I never thought that I would find my personal dream islands in Malaysia. Malaysia was initially only intended for me as a short stopover – is more or less on the way from Thailand to Singapore. And then I immediately fell in love with the colorful cultural diversity and the wonderfully open and helpful people.

Three days planned Kuala Lumpur became a week. A planned weekend in Penang turned into six days. And suddenly I discovered a beautiful island paradise from which I didn’t want to leave: the Perhentian Islands.

The Perhentians consist of the two islands Pulau Perhentian Besar and Pulau Perhentian Kecil. Most of my experience relates to Kecil, as I spent most of my time there.

– GOOD TO KNOW BEFORE ARRIVAL
• No ATM
• No shopping possibilities
• WiFi and mobile network
• best travel time
– HOW TO GET THERE
– ACCOMMODATION FOR BACKPACKERS
– MUST DO
• Diving & snorkeling
• View point
• Sunrise & seafood dinner on the beach
– NEGATIVE

b

THERE ARE NO ATMS
There was no sign on the mainland “Caution! There are no ATMs on the islands.”Accordingly, when I arrived on the island I was standing on the beach with only a little cash, with which I could not even pay my hostel. Afterwards I read this note on some blogs. Nice. The last speedboat to the mainland had just cast off and I was sweating like hell. Thanks for nothing.
Fortunately, there are mostly large, expensive resorts on the Perhentians. I found a hotel that had a credit card reader. It took a while for the boss to understand that I would like to pay an invoice for 1,000 Malaysian ringgit by credit card and then receive cash from him. But in the end I got my cash and a free iced coffee. I must have looked pretty finished.
Note: Withdraw enough cash before heading to the islands!

TIP: The hotel where you can withdraw cash with a fee on the island of Kecil is called: Tropicana Inn

THERE ARE NO SHOPS
On my beach there was a small kiosk where you could buy overpriced sunscreen and other hygiene items. Accordingly, it is advisable to stock up on the essentials beforehand. Think especially of mosquito spray. The little beasts are everywhere as soon as dawn falls.

WIFI AND MOBILE NETWORK
There is a mobile network and there is also WiFi in some accommodations and cafes. However, both are very, very slow. But hey! You don’t need internet when you are in paradise. I really enjoyed the internet-free time. But you should take care of your onward journey before you stay on the island. I had big trouble to book my bus and accommodation at the next destination.
And sign out with your friends and family – the vacation photos will only be available later.

BEST TRAVEL TIME
Temperatures average 30 degrees throughout the year. The water temperature is also quite high and is between 26 and 29 degrees – that means less cooling down but that also makes snorkeling very pleasant for frosty people like me.
In addition, you should keep an eye on the Malaysian holidays and public holidays. I took part in the snorkeling tour on a holiday day (unconsciously!) and the snorkeling points were very crowded with local tourists.

b

Both islands can only be reached by speedboat from the mainland of Kuala Besut Jetty. You can find tickets for the crossing in any travel agency near the harbor. You pay 35 RM per way (= 7.50 euros). In some cases, the price for the speedboat is already included in many accommodation bookings.
Generally the speed boats bring you directly to the beach of your accommodation and take 30 – 45 minutes. If you have some respect for the speedy journey, you can also use a cargo ship – this will get you to your destination in 1 – 1.5 hours and you will be less wet.
The departure times are between 9am and 4pm. However, there are no fixed departure times – as soon as a boat is fully loaded, it leaves.

b

The accommodations on the Perhentians are rather upscale and not necessarily within my budget.
Fortunately on the island of Kecil I spontaneously got the last bed in the only hostel on the island! At Aina Garden Long Beach a bed in a 10-bed room costs around 10 euros per night. The rooms are clean, the bathrooms are cleaned every day and the view from the hostel’s restaurant is beautiful. Yes, I even got up twice at sunrise.

b

DIVING AND SNORKELING
There are a lot of diving spots on the Perhentians and accordingly there are many diving schools. So you can also enjoy the wonderful underwater world as a diving beginner. The courses are offered everywhere in English and sometimes even in German.
Since I had some problems after my first diving experience in Bali to balance the pressure on my ears, I decided only to snorkel again. And definitely: my best snorkeling experience ever!

Various snorkeling trips are offered everywhere on the beach (including equipment). I joined a full day tour. For 50 RM (= approx. 10.50 euros) the boat drove to various coral reefs, a turtle point and a shark point. The tours start in general in the morning between 9am and 11 am and end in the afternoon.

TIP: At the turtle point and the shark point all snorkelers are really freaked out and you only heard excited shouts “Shark Shark Shark”. Of course, the sharks didn’t like that noise.
I paddled a few meters away from the crowds and just swam slowly around. The little sharks came all by themselves.

Suddenly there were 5 baby sharks around me and you can’t imagine what a unique, exciting feeling it is!
By the way: Officially, the shark species is called: black tip reef shark. They are affectionately called Baby Shark because it only grows to 160-200cm tall and is basically harmless for us humans.

I can definitely recommend a snorkeling trip! However, it is advantageous to wear a t-shirt or even a whole suit, because the sun has really strong power even in the presence of clouds. My butt thanked me with a good sunburn.

VISIT THE VIEW POINT
If you are on the island of Kecil, you absolutely have to hike up to the view point! The way is generally not exhausting, since the road is not too steep and takes only about half an hour. However, you should start this little journey in the morning or in the late afternoon and not in the midday sun at 1pm like me. I died. For real. I don’t think I’ve ever sweated so much on my trip so far. But in the end every drop of sweat was worth it!

ENJOY THE SUNRISE & DINNER ON THE BEACH
Yes sunsets are beautiful. But sunrises are even more beautiful! It was really difficult for me to get up so early – but an empty beach at sunrise is simply unbeatable! Even better: on the terrace of my hostel with an iced cappuccino.

Since I stayed on the island of Kecil anyway, I had dinner on the beach every evening. But even if your accommodation is on the island of Besar, it is definitely worth eating here in the evening. The small beach restaurants are cheaper than on the island of Besar and most people come here to try the delicious seafood. One of the most popular spots is Coral Bay with great restaurants by the sea.

b

I read a lot about the massive tourism and an enormous garbage problem on the islands. Of course the long beach where I was most of the time was not empty. But don’t overflow either – I always found a free place for a sun bath at any time of the day and was able to enjoy the peace for hours, because here the people really only relax, eat and snorkel / dive.
The garbage problem is actually quite big. When I dropped my water bottle in the trash can, I was even thanked. It is almost sad that it is considered special when tourists dispose of their rubbish properly.
If you get up early, you can see many locals collecting rubbish on the beach – at the end of the day, bottles, ice papers and cigarettes are everywhere.
Please just stay clean for your holidays – it’s not that difficult! 

Nevertheless, the island of Pulau Perhentian Kecil was one of the best highlights on my mini world tour so far. A breathtaking underwater world, fantastic beaches and relaxing without internet and sinking into paradise.

Have you enjoyed the Perhentians yet? 🙂

Lots of Love ♥