Our journey from Kajang(that started at 3:00am) came to a hault at 9:45am at the Kuala Besut jetty. There are 2 main routes to Kuala Besut from KL(we found out from Malaysian Diving Community forum):
1) Kuala Lumpur/ Karak Highway/ Kuantan/ Kuala Terengganu/ Kuala Besut
- Ex Pulau Perhentian (approx. 556 km)
2) Kuala Lumpur/ Karak Highway/ Bentong/ Kuala Lipis/ Gua Musang/ Kuala Krai/ Machang/ Jerteh/ Kuala Besut
- Ex Pulau Perhentian (approx. 460 km) - Toll : RM8/way
We journeyed through passage 2, since it is shorter but I would suggest to use passage 1 as it is via the East Coast highway and much faster(better roads).
Though it was extremely dark in the beginning, the scenic view slowly unfolded as dawn started to break. We only manage to make 1 stop for a cup of tea.
8 of us got our package from Jouis Travel - RM450/person
The package included:
1) Return Boat Transfers (Kuala Besut <=> Perhentian Kecil)
2) 3d2n stay at Shari-La Resort - Beachfront and view of Susu Dara Island
3) Meals 2b, 2l, 2d(1 of which is a seafood bbq) - all meals served at the hotel so they were good
4) 3 snorkeling trips at Perhentian Island
5) Half day trip to Redang Island - with snorkeling
6) A stopover at Lang Tengah - with snorkeling
7) 2 trips to Air Berani
Our guides were extremely helpful. From the time we parked our car at the jetty (RM10/day), right until we started our journey back to KL, they were waiting on us and always on time to pick us up for our activities.
We managed to even catch a fire show on our 2nd night that was held by 1 of the cabana shops by the beach.
Our mistaken assumption : Beer should be ample - considering it being a vacation hotspot and highly visited by whites.
Advise : Take your own 'fun in a can'. RM10/can of beer. Wine - no where in sight. Cheap Vodka, Rum & Whiskey can be found for RM15-RM40/btl.
Though the multiple snorkeling trips exhausted us more than expected, the splendour of the beach made every moment spent worth it :)
EXPERIENCE RATING : 9/10
