I have slightly less experience for Perhentian but did visit the beautiful islands a few times (and planning for more visits in 2007!). Honestly, the beaches are less superb compared to Redang, but don't let that hold you back. Perhentians are very nice. See the beach photos below from various sites in Perhentian that I took:

Teluk Pauh, Perhentian Besar
Pulau Rawa
Long Beach (Pasir Panjang), Perhentian Kecil
Tokong Burung (Bird's Island)
Teluk Dalam, Perhentian Besar

As for the resorts, less international-class establishments in Perhentian, as compared to Redang. Perhentians are more for kampong-style experience, really. Quite nice also lah. Some resort photos:

Arwana Perhentian Eco Resort, in Perhentian Besar, see also this photo page
Coral View Island Resort, Perhentian Besar
Bubu Long Beach Resort, Perhentian Kecil
Flora Bay Resort, Perhentian Besar
Samudra Beach Chalet, Perhentian Besar
Fauna Beach Chalet, Perhentian Besar
Everfresh Resort, Perhentian Besar

I guess not much from Perhentian for time being. Wait next year. Here I come!

Just to share some of the traveling tips to Perhentian via KB airport:

1) Fixed taxi rate has increased. Now at RM78!!    You can get taxi sapu outside the terminal however no matter how good is your negotiation skill..They still won't reduced to <RM50...The best still RM60 to K. Besut.

2) Cheaper option is to take bus from outside the airport to KB & thereafter another bus from KB bus terminal (Near Pasar Siti Khadijah) to K Besut (I'm not sure about this..due to time constraint, we decided on taxi).

3) On the way back from K Besut, we wanted to try the bus but too bad, we are abit late.. The bus jus left! So we hard nego wth the taxis at the bus station & none of them wanted anything less than RM50...After 15min without getting any responses, we decided to ask another coupl;e to share the taxi..& they agreed..so 5 of us in a super slow spoilt air-con taxi to KB....RM10/pax ..not bad although slow..we reached KB bus terminal ~1.15hr later...So those thinking of budget traveling..try sharing taxi cost...RM50 to KB or even to the airport
(We decided on KB bcos, I hv not visisted KB b4 & wanted to see Pasar Siti Khadihah up close....yes it's big...& mostly ladies sellers..but nothiong much to buy there..unless those batik luvers. at 2nd floor)..

4) Food pricing in Perhentian - RM7/plate of nasi goreng / mee goreng is a standard..certain beach warong even charging RM8/plate! ..Seafood dinner is reasonable but very small portion..I deep fried sweet sour baraccuda cost RM12, Sambal sotong -RM10 (Huge portion) & mixed vege curry (yummy) at RM6..Very yummy food at Abdul.

5) Snorkeling gear is cheaper in Perhentian compare to Redang/Lang Tengah...Renting of mask only cost us RM5/day and if u buy snorkeling tour to 4 locations, it cost only RM30 which include snorkeling gears  Sumore children below 12 is FREE!!    ...What a bargain...

6) At Pasar Siti Khadijah food court (Laman Siti Kadijah -in between Buloh Kubu bazaar & the pasar)...Food is tasty but it's not cheap. Our late lunch there cost RM17 for a mee ratna, Tomyum beehun & kueh teow goreng...who say small town food is cheap  ..proably we kena slaughtered?
7) On the way back to airport, we again got the kereta sapu..negotiated the kancil from Rm15 to RM12 to airport from Pasar Siti khadijah...According to the driver, normal taxi rate is at RM25 from KB to airport..What he offer me Rm12 is super cheap..wll..I'm not sure about this...but happy wth the taxi rate from K Besut to KB & thereafter bck to airport....The rate from Airport to K Besut is definetly OVERPRICED!!...Authority aught to look into this matter!

Perhentian Take off Point is at Kuala Besut - N5 49.842 E102 33.485 Near Kelantan Border & closer to Kota Bahru Airport than Kuala Trengganu

If by train from KL ,the next stop is Tanah Merah Kelantan..are the nearest to Kuala Besut jetty to Perhentian Island..by taxi RM70 if i not mistaken..

For Redang Island,there no train service..to Terengganu..only by Bus and Flight

Perhentian Island will closed around Mid of October or End of October ....

The island will open on next year..starting from March until October...the best season to visit around May,June,July,August and September..My advise..please make reservation at least 5-6 month before you start traveling..secure the room...

Most of the package will include snorkeling trips as complimentary from the resort..if you dont want go the snorkeling trips..is ok..but if you take separate package boat and accommodation..its totally not worth of money..minimum room per night around RM120 and return ferry will cost you RM100.Most of meals quite pricey...because of Island.

26th October is end of season...Most of resort already closed..unless Laguna Redang Island Resort..last date is 28th October 2009..

is there any good and cheap accomodation in perhentian kecil? tq

is there any good and cheap accomodation in perhentian kecil? tq

Bintang Chalet ,Matahari Chalet ,Moonlight Chalet ,Rock Garden Chalet ,Panorama Chalet,Fatimah Chalet

budget around RM50-RM60 per night...no booking only walk in

Waaa...cheap. How the condition? Fan?

Either Bubu Long Beach or Shari-La are good for this island.

Bintang Chalet ,Matahari Chalet ,Moonlight Chalet ,Rock Garden Chalet ,Panorama Chalet,Fatimah Chalet

budget around RM50-RM60 per night...no booking only walk in

how's the weather at Perhentian now? anyone there??

I'm going Perhentian in 3 days time, can't wait for it!! woohoo!

Hai!

Im interested to go to perhentian island.
How much do it cost to get enjoy there?
(actually i would like to shoot a scenery there)

We are going about 5-7 students.
Budget around RM200

is that possible?

Package:
2 day 1 night = RM
Snorkeling =

we would like to have a bbq there and bring some own food.
Just want to have an experience.

Hai!

Im interested to go to perhentian island.
How much do it cost to get enjoy there?
(actually i would like to shoot a scenery there)

We are going about 5-7 students.
Budget around RM200

is that possible?

Package:
2 day 1 night = RM
Snorkeling =

we would like to have a bbq there and bring some own food.
Just want to have an experience.

hi guys, i'll be going to perhentian kecil next mth..
some of my fren would like to stay in lang tengah for last nite..
hmm.. anyone of u here noe how much would be the boat fee going from perhentian kecil to lang tengah?
does dat considered island hopping? normally these kind of services are provided by the chalets rite?
thanks for helping ya ~~~

i'm planning to go to perhentian next week. any recommendations on which good budget chalet around there? thx

Bintang Chalet ..RM40 per night
Mohsin Chalet
MoonLight Chalet
Rock Garden Chalet
Panorama Chalet

All at Long Beach Perhentian Kecil.

Any promotional packages for Perhentian for this coming weekend? I wanna go there ASAP, 3ppl, 3D2N with snorkeling trip, preferbly weekends.

Thank you thank you!!!! >_<

hi, i'm going off to perhentian island resort next week from 25-27 for free accomodation. need advise and recommendation on places (i.e. restaurant, warung) for lunch and dinner with reasonable price around the area... TQ

You need to walk about 15-20 minute to Mamas Chalet,can get cheaper meals.

PIR selling Mineral Water 1.5L RM6 

Thanks Samurai, u always the man  ....
this is my first time to perhentian..i'm pretty excited

Anyway, can i see any turtles around this time?

Can I know if my flight reach at Kota Bharu at 11.20am, can I still manage to get to the ferry to P.Perhentian? Thanks.

Yes,you can see the turtle but you need to take snorkeling package. Only 2 snorkeling site you can see the turtle eat sea grass
1.  Turtle Bay near Cozy Chalet
2. Tiga Ruang..near Perhentian Island Resort

I see, that's nice...anyway, do i have to walk along the beach, trails or use road in order to get to mamas chalet from PIR? would it be safe to walk at nite    ...

You need to walk along the beach to get Mamas Chalet.Its advisable to bring torch light .Much more safe 

I'm going to Perhentian next week? Any good suggestion what to do there beside snorkeling?

Ok thanks for the tips bro 

I'm going to drive from KL to Kuala Besut. I might be arriving one day earlier to avoid any interruption ..
is there any hotel in Kuala Besut which just nice and reasonably priced?
I just need a rest/sleep from the long drive before hitting the island 

I'm going to Perhentian next week? Any good suggestion what to do there beside snorkeling?

I do not want to book through agents or book resort as they are much more expensive than walking into the island for rooms

I found out through research that walking into the island without booking, I can get rooms for RM25-60.

However I am still very worried, as I am traveling in a group of 7.
I do not want to stranded there without a place to stay.

I am taking a bus from KL so will be there to take the first boat (8am - but not confirmed) to the island. (Is there usually an earlier boat going out?)
I am looking to find 2 double & 3 triple room on 25th &26th of June (Friday & Saturday).

2 of my friends are coing from Kuala Terengganu. I heard SP Bumi is the only bus available for the trip.
However, they will only reach there at about 9.30. Missing the first boat to the island.

I was planning to book Senja Bay resort in Coral Beach. But it is RM140 per room.
Walk in Guest House places are only RM40.

I am also planning to go to the Marine Park to see baby turtles.

Malaysian prefer Redang rather than Perhentian because of the disatnce & also the fact that those been to Redang & Perhentian feel that Redang actually better than Perhentian!!  Well except mat Salleh prefer perhentian Kecil bcos it's still undeveloped, no roads & closer to nature. 

I also tricked by those Foreigners comment on Perhentian but after been there, feeling Redang is much beautiful!

The front page of the existing Perhentian/Redang & other islands also extensively covered Perhentian & transportation to Kuala Besut as you can cheak here:

http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...85960&hl=redang

Anyway, I'm also thinking of seperating that thread to Redang & perhentian too.. So let see 1st if this tthread flourish, probably maintained it & trf some of the info there to here. 

Malaysian prefer Redang rather than Perhentian because of the disatnce & also the fact that those been to Redang & Perhentian feel that Redang actually better than Perhentian!!  Well except mat Salleh prefer perhentian Kecil bcos it's still undeveloped, no roads & closer to nature. 

I also tricked by those Foreigners comment on Perhentian but after been there, feeling Redang is much beautiful!

I'm going Pulau Perhentian with my friends, has anybody been there?
It is less developed compared to other Pulaus like Tioman and Redang right?

Have anybody stayed in Coral View Resort or Senja Bay Resort?

Mind to share your experience with me?

Thank you

both coral view and senja bay are decent places to stay. but both requires you to climb up quite high if you're going for cheaper rooms!
they are located along the slopes of hills.

senja is located in teluk aur in the small island while coral view is located next to teluk pauh in the big island.
both resorts are suitable if you want a quiet place, cause they are located at the end of the beach.
electricity is usually 24hrs with the exception of the generator change in between.

forget about the package which bundles the room, unless you fancy a variety buffets...
i personally prefer ala carte food, cause i like to eat when i want and what i want 

personally which one u think is better? senja or coral? 

i'm thinking of going to perhentian around the beginning of july and spend a whole week there purely for diving.

what are the budget hotels recommended? clean and reasonable. perhentian besar preferred. is booking necessary for that period?
would like to get the average per dive rates on that island too, excluding equipments.

thanks.

is teluk keke a nice place? camping site is safe?

where can i get accomodation for RM10 per day?

RM10 for accommodation    Its only rental for camping site per day at Teluk Kekek .For more details ,please refer to Bubu Long Beach Management.

got water and electricity? m going solo. got place to keep my backpack when im going on the beach?

I would recommend you stay at Flora Bay Resort Perhentian Besar ,since they have available rooms during that period. But I`m strongly recommend you stay at Abdul Chalet but their rooms are fully booked June and July 2010. Dive rates around RM60 to RM80 per dive,but depends how many dive you want.

RM10 for accommodation    Its only rental for camping site per day at Teluk Kekek .For more details ,please refer to Bubu Long Beach Management.

i am going tis friday 18/6/2010... staying in symphony chalet... anyone heard of this chalet before?? and wat is the condition of this chalet?

Just came back from perhentian.... omg the chalet in symphony really sucks .... so dirty and smelly the place is seriously run down ... i manage to get a fan room with attached bathroom, the bathroom is so so dirty and the pillow case is black in color and the smell ..the ceiling of the room looks as if it is going to fall down anytime...end up we went around to look for another chalet... we found 1 with a/c and attached bathroom electric 24/7.. and the place super clean... and its only rm70 for 2 nights.... having symphony around really spoil the image of the island....

for me... I will recommend Bubu Long Beach... nice & clean accomodation, food not bad as well...

and for those is 1st time snorkeling is strongly advised to join Bubu, as their guide very good... they will lead you step by step :-)

as i had a bad experience when i travelled to Lang Tengah... the hotel arrangement ah very bad and not care abt those 1st timer... dump us at open sea... :-(

Bubu is the best among perhentian kecil 

For sure lah best considering their price.

there is also a lot of chalet there.. do look ard.. 50-80 per nite..

pls dun go to symphony ya... abit scary, very dark at nite 

I stayed in Moonlight dormitory for RM20/night. Not sure if still got that kinda price now.

hi guys, I was wondering if its still ok to visit perhentian around the end of september to maybe into the beginning of october or is it raining alot there already?

Dorm got to share toilet right?
Hows the condition?
I might be going soon, but havent confirm my cheap lodging

Any better lodgings for less than RM100/ night there? Standard room for two.
From what i read its either super expensive or super cheap.
Wanted to go for quite long already but just no chance.

Posting this from Perhentian Island Beach Resort. I got here this morning from Kuala Besut where ferry cost Rm70(return-trip ticket) per person.

Since I did not do any booking just walk into Perhentian Island Resort @ Perhentian Besar. Checked into the Deluxe room for Rm395 per night. I was disappointing as first step into the room, the floor is sticky and the aircon is not cold enough for the room.

The attitude of the hotel staffs was also a let down.
#1
The receptionist offer to bring my luggage to the room but I waited for 30minutes yet no one turn up to bring in my luggage. Since I couldn't wait to change into shorts, I walked back to Lobby and carry it back to the room myself. During dinner, I wanted to inquire about the boat ride back to the mainland but there is no one at the reception to attend to me. *sigh*

#2
Lunch at the restaurant, I feel unwelcome because the waiter only turn up after I sat for 2-3minutes. There are total two of us but the waiter only brought one menu for us(expect us to share the menu ?). Food wise it was just fine.

Only thing to make up for all the bad impression towards the hotel is the beach. Judging from the boat ride, walking to other hotels along the same coast, Perhentian Island Resort has the best and the cleanest beach. I did put higher expectation as the room rate is significantly higher than other hotels.

I still prefer Pulau Redang for the seawater and beach.

Posting this from Perhentian Island Beach Resort. I got here this morning from Kuala Besut where ferry cost Rm70(return-trip ticket) per person.

Since I did not do any booking just walk into Perhentian Island Resort @ Perhentian Besar. Checked into the Deluxe room for Rm395 per night. I was disappointing as first step into the room, the floor is sticky and the aircon is not cold enough for the room.

The attitude of the hotel staffs was also a let down.
#1
The receptionist offer to bring my luggage to the room but I waited for 30minutes yet no one turn up to bring in my luggage. Since I couldn't wait to change into shorts, I walked back to Lobby and carry it back to the room myself. During dinner, I wanted to inquire about the boat ride back to the mainland but there is no one at the reception to attend to me. *sigh*

#2
Lunch at the restaurant, I feel unwelcome because the waiter only turn up after I sat for 2-3minutes. There are total two of us but the waiter only brought one menu for us(expect us to share the menu ?). Food wise it was just fine.

Only thing to make up for all the bad impression towards the hotel is the beach. Judging from the boat ride, walking to other hotels along the same coast, Perhentian Island Resort has the best and the cleanest beach. I did put higher expectation as the room rate is significantly higher than other hotels.

I still prefer Pulau Redang for the seawater and beach.

You pay RM395 per night for Deluxe Room....wow too much..!!!! Bro..I sell only RM230.00 per night for Deluxe room.  

Do not expect to much from them

Samurai,

Hows the weather observation on east coast Island? Everyday must have a rain?

Wow ~ For those from KL and plan to go Perhentian in 2011, now its a great time because Bubu Long Beach have provided FREE SHUTTLE !!! 

When they open?