I went on an Iron Butt ride on my bike non-stop to Phuket Island in Thailand from Kuala Lumpur from 24~28/08/09. It was the low season becoz it was rainy but still I had a good time and spend the next few days touring the islands and did some snorkling too.
This could be your next holiday destination for you guys over in "freezerland". Accommodation is cheap (RM120/night) and so is food. You could also rent a scooter for RM30/day and everyone gets around in one of these. Otherwise there is the tut-tut that you could travel on.
Took the Phi-Phi island tour where you spend the whole day island hopping on a speed boat ... all in cost RM120/head.