaste, moisturiser, after-tan lotion, shampoo, soap, women's sanitary products, shaving foam and shaver, comb
- Sun block, mosquito repellent, mosquito netting, hammock
- Travel journal, reading material
- Binoculars
- Prescriptive medicine, dietary supplements, motion sickness tablets
Amenities
All resorts have restaurants but not all serve alcohol. Lighthouse and Garden Resort are the two resorts that still serve alcohol.
There is electricity on the island and run on normal 240V.
The general phones are at the reception and some resorts allow overseas call. Internet service is now available on the island via wireless phones at Aquasport and Garden Resort.
Resorts do not carry such facilities
There are no developing shops on the island. If required, Kuala Terengganu town has 1 hour developing shops.
A few resorts will be able to change US dollars and Singapore Dollars. Not all resorts have credit card facilities.
The staff at all resorts can speak English but if need to, it will be best to talk to the reception for any enquiries, requests or grievances.
The resorts do sell some toiletries and some t-shirts and island souvenirs but nothing to shout about.
DO NOT BUY any souvenirs made from corals, shells and other marine animals such as starfishes. Anyone found in possession of such items will be fined RM5,000. If the villagers don't know better, advise them not to exploit their environment. Even dead corals - the bleached ones sometimes found washed ashore should be left where it is found. Did you know that hermit crabs do not grow their own shells? ..they inhabit abandoned or empty shells. For all you shell collectors out there, have a thought for these poor, homeless creatures. Leave those shells where you found them!
Island Activity 
