Terengganu - Natural Beauty of Pulau Perhentian...

"Cheerfulness keeps up a kind of daylight in the mind and fills it with a steady and perpetual serenity..." - Joseph Addison

(Schoolmates since the 70's)

The last time I visited Pulau Perhentian was about 40 years ago. It was a camping trip with the 1st KB Scout Troop of Sultan Ismail College. A lot has changed since. 

This time hubby and I joined a few of my friends from Kota Bharu for a 3D2N stay at Coral View Island Resort in Pulau Perhentian Besar. We met the rest at Kuala Besut Jetty Terminal. I was surprised that there was quite a crowd at the Jetty. 

Due to the implementation of the Movement Control Order, the tourism industry nationwide has suffered tremendously. Pulau Perhentian is no exception. The atmosphere in Pulau Perhentian and surrounding islands during the Movement Control Order period was quiet as no tourism activities were allowed, and the residents remained at home in compliance with the MCO. 

When the MCO travel ban was lifted, Pulau Perhentian has become one of the most popular destinations for local tourists. As there are less foreign tourists who are usually the main source of income for hotels and boat operators, tourism on these islands is experiencing a rather slow recovery.

Day 01: 

02 September 2020

(Kuala Besut town centre)

(Waiting for the KB girls at Masjid al-Jamhuriah)

(Kuala Besut Tourist Ferry Terminal)

(A few souvenir shops in the ferry terminal)

(Boarding an early ferry to Pulau Perhentian)

(Ferries leave almost every hour during peak period)

(A little crowded in the boat)

(A beautiful weather and calm sea)

(Fishermen villages at Pulau Perhentian Kecil)

(A Floating Mosque at Pulau Perhentian Kecil)

(Barat Jetty Station, Pulau Perhentian Besar)

(A large crowd of tourists at Pulau Perhentian Besar)

(A short break for us after the PKP)

(Various activities to choose from)

(Our lodging for two nights)

(A little early to check-in our room)

(Top most chalets for our group)

(A beautiful arrangement of blue-roofed chalets)

(We have the pool to ourselves)

(Girls just want to have fun)

(Are you ready for a snorkeling trip?)

(Rocky beach during low tide)

(Visiting Perhentian Island Resort next door)

(A resort complete with amenities)

(A secluded private beach)

Day 02:

03 September 2020

Today we spent time enjoying the stretches of white beaches, crystal clear waters and dazzling marine life.

The best way to enjoy and explore the beaches and beautiful underwater world of Pulau Perhentian was to join a private snorkeling tour. We met our guide at the jetty and headed out to snorkeling locations around Pulau Rawa, Serengeh and Tokong Burung. The waters around these islands are well known for their clear visibility, vividly colorful corals and a variety of marine life.

After a moment of underwater panic attack and a few hours of swimming and snorkeling later, we stopped to rinse the salt water from our bodies at Lata Air Berani which is famous for its cold fresh water that flows non-stop out of the crevices of the hills. Later, we headed to Pulau Perhentian Kecil to have a sumptuous lunch at the food-court. We do not have the opportunity to perform our prayers at the floating mosque as we were wet tot he skin. In the afternoon we spent time at the White Sand Beach to relax and watched the beach activities till sunset.

(A choice of activities in store for hotel guests)

(Private water taxis to ferry guests for diving and snorkeling trips)

(The ladies waiting for the water taxi)

(A full day private island tour for our group)

(Wow, the water is crystal clear)

(Snorkeling around Rawa, Serengeh and Tokong Burung islands)

(Clear water and colorful coral reefs)

(Taking a bath at a fresh water spring at Lata Air Berani)

(A lunch break at Pulau Perhentian Kecil)

(Docking our boat on the beach)

(Rowing boats on emerald colored water)

(A fishermen community on Pulau Perhentian Kecil)

(A food court to cater for locals and tourists)

(A variety of mouth-watering local dishes)

(A delicious home-baked cake from friends)

(Celebrating our 41st Anniversary)

(Five inhabited islands in the archipelago) 

(Services provided by many local operators)

(Chalets and hotels at White Sand Beach)

(Having a picnic, drinking cool coconut juice)

(Amazing sandy White Sand Beach)

(Popular with the Mat Sallehs)

(Drink stalls to quench the thirst)

(Beach restaurants serving local and western dishes)

(Rowing boats and canoes for hire)

(Speed boats for islands tours)

(Kids on rowing boat in shallow waters)

(Watching the sunset over the horizon)

(A swing before dinner)

(Staying another night here)

Day 03:

04 September 2020

Pulau Perhentian is not short of good restaurants.

This morning we walked a short distance to the famous Mama Restaurant for breakfast. This restaurant serves local and western food at a reasonable price. It has a relaxing ambiance and a nice view of the beach and ocean.

After breakfast, we packed our bags and boarded the boat back to Kuala Besut.

(Enjoying cool fresh air early in the morning)

(A two-storey chalets by the beach)

(The sun is rising fast)

(A morning walk before breakfast)

(A short walk to Mama Restaurant)

(The floating mosque in the background)

(A nice ambiance, a cafe by the beach)

(Simple breakfast of toasts and eggs)

(Time to board the ferry back to the mainland)

(Feeding the fish at the jetty)

(Follow SOP, masks on, stay safe all the time)

(The end of a wonderful holiday with my best friends)

(Arriving at the Kuala Besut Jetty at noon)