Gem Island Private island paradise

#malaysia This is a private island with only one resort. This island is just next to the much bigger Pulau Kapas. The hotel rate is more expensive and budget travelers will normally go to Pulau Kapas for cheaper cost and for more happenings. Gemia Island is a nice place to relax because there are not many visitor. Getting there - Parking at Marang Jetty. It is public parking, chargeable at RM6 per night. Boat Transfer from Marang Jetty to the Resort. This is provided by Suria Link Boat Services. The boat is new and safe. Boatman is friendly too. Boat ride is about 15 minutes from Marang. Ambiance/Facilities - Snorkeling, diving, and kayaking. If you are lucky like us, you got to witness the releasing of many one month old leatherback turtles at the beach. One in a lifetime experience. Highlights - The corals were decent, especially on the South China Sea-facing coast and we saw branch & staghorn corals, shelf/plate coral, sea anemone and clown fish, boxfish, sea cucumber and sea slugs, and too many fishes to name. It was great fun kayakking around Gem island (just 30-40 mins.) and we also kayakked over to Pulau Kapas (just the beach facing Gem Island). Food - The food at Gem Island was also quite yummy. The breakfast croissant was light and buttery and the coffee was robust enough. I liked the Indian style chicken curry for dinner and I found the squid cooked in a savoury-sweet-slightly sour gravy yummy. Tips - This resort they have electricity break time in the afternoon for 3 hours and prepared to pay some extra charges at the hotel after checkout. Activities like kayaking not included. Rating - 7/10