Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Captain Corea]

I'm planning on going to the Parhentian islands during Chusok. Has anyone been there?

I'll be flying into KL and then taking a local flight to Kota Baru.

I'm curious if anyone has travelled around the are or has any advice for it.

[Marlboro]

My sister travelled here last year,loved the place,helps if you speak urdu or arabic? sure you will be fine though.Is there anything your planning to do while you are there? I recall her saying how diving and other watersports were cheap there.

[Captain Corea]

Diving is high on my priorities. I'm not ceritified htough.. not sure if they're let me dive without (even with exp).

[TECO]

YES, very nice!

2 islands quite near each othe - Besar and Kecil.

We stayed on the more expensive, Besar I think it was, which seems to be more geared towards older people and families.

We bought a box of 24 Tiger Beers before we departed the jetty out to the islands. I remember getting the beer being a bit of a 'cloak and dagger' type experience. After asking around, we were led into a Chinese guys house and he asked us what we wanted. He disappeared into a room and then came out with the box of beer.

The water is so clear in the Perhentions. Very nice white sand also.

Also, the monkeys on the island liked to jump around on the roof of the bungalows I remember.

However, I really appreciate the flexible, relaxed feel of Thailand and being able to walk around with your drink and pop into the corner store to buy a beer if you want to.

Here are a few of our photos for you to check out:

[Captain Corea]

So I have yet to book a bumgalow on the islands (I rearely do in Thailand and find it usually cheaper just to go).

Will I have troubles finding a place and what do you think the price range is (comparable to say thailand's koh phi phi)?

[wormholes101]

Early October (chuseok) is the tail end of the season so you shouldn't have any trouble getting accommodation. In fact, prices may be lower than usual. Rooms usually go for between RM 20-60 but that doesn't include aircon.

Diving at that time is usually still good and many dive shops are still open. As you mentioned, it's unlikely any dive shop will rent you equipment since you're not certified but in any case, dive courses are really cheap; about RM800. Diving there is a bargain even in relation to the rest of Asia.

As TECO metioned, the alcohol is slightly pricey (island prices in a muslim country!) so if you're looking to save a few dollars you could bring your own to the island. You can easily buy beer and spirits in Kota Baru town around the bus station area. Look for small Chinese shops. Beer on the island is usually RM8 and a hip flask of spirits is RM20 or RM25. On the mainland, beer is RM5 a can and cheap spirits about RM10-15. And unless you like warm beer, you will have to ask a restaurant to get you some ice; the rooms don't have fridges.

You have two broad choices: the small island or the big island. The small island's Long Beach is the most lively place and has the nicest sand beach in my opinion. The big island also has several beaches and is beautiful but couple and family orientated.

Finally, don't forget to BRING PLENTY OF MALSYSIAN RINGGIT as there are no cash machines on the island and exchange rates are very unfavourable.

Wikitravel has some basic info. Bear in mind that it is quite incomplete.
http://wikitravel.org/en/Perhentians

All in all, beautiful place and good choice! Click on the thumbnail to see a bigger pic.

[The Lemon]

Here's an older thread on the subject:

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=32183

Check out the "Tuna Bay" link found in the thread. Great place. Summer's high season, but Chusok's meaningless in the region and I bet you'll have the pick of the place. Have a great trip - I'd love to go back.

Some photos to seal the deal: A German guy, Alfred Molon, has what is easily the most famous online photo album of the islands, here:
http://www.molon.de/galleries/Malaysia/EastCoast/Perhentian/
The Western beaches album shows the place where Tuna Bay Resort is.

[wormholes101]

I just got off the Perhentians after being there for 2 years... While the Perhentians haven't sufered the ravages of tourism like other parts of Asia, the pics of Tuna Bay are still a little outdated...

Tuna bay is nice but personally I think you'd be bored silly at nights if you're travelling alone. If you want to have a bit more nightlife with the Swedish backpackers lasses, Long Beach is where it's at...

Anyway, up to you!

[The Lemon]

Then again, if a fun social life by the beach is what you want, you can find much better up the shore in Thailand. The sleepiness of the big island is one of its key attractions.

[Captain Corea]

Thanks so much guys. It'll be me and my wife travelling and we're not drinkers, so the diving and sand are the main priorities (ok, food and massages as well).

[Captain Corea]

Any last thoughts on this guys?

It's going ot be myself and my wife heading there for a quiet trip (diving prefered). I think we're going to both get (finally) certified this trip. If anyone has a specific place, post it.

[The Lemon]

[wormholes101]

If you're going to be on Tuna Bay, I'd recommend Seahorse Dive Center and definitely avoid the other place like the plague (it keeps changing its name so I can't tell you what it will be this season).

Generally speaking, I'd go for a western instructor (Briget from Seahorse is excellent; she's very experienced and worked with that company for years. Also, I've worked with her for a year and can vouch that she'll do a good job) 'Local' instructors are usually to be avoided, more often than not they are lazy and sometimes even dangerously incompetent.

Have fun.

[Captain Corea]

Thanks so much.. that's exactly what I was looking for.



BTW, anyone know what times the ferries stop running out of Khota baru?

[wormholes101]

The ferries don't actually run out of Kota Baru. There are two ferry areas, the main one being Kuala Besut (about 45 minutes from KB) If memory serves me right, I think that last one leaves at about 3 or 4pm. Make it 3pm to be safe.

The other ferry area is Tok Bali and has similar times. Personally, I didn't like the Tok Bali ferry because it stops at so many places around the islands that it takes forever to get where you want to go. But, if it's your first time there, you might enjoy the free tour.

Edit: Make sure you let your instructor know that you'll be flying after end of your vacation. Flying and diving don't mix well; you should leave a gap of at least 18 hours after your last dive before you step on a plane.