Perhentian Islands - general tips

[canute!]

Hi folks,

I'm new to the board and to diving, having completed my PADI OW and not dived since. Got some spare time now and am planning on heading to the Perenthians next week.

So, has anyone got any general tips? Shop recommendations? Accommodation? Anything really.

Also considering doing my AOW when I'm there. What do you reckon?

Cheers

 

[facesofthesea]

Hi Canute,
You will love the Perhenthian islands. Many people come for a few days and stay weeks and even months. You are going to arrive at a great time, the start of the season. You can stay on Kecil / small island or Besar / big island. The small island is generally known for long beach where there are some good cheap places to stay and it can be more of a party atmosphere. To be honest wherever you end up you will have a great time.

I would recommend Flora Bay Divers based on Palau Besar and has great accommodation options, good food, a great beach and a great dive school offering courses and day trips. Azman is the boss of the dive centre and is a super nice guy. Look them up on google as flora bay divers and I am sure you will find their website.

Not sure how you are getting there.. slow boat or fast boat.... but easier for you to get dropped directly at Flora Bay with a fast boat.

I am sure other members wil post more current advice as I have not been there since 2003. Whatever enjoy as it really used to be a very beautiful place with some nice easy diving.

Faces of the Sea

 

[MickelB]

If you want to do your AOW and the night dive on it then I recommend you to find a Dive shop on Long Beach or on Besar. Don't go Coral bay since they do the night dive at the jetti because the level of the water is too low at night sometimes to allow the boat to go out . I hear good thinks about Panorama Dive Center on long beach but I can't confirm since I wasn't in that Dive Shop. Maybe someone else can respond. Anyway don't forget to check the equipment and reputation of the dive center you choose. Dive safe !

 

[sergiogh]

Hi Canute!

Perhentians are the best choice in Malaysia (besides Sipadan, of course). Although this season the coral was bleaching too much, the dive sites are still stunning.

Depending on what you want, you can choose island:
- If you like some party on the beach, a bit more people and more options, then head to long beach in the small island, or even coral bay at the other side (later on you can dive with whoever you want, in 5 minutes you change beaches).
- If you prefer more tranquility, then go to the big island. A cheap and nice place is Mama's, and you can dive with watercolours, really professional and nice people.

For dive centers in long beach, I'd recommend panorama, or Quivers, they are quite big (3 centers on the islands) and go everywhere.

Don't miss: sugar ship wreck, tokong laut (temple of the sea), Terumbu Tiga, D'Lagoon and if possible Vietnamese wreck

More info: divescover.com/dive-centers/malaysia/peninsular-malaysia/perhentian-islands

Cheers!

 

[ShawnJ]

Hi, we're planning to go nearing the 3rd - 4th week october.

However, i've been quite unfortunate in the case that couple of the dive centres are already closed & more of the others i've emailed to have failed to respond. I'm starting to wonder whether the season's over, or whether the email got lost in cyberspace, gosh.

Anyway, I'd love to hear any recommendations for a dive resort at perhentian that doesn't charge an exorbitant amount of money (has anyone noticed how some dive outfits have inflated prices that are considered cheap to divers coming from US & Europe?) Hey, Don't forget us divers earning in similar-rated currencies!

 

[sergiogh]

Hi Shawn,

Indeed, the season is over. There are still a couple of dive centers open as far as I know (now I'm in Bali). But anyways, I wouldnt recommend going now there... if the monsoon comes you may have to stay some days in the island without going back to the mainland.

And the diving will not be as good as usually is during high season

For the next time, there are expensive resorts such as Bubus or Perhentian Island Resort, but some are not that expensive, like shari la, panorama, or if you want to go more budget, mama's in the big island, coral view, or lemon grass or matahari in long beach.

Watercolours is also a good option, with resorts both in kecil and besar.

Cheers!

 

[facesofthesea]

Yes the Perhenthian wind down by October and will not generally open again until May, sometimes a bit earlier. If in the area consider Phuket in Thailand as the Similam and Surin islands open for business on 1st November.

Otherwise as the previous member suggested Bali or other parts of Indonesia have great diving all year round.

 

[dreamwaltzz]

I did my OWD open water dive in Perhentian with the Flora Bay Diver. Love the place a lot because of its peacefulness. Food is ok (got the buffet meal package, the seafood were really fresh and nice), accomdation was far better then what I expected considering the amount I had paid. The staffs and crews were really nice so i settle in very fast.

As for the dive site, i have no comments as most of my time were spent adjusting my buoyancy and controlling my breathing ^^

I would not recommend to go in OCT or during the monsoon season as most of the resort will be closed. Even if u manage to get there, there are still possibilities you will not be able to dive due to the bad weather.

 

[ShawnJ]

Thanks for all the info, guys. We've decided to hold off the trip till the start of the season next year, unfortunately.