Pulau Perhentian Besar — Local services in Greater Perhentian Island

So after a pretty bad disappointment with the Kapas island I really, really needed a fix. And I got it here. I don't snorchel nor dive,  yet I'm a pretty serious sea and beach junkie. I have stayed in Besar (Abdul's chalets for which I'll write a separate review)  and I loved it. Honestly, one of the best islands I've been to so far (though I wouldn't dare compare Europe and SE Asia). The vibe is amazing. Just tropics, wonderful sea,  wonderful beaches, wonderful climate. I could go on and on. One of the greatest things was also the fact that I barely noticed any presence of mosquitoes, which is really unusual for such a piece of land. Anyway, it is a magical place which has managed to maintain its beauty and business seems to happen in a controlled way.  I did see some trash in the sea (plastic bottles,  cigarette packs etc) and sadly this occurred usually after boats reaching the shore.  And I also believe it is more locals (from fishermen to boatmen) to blame. I guess they take it a bit for granted.

Getting and staying on the island is overall pricier than other places in SE Asia but I believe it is justified.

Tropical storms in early evenings give it a unique touch and I only hope I can come back again.

I guess 3 to 5 nights are about right but I guess even a week would be good, but you would need to search for more activities such as boat trips and all.

Anyway,  I've made my point already. I loved it (and I am very picky when it comes to beach holidays)  and hope I will come...

Isola originariamente molto bella, che ritengo venga ad oggi imbruttita da un turismo aggressivo e irrispettoso. Venendo qui - soprattutto se da molto lontano - ci si aspetterebbe un isola tropicale, un po' selvaggia, belle spiagge e mare limpido. A mio parere non è così, le spiagge sono piene di costruzioni quasi sempre piuttosto invasive, e non si ha sempre l'idea di stare in un paradiso tropicale - bottiglie di plastica sul bagnasciuga e in acqua, inoltrandosi nella foresta si incontrano sacchi di cemento, plastica e qualche sanitario. L'ambiente non sembra tutelato, malgrado per l'accesso all'isola siano richiesti due distinti contributi, sia per l'accesso al parco marino a cui le Perhentian appartengono, sia per le singole isole - iniziativa giusta ma che evidentemente non produce risultati. Le iniziative turistiche sembrano lasciate nelle mani di operatori locali, che sfruttano senza pensare al futuro, con poco (o nullo) intervento delle locali autorità. Non penso sia un posto nel quale tornare.

Peccato. Ricordo isole malesi visitate qualche decennio fa - Pulau Tioman, Pulau Kapas - dove la sensazione di essere in un piccolo paradiso tropicale c'era tutta, forse, ma spero di no, saranno degradate...

Are you looking for cheapest PADI & SSI diving course? This place is among the cheapest one with best service ever!

Also, among the best place to enjoy for snorkeler, freediver and skin diving! make your preparation for everything as this is the place where u can feel like old school lifestyle. No ATM, shopping mall etc ☺

P/s: pict of current price...