HOLIDAY: Perhentian Islands Turtle Experience 3D2N

Help protect sea turtles from the comfort of a tropical island.

Country: Malaysia

Type: Wildlife

Length: 3 days, 2 nights

Cost: From Rm1,000

Close your eyes (okay read this, then close your eyes) and imagine this: you’re sitting on a white-sand beach, with the hot sun beaming down on you and clear turquoise waters washing in at your toes. Sound like paradise? Okay, now add in some sea turtles. We can’t imagine anything better either.

WHAT WILL I BE DOING?

Day 1: Arrival, introduction to green turtles and turtle watch

The team will meet you at Kuala Besut jetty – the departure point for your 30-minute boat ride to the idyllic Perhentian islands. After a short orientation, village tour and traditional Malaysian, the team will give you an introduction to green turtles and take you swimming at the village beach.

Once night falls, you’ll be going on turtle watch: guarding turtle nesting beaches, star-gazing and story-telling.

Day 2: Snorkel tour, coral reef conservation talk and turtle watch

You’ll start the day with a coral reef conservation talk before you hit the waters again for your snorkel tour. As well as looking out for corals, sharks and colourful fish, you’ll collect data on sea turtles by swimming alongside them and snapping photos.  After lunch, you’ll join the team for a beach clean-up, and then you’ll have some free time before the night’s turtle watch.

Day 3: Debrief and departure

You’ll board the 12pm boat back to the mainland – and you’ll have plenty of once-in-a-lifetime stories to tell your fellow passengers!

WHAT DO I GET?

What’s included?

• Boat transfer from Kuala Besut to Pulau Perhentian
• Accommodation
• Three meals per full day
• Two turtle watch trips
• Snorkel tour

What’s not included?

• Travel to Kuala Besut jetty
• Travel and medical insurance
• Personal expenses e.g. phone bills, drinks and snacks

Support:

There will be English speaking, qualified staff and guides (both local and international) supporting you on all activities.

Accommodation:

You’ll be staying in a guesthouse in the village with a western-style toilet, a personal locker.

You’ll be a two-minute walk away from the Fuze Ecoteer house – where you’ll have your breakfast and your conservation talks, and also be able to access Wi-Fi. There is a safe box at the house, and a laundry service is available for an additional charge.

Food:

A simple toast and cereal breakfast will be provided at the Fuze Ecoteer house (although you can opt to try some traditional breakfasts from the nearby street stalls. We recommend the roti canai!) and you’ll be given a packed lunches to take on your hike.

Lunch and dinner will be at a local restaurant, comprising of rice or noodles with meat and vegetable side dishes (and plenty of spice if you’re up for the challenge).

You can buy extra snacks and drinks from the village shops (although you might struggle to find any Walkers and Dairy Milks).

WHEN CAN I GO?

Please make sure you arrive on the islands in the morning.

Boats to the island depart regularly between 8am to 4pm and take about 30-45 minutes. Boats back to Kuala Besut jetty depart three times a day: 8am, 12am, 4pm.

This project is open from April to October for turtle nesting season. No tours will run between November to March.

What to bring:

• Sandals or flip flops
• Sleeping bag for turtle watch (you’ll be sleeping on / near the beach); a sleeping mat will be provided
• Thin t-shirts
• Long-sleeved, dark-coloured t-shirt and dark-coloured trousers for turtle watch
• Swimwear (including a t-shirt and shorts covering shoulders and knees to swim in)
• Towel
• Sun block
• Mosquito repellent
• Personal medication(anti-histamines, antibiotics, diarrhoea medication, anti-inflammatory)
• Water bottle
• Hat
• Camera

Clothes:

Since you’ll be staying in a conservative Muslim village, we ask all our guests to ensure their knees and shoulders are covered at all times.

Money:

The local currency in Malaysia is Ringgit (MYR or RM). There are no ATMs on the island, and shops only accept cash, so you will need to bring enough cash for your whole trip with you.