Perhentian

Pulau Perhentian Islands is a group of 9 small islands 21 km off the coast of Terengganu and Kelantan on the east coast of North Malaysia. The island has been a popular destination for visitors for over 30 years. Initially, the islands only served as the "stopover" islands for the local fishermen who took shelter from the fierce sea during the monsoon.

By the time the backpackers came to frequent the beaches the word quickly spread out how beautiful the beaches were and soon after the islands became a favorite holiday spot. Now, it is a world renowned location, especially favored by sea lovers, beach bums and diving enthusiasts alike.

Accommodation and Facilities

Even though the islands are quite small, there's plenty of accommodation. We offer the Arwana Perhentian Eco Resort & Beach Chalets as an excellent option to stay, enjoy, have fun and go diving.

Arwana Perhentian Eco Resort & Beach Chalet

Arwana Perhentian Eco Resort & Beach Chalet is located on the most popular beach - the Long Beach on Pulau Perhentian Besar.  What sets it apart from other resorts on the beach, is the fact that it was built to blend in with nature, without sacrificing the comfort of the guests.

There is a restaurant, a bar, a karaoke room, a meeting room, snooker tables, agift shop, a recreation center and a dive center housed together in the compound. The swimming pool is reportedly supposed to be the largest one available on the island. While some may argue, why would we need a swimming pool if there is the ocean basically on our doorsteps? We cannot deny that the pool is a nice addition to the landscape.

Room Rates - How much will it cost me?

If you would like to be away from it all and enjoy the peace and quiet, the Arwana is the perfect place to soothe you. Besides pampering you with good food, the staff are so attentive to make your stay memorable.

The beach is clean with fine white sand, the sea water is crystal clear.  As one visitor put it: "As soon as we saw the beach, we did not want to leave the island or do anything else except basking! Other places seemed so irrelevant."

You can choose to relax or join in any activities that are organized such as snorkeling, jungle trekking, sign up to learn to scuba dive or join scuba diving excursions. Otherwise, have a rejuvenating body massage by a traditional Malay masseuse. Whatever your preference is, the resort is well prepared to serve your needs.

The suites, deluxe family rooms, superior rooms and the standard rooms are housed in a concrete building while other deluxe rooms are built according to Malay style longhouse, complete with balconies for the lower level.

Deluxe Sea View Rooms

The resort offers a total of 117 rooms. Each room has air-conditioning, en-suite bathroom with hot shower, television with HBO channel and Indonesian Satellite TV.

Room type	Rate (nett)
Executive Suite (2 double beds with a mini bar and Jacuzzi)	RM580.00
Deluxe Sea View with balcony (1 double bed, ground floor)	RM260.00
Deluxe Sea View (2 single beds) (no balcony-first floor)	RM240.00
Deluxe Pool View with balcony (1 double bed, ground floor)	RM190.00
Deluxe Pool View (2 single beds) (no balcony - first floor)	RM180.00
Deluxe Family(2 double beds)	RM210.00
Superior Room (1 double bed + 1 single bed)	RM170.00
Standard Room(1 double bed)	RM140.00
Extra bed	RM40.00

The rate includes breakfast for two people per room per night.

RM60.00 surcharge applies on Malaysian Public Holiday per room per night.

• Extra mattress for children will be charged at RM30.00/mattress per night. Only one mattress may be requested per room.
• Check in time is at 12 noon (subject to room availability) and check out time is at 11 a.m.

Book now your room

Special Packages at the Arwana Perhentian Eco Resort & Beach Chalet

Special 3 days 2 nights packages are also available. Check them out here. The packages description are extensive, so they are placed on separate pages.

• 3 days 2 nights Nature Explore Package
• 3 days 2 nights East Coast Get Away
• 3 days 2 nights Perhentian, Redang and Lang Tengah
• 3 days 2 nights Super Saver Package
• 3 days 2 nights Arwana Diving Package
• 3 days 2 nights Student Outing Package

Scuba Diving

East Marine is the dive operator at the resort. The instructors are qualified to train divers up to Divemaster level.  As more and more people are interested to take up diving as a hobby, this center also provides PADI Open Water Course for beginners. Diving in the waters here is like diving in an open aquarium. Few places in Malaysia are better then here.

Of course many travelers come for diving. This East Marine has a series of courses, PADI and SSI available for beginner and experienced divers. But if you want leisure dives alone, East Marine serves you well too. Have a look at what the offers are. We make it more fun but we can make it cheaper! And that's what we have done.

There are 9 islands. They are:

• Perhentian Kechil (Little Perhentian)
• Perhentian Besar (Big Perhentian)
• Pulau Rawa
• Tokong Burung
• Tokong Burung Kechil
• Susu Dara Besar, Susu Dara Kechil
• Serenggeh
• Tokong Laut

Of all these islands, only Perhentian Besar and Perhentian Kechil are inhabited by humans. There are around 30 dive sites around the 9 islands Islands. Some have been discovered long time ago but more and more new dive sites are also being explored in recent years.

There are shore dives from the house reefs but most dives are from a boat which is not more than 20 minutes ride from your resort. The boat will return after each dive so that you can spend your surface interval while having some hot or refreshing drinks at the base.

Sometimes, there are day trips organized to go as far as Pulau Redang and Lang Tengah. In this case, three dives are usually planned, with a packed lunch being prepared on board.

Find a specific description of most of the 30 dive sites at:

• Perhentian Besar
• Perhentian Kechil
• Susu Dara Besar, Susu Dara Kechil
• Wreck diving

and don't forget to have a good look at the map we created for you.

The more popular ones have complete description. However, please bear in mind, some of the less popular one also have their own special features. Those which become favorites of divers usually have a large amount of marine life at any time, the clarity of water is normally good and also, they have easier entry and exit points.

Diving courses and leisure diving

Other Outdoor facilities

• Snorkeling trip
• Jungle trekking
• Island hopping
• Canoeing
• Fishing

Additional facilities and activities

The rates for other optional activities:

• Snorkeling trip by boat: RM30.00/person/trip
• Rental of a canoe: RM 15.00 for the first hour, additional hour add RM5.00 extra
• Karaoke Set facilities: RM30.00 for the first hour and additional RM25.00 for the additional hour.

Getting there and away

A place can be as beautiful as paradise, if you can't visit, no one will experience the beauty. The islands are easy accessible from either Kuala Besut (main ferry port) or Tok Bali.

Road (your own transport)

Kuala Lumpur
Follow Route No: 2 & 3 - via Kuala Lumpur - Karak Highway - Kuantan to Kuala Terengganu and the last 60 or so km to Kuala Besut, it's about 455 km

Penang
From Butterworth, take the road to Gerik, and follow direction Kota Bharu, East-West Highway, Kuala Terengganu and Kuala Besut, about 460 km.

Johor Bharu
It's a long way from Johor Bahru, you will follow route 3 all along the east coast to Mersing, Kuantan, Kuala Terrengganu and Kuala Besut, about 534 km.

Thailand
Sungai Golok is the border with Thailand. From here follow route 3 to Kota Bharu and further south to Kuala Terengganu and Kuala Besut, 198 km.

If you decide to cross into Malaysia from Padang Besar, at the west coast, follow directions to Alor Setar and Penang and from there to Gerik and Kota Bahru. It's a long way with almost 600 km.

Ferry

There are two ferries: Tok Bali and from Kuala Besut. Kuala Besut is the most used and closest. The Arwana Perhentian Eco Resort & Beach Chalet have a boat operator in Kuala Besut: Kuala Besut Travel. Customers for the Arwana have to book their ticket through Kuala Besut Travel, rate for boat transfer RM 70.00 return for Adult and child RM 35.00 for return.

The Arwana does not operate from Tok Bali.

Bus

The nearest big bus stations are in Kota Bharu and Kuala Terrengganu. Unfortunately the bus service is irregular, so the best option is to take  taxi.

If you are traveling from Penang or other towns in Malaysia, take the express bus to Jerteh. From Jerteh, you take a taxi to Kuala Besut.

Flights

Take a flight from LCCT to Kota Bharu preferably or Kuala Terengganu. From Kota Bharu airport to Kuala Besut, the pick up service to the jetty is at RM40.00 per person one way.

Train

There's no railroad service available in this part of Malaysia. You can travel by train from Thailand to Kota Bharu but from there you have to travel by bus or taxi.

Make your reservation

I am sure after reading through the description above, you cannot wait to go for a holiday at the Arwana. The season on this island is officially open from 1st March to 31st October 2008. Just click here to book your holiday now, especially if you plan to go there during Malaysian or Singaporean public holidays or school holidays.

All reservation must be paid for in full in advance. For Malaysian travelers, the payment is through local bank cash deposit.  For overseas visitors or Malaysian who wish to pay using the credit cards, payment through Paypal is required with an extra 5% service charge on top of the price of your booking.

Book now your room

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