Malaysia - The Rough Guide to Southeast Asia on a Budget - page 455

accommodation and better beaches than
its neighbour. he best place on the
islands for turtle-watching is undoubtedly
Three Coves Bay on the north coast. A
stunning conglomeration of three
beaches, it is separated from the main area
of accommodation by rocky outcrops and
is reached only by speedboat. he bay
provides a secluded haven between May
and September for green and hawksbill
turtles to come ashore and lay their eggs,
though sadly, dwindling numbers mean
the chances of spotting any are slim.

the boatman which bay you want to be dropped off at when
you board the boat; boats from the mainland can't dock at
Perhentian Kecil's Long Beach, but stop 50m from shore;
from here, you'll have to transfer to a smaller taxi boat (RM2)
to take you to the shore. Boat travel is very weather-
dependent, so services between the islands and Kuala Besut
are virtually nonexistent during the November-February
monsoon season. Boats leave the islands at 8am, noon and
4pm; let your guesthouse know the day before which boat
you intend to take. There is a RM5 entrance fee to the islands
that is paid upon boarding the boat.
By bus From Kota Bharu's central bus station catch bus
#629 to Kuala Besut (hourly; 2hr).
Destinations From Kuala Besut: KL (3 daily; 8hr), Penang
(3 daily; 7-8hr), Kuala Polis (for Langkawi; daily; 8hr),
Cameron Highlands (3 daily; 7hr) and Kuala Terengganu
(every 2hr; 2hr). From Jerteh, 16km away: Cherating
(every 2hr; 5hr), Mersing (for Tioman; every 2hr; 8hr),
Singapore (daily; 9hr) and Johor Bahru (2 daily; 8hr).

6

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
By boat A whole slew of companies run speedboats
(30min; RM70 return) from the town of Kuala Besut, the
departure point for Pulau Perhentian, to the islands every
hour or so between 8am and 5pm, weather permitting. Tell

EATING & DRINKING
Beach Bar
Bubu
Ewan's Café
Mama's
Moonlight
Tuna Bay

ACCOMMODATION
Abdul's
Butterly Chalets
Coral View
Mama's Chalet
Matahari
Maya Chalets
Mohsin Chalets
New Coco Huts & Cozy Chalet
Ombak
Panorama
Senja Bay
Tropicana Inn
Villa @ World Café
Watercolours

4
2
3
5
1
6

14
9
10
12
4
7
6
13
2
1
8
3
5
11

Quiver
Diveschool

Turtle Bay Divers

Pier

Stefen's
Sea Sport

Perhentian
Kecil

Perhentian
Besar

Kg. Pasir
Hantu

Flora Bay
Divers

N

Universal Diver

0 1

PULAU PERHENTIAN kilometre

Kuala Besut