After 6 months hanging around Asia we have finally stumbled upon our Paradise. Koh Rong will have a very large space in our little hearts, but after going through the Perhentian Islands,We can only recognize that so far it is the best beach of the trip.
Just half an hour from the coast, in the northeast corner of Malaysia, these two coconut palm islands, full of geckos (lizards of a considerable size) invite you to absolute relaxation. Upon landing on the Coral beach on the island of Kecil (the little one), we look at the sea from the corridor that joins the beach with the jetty and we can see the bottom! And there will be more than 2 meters deep! This promises…
We cross the island through the jungle path with our backpacks and we leave them in one of the bungalows overlooking the sea of the part of Long beach, we put on our swimsuits and water! Of course, before reaching the beach we cross a lizard of a couple of meters and with a huge tripon, looks at us and continues on its way. Later we would see him again at the same crossing ... it must be that he comes and goes a few times a day. After seeing a few you already get to know them, having one as a neighbor helps even more ...
The beach of Long Beach is incredible, with a transparent blue sea and medium waves that some take advantage of to learn surfing. At one end hundreds and hundreds of still fish waiting for some curious to peek through the snorkel goggles, and on the other some beautiful rocks that separate it from the thick jungle.
We take advantage of the swell of the Long beach to spend good times diving and wallowing in the water, while in the Coral beach, with its tranquility and its corals next to the shore, we premiered our snorkel masks, bought a couple of days before at a Chinese store, which come out cheaper ... You see a lot of fish of all sizes and colors, even some territorial bastards that attack everything that comes close to their personal planting of algae (Cristian had told us a few days ago! Although they didn't bite us). But what they see most are sea cucumbers, with a disgusting appearance resembling a giant worm, which move with the tide. We remember the "last survivor" when he ate one as it was, Joe that's disgusting!
We have enjoyed the island to the fullest, doing practically nothing. Eat on the beach, sunbathe, baths, diving, little music and to bed!
Transport. How to get to the Perhentian Islands?We arrived from Kuala Lumpur. From the Putra station in KL we take a night bus with the Transnasional company, to Jerteh. It cost 40 MYR. In principle it left at 21 but it got away and they put us in another that left at 22.30. Better, because we arrived at Jerteh at 6.30 in the morning. There we take a shared taxi with another couple paying 4 MYR each, to the port of Kuala Besut. The boat to one of the islands costs MYR 35 one way although we had to take the I / V for 70 MYR. Before boarding you are made to go through a ticket office to pay 5 MYR fee for the care of the park.
Accommodation. Where to sleep in the Perhentian Islands?In the Bintang View, in Long Beach, bungalow without bathroom for 45 MYR night. It has electricity from 7, and wifi from that time.
Perhentian Island (Kecil)
- In Perhentian Kecil there are two main beaches: Coral Beach (where ferries arrive) and Long Beach. They are separated by an interior path by the jungle of about 15 or 20 minutes, with a little climb but it is not difficult. You can stay in one of the two beaches, they are both beautiful.
- Two other beaches that are worthwhile are Adam & Eve and Turtle Beach, you are snorkeling. In Coral Beach there is also good snorkeling and in Long Beach it is more for swimming.
- Excursions: there are many agencies for diving and snorkeling excursions. Without leaving the island, we enjoy both beaches.
- Restaurants: There are restaurants on both beaches, eating is much more expensive although you may save some ringits in the part of Coral Beach.
