About Pulau Perhentian

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Pulau Perhentian consists of two small islands with less then 21 sqaure kilometers land, covered with dense tropical rain forest and surrounded by coral reefs, white sands beaches and clearwater bays. Perhentian besar (big) and kecil (small) are part of the Terengganu Marine Park (Taman Laut Terengganu) since he 70th and well protected. In the dry season the sea water is crystal clear and its color shimmers from dark blue to light turquoise.

There are only some simple and small bungalow resorts on the long beaches, mostly owned by local muslim people and families. It is possible to snorkel right from the beaches because the corals are very nearby, but one can also just enjoy the warm and clear water with swimming or playing. It is surely due to the strictly protected area, that the islands nature has not much changed over the years. And the other reason, that there are only few and small resorts available, is, that the islands are closed down from october till february because of the heavy monsoon rains and winds. So Perhentian is a travel destinaton for the summer months and can recover during winter time.

In 2013 two modern wind mills had been bult on P. kecil to improve the electric power supply, which came mainly from diesel generators. Now the islands have 24 hours electric power supply. Beside these new landmarks the picturous paradise suffers only from the concret jettys that were built at the main beaches and the middle of the bays. They are by far too big and too ugly !

But this circumstance cannot harm the overall impression of a paradise island that is very fascinating in sunshine with the big variety of colorful corals and fishes in the clear waters. Sea turtles, sharks and other big fishes can be met when diving or even snorkeling. Sea turtles are still coming to lay their eggs in the warm and soft sand of some beaches.

Due to the small bed capacity of the small resorts, it is not very full even in the high season from June to September. At the smaller beaches you have plenty of space and tranquility, some entertainment at night is only happening on Long Beach on Perhentian kecil with party music and fire shows. Especially diving schools dominate the scene. They offer diving and snorkelling trips around the islands and other small islands or sea rocks nearby.

Small taxi boats connect the beaches between Perhentian besar and kecil. For some Ringits they drive on demand with minimum two people on board. It is also possible to walk across the island on very small jungle treks. But these are not well cared and narrow and steep. The island people prefer to taxi tourists and earn some money. There is only one fixed and short walking way between Long Beach and Coral Bay on Kecil island, which can be used all day and night.

From october till february Perhentian islands are closed down for tourists. The resorts are closed and the boat traffic stopped due to heavy monsoon rains and winds. Swimming and diving is not possible. If you plan to travel in october or february, it is advised to contact the resort directly to ask for opening dates.

Perhentian kecil

A small fishermens village is located on the south eastern coast of kecil. Beside simple small houses there are some simple restaurants on the village beach, which sell fresh and unexpensive fish and seafood. And here is a silver and modern looking mosque, which seems to be the most important landmark of the islands. The muezzins calls can be heard all over the islands.

During the ramadan month the village restaurants are closed and even in the resorts there are some restrictions in service, when the locals have their evening meal after daytime fasting. The restaurants of the muslim owned resorts are closing for one or two hours.

Long Beach has the most resorts. Some are primarily diving schools. Bubu Resort and Villas is the most expensive on Perhentian. Long Beach is a very good place for spending the day on the beach and in the warm water of the shallow bay, or to relax in some of the small restaurants. Not all sell beer or other alcoholic beverages. And beer is rather expensive. A small can costs 10 MR. Long beach is also the place to be, if you are looking for some evening party or entertainment on the beach.

Coral Bay is located on the western shore of kecil just oposite of Long Beach. A short walking trek connects the two beaches. There are also some simple bungalow resorts and the new and modern Ombak Dive Rsort with a very nice restaurant. What a pity that a big jetty had been built in the middle of the bay, which really disturbs the nice sunset atmosphere in the bay.

North of Coral Bay lays the short and lonely Romantic beach. There is nothing else on that one hundred meter long beach then the possibility to have a romantic sunset all alone with your love one. The bach can only be reached by taxi boats.

South of Coral Bay are two more small beaches, one with a simple resort and one without. Those, who prefer to be alone and casted away, can go there by taxi boat, but there is no supply of anything. On the south coast the bungalows and chalets of Patani Resort and Alunan Boutique Resort are located. Patani is rather old and simple, while Alunan had just been renovated and offers quite good accommodation and restaurant on a real small hideaway beach.

Perhentian besar

Bungalow resorts are available on Perhentian besar at the quiet Flora Bay in the south, at the southwest coast, northwest coast and Mango Bay. Here are the more expensive Perhentian Island Resort (PIR) and the Coral View Resort. The two beaches are different. Coral View beach has rocks in the water and is covered with brocken corals. PIR beach is long and sandy with shallow and clear water.

Beside Mango Bay lays Turtle beach, a 200m long sandy beach withot infrastructure, but very good for swimming and snorkeling. Taxi boats bring people there for some Ringits and pick them up after having enjoyed that phantastic place.

The resorts at Flora Bay made a quite good impression when visited in 2015, even the beach was clean and the bay waters were clear and turquoise. There is no big jetty in that shallow bay, which disturbes the impression of being on a paradise island. Flora Beach Resort and Fauna Beach Resorts belong to the best resorts here. Flora Bay has a big roof restaurant, while Fauna Bay restaurant is open to he sky and directly on the beach. Only some restaurants offer beer here. Also Samudra Resort can be recommended.

Very good and clean bungalows are available at Abdul´s Chalets on the south west coast. There is a jetty, that devides the beach between Abdul´s and Tunabay. The water is very clear, but at Tunabay beach is much more boat traffic from small taxi boats. From the beach one has a view at the fishermen´s village and he mosque on kecil.

Separated by a rock cape another beach lays on the west coast, where another three resorts (e.g. Mama´s Place and Paradise) are located. But that beach is by far not the best on Perhentian.

If you book early enough - and you should do so - you might have the chance for resort hopping to enjoy different places on both islands. But if you think that is too uncomfortable, you may see the different beaches and bays by taking the taxi boat for each day.