Bubbles Dive Resort

Returning to Bubbles on Perhentian is always somewhat dreamy. After a long flight from the UK and then transit by an internal flight and then minibus (well-organised by Bubbles), the boat trip across from Kuala Besut marks the start of The Big Wind Down”. Here, getting through the jet lag is always a simple matter of finding a quiet place to sleep. Hammock, deck chair, the floating pontoon, there are many options. The beach sand is still baby powder soft white, the water in the bay translucent and lively with fish, the surrounding jungle is alive and so green. The resident sea eagles still patrol the bay and the monkeys play in the tree tops and never venture too close. Time to head off to KL after a week here, which is always a bit sad. Until next time guys.

We found Bubbles via a search engine as we were looking for somewhere to join a turtle conservation program. It not only fulfilled all our wishes for turtle conservation but was also a first class dive resort and fantastically chilled holiday resort. We arrived at the Kuala Besut jetty and easily found the Bubbles shop. We were found an earlier boat and 30 minutes later were pulling up to a pier jutting out from the beach (which was basically empty). It looked beautiful. Staff came running out and helped us with our bags and moments later we were checked in and shown to our room. The room is basic but clean with two large double beds and a toilet to one side at the back with outdoor shower the other. Don’t expect views of the beach because the hotel has left the beachfront to the turtles so that they can nest on the top of the beach as they have been for centuries. You get the view by walking to the uncrowded beach! We arrived before a Malaysian national holiday and departed after, even during the busy holiday period the beach area was not especially busy, outside of the holiday period you were lucky if there were ten people! There are some rustic sun-beds and hammocks at one end of the beach and the other end is left to the turtles and other wildlife. There are a couple of SUP’s and you can rent mask and snorkel. All very relaxing! We had come to join an experimental turtle conservation program with a group of longer term workers / volunteers. Sarah, Holly, Molly, Emma and Nada were amazing and their knowledge of turtle hatchery outstanding. We joined them for night patrols (all night, every hour rain or no rain), educational workshops, beach cleans, egg laying management, hatching releases. This team has a very responsible job to do and execute it perfectly. Guests should remember that the team has to protect the turtles and therefore people have to follow the rules they set, the usual balance between tourism and conservation. They balance this well. The resort has a house reef which is excellent for those who do not want to dive. The water is shallow for some distance with coral areas and at the edges of the bay the fish are exceptional. While snorkeling we saw black tipped reef sharks, bump head parrot fish, titan trigger fish, and all the other reef fish that you can list. The water was clear and calm and even with some days of wind no problem for hours of snorkeling. Another cornerstone of the resort is the excellent dive centre run by Grace. I was so impressed and encouraged by the operation I ended up doing my Padi Rescue Diver course as well as Nitrox certification. I was lucky to be instructed by the boss, Ronnie who gave me a very detailed tuition both in and out the water. I followed this with 9 recreational dives with Ryan who is one of the most enthusiastic divers I have had the pleasure of diving with. As is usual with diving life can become dive, eat, sleep, repeat. The food is plentiful and buffet style. The menu rotates

Amazing stay at an amazing resort! Everything exceeded my expectations - rooms are spacious, clean and outdoor shower is a nice bonus! It takes like 20 steps to get to the beach - and it is one of the nicest beaches I have ever seen! And it is all private feeling as there is not any other accommodation on this beach. It is simply a paradise and you have everything at your finger tips, literally - beach, snorkelling/diving, meals etc. I stayed there for 5 nights and I am so happy I made this choice!