Malaysia - east mainland coast islands

[chikatetsu]

yey, catchy thread title!

My girlfriend and I are going to Malaysia for a week this month and want to get in some diving on one of the islands off the mainland. I'm looking in the Lonely Planet, comparing Pulau Tioman, Pulau Perhentian and Pulau Redang at the moment but can't decide which would be best for us.

Some background:
I got my open-water license a few years ago and haven't had chance to go again since so I need recommendations for a good dive company with patient, non-patronising instructors. My girlfriend has been several times in the past but hasn't been for about 3 years so I guess she's in the same position as me.

Does anyone have any recommendations? A dive company that can be contacted by email would be a bonus

 

[Jason Ooi]

Pulau Tioman http://www.divetioman.com/
Pulau Redang http://www.coralredang.com.my/
Pulau Perhentian http://www.coralskydiver.com/nederlands/
Pulau Tenggol http://www.scubadiving-malaysia.com/tenggol.htm

Welcome to Scuba Board

 

[jiveturkey]

Which would be best based on what? On the diving or instruction? Are you doing a course or just a scuba review? I think you should at least do the review if you haven't dived in a few years.

I haven't dived Tioman but I've been to the other places. Both Redang and the Perhentians offer excellent value. Both have great diving (Redang is a little better) and both are pretty cheap (Perhentians are cheaper). Perhentians has a few small wrecks but Redang has better reefs.

 

[bubblemonkey]

I have dived all 3 and I would put them in this order.

value : perhentian - tioman - redang

diving : redang - perhentian - tioman

personaly If you are on a short break I would go with the perhentian as they are good value for money, it has a nice range of dive sites and if you go to the small island you will have a few bars and stuff as well.

if you want a recomendation for a quality dive opperation, Flora bay divers on the big island is a gold palm IDC centre, taught me all I know and I will be going there to do my IDC in feb...cant wait.

 

[chikatetsu]

wow guys - that's fantastic. Very quick replies and just what we were looking for.

Following Bubblemonkey's advice I think we'll go for Perhentian and the link to the place that Jason recommended looks perfect as they also do a quick refresher course. Not really related to diving but it is true that alochol is hard to come by on the island?

 

[malaysia-islands]

Or a one-stop website that provides info on ALL 3 islands

http://www.malaysia-islands.com

 

[malaysia-islands]

Following Bubblemonkey's advice I think we'll go for Perhentian and the link to the place that Jason recommended looks perfect as they also do a quick refresher course. Not really related to diving but it is true that alochol is hard to come by on the island?

Yes, it is true. Any problem with that, really?

I wouldn't say it is not available at all. Just at selected resorts. You can still find booze. Does this make Malaysian islands any less attractive?

 

[Jason Ooi]

The state government Malaysia is headed by members of a conservative Islamic party, who have banned, among other things, the sale of alcohol in the state, Perhentian island consider Kelantan state. "NO ALCOHOL"

it is true that alcohol is hard to come by on the island?

 

[malaysia-islands]

Perhentian is in Terengganu. I was meant to correct it before, but I guess it didn't matter. The island is not in Kelantan.

And yes, booze is sold at Perhentian, but it is just limited. And pls, the No Alcohol ruling is only for Muslim. Just like the entry into casino at Genting Highlands prohibited to Muslims. I hope ppl do not unnecessarily sensationalise such stories.

 

[jiveturkey]

I was able to find alcohol there. For some reason, diving makes me crave beer more than any other sport I do. Ironic isn't it.

So I always have 1 or 2 after a dive. No more that that if I'm diving the next day. Any shop with a fridge will have cans of Carlsberg and Guinness.