BootsnAll Travel Community

Just a few questions about the Perhentian islands

Which is better for diving, Kecil or Besar/
Is there any way of getting money on the islands, and do dive shops take cards?
Is it really necessary to book (in July) as the guidebooks say, or will we be ok if we jsut turn up?
Is it easier to get there from KL by bus or train?

Thanks!

1. Both Kecil and Besar have good diving.
2. Get money before you go - there are no banks or ATMs on either island to the best of my knowledge.
3. I don't know about dive shops taking credit cards.
4. Depends on how much of a hurry you're in you to get the train I think is a slow process which involves changing trains - but if you want to go to Taman Negara on the way it's a beautiful route. You could make your way to Penang (bus or train are fine) then get a bus to Kota Baru then bus or taxi to Kuala Besut (to get the boat). Alternatively, if you're in a bit of a hurry Air Asia flies from KL to Kota Baru several times a day and right now they have an unrel promotional price = get in quick. Again from Kota Baru take either a bus (about 2 hours) or a taxi (1 hr 15 mins) to Kuala Besut.
5. I don't think any of the cheaper places on Kecil take bookings - you just have to rock up and trawl the beach for places. On Besar there are a couple of places that take bookings but the Coral View is epensive (by my standards - it starts at about 120 RM) and the Paradise Island Resort is less than Paradise (though they do have a good Dive Shop). My pick on Besar is Mama's Place. You will find a website for them but don't use it to book because they never check it.

Hope this helps. Enjoy.

Not sure I can answer your questions. But I did go to Perhentian a couple of years back and maybe you can find some useful info in my trip report http://gardkarlsen.com/Malaysia_Perhentian_Island.htm :-)