Dive sites on Perhentian Island

As mentioned for few times, Perhentian Island is the most ideal and perfect island for those who love diving activities. There are mnay dive spot actually on Perhentian Island. Here is what I’ve read from a website about some good sites for diving.

“Dive sites at Perhentian Island are at close proximity to one another with interesting sights at each. Tiger Reel Reef offers the chance to spot green turtles. At Gua Kambing, be prepared for an underwater manicure as cleaner shrimp at some coral bommies excitedly interact with divers. Simply lay your hands down next to the coral and these shrimps will venture to your boldly. Pretty soon, they'll be nibbling away gently as they attempt to get rid of so-called 'parasites' from your nails.

To the north of Perhentian Kecil, you will drift dive past a rich bed of soft and hard corals, shaded by large angelfish, parrotfish and black-spotted snappers, green turtles and manta rays make occasional visits here.

Sail Rock is a naturalists' dream. This little pinnacle offers multi-level diving as you encircle it, checking out the diversity of life. Common are blue-spotted stingrays, boxfish, angelfish and parrotfish. However, you'll have plenty of time to marvel at the huge staghorn gardens, lettuce corals and table corals. Just off the west end of Perhentian Besar is another dive site for coral enthusiasts.

Known as Tanjung Besi, or Iron Cape, it is home to large tracts of staghorn corals. Making your way around this cape often yields encounters with oddball inhabitants of the reef. Giant groupers make their home here. Humphead parrotfish make many a meal-stop here in the evenings. Those with a keen eye should also study the crevices between corals: several large moray eels inhabit these.

For the ultimate, relaxing dive, a night-time shore dive from the north end of Perhentian Kecil's, Long Beach or Pasir Panjang is recommended. You will encounter blue-spotted stingrays, cuttlefish and plenty of reef fish. As you surface for shore, fin gently on your back and gaze into the starry night. The sound of faint music beckoning from the seaside cafes is a magical welcome back to the island. Suffice to say, the relatively shallow depths here allow you to maximise your diving time. Perhentian Besar has ample accommodation and several dive centres. It has a more sedate lifestyle, with chalets only a few metres away from the shore.

Perhentian Kecil offers wider beaches and an even wider range of accommodation. Its vibrant nightlife is renowned. Along the famous Long beach, visitors can enjoy their evenings at the many rustic cafes and bars that open till early hours.

Batu Tokong Laut (Temple Of The Sea)

This rocky outcrop islet is situated on the northwest of Pulau Perhentian Kecil and is accessible by a 30 minutes speedboat ride. The boulder like terrain gradually slopes down to about 30 meters. Strong to mild currents usually sweep the boulders bringing plankton-rich nutrients and attract anything from pelagic to the whale shark. You can easily cover the entire dive site without getting lost around the somewhat triangular boulder terrain. Soft corals in all colours and sizes carpet the seascape offering refuge for numerous small reef fish and mollusks. The presence of smaller reef animal attracts larger predators up the food chain. Jacks, barracudas, kingfish, black tip sharks and nurse sharks are usually sighted.

North of Pulau Susu Dara Besar and Kecil

Facing the open sea front, hard and soft coral communities thrive on the rich nutrients from the sea.

Soft corals - are not as plentiful as Tokong Laut. However, the diving is interesting with good water clarity and abundant reef fish. Expect to see damselfishes, wrasses, trigger fishes and a moray eel peeping out from its lair. You can dive close to the island and let the current take you along the reefs. The fringing reef gives way to sandy terrain at about 18 meters.

'Terumbu Tiga' when translated from the Malay language means three coral blocks and is rated to be one of the top dive sites around Pulau Perhentian, together with Tokong Laut. Situated towards the east of Pulau Perhentian Besar, this dive site is usually washed by currents and makes an interesting drift dive. The boulder terrain slopes down to about 20 meters at the sandy bottom. Visibility fluctuates between 5 to 15 meters depending on the tidal changes. The granite boulders support various soft corals, sea fans and coral whips swaying with the current.”
Source of Article: www.etourz.com

Well, if all these information are not enough for you, then may be you will need to experience it by yourself. Diving on an island that is known as one of the most beautiful islands in the world, should give you a memorable and enjoyable experience. For more info about Pulau Perhentian and the accommodation there, feel free to visit www.tunabay.com.my.