Perhentian Island

Perhentian Island Terengganu Malaysia

PRACTICALITIES

Description :

Endowed with breathtaking beauty and superb underwater attractions, Perhentian Island is made up of two main islands, namely Perhentian Besar (big island) and Perhentian Kecil (small island) – both surrounded by white sandy beaches, clear blue waters, and lush green forests. A popular location among backpackers and families, Perhentian Island is often rated as one of Malaysia’s top tourist attractions.

Perhentian Besar is regarded as more “affluent” as it mainly comprises of resorts, attracting honeymooners and families. But don’t let the “affluence” fool you, the packaged prices can be very competitive to its neighbor, Perhentian Kecil.

Perhentians Kecil’s Long Beach is popular with backpackers. Accommodation here is very basic which are typically purchased on walk-in basis. If you’re up for parties. Long Beach is where you want to be. Or else, you can walk 15 minutes across the island to Coral Bay. A sweet spot between the parties at Long Beach and serenity at Perhentian Besar. 🙂

Perhentian means stopping point in Malay, a definite pitstop in your itinerary for the underwater explorer if you are ever around Peninsular Malaysia.

Where is it :: Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia’s East Coast

Number of dive sites :: 30

Type of Diving :: Guided – shore, boat, wreck, night, drift, deep diving

Skill Level :: Beginner to advanced

Main Diving Attraction :: Pinnacle coral formations, tropical fishes (barracudas, sweetlips, parrotfish, pufferfish, boxfish), moray eels, black tip sharks, turtles, and wreck diving.

Average Water Temperature :: 27°C (80.6°F) to 32°C (89.6°F)

Seasonality :: March to October (Peak July to August)

Typical Visibility :: 10m (32ft) to 25m (82ft)

General Current Conditions :: Low to moderate

Family / Non-Diver Friendly :: Yes

Availability of Other Leisure Activities :: Snorkelling, Beach Hopping, Sea Kayak, Bars and Restaurants, Jungle Trekking.

Availability of ATM / Foreign Exchange Bureau :: None on the island

Availability of Medical Facility :: Island clinic located at Perhentian Kecil’s main village.

DIVE SITES

Here are some of our favorite dive sites 🙂

Temple of the Sea (Tokong Laut) : • Maximum depth: 24m • Currents: Low: Dive through a series of underwater boulders and pinnacles that plays home to a myriad of marine life. Get mesmerized by the large schools of snappers and fusiliers sweeping in and out of the formations. Sea turtles are common, and if you’re lucky, a whale shark may pass by. This is arguably one of the best sites in Perhentian.

Sugar Wreck : • Maximum depth: 18m • Currents: Moderate to strong: This is a 90-meter cargo ship that sank during the monsoon season of 2000/2001, while bearing a load of sugar. Hence its name. She now lies on her side around 18m, and is home to an abundance of marine life. Keep an eye for its resident pufferfish, and coral cat sharks taking shelter inside. Due to the wreck’s popularity amongst divers, it can get congested at times, so keep an eye out for your dive buddy!

Vietnamese Wreck : • Maximum depth: 24m • Currents: Mild to strong: Despite its name, this wreck is actually a US twin-screw landing craft which sank in the 1970s and is one of the must dive in Perhentian. Currents may make reaching the bottom of the site a little challenging, but it’s well worth it as you’re rewarded with a sheer variety of marine life such as boxfish, devil scorpionfish, batfish, barracudas, jacks, wrasse and giant groupers.

Terumbu Tiga (T3) : • Maximum depth: 20m • Currents: Low: Tiger Rock as it’s known in English is probably one of our favorite. An impressive marinescape with large coral formations, barrel sponges, soft whip corals, and gorgonian fans. The large boulder formation creates some exciting swim-throughs and canyons. If you are fortunate, you may spot a leopard or whitetip shark.

D’Lagoon : • Maximum depth: 15m • Currents: Low: A small sandy lagoon peppered with lively beds of colorful corals. Great spot for a relaxing slow dive where you will find yourself face-to-face with a variety of reef life, ranging from bumphead parrotfish to giant stingrays, and the occasional turtle.

GETTING THERE

Nearest Jetty :: Kuala Besut Jetty
* Approximately 30mins boat ride to Perhentian Island

Address :: 22300, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia

Nearest Airport :: Kota Bharu Airport (IATA: KBR)

Estimated Travel Time from Kota Bharu Airport :: 1.5hrs (by car, average one-way taxi fare: ~RM80)

Estimated Travel Time from Kuala Lumpur :: 6hrs (by car), or 8hrs (by bus – average one-way fare: ~RM49)

DIVE CENTERS

Price reference based on 4D3N diving packages

Perhentian Besar (Big) Island, Terengganu

Flora Bay Perhentian

Packages from RM1,120

Located in the heart of Perhentian Besar, Flora Bay offers a relaxing beach vacation with its own beachfront, resort-based restaurant, and top-notch diving services.

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Coral Bay, Perhential Kecil (Small) Island, Terengganu

Quiver Perhentian

Packages from RM1,024

Dive Perhentian with a multi-award-winning team and Malaysia’s first PADI 5 Star CDC. You are sure to get great fun, great service, and top quality professional guidance. New shared air-conditioned capsule styled dorms available now.

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WEATHER

If you are looking to travel to Kuala Besut to dive the beautiful Perhentian Island, you are inevitably looking for a weather forecast. So here’s a forecast for the next 7 days. Although weather forecasts are not always accurate with ever-changing weather patterns, it does provide a good guess on what’s to come. Every little bit helps! 😀

KUALA BESUT

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