Is there any recommodation for diving in Pulau Perhentian and Pulau Redang?

[hk_sleepy]

Hi everybody,
I plan to go for diving on May at the area of Pulau Perhentian. But I don't know where is best for me to go (Pulau Besar, Pulau Kecil or Pulau Redang?) Because it is many dive site in these area. So I don't know which island is best for me to go, is there any suggestion for me? And also I want to know is there any accommodiation, dive centre or dive package recommodation?
On the other hand, I want to know is there any golf package,Spa or body massage in these area and how much for the price in these activities? And the last is there any bar in these island?
Thanks a lot!

 

[Traminer]

For Perhentian, I am recommended Flora Bay Divers http://www.florabaydivers.com/

For Redang, the Redang Kalong seems to have the best dive outfits (http://www.redangkalong.com/). Redang seems to have some nice snorkeling sites.

 

[Bowmouth]

Pulau Perhentian and Pulau Redang aren't all that close together. You'll need to choose between either one of the two I think.
Pulau Perhentian Besar and Pulau Perhentian Kecil are right next to one another and only seperated by a small channel. Nicest beaches and most dive shops are on Perhentian Kecil. There's some reasonably good diving at Susu Rock, just north of Perhentian Besar. Other sites are nice too but do not really stand out from one another that much.

Diving at Redang is in general better than diving at Perhentian I think. Better marinelife, nicer reefs and in general better vis as well. Dive at Pulau Lima and Turtle Bay; gorgeous reefs and great marinelife.

If you cannot go to both of them I would choose for Redang simply because the diving is so much better.

 

[dreams4divers]

I used to work on the perhentians and there is some amazing diving there, check out bubbles on perhentian besar, they have a website they have there own private beach and really look after you. There are a few people working there but I would reccomend asking for eric he's an old chinese guy who is just like a fish, he will make your diving there so much more, his knowlage of marine life and the sites as he,s been there many years is awesome. Be aware the others working there are not nearly as much fun as eric but if you love diving its a divers dive centre. they also run trips to redang.

 

[pinklizard]

Go with Redang Kalong. It was run by two brothers, Abby and Tim (not sure now though) They were FANTASTIC, very knowledgeable, enthuasiastic and safe.

Perhentian Besar, we stayed with Arwana and dived with Alu. That wasn't bad either, and I've heard a lot about Flora Bay.

 

[malaysia-islands]

Go to http://www.malaysia-islands.com and look for information on Redang and Perhentian (Kecil and Besar). I've been to these islands many times. Prior to getting my own OW certificate, I snorkeled around in these islands. Fantastic place I must say.

Good luck with your search and pls PM me if you have some "general" questions. Obviously I haven't dived or stayed at all the resorts and dive outfits mentioned by others, but I have stayed in Redang Kalong Resort and really liked it.

 

[chooitan]

A lot depends on what you are looking for.
Both the Perhentians and Redang have decent diving sites. If you have some experience under your belt then you should try Tengol Island. Beautiful dive sites and a relatively unspoilt and commercialised island.
I do not know the time frame that you are talking about. If you want to dive around the area, I would advise starting out from Perhentian- Flora is very good. You wll find that to get to Redang it would be much easier to take a boat out to the mainland and then bus down to Merang and take another boat out. You can overnight in Kuala terrenganu and arrange for the resort to pick you up from the hotel (~RM70-150 per room). Redang reefs have more soft corals whereas P'tian is hard corals.
If you need more info do email me- would be glad to help

 

[penti]

Perhentians Besar (big) is the place where the nicest hotels and resorts can be found, it's good if your priorities go to something quiet and more luxurious. It's more secluded than Kecil, and more expensive but it can remain reasonable (I think a night at Coral View resort is about $ 15, I've met people quite satisfied with it).
Perhentians Kecil (small), particularly long beach, is more of a backpacker's place. a lot of dive ops (most of them very good), a lot of bungalows (some as cheap as $3 or 4 a night), a lot of restaurants, bars and barbecues. I stayed there and had a very nice time, I'd recommend it if you want a cheaper and livelier place to save your bucks to dive more. (you can do as many as 4 dives a day there).
a very good dive center :
http://www.coralskydiver.com/

You can dive the same sites from everywhere on the Perhentians islands, most of them are less than 20 minutes away.
Most dive ops offer to take you to day trips around Redang to do 3 dives.

Redang : I believe the diving was slightly better there when I was there a year ago. Nevertheless, there are rumours that extensive building is spoiling the reef at the moment.
It is more upscale and more populated though, there are fewer cheap places to stay than in the Perhentians, except a camp site of which I had good reviews.

You don't need to book anything in advance to go to the Perhentians, as it won't be the highest season yet. you can arrange everything when you arrive. If I can be helpful, PM me.

 

[BangkokTraveler]

We are taking our first trip to Perhentian on 19 Feb. Taking the train from BKK to Sungai Kolok. I know this is the start of the season but it is the only time I can get away. We'll probably spend some days there then make eventually make our way up to Phuket when we have to fly back to Bangkok on 1 March.

One of us has years of diving, the other is newly open-water certified (about 10 dives). We're interested in diving and also exploring.

Kecil or Besar?

I read in this thread that "Kecil is more of a backpacker's place. a lot of dive ops (most of them very good), a lot of bungalows." We like the "island scene" in places like Koh Tao, Kata, Karon, Koh Samed, Koh Chang and Koh Lanta, so having places to go at night for food/drink would be good. We don't like too isolated. Is Long Beach Kecil the best choice for us?

Also, I found this place on the net - http://www.journeymalaysia.com/islandperhentianbubu.htm#1
Bubu Long Beach Resort - Pulau Perhentian Kecil
3Days/2Nights Early Bird Promotion :
Travel Date 1st February to 31st March 2007
RM 320 nett per person - RM 620 total for 2 pers 2 nights
The package above includes:
* welome drink * 2 nights accommodation * 2 breakfast/2 lunch/2 tea break/2 dinner * return speedboat transfer * 2 x snorkelling trips without equipment * 1 x 50% discount on massage treatment * free ~ 2 x dives without equipment (certified diver only)

Anyone stayed here? Good choice? Good location?

Thanks in advance.

 

[malaysia-islands]

We are taking our first trip to Perhentian on 19 Feb. Taking the train from BKK to Sungai Kolok. I know this is the start of the season but it is the only time I can get away. We'll probably spend some days there then make eventually make our way up to Phuket when we have to fly back to Bangkok on 1 March.

Mid-Feb should be OK if not the best of time. In fact, thus far, I've seen resort like Tuna Bay is already offering discounted rooms for 1-28th Feb. I *might* go there this Feb. I'll keep on looking if other resorts in Perhentian will advertise similarly.

Kecil or Besar?

I read in this thread that "Kecil is more of a backpacker's place. a lot of dive ops (most of them very good), a lot of bungalows." We like the "island scene" in places like Koh Tao, Kata, Karon, Koh Samed, Koh Chang and Koh Lanta, so having places to go at night for food/drink would be good. We don't like too isolated. Is Long Beach Kecil the best choice for us?

What you read was correct. With the exception of the fashionable Bubu Long Beach Resort, the rest of Perhentian Kecil is very laid back and very popular among backpackers. Rooms are very cheap, starting from RM30 onwards I think (though you need to get a least a room with fan or attached bathroom, but that's up to everybody). At night, Perhentian Kecil's Long Beach comes alive with simple beach parties and Hula / Fire Dance in front of the beach bar at Bubu Long Beach Resort.

Also, I found this place on the net - http://www.journeymalaysia.com/islandperhentianbubu.htm#1
Bubu Long Beach Resort - Pulau Perhentian Kecil
3Days/2Nights Early Bird Promotion :
Travel Date 1st February to 31st March 2007
RM 320 nett per person - RM 620 total for 2 pers 2 nights
The package above includes:
* welome drink * 2 nights accommodation * 2 breakfast/2 lunch/2 tea break/2 dinner * return speedboat transfer * 2 x snorkelling trips without equipment * 1 x 50% discount on massage treatment * free ~ 2 x dives without equipment (certified diver only)

Anyone stayed here? Good choice? Good location?

Yes, I have stayed here back in 2003. If you are looking for modern facilities with air-conditioned room and hot shower, this is your place. It usually sells a bit more expensive in peak season of May-Aug. RM320nett for 3D2N sounds like a good price in the opening season. Read about my hotel review of this resort at this page.