According to Wikipedia, the Perhentian Islands lie approximately 10 nautical miles (19 km) offshore the coast of northeastern Malaysia in the state of Terengganu, approximately 40 miles (64 km) south of the Thai border.
The two main islands are Perhentian Besar ("Big Perhentian") and Perhentian Kecil ("Small Perhentian"). The small, uninhabited islands of Susu Dara (Virgin Milk), Seringgi and Rawa lie off Perhentian Kecil. The Perhentians belong to Pulau Redang National Marine Park, which means that fishing, collecting coral and littering are strictly prohibited.
The smaller islands surrounding Perhentian Besar and Kecil.
Along the Flora & Fauna beach. Although still not too commercialised, the beach was not as clean as i'd expected. Walking along the shores, i picked up at least a dozen black plastic bags, half buried in the sand.
The other sad sight is the broken and dead corals surrounding the island! Human acitivity - specifically speedboat engines and snorkelers who step on the corals, are suspected to be one of the major causes.
With tourism a main revenue, pollution becomes one of the major threats of the islands.
Here are what looks to be metal bins I spotted while snorkeling.
All that said, Perhentian is still a beautiful island and I honestly hope the Malaysian government will recognise what jewels its resources are and try to preserve whats left of them. Sights like these (and better than these) are still plentiful on the islands.
Snorkeling is the main activity and the beauty of the ocean is absolutely breathtaking!
Group shot for the album :)
