The Perhentian Islands are two islands named Pulau Perhentian Kecil (Small Perhentian Island) andPulau Perhentian Besar (Large Perhentian Island). The Malay name Perhentian is translated as “place to stop” and this is exactly what these two islands were for traders travelling between Malaysia and Bangkok in years gone by. These islands are still a gorgeous place to stop and rest today, albeit for tourists disconnecting from the stress and routine of everyday life and not for weary seafaring traders.
Where is Pulau Perhentian?
Pulau Perhentian is located at Besut, Terengganu.
How to get there?
I went by car, but there are a lot of public transport available, buses - destination is Besut, Terengganu and flight from KL to Kota Bahru.
Where do I stay?
I used tour package, which cost me rm260, meal 3x a day, comfortable room and island hopping included. I think its quite a bargain. If you are interested, they can be contacted at:
Ms Zai
Email: sealife_services@yahoo.com
FB fan page: Sealife Perhentian Package
What did i do?
1st day. We reached Kuala Besut around 6am and pray at the nearby mosque. After breakfast, we took a boat to Perhentian Besar, which took about 1 hour journey. We were mesmerized by the beauty of the sea! We reach our chalet by lunch time. The water is so crystal clear and we could see fishes swimming around. We choose to stay at Perhentian Besar because its more private and the beaches are more beautiful than Perhentian Kecil. We had lunch and play by the beach, dinner and sleep early.
2nd day. Snorkeling day! The package includes island hopping and snorkelling.
Turtle beach
First in our itinerary, turtle beach. Amazing snorkelling spot. The corals are MashaAllah beautiful. This beach got its name because turtles come here to lay eggs during mating season.
First in our itinerary, turtle beach. Amazing snorkelling spot. The corals are MashaAllah beautiful. This beach got its name because turtles come here to lay eggs during mating season.
Turtle point
Next, we moved to turtle point to watch and swim with turtle. Alhamdulillah, luckily, there was one when we arrived. This guy was just catching his breath when I spotted him, MashaAllah, I was shocked. That was the first time I watch a turtle in its natural habitat, and I get to swim with it! But please be beware, all tourist are not allowed to touch, let alone harass the turtles or any sea life creatures.
Watching it swimming freely, made me realise that this creature belongs in the sea, in its natural habitat. Not in the artificial aquarium or in our kitchen. Their habitat must also be preserved and protected so that they have enough food to eat and safe place to lay eggs.
Next, we moved to turtle point to watch and swim with turtle. Alhamdulillah, luckily, there was one when we arrived. This guy was just catching his breath when I spotted him, MashaAllah, I was shocked. That was the first time I watch a turtle in its natural habitat, and I get to swim with it! But please be beware, all tourist are not allowed to touch, let alone harass the turtles or any sea life creatures. Watching it swimming freely, made me realise that this creature belongs in the sea, in its natural habitat. Not in the artificial aquarium or in our kitchen. Their habitat must also be preserved and protected so that they have enough food to eat and safe place to lay eggs.
Shark point
I think this is the highlight of this trip. We were told not to put our hopes high, as we may not get to see any sharks, but Alhamdulillah, there were more than five when we arrived.It was made known that there were sharks in our Malaysian water coast, and of course I will not believe it, until I saw one! And sharks, remember the movie, Jaws? Swimming with sharks? Well guess what, not all sharks eat human. and upon seeing them up close, I found that sharks are actually a very shy creature. They swam away when I chase them, and they are MashaAllah beautiful. They are amazing. The best time of my life..
We stop for lunch in Perhentian Kecil, before moving on to our next snorkelling destination.
Lighthouse
The lighthouse are located almost in the middle of the sea, quite far from the beach. It was almost 7metre deep and the corals are so big and there were so many underwater creatures. For the brave one, this is the place to jump from the lighthouse into the sea.
The lighthouse are located almost in the middle of the sea, quite far from the beach. It was almost 7metre deep and the corals are so big and there were so many underwater creatures. For the brave one, this is the place to jump from the lighthouse into the sea.
Romantic beach.
Our last pit stop for the day. So sad.. anyway, its romantic beach. Probably one of the most beautiful beach in the island....and the beach was full of nemoooooo! No, its clown fish village. MashaAllah, amazing, amazing. All of the clown fish lives near to the coral and they are very small, almost as big as my thumb.
Our last pit stop for the day. So sad.. anyway, its romantic beach. Probably one of the most beautiful beach in the island....and the beach was full of nemoooooo! No, its clown fish village. MashaAllah, amazing, amazing. All of the clown fish lives near to the coral and they are very small, almost as big as my thumb.
3rd day. Too bad its time to leave Perhentian. We spent the morning after breakfast, just hanging around the beach, sleep on the hammock in front of the chalet and enjoy the air and the sun as much as we could before going back to the city.
Alhamdulillah, I had no problem covering my aurah during my swimming. I wore a moderate size and full covered swimming suit. If before this, I try to avoid beach trip, well, not anymore. Click here for moderate muslim swimming suit.
I think the best time to visit Perhentian will be from March to July.
Time does not wait for any man, and time has come for us to leave. Perhentian, I will definitely visit again.
I think the best time to visit Perhentian will be from March to July.
