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PERHENTIAN ISLANDS TRAVEL GUIDE

Looking for ideas to help with planning your trip to Pulau Perhentian? Read our travel guide on what to do, where to stay and how to get to Perhentian Islands.

With idyllic white sandy beaches, turquoise waters and marine life aplenty, Perhentian Islands or more commonly known as Pulau Perhentian in Malay, is a Must Visit for beach bums when in Malaysia!

two girls standing on rocks overlooking turquoise waters of Perhentian Island

Perhentian Islands, a slice paradise off the north east coast of Malaysia on the South China Sea, is no longer a secret to travellers and is a popular destination for backpackers travelling throughout Asia. Divided into two islands, Perhentian Kecil (Small) and Perhentian Besar (Big), these pristine islands are suitable for backpackers and families alike. The islands also boasts popular dive spots with colorful marine life and excellent underwater visibility.

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PERHENTIAN ISLANDS TRAVEL GUIDE

PERHENTIAN KECIL OR PERHENTIAN BESAR?

It does get confusing as both are separate islands but have the same first name. While it’s obvious one is bigger than the other, both islands offer a different vibe and is catered to different budgets. Find out which island will suit you best with fun things to do on Perhentian Island:

Perhentian Kecil and Perhentian Besar on a simple painted map
Perhentian Kecil and Perhentian Besar are close by one another

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PULAU PERHENTIAN KECIL

Perhentian Kecil caters mostly to the younger crowd and offers cheaper accommodation for backpackers. Along Long Beach on the eastern side of the island, you will find bars, restaurants, dive centers and accommodation ranging from MYR50.00 upwards. Although not as wild as some of the party islands in Thailand, Pulau Perhentian Kecil still attracts a vibrant crowd. During the evenings, the beach bars will have fire-shows and music. However, the mornings are a different sight with scuba divers struggling to walk up and down the sandy beach with their equipment before and after their dives. The beach here is wide with fine white sand and is perfect for working on your tan.

Perhentian Kecil Long Beach- morning view of beach and dive center
Divers preparing for their morning dives on Long Beach
view from ocean looking towards coral bay
Coral Bay

A 10 minute trek through the jungle on the other side of the island takes you to Coral Bay. This scenic bay is ideal for those who want to party but still be able to retreat back to serenity. Here, you will find newer resorts and a more laid back atmosphere. True to its name, Coral Bay is scattered with corals and while the waters are calm, be careful of sharp corals while near the shoreline and in the sea. Sunsets here are gorgeous. There are far lesser dive centers on this side but food here is generally cheaper and better than on Long Beach.

PULAU PERHENTIAN BESAR

Pulau Perhentian Besar, a.k.a The Big Island, is more suited for honeymooners and families with children and is much calmer than Perhentian Kecil. You will not find parties here and dining options are limited. Mostly larger beach resorts and private villas have been built on Perhentian Besar, but don’t expect five-star luxury hotels. You will find the most pristine beaches that’s hardly packed with tourists on Perhentian Besar.

Perhentian Besar boats on beach
Peaceful vibes around Perhentian Besar

Turtle Beach on Pulau Perhentian Besar, aptly named for its resident turtles, has the softest stretch of white sand and crystal waters. These turtles are there everyday and will swim around with you just meters away from the shore. A trip between both islands by a small boat is only a ten minute ride away and can be arranged by the resorts. Snorkelling is great here as marine life are everywhere. You can also rent kayaks and explore the islands or rent a private boat for a day trip around the islands.

Snorkelling with turtles at Perhentian Besar Turtle Beach
Snorkle with turtles around Turtle Beach
Turtles surfacing
Turtles greeting you

PERHENTIAN ISLANDS ACTIVITIES

Apart from the excellent diving and snorkelling conditions, there are lots more activities to do around the Perhentian Islands. Rent a kayak and explore the hidden beaches and bays around the islands. Perhentian Kecil is about 8.5 miles in circumference, and takes approximately 3 hours of constant paddling to get around the island. Perhentian Besar is about 10 miles in circumference.

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kayak on a secluded beach in Perhentian Islands
Discover hidden beaches with your kayak

Both Perhentian Kecil and Perhentian Besar are surrounded by tropical rainforest and are perfect for some mild trekking. There are small trails along both islands that allow you to go through the jungle and explore the flora and fauna. If you’re lucky, you may spot small animals including the mousedeer, monkeys, monitor lizards and even come across large spiders. Make sure you’re protected with insect repellent.

An easy 20-30 minute hike up to Pulau Perhentian Kincir Angin (windmill) will reward you with magnificent views over the South China Sea. Be careful as some of the steps are broken and the windmill is no longer working.

Perhentian Kecil Kincir Angin view from above
Breathtaking views from the windmill

GETTING TO PERHENTIAN ISLANDS

Perhentian islands do not have an airport. The only way to get to these islands is by boat from the mainland is through Kuala Besut jetty in Terengganu. It takes approximately 40 minutes by speedboat to reach the islands and costs roughly MYR35.00 each way. Tickets can be purchased at the terminal itself or through a travel agent. There is also a marine conservation fee (MYR5.00 for local residents and MYR30.00 for foreign tourists) to be paid before boarding the boat.

HOW TO GET TO KUALA BESUT

Bus

Bus is the most popular transportation mode among tourists to reach Kuala Besut Jetty. It is the cheapest and most convenient mode of transportation to Kuala Besut Jetty.There are regular bus services connecting major cities around Malaysia to Kuala Besut. Click here for the schedule.

Flight

The closest airport is Kota Bharu. Alternatively you can also fly into Kuala Terengganu. From the airport, take a taxi (+- MYR 70.00) or bus to Kuala Besut jetty.

Train

The intercity railway network inย Peninsular Malaysiaย consists of two main lines: Theย KTM West Coast Lineย between Singapore and Padang Besar,ย Perlis, on the Malaysian-Thai border, and theย KTM East Coast Lineย between Gemas inย Negeri Sembilan and Tumpat inย Kelantan.

From Cities in West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia

From cities in West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia such as Butterworth or Bukit Mertajam in Penang or Pandang Besar or Arau in Perlis, or any other cities, get on the KTM West Coast Line towards KL Sentral. From KL Sentral take the train headed for Gemas (the Interchange from KTM West Coast Line to KTM East Coast Line).

From Gemas, take the KTM East Coast Line and disembark at Tanah Merah Station (the nearest station to Kuala Besut Jetty).ย  From Tanah Merah Station, take a taxi or public bus to Kuala Besut Jetty (estimated 45-60 minutes ride).

From Cities in South and East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia

From cities in the South ie. Johor Bahru and East Coast ie. Jerantut, you will need to get on KTM East Coast Line to Gemas (the Interchange) and disembark at Tanah Merah Stationย (the nearest station to Kuala Besut Jetty).ย From Tanah Merah Station, take a taxi or public bus to Kuala Besut Jetty (estimated 45-60 minutes ride).

Boat Schedule

Kuala Besut to Perhentian Islands: 8:00AM, 12:00PM and 16:00PM. There may be an extra boat atย 10:00 am depending on the season.

Perhentian Islands to Kuala Besut: 8:00AM, 12:00PM and 16:00PM

BEST TIME TO GO TO PERHENTIAN ISLANDS

The best time to visit Pulau Perhentian/Perhentian Islands are during the months of July and August. Weather is generally sunny and diving conditions excellent during these two months. Alternatively, the months of April, May and June have lesser tourists and have equally good weather. Perhentian Islands are closed during the monsoon season from late October to mid-March. It will be wiser to head to the islands on the west coast of Malaysia during those months.

Mountain cliff crystal clear sea blue skies

TOP HOTELS & RESORTS ON PERHENTIAN ISLAND

Perhentian Kecil offers a mix of budget and mid-range accommodation whereas Perhentian Besar offers a handful of of mid-range to luxury resorts, suitable for couples and families. Perhentian Kecil, being the more popular island, has seen major developments and commercialism in the recent years.

Travel between the two islands are easy and frequent with the water taxi services so getting from one to the other is not a problem should you wish to do day trips.

The top hotels and resorts on Perhentian Kecil are the exclusive BuBu Villas, the secluded yet stunning Alunan Resort and Mimpi on Long Beach.

Tuna Bay Island Resort, The Barat Perhentian Beach Resort and Perhentian Island Resort are the top resorts to stay in Perhentian Besar.

For spontaneous travellers, you can try your luck by booking your hotel stay through the travel agents at Kuala Besut Jetty on the day itself. Alternatively, you can take the boat to Perhentian Kecil and walk-in to the guesthouses and resorts along Long Beach to enquire during the off-peak season. It is highly recommended, however, to book in advance.

TRAVEL TIPS & ADVICE

Banks & ATMs

There are no banks and ATMs on Perhentian Islands, however most bigger resorts accept major credit cards and some even offer currency exchange.

Alcohol & Drinks

Although Perhentian Islands are situated within the state of Terengganu – a predominantly Muslim state, alcohol is available within resorts and at the numerous beach bars around. Prices are more expensive, with beers sold at MYR13.00 for a can and cocktails from MYR15.00 upwards.

Alcohol is hard to find on the mainland in Kuala Besut. However, just close by to Kuala Besut jetty, there is the one and only Chinese Restaurant that sells bottled beers.

Water from the tap is not potable/ safe to drink. Convenience stores and restaurants sell bottles of mineral water on the islands.

Dresscode

Perhentian Islands are rather laidback and have no strict dresscodes. Bikinis are allowed on all the beaches. No nudity is allowed and topless sunbathing is frowned upon.

It is recommended to cover up if you decide to visit the mosques around the island and also on the mainland – especially in Kuala Terengganu and Kota Bahru. Women are advised to wear long pants and cover their shoulders.

If you are ever in Malaysia, remember to plan a trip to Perhentian Islands. Definitely one of the best islands around Peninsular Malaysia and is worth a visit!

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2 thoughts on “PERHENTIAN ISLANDS TRAVEL GUIDE

  • Nice read! We visited Perhentian Kecil 8 years ago, and wouldn’t mind going back some day. Snorkeling (with small sharks!) was awesome, as well as kayaking around the island.

    Reply
  • This looks absolutely breathtaking! The beaches Iโ€™ve been to in the states donโ€™t look anything like this. Kayaking and trekking through rainforests with views like that, I donโ€™t know if Iโ€™d ever want to leave. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

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