Perhentian Islands

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The Perhentian Islands, off the coast of Terengganu, are what a lot of people picture when they think of a tropical island: white sand, turquoise water, and coral reefs you can swim to from the beach. There are no roads and no cars, just footpaths, water taxis and a lot of very relaxed people.

Why go

Snorkelling. The reefs are close and shallow. Turtles and blacktip reef sharks are a common sight.
Cheap diving. A popular place to do a first open-water course.
Proper downtime. No traffic, limited Wi-Fi in places, and nothing much to do except swim and eat.

Besar or Kecil?

There are two main islands, a short boat ride apart.

Island	Good for
Perhentian Besar (big)	Families and couples. Quieter, with more mid-range resorts
Perhentian Kecil (small)	Backpackers and divers. Long Beach is the social hub, Coral Bay is calmer and good for sunsets

You can easily take a water taxi between them for a day trip.

What to do

Snorkel trips. Book a half-day or full-day boat trip from any beach. Typical stops include Turtle Point, Shark Point and the nearby islands.
Dive. Plenty of dive shops on both islands, with courses for beginners.
Walk the jungle trails. Paths cross both islands between beaches. Take water and shoes, not flip-flops.
Do nothing. It’s allowed.

Things to know

Cash. There are few or no ATMs on the islands, so bring enough cash from the mainland.
Alcohol. Terengganu is a conservative state. Some resorts sell alcohol, but it’s not widely available.
Dress. Swimwear on the beach is fine. Cover up a bit when walking through the fishing village on Kecil.

Getting there and around

To the jetty: Boats leave from Kuala Besut on the mainland. The nearest airport is Kota Bharu, with Kuala Terengganu as an alternative, then it’s a taxi or Grab to the jetty. Overnight buses run from KL too.
By boat: Speedboats go to both islands. The ride can be bumpy, so keep your bags and phone in something waterproof.
On the islands: Walk or take a water taxi.

Where to stay

Book ahead in high season, especially on Besar where options are fewer. Kecil has more budget chalets and hostels.

Compare places to stay on the Perhentians

When to go

The season runs roughly from March to October. From around November to February the northeast monsoon makes the sea rough, boats stop running regularly, and most resorts close. Shoulder months can be hit and miss, so check before you go.

Also on the east coast: Tioman Island.