The perhentians

Words can't describe a better place to truly escape from it all. A place where you can run out of money and get stranded. A place where you can party all night and bathe in the ocean at dawn. A place that feels like another world but is always accepting. This is where you can't get cell service and may it stay that way.

The Perhentians are a place where you can do some great Macro diving, snorkeling or work on that novel that's been longing in your head. Make sure you do not plan on go during monsoon season, as the islands have no access because it is not safe at that time of the year. So if you want to go, head there between March and November. 

IF you have good training at another location (America, Europe, Koh Tao), then do some diving. We did Monkey Dives, as they have the cheapest rates, it comes with a stay in their bunk house (20-person bunks), and they are very knowledgeable about the area. But I highly recommend getting adequate training before you go. 

Where to stay?  If you want to party like you are 20 when you are 30, stay in Long Beach on Kecil, better yet if you are on Kecil, only stay on Long Beach. That is where the night parties are at and everyone from around the island comes there at night. The last thing you want to do is bushwalk at night on and island with no electricity and no hospital, There are large monitor lizards all over the island that are aggressive (you will not see any dogs or cats and if you do they won't last long). All the places are the same quality with small differences being AC vs fan. If you get a hotel high on the hill, AC would do you fine. Again you came here to get away, not to live in luxury. 

If you are staying in Besar, stay at the Coral View Resort. Just by staying on this island, I know you want a little nicer place, and its only $34 a night. Nothing better than being able to walk outside to the beach, snorkel and check out the baby sharks swimming around the beautiful corals. Perhentian Resort is a close second (literally next door), but as with many hotels on the island, contact them ahead of time using WhatsApp. 

Food on the Perhentian islands is sparse in my words. Your best meal will be the fried chicken pieces with spicy seasoning for $2. Otherwise everything else is brought in from the mainland, including the seafood. Stick with the simple things, noodles and fried meats, as a marine park reserve does not lend itself to much fresh food. 

If you want to do some good bushwalking only do the jungle route through Besar. Make sure you have Teva sandles or a good all weather hiking shoe. I have seen people slip in front of me and break an arm and met someone who broke their ankle. So this is a jungle hike, but will bring you to all the good beaches on the island, so if you are a bit adventurous do it. 

Some warnings before going there: NO ATMS, no electricity except for 6-11pm, buy bug repellant and sunblock on the mainland from a pharmacy as they sell bootleg sunblock on the island that doesn't work. If you have a history of medical or other such problems, do NOT go here. There is no hospital and if you need help, it doesn't exist. 

This feels, when you arrive, like the most magical place in all Malaysia, possibly Southeast Asia.