Advance Open Water Course @ Turtle Bay Divers, Perhentian

Advance Open Water Course is the easiest diving course to take. It is because it has no exam. But still have to do chapter review at the end of every chapters.

Well, it is quite a long story but i still want to write about it..

Travel Date: 28th Apr - 1st May 2012.
Location : Pulau Perhentian Kecil, Terengganu.
Dive Center : Turtle Bay Divers
Advance Open Water Students : Me, Zack, Byda and Amy
Open Water Students : Asma and Dilla
Fun Diver : Adi

The journey began on the night of 27 April 2012 by two cars. We gathered at Zack's house in Taman Melati, Gombak, and began the journey to Kuala Besut through Karak Highway and East Coast Highway and took about 8 hours to reach Kuala Besut Jetty. It was a very tiring journey. Arrived in Kuala Besut about 5am, we look for surau to have a rest while waiting for Subuh. There are many parking touts offering their parking costs RM7 for 1 day.

Boat to Perhentian Kecil

After breakfast, we took a boat that has been booked earlier about 7am. Price per person is RM70 for a round trip  There is no name on the boat, but the people there just mention Boat Azhar.

About 30 minutes, we arrived at the small Perhentian Island and boat stopped right in front of Turtle Bay Divers. They did not stop at the jetty but stopped a little closer to the beach. Then we have a small boat to go to the shore with charges RM3 per person.

Turtle Bay Divers

As AOWC students, we do not have to attend classes like watching a video where it needs to be done for student OWC. We took the opportunity to relax in some place to cover our sleep.

Open Water Students

Equipment Assembling

For AOWC, we only need to do 5 dives. 2 compulsory dives are deep dive and navigation dive. Another 3 dives are optional and we chose Wreck dive, night dive and Peak Performance Buoyancy.

Doing some question reviews

Us under the water

Sugar Wreck. Too bad, not much photos for the wreck

Back to the shore

Wreck Dive Question Review

Navigation Dive Class

Chalet in Perhentian Kecil are categorized as budget chalets. Rooms that we've selected only have 2 single beds, a fan, and attached bathroom. Our room rate is RM90 per night. It was comfortable but many mosquitoes during night time. 

The chalet - De'Rock Garden

Beautiful beach with white sand

Me..like a pro. Hehe..

The beaches are so beautiful with white sands. My friends were also went for snorkeling at RM40 for 6 points and I think it was very cheap.

Turtle!!

Foods. Yeah..lets talk about food. You can get normal foods like Fried Rice, and also Western Food but the prices are a bit expensive. We always bought from Makcik that selling Nasi Bungkus and it is cheaper.

Dinner time!

After all the courses were over, we returned to KL early at 8 am to catch the earliest boat to Kuala Besut. 

Jumping time!!

On the way back, we drop by at Kemaman to find Sata. It is a most popular dish at Terengganu made by fish. 

Looking for Sata on the way back to KL

Sata at Kemaman

Here are the list of our cost and some information if you plan to dive in the future:

Accommodation : Perhentian D'Rock Garden Chalets. Fan Cooled Chalet with Bathroom attached.
PADI Open Water Course Package @ TBD : Open Water Course - RM890
PADI Advance Open Water Course Package @ TBD : Course - RM990
*Price inclusive of accommodation

The cost is RM 70 per person / return trip.

Boats leaving Kuala Besut is from 7am - 5pm. Every hour. The speed boat trip is 45 min. Boats leaving the island to the jetty is at 8am, 12 noon and 4pm.

For those flying to Kota Bahru Airport :-

The Taxi transfer from the Kota Bahru airport to Kuala besut jetty takes 1 hour and costs RM 78 per taxi. The taxi can accommodate 4 persons.

Those Taking the Bus :-

The Bus leaves from Hentian Putra station to Kuala Besut jetty. The bus leaves daily at night at 8-9.30pm depending on the bus company :

Mahligai Express
Mutiara Express
Perdana Express
Sani Express

Till then..