Scuba diving
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==Get in==
==Get in==
[[File:Boats at Perhentian Kecil jetty.JPG|thumb|250px|Boats at Perhentian Kecil jetty]]
[[File:Boats at Perhentian Kecil jetty.JPG|thumb|250px|Boats at Perhentian Kecil jetty]]
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Access to the Perhentian Islands from the Malaysian mainland is by ferry from [[Kuala Besut]], which is usually reached from either [[Kota Bharu]], [[Jerteh]] or [[Kuala Terengganu]]. See the '''[[Kuala Besut]]''' article for more information. If you took a train (KeretapiTanahMelayu) 'KualaLumpur'-'Tumpat' or 'Johor/Singapore'-Tumpat' it is recommended that you stop at Tanah Merah Station which is the third-last station to Tumpat,this station is the shortest route to Kuala Besut (if you don't want to waste time). At there,you will find a locals who provide the transportation (usually car/minivan) for
the price
between RM70-
80
top(not more than RM90)you can call
(+6014-8060259)
.Even it is a little bit illegal (only them) but you will find out there is no problem at all, for the record,all of them really nice and honest person, (they just want to make a living). They will take you to Kuala Besut less than 45minutes
. Note that ferries from Tok Bali and Kota Barhu no longer operate to the Perhentian islands. There are no ferries to neighbouring islands, but reasonably priced direct transfers to [[Redang]] are possible if a day-trip or dive boat has free seats - enquire with travel and dive shops.
+
Access to the Perhentian Islands from the Malaysian mainland is by ferry from [[Kuala Besut]], which is usually reached from either [[Kota Bharu]], [[Jerteh]] or [[Kuala Terengganu]]. See the '''[[Kuala Besut]]''' article for more information. If you took a train (KeretapiTanahMelayu) 'KualaLumpur'-'Tumpat' or 'Johor/Singapore'-Tumpat' it is recommended that you stop at Tanah Merah Station which is the third-last station to Tumpat,this station is the shortest route to Kuala Besut (if you don't want to waste time). At there,you will find a locals who provide the transportation (usually car/minivan) for between RM70-
90
(+6014-8060259). Note that ferries from Tok Bali and Kota Barhu no longer operate to the Perhentian islands. There are no ferries to neighbouring islands, but reasonably priced direct transfers to [[Redang]] are possible if a day-trip or dive boat has free seats - enquire with travel and dive shops.
From the main ferry terminal at [[Kuala Besut]] the only option to reach the Perhentian Islands is by speed boat. Previously there were slow boat services, but they have ceased operating due to poor demand.
From the main ferry terminal at [[Kuala Besut]] the only option to reach the Perhentian Islands is by speed boat. Previously there were slow boat services, but they have ceased operating due to poor demand.
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'''Speed boats''' - usually small fibreglass boats with two or three outboards which take 30-45 minutes, charge RM70/person (though you can bargain it down to RM60, even in high season beware of unreliable & unlicensed boat operator do the under cut price) for return open ticket and RM40/person for one way,. You can buy a ticket from Kuala Besut Boat Services or PI Boat services, tel no:+6097479668 Email Piboatticket@gmail.com. They can deliver your ticket to you at the airport upon your arrival, to your hotel room in Kota Bharu where you stay, to the Wakaf Bharu train station, or Tanah Merah train station or at their office in Kuala Besut. It is advisable to make reservation first especially during the peak period May to August for your seats. Daily departure from
7
:
30AM
-
5PM
. The boat leaving the Kuala Besut jetty to Perhentian Islands 4-5 times a day, 1st departure at
7
:
30AM
when gates of pier are opened. Some are enclosed, some have a fabric roof, some are completely open. If the sea is choppy expect a bone-jarring, bumpy ride and in the case of the latter two types expect to get very wet. If you are early, sitting at the back of the boat (near the engines) is less bumpy, but wet and noisier.
There is no safe space for electronics, you might want to '''wrap anything that will not survive being wet in plastic''' (e.g. in bags inside your backpack) beforehand. If you don't want back problems do not sit in the front part of the boat — large swells combined with the driver going as fast as possible will throw you up in the air and smash you down hard as the boat hits the next wave (but it's dry there).
+
'''Speed boats''' - usually small fibreglass boats with two or three outboards which take 30-45 minutes, charge RM70/person (though you can bargain it down to RM60, even in high season beware of unreliable & unlicensed boat operator do the under cut price) for return open ticket and RM40/person for one way,. You can buy a ticket from Kuala Besut Boat Services or PI Boat services, tel no:+6097479668 Email Piboatticket@gmail.com. They can deliver your ticket to you at the airport upon your arrival, to your hotel room in Kota Bharu where you stay, to the Wakaf Bharu train station, or Tanah Merah train station or at their office in Kuala Besut. It is advisable to make reservation first especially during the peak period May to August for your seats. Daily departure from
07
:
300
-
17:00
. The boat leaving the Kuala Besut jetty to Perhentian Islands 4-5 times a day, 1st departure at
07
:
30
when
the
gates of pier are opened. Some are enclosed, some have a fabric roof, some are completely open. If the sea is choppy expect a bone-jarring, bumpy ride and in the case of the latter two types expect to get very wet. If you are early, sitting at the back of the boat (near the engines) is less bumpy, but wet and noisier. There is no safe space for electronics, you might want to '''wrap anything that will not survive being wet in plastic''' (e.g. in bags inside your backpack) beforehand. If you don't want back problems do not sit in the front part of the boat — large swells combined with the driver going as fast as possible will throw you up in the air and smash you down hard as the boat hits the next wave (but it's dry there).
All ferries take their passengers directly to their destination, wherever it may be on the islands. Passengers may be charged an extra RM2 to get a small boat from the ferry to the beach at (Kecil) Long Beach (scam, but you can do nothing except jumping into sea with baggage and swim to coast). If you want avoid this 2RM scam ask for dropping at Coral Bay from where it's easy 10 minutes walk on nice paved tiled path to Long Beach from where it's also more convenient to southern end (Mohsin, Rock Garden...) of Long Beach if you have suitcases, there is no paved path at Long beach. Elsewhere, jetties are springing up and enable people to get off the ferry without the need for an additional small boat ride to shore and without getting their feet wet.
All ferries take their passengers directly to their destination, wherever it may be on the islands. Passengers may be charged an extra RM2 to get a small boat from the ferry to the beach at (Kecil) Long Beach (scam, but you can do nothing except jumping into sea with baggage and swim to coast). If you want avoid this 2RM scam ask for dropping at Coral Bay from where it's easy 10 minutes walk on nice paved tiled path to Long Beach from where it's also more convenient to southern end (Mohsin, Rock Garden...) of Long Beach if you have suitcases, there is no paved path at Long beach. Elsewhere, jetties are springing up and enable people to get off the ferry without the need for an additional small boat ride to shore and without getting their feet wet.
−
All travellers to the islands must pay a '''marine park conservation charge''' of RM5.
The marine park conversation charge 'ticket' claims to be valid for a few days, but in practice it is never asked for and is valid for the length of stay. This ticket is paid at the office in the jetty at Kuala Besut.
+
All travellers to the islands must pay a '''marine park conservation charge''' of RM5. The marine park conversation charge 'ticket' claims to be valid for a few days, but in practice it is never asked for and is valid for the length of stay. This ticket is paid at the office in the jetty at Kuala Besut.
==Get around==
==Get around==
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==See==
==See==
[[File:Coral Bay, Perhentian Kecil.JPG|thumb|300px|Relax at Coral Bay, Perhentian Kecil]]
[[File:Coral Bay, Perhentian Kecil.JPG|thumb|300px|Relax at Coral Bay, Perhentian Kecil]]
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There are no monuments, museums, viewpoints or other above-ground sights whatsoever on the islands; however, the beaches are a sight in themselves. White sandy beaches with clear water and flanked by rolling jungle covered hills make the views from the beach spectacular. The best location to experience sunset is at Coral Bay on Perhentian Kecil, but construction of a new jetty has spoiled most of the view. On Besar, the best and cleanest beaches are on the west side of the island
. Here the sea and the beach are beautiful and clear
. The south beach on Besar is less inviting and had lots of broken coral, treacherous to bare feet and lots of litter and discarded rubbish (as of May 2012)
!
+
There are no monuments, museums, viewpoints or other above-ground sights whatsoever on the islands; however, the beaches are a sight in themselves. White sandy beaches with clear water and flanked by rolling jungle covered hills make the views from the beach spectacular. The best location to experience sunset is at Coral Bay on Perhentian Kecil, but construction of a new jetty has spoiled most of the view. On Besar, the best and cleanest beaches are on the west side of the island. The south beach on Besar is less inviting and had lots of broken coral, treacherous to bare feet and lots of litter and discarded rubbish (as of May 2012)
.
There are several trails that you can take around Kecil island that offer spectacular viewpoints such as the Lighthouse Towers, which you can also climb up and jump off of into the sea.
There are several trails that you can take around Kecil island that offer spectacular viewpoints such as the Lighthouse Towers, which you can also climb up and jump off of into the sea.
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[[Image:Pinnacle Underwater.JPG|thumb|The tip of the Pinnacle]]
[[Image:Pinnacle Underwater.JPG|thumb|The tip of the Pinnacle]]
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The Perhentians offer '''some great diving''' and '''excellent snorkeling'''. In addition to coral and fish, the Perhentians are home to '''sea turtles''' and many species of '''shark''' -- none of them dangerous unless provoked though. Visibility is usually in the 10-20 meter range (although it will temporarily go down after storms, as well as during the end-of-year monsoon seasons) and no wet suit is required, although you may wish to use a dive skin for protection from coral and the occasional jellyfish. Popular dive sites include the '''Pinnacle''' (aka '''Tokong Laut''', "Temple of the Sea"), a pinnacle jutting out from the sea bed, and the '''Sugar Wreck''', an easily accessible 3500-ton sugar hauler. The (more expensive) single-day trip to '''Redang Island''', where the water visibility is considerably better, offers diving a notch above the local options
, well worth every dime
- but be prepared for a rough ride in a small speedboat.
+
The Perhentians offer '''some great diving''' and '''excellent snorkeling'''. In addition to coral and fish, the Perhentians are home to '''sea turtles''' and many species of '''shark''' -- none of them dangerous unless provoked though. Visibility is usually in the 10-20 meter range (although it will temporarily go down after storms, as well as during the end-of-year monsoon seasons) and no wet suit is required, although you may wish to use a dive skin for protection from coral and the occasional jellyfish. Popular dive sites include the '''Pinnacle''' (aka '''Tokong Laut''', "Temple of the Sea"), a pinnacle jutting out from the sea bed, and the '''Sugar Wreck''', an easily accessible 3500-ton sugar hauler. The (more expensive) single-day trip to '''Redang Island''', where the water visibility is considerably better, offers diving a notch above the local options - but be prepared for a rough ride in a small speedboat.
Competition for divers is fierce and consequently diving is quite cheap, averaging out to RM60-80 per dive depending on how many dives you do and whether you bring your own gear. All dive shops also arrange introductory dives (no training required) and PADI training. If you want to try Diving for the first time, ask your Dive Center where did they do introductory dives and escape the 'jetti' trap.
Competition for divers is fierce and consequently diving is quite cheap, averaging out to RM60-80 per dive depending on how many dives you do and whether you bring your own gear. All dive shops also arrange introductory dives (no training required) and PADI training. If you want to try Diving for the first time, ask your Dive Center where did they do introductory dives and escape the 'jetti' trap.
−
Take care when choosing your dive center. Look closely at the state of the scuba equipment. Its not only about price
,
it's
also about safety.
+
Take care when choosing your dive center. Look closely at the state of the scuba equipment. Its not only about price
but
also about safety.
'''There are multiple dive centers on Kecil's Long Beach and Coral Bay (from North to South):''' Sunlight Divers, Quiver Dive Team, Turtle Bay Divers, Seadragon Divers, Matahari (formerly Coral Sky) Divers, Spice Divers, Steffen Sea Sports and Angel Divers.
'''There are multiple dive centers on Kecil's Long Beach and Coral Bay (from North to South):''' Sunlight Divers, Quiver Dive Team, Turtle Bay Divers, Seadragon Divers, Matahari (formerly Coral Sky) Divers, Spice Divers, Steffen Sea Sports and Angel Divers.
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| phone=+6010-576 65 64 | tollfree= | fax=
| phone=+6010-576 65 64 | tollfree= | fax=
| hours= | price=
| hours= | price=
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| content=(French English Spanish Swedish Malay). Small, intimate shop with friendly staff, chillout atmosphere and small dive groups. When you are not diving you can hang out, use the internet (free for customers) and listen to
your favorite
music.
+
| content=(French English Spanish Swedish Malay). Small, intimate shop with friendly staff, chillout atmosphere and small dive groups. When you are not diving you can hang out, use the internet (free for customers) and listen to music.
}}
}}
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| phone=+6 012-213-8885 | tollfree= | fax=
| phone=+6 012-213-8885 | tollfree= | fax=
| hours= | price=
| hours= | price=
−
| content=A PADI 5 star IDC and the only National Geographic centre in the Perhentian. Has two dive shops located on Kecil's Long Beach, one adjacent to the Bubu Long Beach Resort and one at the other end of the beach adjacent to World Cafe. Also has a large dive shop located on Coral Bay where dive equipment can be purchased. Offers fun dives with friendly staff, great service and small dive groups.
Also provides free
wifi for
divers
.
+
| content=A PADI 5 star IDC and the only National Geographic centre in the Perhentian. Has two dive shops located on Kecil's Long Beach, one adjacent to the Bubu Long Beach Resort and one at the other end of the beach adjacent to World Cafe. Also has a large dive shop located on Coral Bay where dive equipment can be purchased. Offers fun dives with friendly staff, great service and small dive groups.
Free
wifi for
customers
.
}}
}}
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| phone=+60178603185 | tollfree= | fax=
| phone=+60178603185 | tollfree= | fax=
| hours= | price=
| hours= | price=
−
| content=( English,French,German,Italian,Spanish). A dive centre which has earned its reputation from having friendly,professional members of staff, well maintained equipment and its frequent eco work. One of the smaller shops on the beach so dive groups are kept small. Located
right
next to the jetty on Long Beach.
+
| content=( English,French,German,Italian,Spanish). A dive centre which has earned its reputation from having friendly,professional members of staff, well maintained equipment and its frequent eco work. One of the smaller shops on the beach so dive groups are kept small. Located next to the jetty on Long Beach.
}}
}}
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* ''' Turtle Bay Divers''', (tel. (+6)0193336647, Perhentian Besar/Big Island DiveShop: (+6)096911631), [http://www.turtlebaydivers.com/] (English, French, German, Polish, Chinese and Malay). Another respectable, long-running outfit (started in 1993) with locations on both islands; a nice chilled-out shop on Perhentian Kecil's Long Beach, and a relaxing shop on Perhentian Besar next to Mamma's Chalet. Currently offering
very
affordable prices for courses and fun dives and they always have small groups. The staff are very enthusiastic, friendly and always up for a chat.
+
* ''' Turtle Bay Divers''', (tel. (+6)0193336647, Perhentian Besar/Big Island DiveShop: (+6)096911631), [http://www.turtlebaydivers.com/] (English, French, German, Polish, Chinese and Malay). Another respectable, long-running outfit (started in 1993) with locations on both islands; a nice chilled-out shop on Perhentian Kecil's Long Beach, and a relaxing shop on Perhentian Besar next to Mamma's Chalet. Currently offering affordable prices for courses and fun dives
,
and they always have small groups. The staff are very enthusiastic, friendly and always up for a chat.
'''On the big island (Besar) are a number of dive centres, placed on different beaches:'''
'''On the big island (Besar) are a number of dive centres, placed on different beaches:'''
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| phone=+60 9 6911 650 | tollfree= | fax=
| phone=+60 9 6911 650 | tollfree= | fax=
| hours= | price=
| hours= | price=
−
| content=A small, friendly dive
center
on Perhentian Besar.
+
| content=A small, friendly dive
centre
on Perhentian Besar.
}}
}}
* {{do
* {{do
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}}
}}
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* ''' Flora Bay Divers''', (email: letsgodiving@florabaydivers.com), [http://www.florabaydivers.com/], [http://www.gopro-malaysia.com/]. The only PADI 5 Star Gold Palm Instructor Development Centre on Perhentian Besar. Offers courses from Open Water Diver
right
up to Master Instructor on top of diving & snorkelling trips
. IDCs are run by highly rated PADI Course Director Azman Sulaiman
.
+
* ''' Flora Bay Divers''', (email: letsgodiving@florabaydivers.com), [http://www.florabaydivers.com/], [http://www.gopro-malaysia.com/]. The only PADI 5 Star Gold Palm Instructor Development Centre on Perhentian Besar. Offers courses from Open Water Diver up to Master Instructor on top of diving & snorkelling trips.
* {{do
* {{do
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| phone= | tollfree= | fax=
| phone= | tollfree= | fax=
| hours= | price=
| hours= | price=
−
| content=Is a small and friendly dive centre situated on the same beach as Perhentian Island Resort. It has modern equipment and excellent service. Dive courses and boat diving are always on offer, and the beach diving is great as well. Huge sea turtles can be seen
right
off the beach.
+
| content=Is a small and friendly dive centre situated on the same beach as Perhentian Island Resort. It has modern equipment and excellent service. Dive courses and boat diving are always on offer, and the beach diving is great as well. Huge sea turtles can be seen off the beach.
}}
}}