Situated in the Sekayu Recreational Forest, the Sekayu Waterfall is a hiking haven for beginners, sitting 55 metres above sea level. Mature trees looming over the falls provide ever-refreshing shade. Rounded boulders strewn alongside its banks, at some places, form clear pools for swimming and colourful fish ponds. The falls are open between 8 am and 6 pm and have an entry fee of RM 1 per person.
A short boat ride away from Pengkalan Gawi, Lasir Waterfall is the most popular picnic spot in Tasik Kenyir. With a majestic fall of almost 153 metres, Lasir drops gracefully onto a multi-tiered boulder, forming showers of foaming white water. You can walk to the waterfall along trails past fruit orchards and enjoy picnics in the rainforest by the waterfall.
Merang is a dainty port town that is famous for its diving spots. The town acts as the gateway to the beautiful islands of Pulau Lang Tengah and Pulau Redang. One can spot many speedboats ferrying people to and fro from the town to the islands. This fishing village has little but is beautiful. One can take a quick stroll on the white-sand beaches that are encompassed by tall and elegant palm trees.
Penarik is a fishing village town, ideal for a taste of the local Malaysian culture. Being close to the Perhentian Islands, this coastal village has a pretty windswept beach that is perfect for a relaxing rest stop away from the daily hassles of life for a couple of days. One can stroll down the soft sands while it is breezy in this less crowded town and one shouldn’t forget to try the local seafood here while they’re here.
Penarik is famous for its awe-striking firefly sanctuary. One should take an evening or night ride on a boat by the swampy mangrove forests and the Sonneratia caseolaris trees, which are locally known as the Berembang, to see thousands of fireflies in an unusually harmonious synchronisation as they dance among the tall, dark trees, waving eerily. This lesser-seen view has been linked to the mating behaviour of the fireflies.
Kapas Island is a tranquil island located 6 km from Marang. The island’s name translates to Cotton Island in Malay, referring to its white, sandy beaches. It is the most accessible of the East Coast islands and is widely known as a paradise for kayaking, diving and snorkelling. This tranquil, scenic island boasts clear seawater, jungles, coral reefs and white sand beaches. The island itself isn’t too big and can be explored in a day or two. However, the ambience is extremely peaceful and refreshing from the daily hassles. It is an ideal place for a romantic getaway or to spend a weekend with friends or family. Adventure lovers can hike in Gem Island and Bukit Singa and trek in the jungle. One can also bask in the sun and the splendid views. Places to stay range from camping on the beach to booking a hotel or resort, as Kapas Island has some of the cheapest island resorts in Malaysia. The island shuts down during the monsoon season from November to March.
Snorkeling is the most famous and key activity on the island. Tourists can also rent snorkels for about RM 10 or invest in a snorkelling tour for about RM 40. Diving is also an enjoyable experience here, with many dive shops available that offer gear. Underwater diving is pretty popular on the island’s western shore and shallow coral reefs. An annual swimathon event is held here that attracts a lot of swimmers and competitors. One can also race in kayaks across the beaches to tour the island if they don’t want to walk for RM 20 an hour. Hiking at Bukit Singa can be done on the jungle trek that goes across the island. It takes about 45 minutes to an hour to complete the trek. There is a substantial amount of climbing and crossing dried river beds along the way. Gem Island is a must-visit and one shouldn’t forget to wear proper shoes and bring water and sun protection along with them! The famous white-sand beaches and palm trees give the island its recognition. They are kept mostly clean throughout the year. There is a pier on the island from which one can spot black-tipped sharks by the reef. The island also has breathtaking sunsets and early sunrises and the soft and hard corals are a sight to behold. Research about Amphidromus snails is conducted extensively in this area.
Tenggol Island, traditionally called Pulau Tenggol, is the most extreme island in the chain of the Pulau Islands. It is a pleasant vacation spot to rewire and relax, as there is little cell reception. Activities like clear-water diving, snorkelling and drift diving are popular. The island is filled with corals to gape at. This little paradise provides a scenic destination. Whale sharks can also be seen and though previously uninhabited, today it has hotels for tourists. The end of summer, mainly from July to August, is the best time to visit Tenggol Island because of the soothing climate. One should avoid the months of October to February, as the weather is unpredictable and being on the beach makes the island mostly closed to visitors. Diving and snorkeling are the most popular and enjoyable activities. There are around 20 sites for diving available, like Batu Chanang and Coral Garden. Day and night diving is also available, along with clear-water diving and drift diving. The dive equipment that is provided is mostly in good condition. Non-divers can leisurely snorkel.
Redang Island is one of the largest islands on Malaysia’s East Coast. Located in the South China Sea, it is a part of the Kuala Nerus District. It is a group of islands well-known for their crystal-clear water, picturesque diving, pristine coral reefs and underwater life. A beautiful group of unexplored islands off Terengganu’s coast, Redang Island is packed with cosy resorts, spas, restaurants and cafés. Tourists can also enjoy the thrills of water sports and beach sports, with some lazing around under the sun to make the trip memorable. From the beautiful scenic view at the beaches around the island to variants of undiscovered and untouched flora and fauna, Redang Island is surely a perfect place to enjoy nature. Pulau Redang is just a 53-kilometer ferry ride from Kuala Terengganu and is famous for its scuba diving. From sea diving in clean water to experiencing underwater beauty to snorkelling, tourists can enjoy the various water sports available.
Tourists can also explore various small islands near Redang. Redang should be avoided between November and February, as it is the monsoon season and resorts and hotels are closed during this time. One should keep cash and credit cards handy, as the island doesn’t have many ATM services. As Redang lies under the protected area of a marine park, there is an entry fee of RM 30 for adults and RM 15 for children. The most famous beach is Taaras Beach. Long Beach, Teluk Dalam Beach and Mutiara Beach are among the other popular beaches. Among these, most of the resorts and hotels are located at Long Beach, also known as Pasir Panjang. All year round, except during monsoons, the water is so lucid that one can spot several marine animals. Each resort has its own diving school, with the most famous being Redang Bay Divers and Redang Divers. These diving schools teach how to dive and even provide licences called open water licenses or PADI. Diving costs about RM100 per dive. It is cheaper if one includes it with their stay package at the resort. Though Redang Island is well-known for diving, snorkelling is also an option. The equipment is provided by the resorts and schools for rent and even for purchase. A walk in the lush green forests of Redang is a must. Long Beach is a 45-minute walk through the jungles from Kampung Baru. Pasir Chagar Hutang, located in the northeast part of Redang, is also very well-known for turtle watching. Since Redang Island consists of nine small islands, one can also pay a visit to these islands during their stay. Also, try to avoid Redang during Malaysian public holidays.
The Perhentian Islands are a group of islands in the Besut District. The islands are beautifully packed with clear turquoise water, lush green forests, white grainy sand and untouched coral reefs. They are part of Pulau Redang National Marine Park. The Perhentian Islands also fall under the Marine Park, which aims at preserving the rich flora and fauna of the area. Therefore, fishing is not allowed on or near the island. The corals and marine life of the Perhentian Islands are rich and mesmerising and are popular for water activities like diving and snorkelling. Several diving schools on the island provide tourists with diving training and an open-sea license called PADI. These schools charge approximately RM 100 per dive per person. Snorkeling is also very popular among tourists. Snorkeling equipment can be rented for RM 13 per day per equipment set. Adam and Eve Beach and Turtle Bay Beach on Besar are ideal for snorkelling. While on Kecil, D’Lagoon is perfect. One can also visit and explore the Turtle Sanctuary at Turtle Bay.
Perhentian Island consists of seven islands, of which two main islands are Perhentian Besar and Perhentian Kecil. Perhentian Kecil is the smaller and busier of the two. The remaining five are uninhabited. Perhentian Kecil has two main beaches: Long Beach and Coral Bay. Perhentian Besar is also referred to as the bigger island and attracts families and couples. Perhentian Besar is more expensive, luxurious and peaceful than Perhentian Kecil, while Perhentian Kecil is known as a backpacker’s go-to beach. The conservation fee for entering the Perhentian Islands is payable at the Kuala Besut jetty, which is the only way to reach the island and costs RM 30 for an adult and RM 15 for a child.
The Perhentian Islands are a great spot for diving as well as snorkeling, with coral reefs off both islands and nearby. The most popular snorkelling is off Long Beach on Kecil and in front of the Coral View Island Resort in Besar. Snorkeling is organised by most resorts and costs around RM 40 for two people. There are multiple options for scuba divers, with dive centres spread across the island. A PADI open-water course costs around RM 1000. Perhentian Island is a great place for hiking, offering several hiking trails that offer magnificent views. While hiking, one may come across dense forests, lush green peaks, beautiful beaches, resorts and snorkeling spots. One can take the trail from Long Beach to Fisherman Village, Long Beach to Coral Bay or Long Beach to the Wind Mills.
Nestled on the Perhentian Islands, the Main Beach stretches from the western tip up until the southern tip of the island. This beach houses rocky headlands and ivory-white sand. Further, it is as long as the Long Beach on Kecil. You can also indulge in activities like swimming and snorkelling at the Main Beach. Teluk Dalam is a beautiful beach that is nestled in the southern part of the island. One can find ivory-white sand on this beach, which is a true treat to the eye. Several snorkelling spots can also be found on the western edge of Teluk Dalam. Further, many hotels and restaurants are also found here. Love Beach is a beautiful beach nestled on the southern tip of the Perhentian Islands. One needs to cross rugged and steep terrain to reach Love Beach. This beach is a great spot for a romantic getaway since it is not crowded and is secluded from the main island.
Long Beach is a pristine beach nestled on the Perhentian Kecil Island of Terengganu. This beach is a great spot for those who wish to relax and rejuvenate. One can dip their feet in crystal-clear water or just enjoy the beauty of the elegant palm and coconut trees nearby. One can even rent an umbrella on the beach if they wish to relax on the ivory-white sandbanks. Long Beach is also a great spot for diving. One might come across beautiful corals and other marine creatures during their dive at Long Beach. Coral Bay offers a great sunset view to visitors. The reef close to the shore is ideal for snorkelling. Several restaurants, cafes and resorts can also be found at Coral Bay. Teluk Kerma
is a beautiful bay situated on the Perhentian Islands. While this bay is small in size, it is quite peaceful and quiet, which makes it a great place to escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. Several diving and snorkelling options are also available in Teluk Kerma. One can also visit the nearby beaches, which are located within walking distance.
A jungle trek is a must while visiting the Perhentian Islands. The most popular trekking trails are from Flora Bay to PIR Beach and from Flora Bay to Tuna Bay. The jungle trails of the Perhentian Islands mainly pass through tropical rainforests, where one will come across several species of flora and fauna. To explore the islands on their own, one can opt for a kayak. Several kayaks are available for rent. While paddling through the waters, one might come across several isolated beaches. If one has their snorkel gear handy, they can dive into the beautiful waters.
All the monetary transactions on the island take place in cash. There are no banks or ATMs on the island. Perhentian Island is secluded, further away and has a very weak network. WiFi is only available in a very few spots. Most of the restaurants and cafes charge separately for WiFi. Fishing, collecting shells, touching corals and littering are strictly prohibited on the island. One should keep an eye out for monitor lizards and monkeys. Petty theft is common on the island. Since tourists will carry cash on the island, they are targeted. Tap water is not safe and is usually salty. It is recommended that one purchase their water bottles throughout the stay.
That’s all about Terengganu. It is lovely and, as of yet, mostly undiscovered, so there are a lot of hidden gems in the state. The next state we will be exploring will be the state of Penang, so keep watching this space!
Memories and Such 