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If you have dived in Perhentian Islands before, please share your experiences: Dive spots you would recommend, which Dive Center you used, Fishes & Diving, Visibility, Currents, etc. Please post your comments in the section below, by doing so you will help fellow divers to plan their next trip
The Perhentian Islands offer good scuba diving. They belong to the Terengganu Marine Park. There are about 20 dive sites around the small archipelago accessible within a short boat ride.
In this page you will find more detailed information about scuba diving in Perhentian Islands.
Table of contents
Best Dive Review
There is a good wreck dive called the Sugar Wreck. It is easy and shallow and will offer you good underwater photography opportunities. However the site is close to the mainland and visibility is not always good. Another wreck is the Vietnamese wreck which is upside down. Another popular dive site is the Pinnacle also called Tokong Laut.
Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/c-greb/106319844/
The marine life is rich with all the usual reef fishes of Southeast Asia. You can also spot pelagic fishes, lots of turtles and reef sharks. If you are very lucky it is possible to encounter Manta rays and even the tail of a Whale Shark!
The best scuba diving occurs around Redang Island situated a bit further south. The water there is usually much clearer and the coral more beautiful and rich. It is possible to dive Redang from the Perhentians on a day trip.
Where to stay?
I usually use this website to book in advance my hotels in Perhentian Islands, Malaysia as they usually have the lowest rates I find. I like it because it's free to cancel and change the dates.
Best time to dive in Perhentian Islands
The Perhentians islands are almost completely closed from November to March with irregular boats, and most of the hotels, resorts and diving centres closed. In the other months the Islands are fully booming with nice tropical weather.
- Dry season from April to October, average temperature of 27°C.
- Rainy season from November to March, average temperature of 29°C.
- Peak touristic season runs from July to August
The diving season is also from April to October. The best visibility is generally around summer time. The water temperature is between 27°C to 32°C year round.
Hot tips
- During the peak season and local holidays prices tend to rise sharply. You should book in advance.
- During the rest of the year, you can negotiate the room rates. Lots of budget resorts do not accept reservations in advance so you will need to go there directly to look for a room.
- There are no ATMs on the islands so bring enough cash for your stay. However, diving centres and resorts tend to accept credit card.
Top liveaboards in Perenthians Islands according to divers reviews
Scuba Diving conditions
Most of the dive sites are easy and are accessible by all divers. The current is generally very gentle. It is a good place to take cheap scuba diving lessons and night diving for example in D’Lagoon.
The visibility is good but not excellent. It ranges from 8m to 20m depending on the season and where you dive.
You will have the dive sites for your own most of the time, except during peak seasons and long weekends when popular dive sites can get crowded.
There are many dive operators on the islands with strong competition. Thus, diving is cheap, ranging from RM 60 to RM 80 depending on how many dives you do.
Snorkelling in Perhentian Islands
Snorkelling around the islands is excellent. You will have the rare chance to easily see many harmless Blacktip reef sharks. Don’t worry they are not dangerous. You will also see giant greet turtles from very close as they are really not shy.
The best way is to arrange a snorkelling day trip with a local guide. He will take you to the best spots around the islands. You can rent your snorkelling gears on many places but better to take yours if you want good quality ones.
Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/leafbug/12127647/
Diving Safety
If you are planning an upcoming dive trip or travelling to Perhentian Islands, it is a really good idea to invest in travel insurance for scuba diving, because you never know what could happen and when you might need it (because accidents do happen!). I recommend this diving insurance as they offer worldwide coverage and focus on providing scuba divers a quality insurance and medical assistance service.
Photos Perhentian Islands
Travel Guide
Now that you know all about the underwater world, you might want to start planning your scuba holiday! Check out our Perhentian Islands Travel Review for information about how to get there, activities and excursions, where to stay, and more.
Interesting diving. Nothing amazing like in Borneo Island but easy and fun dives with great marine life. Good vibes on the Perhentians Islands for backpackers.
The Snorkelling is awsome with Blacktip Reef Sharks! Try to sleep in D-Lagoon, it is really great.
Will be in Singapore on business in August. Have about 5-6 days to go on a diving excursion. Suggestions? experienced diver (~75 dives, all around world). Would love to go to Sipadan but worried that given time and distance, it may be tough. Don’t like heavy tourism, like off the beaten path.
5 or 6 days to go to Sipadan is short but enough I think. Don’t forget to book in advance your diving permit! Otherwise you can go to Perhentians Islands or Tioman Island, not as good as Sipadan but still interesting.
Personally, Tokong Laut (Temple of the Sea) is the best dive site in Perhentian Island.
I went with my wife and daughters to perenthian this summer. Stayed at bubbles. Great layed back place, less touristic then on the other side of the Island. We dived with Elena and Adam, great instructors with a lot of patience. They really gave us a great experience and since it was our first diving holiday helped us a lot to loose our angiety
Hi
I plan to travel there this summer with three children – I am haveing trouble sourcing accomodation at reasonable rates
any advice
C
Hallo, thank you for this website. We really wanted to dive at Sipandan, but are settling for Perhentians, as our government advises against going to Sipandan and eastern Sabah due to the pirate kidnappings of tourists. Our insurance will not cover going there, unfortunately. I was just thinking, does anyone know if the situation really is dangerous?
Hi everyone, I would highly recommend diving in the perhentians. The dive sites are unspoilt and there is schools and schools of fish both big and small. I have been there three times. And each time it has been special. I always dive with Quiver dive school. Kim runs an excellent shop with superb facilities.
i dived in Perhentian with Octo DIver DIve Centre. Wow its really amazing dive centre and dive site. we caught in school of baracuda at Police wreck and went to swim thru at Caping Rock.
T3 dive site is superb amazing rock formation. Diver need to dive here once in life. water visibility around 20-30m.
Octo Diver crew was superb and great hospitality. visit their web or FB page.
Will visit Perhentian again to explore more dive site
Will visit Perhentian Island again. Dive here in Sept 2016 with Octo Diver. Great hospitality and profesional dive crew.
Dive site is great, nice visibilty. My wife took her Open Water course with OctoDiver. Very passion Scuba Instructor and very well maintain equipment.
For sure will visit Perhentian and Octo Diver again.
My wife and I dived there with Watercolors as far back as March, 2008. Nice, professional and friendly crew, and renting a cabin “next door” made the stay very relaxed and pleasant.
We will be going to Perhentian in September 2017. Can someone recommend a dive centre, is Octo Diver a good one to go with?
I spoke with someone at Universal Diver and I find them quite unfriendly.
Thank you.
Look for Turtle Bay Divers. I certified with them a couple of years back and the experience was amazing.
Me with my wife and two daughter fly from Belgium to Perhentian Island. We stay at Teluk Dalam Beach. We decide to take OpeN Water Course. Very nice exprerience. Underwater life so beautiful. Beach is clean. Really good food.. We dived with Octo Diver. Really nice experience. With very good and passion instructor Mr Fred. Recommend to dive with octo diver. All crews so friendly. Make you feel like home.
I’ve been to Sipadan Island 3 times already for the past 3 years. Many local and international tourist have visited there as well. And its not just Sipadan but most Island around Semporna has awesome dive sites. Yes there’s a curfew time up untill 4pm you need finished your dive. But that’s it. The rest, enjoy your day.