Tuesday, 8 December 2015

Perhentian Besar Island

Split into two separate islands, Besar (“Big”) and Kecil (“Small”), each Perhentian offers a specific brand of relaxation. Besar is the more isolated of the two and as its name would suggest, is bigger in size. Beaches dot the circumference of the island but the centre is a tangled maze of forest and jagged rock. The resorts on Besar are more expensive and cater mostly to couples or newlyweds. In contrast, Kecil’s two main beaches are perfect for the backpacker set, with the quieter Coral Bay a sunset-watching haven and Long Beach renowned for its partying and, unfortunately, for petty theft. Opposite to the Gili Islands in Indonesia or Thailand’s aquamarine Andaman coast, there was considerably less alcohol on the Perhentian Islands — at least in 2009! There were some bars on Long Beach, but the cost and limited selection means that most tourists bring their own poison or forgo it altogether. While there was one evening of an under-the-table purchase of cheap Malay vodka (big mistake), most of my time on Perhentian Kecil was dry, and it was nice to get up early and fully enjoy my days in the sun with no hangover to speak of.



Those travellers less enthusiastic about local wildlife should be warned: there were plenty of monitor lizards, poisonous spiders and geckos to be found. While I could do without the monitor lizards and the spiders, I loved watching the geckos hop around the ceiling in search of mozzies, and would leave my outside light on when I left for dinner to get them some tasty treats. And then there is the wildlife under the sea. Huge sea turtles, clownfish, big blue-spotted rays and black-tipped reef sharks are plentiful. Most of the resorts on Kecil have their own snorkel rental and day-long snorkeling trips, which are well worth it. A highlight: climbing and jumping off of a tall lighthouse and into the deep sea below.
For the scuba-divers, there are several diving outfits on each of Coral Bay and Long Beach who will take you out to “the Pinnacle”, a stretch of land jutting upward from the seabed and the surrounding Malaysian islands. All in all, my weeks on the Perhentians were perfect: my toenails managed to grow back after my Agung climb, I enjoyed my time on the beach and in the sea and I left completely relaxed and ready to conquer my next destination.


This property is 1 minute walk from the beach. Surrounded by tropical greenery, steps from the beach, Perhentian Island Resort offers a variety of water activities and charming wooden bungalows with private balconies. It provides free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and tennis courts.

Situated along the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia, Perhentian Resort is a 30-minute speedboat ride from Kuala Besut pier. The coral reef located 10 m from the beach offers great snorkeling opportunities. Views of the beach or landscaped grounds can be enjoyed from private balconies, while the air conditioned rooms provide the convenience of tea/coffee making facilities. Select rooms have a bathtub in private bathrooms.

Perhentian Resort can arrange diving and fishing trips. After a day of activity, guests can indulge with a relaxing massage. The resort also provides karaoke rooms, beach volleyball and soccer facilities.Enjoy stunning views of Teluk Pauh Beach while sampling local specialties and Western dishes at Pinang Seribu Restaurant. The Beach Kiosk offers a beachfront dining experience, serving grilled dishes. 

This property also has one of the top-rated locations in Perhentian Island! Guests are happier about it compared to other properties in the area. We speak your language!
Perhentian Island Resort has been welcoming Booking.com guests since Jan 19, 2011

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