Perhentian Islands

The Perhentian Islands, Perhentian Besar and Perhentian Kecil, lie off the coast of Terengganu in northeast Peninsular Malaysia, inside a protected marine park. Clear, warm water, short boat rides and low prices make them one of Malaysia's most popular places to learn to dive. Sites such as Temple of the Sea, Tokong Laut and the Sugar Wreck offer pinnacles, schooling fish, turtles, bamboo sharks and the odd whale shark, while the shallow bays are excellent for snorkelling. The season runs from roughly March to October, and most dive centres close during the northeast monsoon from November to February.