One of the most amazing islands I’ve ever visited is definitely Perhentian Kecil in Malaysia. Pulau Perhentian Kecil lies 20km from the coast of Kuala Besut in the Pacific Ocean and is the perfect place to relax. There are no streets on that island and you can only find a few hotels, which contributes to the cosy atmosphere. It’s quite hard to book a hotel in advance, so it’s easier if you do it when you arrive on Perhentian Kecil, but avoid the weekends (the hotels will be full of locals and it will be hard to find an available room) and the time when Malaysians are on holidays. The island is divided in two parts: The cosy Western part with a calm sea (Coral Bay) and the Eastern part with the party crowds and agitated waters (Long Beach). Here are the best things to do on Perhentian Kecil.
Snorkeling
Amazing corals, colorful fish, turtles, sharks…You can discover all that by doing a snorkeling trip for a day or just by renting a mask and fins and go on a snorkel tour yourself. I did a tour with Ombak and I had an amazing time. Everything was well organized and our guides were really nice.
Enjoying the beach
You can spend hours relaxing on the beach, swimming in the turquoise water or just have a walk along the bays.
Diving
A few dive centers offer day trips or short trips to different diving spots. Popular destinations are the Sugarship wreck, Batu Nisan, Shark Point and Temple of the Sea.
Open air cinema
On Coral Bay, Ombak Café screens a movie every evening, which you can enjoy by having dinner or a drink with other travelers.
Spending time in the Hammock
A few hotels are so close to the shore that you can enjoy the time in your hammock and being in the middle of the action. I spent one week in Maya Chalet and lying in the hammock and enjoying the sunset is an amazing feeling.
