NEWS - Emirates Diving Association

DIVING DESTINATIONS
You will not be the only dive boat at the dive sites on Perhentian
rays, cuttlefish and parrotfish. For diving, there are dozens of dive sites
around both main islands, as well as several off-shore sites. Apart from
these, you could also enjoy activities like camping, canoeing, fishing,
jungle trekking, and banana boat riding. As for accommodation, most of
it can be found on Perhentian Besar, the larger island. Hotels are usually
aimed at budget travelers.
Summer 2007, 2 wind turbines had been installed, but are not connected
due to storm damage, thus the island’s electrical power is still provided
by diesel generators. Electricity is 24-hour during high season. Fresh
water is provided by springs. In this respect, the Perhentian Islands are
prized by tourists as an ‘escape’ from the modern world.
The only access to the Islands is by boat from the fishing villages of
Kuala Besut and Tok Bali. Local tourist operators run fishing boats and
speed boats several times a day. *
Terengganu did not receive many Indian or Chinese migrants, and
therefore Malay cultural influences predominate. Traditional pursuits
such as kite-flying contests, top-spinning contests, and traditional arts &
crafts, such as batik and songket are still very much alive. The people of
Terengganu have always had a reputation for being socially conservative
and devout Muslims.
Colours of textiles surround the walkway of Pasar Besar Kedai Payang,
a center of cultural shopping in Terengganu.
The major tourist attractions in the state include: Kuala Terengganu,
the capital; Tasik Kenyir, a large artificial lake; Sekayu Waterfalls; Kuala
Ibai Lagoons; Batu Burok Beach, Kemasik Beach, Rantau Abang, Marang,
Chukai town and several offshore islands such as Pulau Redang, Pulau
Lang Tengah, and Pulau Kapas, and the Pulau Perhentian, which attract
beachgoers and snorkelers because of their picture perfect beaches.
Many travelers find the relatively rural and tranquil atmosphere in the
state conducive to a relaxing holiday. Terengganu has recently been
known internationally as the host of the Monsoon Cup, which was
first held in 2005 and then became an annual national sporting event.
The event brought millions of ringgit of investment into the state from
the private sectors and Malaysian Government. Tourists flocked to
Kuala Terengganu and Duyong to witness this event, held during the
monsoon season, which had previously been low season for tourism
in Terengganu. *
PLACES TO STAY:
Perhentian Kecil is a backpackers party island and when accommodation
is full, you will find backpackers sleeping on the beach. Accomodation
on Perhentian Besar is where you should choose to stay, but
accomodation on both islands is incredibly basic and you will not find 5
star accommodation here. You can check accommodation reviews on
TripAdvisor (www.tripadvisor.com) to check up on your choices.
Website Link for accommodation on the islands: www.myoutdoor.
com/perhentian/
Our Accommodation: Arwana Perhentian Resort
(www.arwanaperhentian.com.my)
Tour Operator Recommendation: Perhentian Island Resort (www.
perhentianislandresort.net) or Coral View Resort (does not have its
own website)
ABOUT PERHENTIAN ISLANDS
* The Perhentian Islands (Pulau Perhentian in Malay) lay approximately
10 nautical miles (19 km) offshore the coast state of Terengganu,
approximately 40 miles (64 km) south of the Thai border.
The two main islands are Perhentian Besar (“Big Perhentian”) and
Perhentian Kecil (“Small Perhentian”). The small, uninhabited islands of
Susu Dara (Virgin Milk), Serenggeh and Rawa lie off Kecil. The Perhentians
belong to Pulau Redang National Marine Park, which means that fishing,
collecting coral and littering are strictly prohibited. Like Besut, people
here generally speak Kelantanese Malay.
End of the beach on the stretch of Teluk Dalam
Both islands are fringed by white sand beach, and the reefs and crystalline
water are host to a wide variety of coral, sea-turtles, jellyfish, small
sharks and reef-fish. The islands’ maximum elevation is approximately
100 m (328 ft) and they are uniformly covered in coastal tropical jungle,
with few interior foot-trails and no roads.
Other than the owners and staff of the numerous cabin-style resorts
that dot the islands (many of whom depart for the monsoon season),
the islands’ only permanent inhabitants live in a small fishing village on
Kecil. With the exception of a single mainland-communications tower
on each island, there are no structures taller than two storeys.
Scuba-diving, snorkeling, and swimming are the most popular tourist
activities here. On most beaches, the water is shallow with lots of
Arwana Perhentian Resort Dive Centre
64 EMIRATES DIVING ASSOCIATION, SEPTEMBER 2010 SEPTEMBER 2010, EMIRATES DIVING ASSOCIATION 65