Mersing: Mirage Island Resort Pulau Besar

I booked this as a short beach break for the family, and since I started learning swimming, I thought I'd book somewhere that we can snorkel on the beach (I was cautious of snorkeling as well before learning swimming). Originally my preferred choice was Pulau Sibu (Sibu Island Resort) for a family getaway but they were fully booked that weekend. In the end, we settled for Pulau Besar.

We took about 5 hours to drive from KL to Mersing Jetty. We went through the PLUS Highway heading south, turning out at Ayer Itam Exit, pass Kluang, Kahang, NITAR Oil Plantations and into Mersing. While the signage to Mersing was clear all the way from Ayer Itam, once you reach Mersing, the signs to the Jetty is unclear. Remember that its around the KFC area...don't go further than that.

The pic below shows the Mirage Office in the Mersing Jetty where you are to register before departing:

Upon arrival at the Jetty....

We arrived around 11am and registered ourselves at the Mirage Island office. Our boat was scheduled to depart at 12.30pm and the other group joined us right on time. It was a rocky ride to Pulau Besar, about 30 minutes. They carried our baggage all the way to the hotel rooms.

Shows the reception at Mirage Island Resort Pulau Besar

When we arrived, we were greeted with Welcome drinks and showed to our rooms. We booked the A-Frame Chalets for a 3D2N food-board package of RM 420 (inclusive of a weekend surcharge). The rooms were nothing to shout about, just enter the room and you will see 1 double bed and 1 single bed, and a toilet.

We had a walk along the beach and played in the water. There isnt really much fish swimming on the coast like in Marine parks in Langkawi or Redang. While the water was clean, there isnt any opportunity for snorkelling as the hotel didnt rent out lifejackets or snorkels either (or at least, I didnt ask and I didnt see any lying around the hotel). There really isnt anything much to do around the island but hanging out and playing in the water. There isnt any wifi either.

You can arrange for a snorkelling trip but they need a minimum number of 8 or you need to rent the whole boat at RM 400.

 

 

Apparently they were shooting European Survivor we were there and this place is quite popular with film crews. 

 

 The food was pretty good - we were served cashew chicken, mixed vegetables and sweet and sour fish the first night, followed by an all out bbq the second night. I really enjoyed the BBQ as it has been a while since I've tried one. They serve tea, coffee and water all day. However, the cocktails were really expensive at RM 30 each. However, you can get vodka orange at about RM 18. Coke was RM 5 + 10% tax. 

All in all it was an OK place I suppose. Only if you like lounging around the beach and doing nothing. I'm not into that so I probably wont come again but if you like lounging and you are on a budget, this is a reasonably good place. 

Hotel website: http://www.mirageislandresort.com/