 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. The season runs from Apr - September. Outside these months, the islands pretty much close down for low season.
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Both Perhentian Islands can be used as a base for diving. It is also possible to dive the area from Lang Tengah & Redang further south.
The area has become a hugely popular spot to learn to dive, with all the ingredients a beginner needs. |
- Perhentian Islands
- Redang
 
The Perhentians are the most northerly of Malaysia's east coast islands, close to the border with Thailand. The name Perhentians means 'place to stop', a name that suits these stunning, laid-back islands.
Diving is well established in the Perhentians, with numerous dive shops, especially on Perhentian Kecil, the smaller island. There is plenty of competition, which keeps prices low. Regular trips are made to all the local dive sites, most of which are just a few minutes boat ride away.
The only way to reach the islands is 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 and often no boats at all.
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.
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.
Redang is located around 45km off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia in the South China Sea, not too far from the Perhentian Islands. It is a lovely, laid back island with beautiful, unspoilt beaches.
Diving is relatively new to Redang and there are still only a handful of dive shops. Day trips are run to the sites around Redang, as well as Lang Tengah & the Perhentians to the north.
The island can be reached by boat from the mainland. In high season, from April to October, there are regular ferries to Redang. Outside these months, it is sometimes difficult to reach the island because of the eastern monsoon. There is also one flight a day from Kuala Lumpur to Redang's small airstrip.
Most accommodation on the island is either mid-range or upmarket with little or no options for budget travellers, who normally find their way to the Perhentians. Most of the resorts are on the east coast.
The island is surrounded by nice shallow reefs close to shore, making snorkelling very popular. Aside from this, sunbathing and relaxing are about as active as Redang generally gets.
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| On the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, Redang is a relatively recent entrant on the dive map and is proving to be an increasingly popular destination, with healthy corals and abundant marine life, including Turtles, Sharks & Rays... |
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Asia is blessed with many spots that have the perfect conditions for beginners, with warm tropical seas, calm conditions, good visibility & shallow, protected areas that help to take away any stress.. |
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