Description

The Perhentian Islands are located 25 km off the east coast of Peninsula Malaysia, north east coast of Malaysia close to the Thai border, and provide the location for a great diving holiday.

The two islands consist of Pulau Perhentian Besar (Big Island) and Pulau Perhentian Kecil (Small Island). There are dive sites around both of these islands and other nearby small islands.

The surrounding waters of Perhentian contain some of the best dive sites of peninsula Malaysia and the South China Sea. Diving is easy, with many dive sites (wreck dives and reef dives) to choose from. Because most of the dive sites are within the Marine Park, the corals are in good condition and the fish-life abundant so it is not surprising to see harp and black corals, while large hard corals are also present. The waters at Perhentian are crystal clear and within the turquoise waters of the islands dwell an amazing variety of marine life. Don't be surprise if you see dolphins and pilot whales in July and August, which is during the peak of the dry season. There are abundant of corals in Perhentian, especially the colorful soft corals and gorgonian sea fans.

One of the favorite dive sites amongst the divers who know Perhentian's dive sites is

Terumbu Tiga. Visibility isn't so good and there is often a slight film of particles on the rocks. The dive site consists of 3 main boulders, thus creating many interesting rock chambers with many swim throughs, and perfect hiding place for many shy fish, namely Brown Marble Groupers. A paradise for nudibrunch lovers. Specially one that is called "blue dragon", a beautiful bluish, violet slug.  If you are lucky, you may face large  school of mackerels and school of small herrings that just about covered the reef. Mackerels attacks the herrings in large and small groups, dividing the large school, rounding up smaller numbers of fish and urge them towards the surface. And if you are even more lucky you can meet a leopard shark.

WDR.