Perhentian Kecil and Perhentian Besar E Malaysia

Hi Lots of options planning our trip to Malaysia , we are thinking of visiting one of the islands on the East coast, can anyone tell me the best place to pick up a boat to the Perhentians islands, we can fly to Kota Bharu from Langkawi or Kuala Terranganu, we hope to do the trip all in one day by getting an early flight, we have found flights that get us to Kota Bharu at 11.30 pm so we would hope to pick up a boat to get us to the islands.Any suggestions of nice place to stay on Kecil or Besar hotel with air con would be good.

Do we have to book our boat in advance or can we just hop on a ferry? many thanks JLB1

Perhentian Kecil and Perhentian Besar E Malaysia

Hi JLB1

The boat transfers are usually arranged by either the own resort or boat operators for several resorts. It is best to get a package with transfer so that you do not need to wait for boats which tend to leave only when they are full.

Perhentian Kecil has a more lively ';nightlife'; along long beach. Perhentian Besar has no nightlife. In Perhentian Besar, best resort is Tuna Bay Resort. For Perhentian Kecil, Impiani Watercolour.

http://www.tunabay.com.my/index.asp

http://www.watercoloursworld.com/packages.htm

If you go for room only rates, you are likely to pay more. Full board package is recommended as the outside food options are limited for Perhentian. Read the two resort reviews in TA and decide it for yourself which resort or package to go for.

Perhentian Kecil and Perhentian Besar E Malaysia

Hi Many thanks for your quick reply..... Where do you get the boats from is it Merang? and do you recommend we fly into KT Or Kota Bharu... which is the nearest ? I think we might just check in a hotel and book a trip from the hotel if you think thats the best option as really dont want to be hanging round waiting for a boat to be full with all our baggage as there will be 6 of us.

Hi JLB1

Kota Bahru is closer to Perhentian and the Perhentian bound jetty is Kuala Besut. Merang jetty is Redang bound.

From Kota Bahru (Air Asia or MAS), taxi costs about RM 60 per car. Best to book with hotel as well as those in airport are old and drive very fast. Be prepared to pass throught the poorest state Kelantan in Malaysia on the way to jetty.

pinganchorage.com.my/perhentian_tuna_bay.htm

The above is the best operator in east coast. You can book with them via email or call.

Note that most return flights to KL and jetty transfer will leave you with several hours of wait in Kota Bahru which is worth a few hours walk around the town. If you book with ping anchorage, they will let you put baggage in their office and pick you up when it is time for check in.

hi there

u should fly to kb,it`s closer.perhentian kecil cater for much younger crowd/backpacker,and perhentian besar`s more for familys/couple.coral beach resort(something like that)in perhentian besar(chalet type and very romantic for a cple,)or bubu long beach (perhentian kecil)lively atmosphere at night.will be back to perhentian kecil if i`m with friends,but perhentian besar if with family!been to perhentian besar/perhentian kecil.love the beach at perhentian kecil..but for the accomadation ..perhentian besar will be my choice!

good luck and if u guys have any other questions,pls feel free to ask!

ratu

When are you coming? Do note Monsoon season starts late Oct - Mar.

Is there a typo, you say flight gets you to KB at 1130PM? Too late for boats...

Hi Thanks for replies,, sorry flight gets in at 11.30 am not pm, we are travelling East coast March 21st is the weather a bit iffy then? Would not like to book things up if its likely to be very wet.

Hi JLB1,

Monsoon should be over by early March. You have to be very unlucky to get bad weather throughout the stay, probably one or two days of afternoon showers that rarely last for an hour. If you have read the reviews, most people stayed from Mar to Sep. End of March approaches the very hot and dry season in April %26amp; May.

I was in Perhentian last end of April and it was so hot and dry that Coral View Resort and others in Perhentian faced water shortage as it had not rained for weeks according to locals.

Temperature wise, you almost never get under 28 degree in day time or under 25 degree at night even after the rain.

Come and enjoy the crystal clear water and powdery white sand of Perhentian especially during UK winter time! I have stayed there for 4 winters, I know the short sunshine hours and cold all day drizzle can get depressing!

AlexMcca thank you for all your advice, and you are spot on we are all fed up with the wet cold weather we are having here and its nearly June, its rained and been under 15deg all week and with the children having half term break from school its quite depressing.... all thats keeping us going is the plan for a lovely holiday somewhere beautiful and hot!!! I will keep reading the reviews . many thanks JLB1