Travel tips - Perhentian Island

Perhentian Island is one of the many island in east coast of Malaysia in the state of Terengganu. It was divided into Perhentian Kecil (Small Perhentian) and Perhentian Besar (Big Perhentian). Both islands are next to each other and you can take boat to go there. There is no significant different between both island (according to me la) as both give you the clear blue water, white sandy beach and many snorkeling area.

Since I just come back from there, there's few tip I would like to share to those who likes to travel there with tight budget and at the same time enjoy every moment of your vacation.

Tips on traveling to Perhentian Island if you are a budget traveler:

• We can take boats to Perhentian Island at Kuala Besut jetty. How to get to Kuala Besut. If by air, take flight to Kota Bharu. From Kota Bharu, take taxi to Kuala Besut. Usually it’s around 1 hour and cost from RM50-RM60. By bus, you have two options. There’s a bus company called Mahligai that take you direct to Kuala Besut. It’s usually departs from Putra Bus Station, Kuala Lumpur at 9-9.30 pm and arrives at 5.30am. There are many other bus company but they only take you to Jerteh. From Jerteh to Kuala Besut takes about 20-30 minutes. You can take taxi (cost around Rm12-15 per cab in daytime. Not sure if it’s different on the wee hours) or bus (cost you only RM1.50 per person but the schedule is very unreliable).
• Use backpack as your luggage. This is because between the jetty to your resort in Perhentian Island, you need to change to smaller boat. May resort doesn’t have jetty and you are force to cross over the boats in the middle on the ocean. It is wise to bring backpack as it is easier. Imagine you bring the rectangular plastic luggage that have wheels, it’s heavy and you need to balance yourself with your beg at one hand to cross over the boats. Hmmm… dangerous. But don’t worry, the boatmen are very nice people, they will help you.
• The first boat departs from Kuala Besut usually at 9am and the last one at 5pm. But there’s one travel agency, Kuala Besut Travel Agency, their boats depart at 7.30 am. And their people will wait for you when you arrive at Kuala Besut at the bus stop even at 5.30am. Other travel agency only open at 8am. Including mine. Sigh.
• Don’t be afraid if you arrive at 5am coz there’s few restaurants that already open and you can hang out there. And there’s surau nearby. And there’s also parking lot that charged you on day-to-day basis. Suitable for those for drive to Kuala Besut.
• There’s a lot of resort / chalet there on the island, from the most expensive (Perhentian Island Resort) to RM 20 per night chalet. Depending on your budget, you can choose these varieties of chalet at various locations on Perhentian Kecil and Besar. The backpackers’ chalet usually is a walk-in basis with no booking service. Some resort reserves some chalet for walk-in and doesn’t open to travel agency to book. You can check out this website: www.pulauperhentian.com.my. & www.perhentianisland.com.my.
• I’ve been here twice and both trip I stayed in Flora Bay Resort which situated in Teluk Dalam, Perhentian Besar. Likes is very subjective. Some might not like it but I like this resort. First trip was 10 years ago but last month I went there, the place was still the same. Same white sandy beach. Clear blue water. What I like that the waves are not so big, very calm and you can even see a school of ikan bilis swimming by the beach. They provide many hammocks under the trees and you just can sleep by the sea in the afternoon without fearing of sunburn. The people they are friendly and they don’t disturb you.
• The thing about Teluk Dalam beach is there are many other resorts such as Everfresh, Fauna, Samudera and Arwana. So you can choose the variety of food at different restaurants. I’ve taste Flora Bay and Fauna and both are delicious. These resorts also have their own dive centre fro those who wants to scuba dive.
• Where sun screen / sun block. It’s not about getting tan or scared to get tan but to protect from sunburn. There’s one guy in our snorkeling trip got sunburn on the first trip and can’t join for the second trip. Rugi jer.
• For snorkeling trip, there are many prices on what I observed. My travel agency (Anjung Holidays Travel Agency) charged RM 35 per person per trip but at Flora Bay Resort, they charged RM45 per person per trip. However, I already checked area of the trip cover and both showed the same place, which is marine park, turtle area, shark area and spring water. I think 1 trip would be not enough especially if you go in the evening coz the turtle couldn’t be seen. I went twice and both trips were at different place and time except the shark area. The evening trip usually at 2pm and the morning trip at 10am.
• Make sure that your boatman (aka tour guide) showed you the exact place. My boatman actually swam together and brought us to the exact place to see the sharks. And some other area in the marine park where you can see a school of big fishes (a kind that size of more that half of your body). It would be a waste if he just drop you at a place without you knowing what to expect. You might end up seeing the same species of that small fish at every stop.
• To make your snorkeling fun, bring a loaf of bread. Fishes will surround you to eat the bread. The second trip we were lucky to bring the bread coz then only I felt like a part of nature. Even bigger size of fish (a size of 2 palm hands) came to enjoy your bread. They are very gentle creature. Except 1 fish, the others never bite you. Ok, maybe they might confuse your hand with the bread once a while but it was not painful. The best part is that they will stay with you for a while even after the bread finish.
• If you have the water resistant camera, this is the time to utilize it to the maximum. The view under the water was breathtaking. If you don’t have, don’t worry. You can always buy the instant camera (the one that come with the film & once finished, you can’t refill the film). It’s around RM37-40 for 27 shots. Ok lah… The pictures were acceptable la. (For example: You can see my previous post where there’s picture of swimming with fishes. That pictures were using that camera.)
• It’s advisable to bought your mineral water before going to island. The price was twice than normal. The large mineral water (1.5L) is enough la per person to carry & drink at least for 1 and half day. Bring biscuits & snacks coz everything there was expensive.
• However, the food there was not very expensive. Not the certain point of too expensive that it’s not acceptable. The range was ok and asked for seafood coz their seafood was fresh.
• Don’t go to Kuala Besut and Jerteh on Friday. All shops closed except grocery shop. Enough said.
• Lastly, just enjoy the every moment. Life might not as exciting as in the city but it’s very relaxing and calm. The people over there are very friendly and they did everything is no rush manner. (That’s explains the unreliable bus schedule). After 3 days there, I was also infected with that no rush symptoms. It was nice to live in place where you don’t have to rush from one place to another place. (And it’s good for your heart too. Hehe)

Can’t think of anything to add. If there are any more tips, I will update it. Btw, those who has any tips on Perhentian Island, please add at the comment.

Note: Instead of just describing of fun I have and what I did, it’s better for me to do this travel tips thingy right. At least can give some points to those who interested of going that place.