Day 6: Long Beach Snorkeling and the Coral Bay Sunset | Malaysia Purple Travel Guide
On the sixth day of our Malaysia Purple Travel Guide itinerary we will explore the underwater world of the Perhentian Islands. If you stay on Long Beach on Pulau Perhentian Kecil (The Small Island), then you are in for a treat, as there is snorkeling on the northern end and the southern end of the beach. We find that the snorkeling right off the northern end of Long Beach is probably the best on-beach snorkeling on the planet.
In the afternoon, walk across the island to Coral Bay for more swimming and snorkeling, and maybe for watching the sunset.
Remember to bring mosquito spray for the walk through the jungle.
1 = Long Beach
2 = Jungle Trail
3 = Coral Bay
Here at Backpack and Snorkel Travel Guides, we promote self-guided walking tours.
But we realize that not everybody likes to walk by themselves in a foreign city. So, just in case that you rather go with ab guide: NO PROBLEM! Please see the GuruWalk and Viator tours below.
paid Viator tours
Snorkeling on Long Beach
While many travelers book expensive boat tours, you can discover incredible marine life just by walking into the water at either end of Long Beach. The northern end, near the rocky outcrops past the luxury resorts, is a sanctuary for schools of colorful parrotfish and the occasional blacktip reef shark circling the shallow reefs. If you head to the southern end, the underwater topography changes into a series of submerged boulders and coral gardens that are home to vibrant anemonefish (Nemo) and blue-spotted rays. Because these areas are reachable from the shore, you have the freedom to stay as long as you like without following a tour group schedule. You should bring your own mask and fins to avoid daily rental fees and ensure you have a comfortable fit for a long morning of exploration.
Jungle Trail Connecting Long Beach and Coral Bay
The jungle trail is the vital artery of Perhentian Kecil, offering a brief but immersive trek through the island’s lush interior. This partially paved path takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes to complete and allows you to transition from the high-energy atmosphere of Long Beach to the bohemian quiet of Coral Bay. As you walk under the dense canopy, keep your eyes peeled for the island's famous residents, including large monitor lizards and playful dusky leaf monkeys leaping through the trees. It is an easy walk, but the tropical humidity is always present, so you will appreciate the cooling sea breeze that greets you at either end. This trail is perfectly safe to navigate on your own, and it serves as a wonderful reminder that the Perhentian Islands are as much about the jungle as they are about the sea.
Explore our Jungle Trail article and see local wildlife during your cross-island walk.
Coral Bay (Teluk Aur)
Coral Bay, known locally as Teluk Aur, is the serene counterpart to the bustling Long Beach. This west-facing bay is defined by its laid-back cafes, rustic wooden piers, and some of the best sunset views in all of Malaysia. During the afternoon, the shallow, turquoise waters are perfect for sunbathing or a relaxed session of snorkeling around the artificial reef balls located just offshore. As evening approaches, the beachfront restaurants set up tables on the sand, offering fresh seafood barbecues and a front-row seat to the daily spectacle of the sun dipping below the horizon. It is a place where time seems to slow down, making it the ideal spot for a long, leisurely dinner while you watch the sky turn brilliant shades of pink and orange.
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Author: Rudy at Backpack and Snorkel
Bio: Owner of Backpack and Snorkel Travel Guides. We create in-depth guides to help you plan unforgettable vacations around the world.
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