Best Beaches on Perhentian Islandss?

A couple of days is cutting it fine , where are you coming from or in transit to ? . For the record , if you have more time again you can easily also see reef sharks at the big rock at the bottom end of the big island near Isabella Cafe and at Kapas Island on the remote coast facing the open sea . Unfortunately though there may be other sharks as well as just reef sharks there. You can visit the Perhentians up to november or later before weather gets bad but for Kapas by September you will be dodging stinging jellyfish by then

The thing with Kapas is that because it's so close to the mainland, the seawater is not so clear:
http://www.molon.de/galleries/Malaysia/EastCoast/Kapas/img.php?pic=22

Compare this with Perhentian:
http://www.molon.de/galleries/Malaysia/EastCoast/Perhentian/West/img.php?pic=20

My girlfriend can't get anymore days off that week, unfortunately, so I'm having to squeeze in as much as possible. I'm flying down from China, to Kuala Lumpur - arrive at about 7am, and will go shopping - it's hard to get decent clothes in China - and generally mooching around. The next day we fly to Kota Batu, and spend two nights on Perhentian Besar. Then then fly to Penang to spend two nights in Penang/Georgetown.

It's really just a scouting mission. If I like it then I'll definitely come back for longer. Malaysia just seems like a better option than over-touristy Thailand. I'd also like to travel across Indonesia at some point too.

It can depend on conditions but the water at Kapas Island is certainly clear enough to see quite some way when you are snorkeling or diving. Its not as good as the Perhentians but still pretty good. 6kms from the mainland is still enough for the water to be reasonably clean and as well its easier to get to than the Perhentians which would be helpful for someone on limited time although I understand that byrnzie has aleady booked.
Would also point out that the Perhentians no longer has a good coral reef right on the beach like the one at the last small beach at Kapas Island - although its a recovering reef having been smashed up by a cyclone many years ago , but still plenty of fish and a fair amount of coral has regrown. And if you are wondering why I go on so much about development at the Prehentians and don't talk about development at Kapas , at least there are a couple of quite virgin coves on the way to the snorkelling beach.
If you are coming back later Juara at Tioman island is a good option as its cheaper and less developed and a beautiful beach even if the sand isn't as white - the monsoon is shorter too there. Not everywhere in Thailand is over touristy and Malaysia also can be pretty touristy as you will see in Penang and the Perhentian islands and other popular spots . There are a number of threads dealing with where to find whats left of the alternative style places on the Thai islands. So you don't have to choose between Thailand and Malaysia.

O.k, thanks for the info.

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