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lots of cafes and restaurants on perhentian kecil. Perhentian besar has resorts with their own restaurants |
I guess the million dollar question is 'would I recommend it to my friends?'. I would say yes, but with the caveat that it really is a place to get away for pure rest & relaxation. A stay of 3-4 days would suffice, unless you plan on taking in a couple of the surrounding islands (I have been told that there are some pretty amazing islands around that region that have not fallen victim to mass tourism).
WORD OF CAUTION
As with all other places where there are many visitors, there are also many touts, thieves, and opportunists. So, do look after your belongings and just make sure that if you're a woman traveller - your doors are locked when you go off to sleep. There have been incidents where ladies have been molested and the local authority are too pressed to do anything about it. Just be aware that the young islanders have just only been recently exposed to all these liberation that comes with the island being suddenly a tourist destination. Sometimes you may get the odd annoyance here and there.
For example; the little motorboat that takes customers from the speedboat or slowboat arriving on Perhentian Kecil to the beach charges each customer RM2 per person per way. So be prepared to be ripped off.
Activities
Trekking
A short trek from Pasir Panjang (Long Beach) takes you through a clear trail to Aur Beach on the other side of the island. Here you can see remnants of what used to be a beautiful plot of virgin jungle.
Diving
bubu beach resort ~ a spot of night time entertainment but if this is not your scene, there's always a video screening somewhere and sometimes you may get to watch something not so dated |
There are quite a number of dive centres in Perhentian. Scout around for responsible operators. There are a few cowboy outfits that charge a little cheaper but prefer to take larger groups out for dives.
For a few ringgit less, you lose out on it big time. Also the responsibility as a diver rests upon you..conservation is an issue here in Perhentian and many are not heeding the signs of degradation around. The coral reefs are beginning to suffer the wear and tear of irresponsible operators and their customers. The Lonely Planet featured Perhentian in the Malaysia/South Thailand chapter a little while ago - showing Justine Shapiro having a wild time snorkelling just of the beach. It's gone now. Nothing but dead corals..
News Article by Reuters on Coral Study at Perhentian
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KUALA LUMPUR, July 17,2002 (Reuters) - Malaysia launched a project on Wednesday to assess the state of the coral reefs dotting the peninsula's east coast, teaming up with a British environmental group to survey the Perhentian island group near Thailand. A three-month pilot phase, due to start in September, will see local and paying international volunteers plot the state of plant and animal life on and around the Perhentian islands, a popular spot for divers, backpackers and local tourists. Their data should help inform policies to stop more damage to reefs in Malaysia, home to some of the world's top dive sites.
"It's the epicentre, the core of coral reef biodiversity -- it beats Australia hands down," Peter Raines, founder and manager of Coral Cay Conservation told a news conference, referring to a reef system encompassing parts of the Philippines and Indonesia. The British group, which has run similar projects in Belize, Honduras, the Red Sea, Tonga and Fiji, plans for a three-year survey in Malaysia should the pilot phase succeed, Raines said.
Malaysia's coral reefs, which include the spectacular Sipadan island off the coast of Borneo in east Malaysia, have suffered from ill-advised development, siltation from logging activities on land, overfishing and marine pollution. Andrew Sebastian, executive officer with the Malaysian Nature Society, said the peninsula's west coast reefs were already badly damaged and worried of similar problems looming elsewhere. He said Malaysia had one of the most diverse coral reef systems in the world and unfortunately this was now being threatened. (Patrick Chalmers, Kuala Lumpur Newsroom +603 2275-6840, Fax +603 2072-6752 patrick.chalmers@reuters.com)
This article was published on 17th July 2002 from the newsroom of Reuters.
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, marine life ready reckoner, 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. If you require dive equipment best to inform the operators upon booking of package. Equipment rental is charged separately.
Dive card
Life jackets especially for children
Waterproof pouches, torch
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
Some resorts require you to bring your own blankets and bath towels
one more, leave your Ego behind!
Amenities
Water
A few resorts have their water drawn from their own wells while others pipe them from streams.
Electricity
Generator powered electricity means that lights and fan go on at sunset and off at sunrise. A few resorts are a little mean. generator power off at midnight! Electricity will soon be available on both islands 24hours . The government has finally got its act together and commissioned a wind powered sub station expected to be ready by mid to end 2007. No more diesel smoke and constant droll of the generators hopefully
Telecommunication
Making overseas call is expensive. The charges are exorbitant and often dialled from mobile phones.
Internet cafes are available. Rates are higher than the mainland rates.
Nursery
The resorts do not carry such facilities
Money changer
Poor rates. For the desperate. Please, if you need to get some money, make sure you have some with you before you get to Kuala Besut or Tok Bali jetty. There are no ATM machines at either of these jetties.
Language
Almost everyone speaks English.
Things to buy
The resorts do sell some toiletries and some t-shirts and island souvenirs but nothing to shout about. The villages have sundry shops that can provide your basic needs such as toiletries, snacks, towels. 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!
Food and Drinks
Western and local cuisine available...with barbeques a staid favourite with customers.
Alcohol used to be freely available and seems like its getting a little difficult to find and pretty expensive too due to scarcity. Best bet? Bring your own
end of story...back to page 1...
Women travellers please take heed! If you're travelling on your own or with a few fellow women travellers, please try not to take privately arranged snorkelling trips or tours while on the islands. Private boat operators may approach you and offer cheaper rates than what the resort can offer, but it is at your own risk. Best to stick with the resorts and make sure that the boatmen that is providing the service from the resort is validated by the resort itself. There have been several unpleasant accounts of harrassments and indecent proposals. Thank you. |
Accommodation & Packages to Kelantan ~ Kota Bahru, Pantai Cahaya Bulan, Pulau Perhentian & Surroundings
Peninsula Malaysia Islands |
| Pulau Aur | Pulau Besar | Pulau Bidong | Pulau Duyung Besar | Pulau Gemia | Pulau Kapas | Pulau Langkawi | Pulau Lang Tengah | Pulau Pangkor | Pulau Payar | Pulau Perhentian | Pulau Pemanggil | Penang | Pulau Rawa | Pulau Redang | Pulau Sibu | Pulau Tenggol | Pulau Tioman | |
Peninsula Malaysia Coastal Beaches |
| Marang | Merang | Rantau Abang | Penarik | Port Dickson | Tanjung Jara | Cherating | |
Sabah and Sarawak ~ Borneo Islands & Coastal Beaches |
Sabah Islands ~ | Gaya Island | Kapalai | Pulau Mabul | Pulau Sipadan | Selingan Turtle Island | Mantanani Besar Island | Manukan Island | Mataking Island | Lankayan Island | Layang Layang Island | Pom Pom Island | Pulau Tiga Resort (Survivor Island) | Sabah Coastal Beaches ~ | Kinarut, Papar | Tuaran | Sarawak Coastal Beaches ~ | Damai Beach, Santubong | Kayakking with Dolphins | |
Getting There and Away
Best Time to Go
