Perhentian Island
Perhentian Island is called The Pinnacles or Temple of the Sea. It is situated in Terengganu, Malaysia and approximately 64 km from south border of Thailand. In Malay, the word “Perhentian” means a stopping point as originally this island has been used by traders as staging point as they travelled to Bangkok. Basically, Perhentian Island constituted with Perhentian Kecil and Perhentian Besar which ‘Kecil’ means small while big is for the latter. The island has been gazettes as marine park in year 1994 which prohibited fishing industry to achieve ecological sustainability and promoting marine awareness. Malaysia makes a great step for integrated planning and management to reduce damaging marine environment as it has 9,323 km of coastline with 3,600 km2 of coral reef area. Currently, Malaysia has gazetted 83 MPAs and more than half sites are coral reef environment, and the largest marine park is in Kudat, The Tun Mustapha Park in Sabah, Malaysia. The serenity and clear waters at Perhentian make every tourist wanted to spend whole month here as they have lot to be discover. Aside from snorkeling, diving, and hiking also become one of the main attractions here.
Perhentian Besar is a great ideal beach for family vacation as it surrounded with greenery scenery, crystal clear blue water and sandy white beach. The most interesting place at Perhentian Besar is at Teluk Pauh near Perhentian Island Resort as you might spot a green sea turtle while snorkeling and scuba diving. This area relatively has a large seagrass bed which is a major diet for green turtle. It was named green turtle due to green pigmentation from the chlorophyll that they take from seagrass. Unlike most of the island, Perhentian Island prohibited boatmen or tourists to feed fish and turtles. Commonly, fish or turtles that have been fed by human will change their feeding behavior and hardly to be independent.

In addition, another secluded island in Perhentian Island that need to be visited is Tiga Ruang Beach next to Perhentian Island Resort. Tiga Ruang Beach have clear water and beautiful coral reefs as it is inhabited place and can be divided to four separated beach, Tiga Ruang Besar, Tiga Ruang Tengah, Tiga Ruang Teres and Tiga Ruang Menangis. It has a shallow freshwater at the end of Tiga Ruang Besar and Tiga Ruang Teres that become a favorite picnic place for local communities. Besides from the numerous beautiful and colorful fish in the water, you may spot squirrels and Dusky Leaf Monkey or known as Spectacled Langur eating and playing at the tree. Dusky Leaf Monkey are rare species as it has been threatened by urbanization and human activities, this amazing animal are close to vulnerable based on their conservation status. While at night, you can see turtle track or turtle nest as Tiga Ruang is another comfortable spot for them to lay their eggs. Continue down the coast is a beautiful Fish Point in front of Department of Fisheries building. This area has shallow reef environemt and large boulder corals, a home for many coral fish. It is advised to respect the park rules by not touching, stepping, or feeding the fish. At the southern point, you may spot black tipped shark and hawksbill turtle swimming around and carve into the water. This place called Shark Point, a favourite place to snorkel as it has large and enormous coral reefs. Not to forget, there are a lot of affordable resorts scattered throughout the island in Perhentian Besar such as Coral View, Bubbles, Flora Bay, Arwana Perhentian and Tuna Bay and Perhentian Island.

Next, Perhentian Kecil or Small Island is a picturesque place where the local communities lived, it called Fisherman Village. Earlier, most of the man in this island have been working diligently as a fisherman. Once the government gazette Perhentian Islands, they change their career to be a boatman that drive tourists to snorkel and dive, chalet owner which cost much cheaper compared to resort, and restaurant owner that serves delicious Malaysian dishes. A Fishermen Village is a Muslim community village thus, certain rules need to be followed which alcohol are prohibited and women need to wear clothing that covers their shoulder and knee. If you walk down by using the trail at the end of the village, you will be arrived Alunan Resort, a recommended place to the conservationist as it has coral nursery, and you can contribute to Perhentian coral reef ecosystem.

Another desired tourist’s spot in Perhentian Kecil is Long Beach that situated next to the Fisherman Village. This is a place for people who wanted some fun and music after a tiring day in the water. You may find various alcohol and can wear anything that you like. It is recommended not to swim and snorkel at this beach as it has strong current and riptide. Need to mention, the price in Long Beach is expensive and there are no ATM machines on these islands so make sure to bring enough cash. Some of the dive shops and resorts do take debit and credit card. Another spot to just chill and hang out with friends is the Coral Bay, you can go for a hike to the windmill which a popular place here in Perhentian Islands. Besides, kayaking also a great thing to do in Perhentian as you will paddle leisurely on azure water and get to another beach. Ordinary place to dive at Perhentian Kecil is Rawa and Seringgi as it is uninhabited and protected by marine park.
In Perhentian Islands, there are lots of things to be discovered and explored as it has numerous of islands. The conservation effort here are great as you will pay a fee to the marine park before you arrived Perhentian Island. Garbage bins also can be found plenty at the beach area to ensure the cleanliness of the beach. The little things that you can help to sustain our Earth are by using recycle bag or plastic and avoid using plastic straw when go to eat. No matter where you are, be an educated person that have empathy and love to the nature.