Everything you need to know about dving the Perhentian Islands
Izuddin Helmi Adnan
Off the north-eastern coast of Peninsular Malaysia, not too far south of the Thai border, the beautiful Perhentian Islands rise vertically out of the sparkling blue sea, creating one of Malaysia's most iconic diving destinations & one of the most popular spots in Malaysia to learn to dive.
The Perhentians comprise of two main islands, Perhentian Besar & Perhentian Kecil. Both are picture perfect tropical islands, with good diving, great beaches and unspoilt jungle.
Highlights
Best diving spots
Both Perhentian Islands - Besar & Kecil, meaning large & small - have nice fringing reefs, interesting rock formations & some enjoyable wreck dives.
Tokong Laut is a nice dive. this pinnacle reaches up to the surface, providing shelter to many interesting smaller fish, plus schools of Jack, Snapper & Fusiliers in the blue. Barracuda & Tuna are sometimes seen and, in season, Whale Sharks are a small possibility.
Termuba Tiga, or Three Brothers is another excellent site. Large boulders create a fascinating underwater landscape, with plenty of canyons & swim-throughs and nice corals. Schools of Mackeral & Barracuda cruise the blue and it’s possible to find Whitetip Reef Sharks or Leopard Sharks sleeping under the rocks.
Tanjung Besi at the northern tip of Perhentian Besar has large boulders that create some interesting caves & swim-throughs. Often, the caves hide large Groupers, while Barracuda hover menacingly in the blue.
Vietnamese Wreck is another good dive, although sometimes with limited visibility. The wreck has developed into a vibrant artificial reef with plentiful marine life and the chance to see some more unusual critters, such as Stonefish & Devil Scorpionfish.
The best wreck in the area is called the Sugar Wreck. This large wreck sank in 1997 and is still in excellent condition. While corals have not really had a chance to take hold, the wreck has proved to be a magnet for marine life, with a good chance to see some of the area's larger marine species.
The Perhentians are a popular place to learn to dive - many of the sites are just a few minutes boat ride away and provide great conditions for training.
When to dive
The season runs from April - September. Outside these months, the islands pretty much close down for low season
Getting there
The islands can be reached by ferry or speedboat from the mainland and trips are made regularly each day in high season. For much of low season - from November to February - there is a limited service to the islands.
Activities
Aside from diving, there is not a great deal to do not the island. Relaxing, sun-bathing, snorkelling & kayaking are the main pass-times. It is also possible to go trekking in the jungle. Despite the island's popularity, it is a fairly quiet place with limited night-life.
Resort and liveaboard options
Most of the cheap accommodation is on Perhentian Kecil, which tends to attract independent & budget travellers. Perhentian Besar has more upmarket accommodation. There is plenty of choice, especially for budget travellers. The island is in a marine park and there is a small fee to visit. There is also a dive resort on the small island of Lang Tengah to the south which makes for an excellent base.
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