Getting to Pulau Perhentian Kecil was proving to be interesting already: it was the third time in the past 30 minutes that the taxi driver had pulled over on the busy road from Kota Bahru to Kuala Besut on our way there.
“Are you ok?” we asked.
“Yes, yes.” he replied, “ Me a little ..hmmm…sleepy. Yes , me sleepy”.
Oh boy.
We made it though, no scares at all (almost) and the speedboat to Perhentian Kecil was due on time. This was good news, after having endured a long trip the day before from Taman Negara to Kota Bahru in NE Malaysia. The 10 hour ride in the Jungle Railway had been smooth and comfortable in the air conditioned second class car- only 2 Ringit more expensive than the tourist car. Some travelers have said that the trip is quite annoying, but in my opinion as long as your seat has a clean window you are in for a nice ride.
The speedboat to Perhentian Kecil is fast- very fast. After 30 minutes of skimming and jumping over the waves we reached the southern tip of the island- and it is breathtaking. Crystal clear turquoise waters surround a jungle covered island where life is not what you and I are used to. We dropped our stuff in our quite basic bungalow at D’Lagoon (60 Ringit/ night, north side of the island), I jumped into my trunks and ran into the water. It felt SO good to be in what I considered what was one of the best beaches in Malaysia.
A few minutes later I grabbed my snorkeling gear and went for a quick dive- but it’s impossible. Just a few seconds after dipping my head underwater I found out why this is one of the top 10 diving spots in the world; within 100 m of the beach you enter a different universe, one where colorful life surrounds you in every direction: schools of Napoleon fish half as big as myself mingle with all sorts of smaller rainbow colored cousins; clown fish leave the sea anemone behind not to welcome you but to defend their home, despite being no bigger than my index finger and looking rather friendly, and small reef sharks swim around pretending they are no threat to the smaller groupers that hide in the coral reef. It is worth mentioning that I have snorkeled in a few places around the world like the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Florida, Cancun, the Mediterranean or Indonesia, and none of them had as much life as the Perhentians.
We spent 3 days here doing little else other than eating, sleeping, snorkeling and sunbathing and left the island with a nice tan and even nicer underwater memories (pity we had no underwater camera-make sure you don’t make this mistake), but not as nice bed bug bites. As a final note I want to say that these islands are not very cheap, so do not expect good deals, but I highly recommend you stop by for 4 days or so if only for the snorkeling. We certainly enjoyed our stay and am sure you will too!
The next stop was Cherating, a sleepy beach town about 300km south of the Perhentians. The small village is a good place to relax and do nothing, although monsoon season does make it a surf spot. Locals are very friendly and accommodation is good value, and I left with an easy but great recipe for my future hamburgers, courtesy of a charming street post vendor.
How familiar are you with these islands in Malaysia? What do the pictures inspire you? Of all the places, islands and beaches you have seen around the world, which would YOU call paradise? Share your thoughts below, and this post too if you liked it!
I am so jealous!
I have actually only recently heard about these islands but they are already on my to-see list for next year. Your pics have confirmed it!
Hi Julia, wise decision. And as I tell everybody, take a waterproof camera!
I’ve been to Malaysia twice–for three weeks last year to Borneo on my honeymoon and to Penang last month on Semester at Sea–but these islands look much prettier than anything I’ve seen within the country!
My tip: next time you go make sure you go to the islands. And take your camera!
The Smooth Sea looks incredible! We’re looking to go to Malaysia in the near future, some great snorkeling recommendations above! Thanks!
Make sure you take a waterproof camera so you can photograph Napoleon fish…they are huge! Unfortunately I didn’t have one, and deeply regret it.
What a beautiful destination love the little cabin house.
It was cozy…and cheap! Thanks for stopping by patricia 🙂
So pretty–this looks like a postcard! I don’t know much about Malaysia, so I hadn’t heard of this area. I went snorkeling once in Mexico and freaked out when a school of fish started swimming around me. Getting in the ocean gives me the heebie jeebies! But it really is cool seeing those colorful things up close.
Fish are cool and not threatening! Most of them, that is 🙂
Snorkeling – I love it and it sounds beautiful!
I know you like it, after reading about that weird “fish” you saw hanging in the ocean! 😉
I am not familiar with this part of the world, but the pictures look gorgeous! Some favorite beaches I have been to are in Bocas del Toro, Panama (have to get off the main island) and Roatan, Honduras.
Bocas…I still have to mkae it there…
I did my PADI Open Water in Borneo near Kota Kinabalu and loved it! Would love to head here one day!
Did you dive in Sipadan Raymond?
This in an incredible place that I’ve yet to visit in Malaysia. I have a lot of reasons to go back in this is one of them 🙂
You won´t regret it Samuel, at all. And make sure you take a waterproof camera!
This place sounds lovely! I would love to make it there … and to learn how to snorkel!
You have not snorkeled before? Diana, we have to fix this asap!
I tried to get to the Perhentians this summer but everywhere was full. If this ever happens to you then neighbouring Redang Island isn’t too shabby 😉
what a pity! Snorkeling here is fabulous, and I was a dork at not joining the turtle watching swim. I recently did this elsewhere though.
It is cold and rainy here in Spain today, I wish I were somewhere warm and sunny 🙁
Where in Spain are you Ayngelina? If you visit Valencia, my “home town”, make sure you eat paella at Casa Clemencia Restaurant in Primado Reig street. They still cook it in wood ovens, the traditional way.
such a beautiful destination love the little cabin house. so cute looking.
It is wonderful and very appealing when seen on photos, but once you’re there it is obvious that what is happening there is simply not right. What a pity though, I had looked forward to that day for so long!
maitravelsite.com to GoogleReader!
Hobosic
I have been looking looking around for this kind of information. Will you post some more in future? I’ll be grateful if you will.
Hi Gary
I will gladly help you out with any info you need if I have it. What you need is about the perhentians or some other place? I try to make my blog interesting as well as informative…let me know!
Mª José:bonita manera de pasar el cumple, muchacho. Felicidades; un recuerdo inolvidable¡¡
Fred seems like you `re enjoying your time…keep it up boys¡¡
joder koki… que chulo!!!!!
que envidia me das!!!!
disfruta!!!