Perhentian Islands
The warmest, bluest, clearest water you ever did see, this island deserves to be at the top of your Malaysian bucket list.
Aside from volunteering at U4B, the Perhentian Islands were the highlight of our time in Malaysia, and I am sure they have ruined every other island we will ever visit as they were just SO beautiful. It's hard to imagine anything will beat it. I'd never seen water so clear and blue before coming here.
We spent most of our time at Perhentian Kecil, where most divers come to do their PADI certificate as it is one of the cheapest places in the world to complete this qualification. Although I am not a diver and I am actually quite scared of the ocean, I did combat a lot of my fears of the water here, and I am even exctied about the idea of going diving in the future. We went swimming with black tip sharks, turtles, millions of rainbow fish and we even saw a sea snake!
There are free movies and fire shows on the beach every night, as well as volleyball games, music, parties and good vibes everywhere. We couldn't recommend the Perhentian Islands more.
Things to Do:
Snorkel with Sea Turtles: Head to Turtle Point, where giant green sea turtles graze on the seagrass. They are remarkably calm, allowing you to swim alongside them in the crystal-clear turquoise water.
Scuba Diving: The Perhentians are world-famous for affordable diving. Explore sites like The Sugar Wreck (a sunken cargo ship) or Temple of the Sea, where you’ll find schools of snappers, reef sharks, and vibrant soft corals.
Hike the Jungle Path: Walk the trail that connects Long Beach to Coral Bay on Perhentian Kecil. It’s a short, 15-minute trek through the rainforest where you might spot large monitor lizards lounging in the sun.
Fire Shows at Long Beach: As night falls, the shoreline of Perhentian Kecil comes alive. Sit on a beanbag with a drink and watch the local fire dancers perform high-energy stunts under the stars.
Shark Point: Don't let the name scare you! This is the best spot to snorkel with small Blacktip Reef Sharks. They are harmless to humans and incredibly graceful to watch as they glide over the coral gardens.
Kayaking the Coastline: Rent a transparent kayak and paddle around the rocky headlands. You can find your own "secret" tiny coves that are inaccessible by foot, giving you a private island experience for an hour or two.
Sunset at Coral Bay: While Long Beach is for sunrises and parties, Coral Bay is the place to be for sunset. The orange and pink hues reflecting off the calm water provide a peaceful end to a day of island hopping.