Tioman island
We start our islands tour by Tioman Island, south-west. We saw on the blog that the place was really beautiful and great for snorkeling.
Sayang bay was our first stop, in the north island. Surprised at the beginning, we are left with the idea that few shops and restaurants are open. Indeed we are close to Hari Raya, the name for Ramadan’s end. After the busy and crazy, we appreciate the calm of the beach. And doesn’t matter if there has not much to do we have our Openwater to pass. Thank to « The travel manuel» a website, we choose to do it with Graham, an independent dive instructor, a little bit gruff but funny the same time.
After 5 days in Salang and our in the pocket, we joined our friends at ABC beach. Here the beach is a way longer, and you have more animation even with Hari Raya, at least the day when we arrived, because the day after no more restaurants or shops were open, thank the Indian restaurant to feed us. This beach is directly linked to by a little pathway but it’s really similar to ABC and nothing really stunning.
Just beware about the sandfly everywhere on the island.
Tips and adresses
Juara village: We didn’t have the time to do it but if you want to, stop in Tekkek and rent a 4X4 or a taxi boat, the only way to go in Juara. Apparently, the place is stunning and really quiet.
Ella’s place: Our guesthouse booked by Graham before we arrived, a little bungalow in front of the beach. The place is charming, at the end of the beach and it’s quite. The bungalow with fan is at 60 RM.
Graham: Our dive instructor. You can join him on his site or on his Facebook page if you go to Tioman and want to pass you Openwater.
Perhentian islands
We arrived at the Perhentian after an entire day in bus and boat, from the Taman Negara, but we will tell you later. We were happy to arrive even if we are surprised to discover Kecil, the main island, as a really touristic place. Indeed along the beach it’s only guesthouse, restaurants and diving schools with different architectures, not alway nice. We wanted something quiet and we are a bit disappointed. On top the little prices we expected are gone since a long time.
With the developpment of the island and the high season the prices incrised. We installed ourself in a hut for 60 RM but for this price we have to share the shower and the toilets, far away to be clean. Finaly we just drop our bags and try to find and other place.
After that we looking for a snorkeling spots and for us the best place is Coral bay, accessible by a little pathway. On the right side of the jetty, we crossed a resort to access to Romantic beach. Here the beach is small but everything really interesting i under water. You can even go further by the rocks to find a little beach for your own.
Enjoy the place to do a snokeling trip with 5 differents spots : you can see turtles, sharks and corals. With Matahari Divers you will have the possibility to do it in small group and a bit later as the other boats to enjoy better the differents places without the crowd. Don’t hesitate to book one or two dive with them, we really liked it.
Tips and adresses
Matahari diver: Diving school where the atmospher is really nice. You can find divemasters from differents nationalities with french. On top tea and coffee for free.
Symphonic village: 70RM in high season, bungalow ok. We had absolutely no rain leak during the night, which was not the case for the first guesthouse. Shower and private toilets. Located in the middle of the beach but you do not have electricity all the time.
Kapas island
Last island of our trip to the east. We took the taxi with another couple to share the price, between Kuala Besut and Marang, because you do not have many possibilities to go to the jetty for Kapas. The taxi takes us directly to the pier of Marang for 30RM per person, a bit more expensive than taking the bus but much easier.
From here we take the boat to Kapas. We did some shopping before and after 20 minutes by boat, we are on the island. As for Tioman and the Perennians, tell the captain in which inn you want to stay to let you down on the right beach.
The island is really close to the coast and completely different from the Perhentian. Less touristy, less busy and only one diving school. Here it’s quieter, like in slow motion. Life is in the water between snorkeling and kayaking.
In addition, if you can rent a kayak, you can go to a very small island in front. Do not be afraid if there is a resort, you can access it for free. They have a pool of turtles. In fact, baby turtles stay 3 months in the pool before being released on the same beach where they hatched to reach the sea.
You can also with your kayak go a little further to swim with the black tip shark.
Good to know they do not have internet on the island, it’s probably better to enjoy the place!
