Perhentian Islands (Malaysia)

General Tourist Information

The Perhentian Islands are a volcanic archipelago located in the territorial waters of Malaysia in the Gulf of Thailand (South China Sea), close to the border with Thailand (islands on the interactive map of Malaysia). They are only ten nautical miles (19 kilometers) from the mainland coast of the Malay Peninsula. Administratively, they belong to the state of Terengganu in West Malaysia and are subject to a hereditary monarch. The population is homogeneous – over 90% are Malay, with the rest being Chinese, Indian, and Thai. The population is predominantly Sunni Muslim.

The archipelago includes two relatively large islands, Perhentian Kecil (small) and Perhentian Besar (large), and a scattering of conditionally inhabited satellites: Susu Dara Kecil, Rawa, Terumbu Tiga, Susu Dara Besar, Tokong Laut, Serenggeh, and others. A significant part of the islands is covered with dense tropical vegetation, and their terrain is dominated by rocky plateaus. The coastline alternates sandy beaches in open bays with basalt rocks of headlands and jagged reefs.

The archipelago has been legally designated a protected area under the Redang Marine National Park. There is a list of strict rules regarding fishing, collecting shells and corals, and waste disposal. A vacation in the nature reserve can be planned either as a permanent stay or in the form of day visits during marine cruises.

In the Perhentians, you can find accommodation for any budget: from campsites (from $15 for two) to comfortable air-conditioned rooms (from $50). However, there are few inexpensive options, so it's worth booking them in advance. There are no ATMs on the islands, so take care of having enough cash ringgit beforehand.

Vacation

The main islands of the archipelago offer several developed beaches. On Perhentian Kecil, the most popular is Long Beach with its white sand and vibrant nightlife, while the quieter Coral Bay is on the west coast. On Perhentian Besar, notable beaches include Teluk Pauh with excellent snorkeling right off the shore, Teluk Dalam, and Flora Bay – all are secluded and offer scenic views.

But the archipelago is attractive not only for beach holidays. It is one of the best places in Malaysia for diving and snorkeling. The underwater world of the National Marine Park is incredibly rich: turtles, whale sharks, clownfish, barracudas, stingrays, parrotfish – this is just a partial list of the marine life you can encounter in the local waters. Here are the best spots:

• Terumbu Tiga – a haven for drift diving enthusiasts. This is facilitated by the sandy bottom, underwater visibility up to 15 m, shallow waters (depth up to 18 m), and moderate currents.
• Tokong Laut – an uninhabited rock with massive boulders forming an underwater slope. Diving allows you to study landscape changes at depths up to 30 m.
• Rawa – a labyrinth island riddled with many underwater tunnels and caves. The passages are safe, and swimmers can pass through them.
• Sugar Wreck – a sunken 90-meter cargo vessel off the coast of Kuala Besut.
• Rubik's Cube Reef, named for the idea of creating an artificial reef using concrete blocks.

Infrastructure

Developed tourist infrastructure exists only on the two main islands – Besar and Kecil. There are differences in comfort and pricing policies between these sister islands, separated by a strait 1–3 km wide. Kecil lags in service sophistication and suits tourists who aren't inclined to spend large sums on hotels and gourmet restaurant meals, while Besar is more expensive with corresponding hotels. Consequently, hotels on Besar cater to an older demographic preferring peace and quiet, while Kecil is favored by backpackers who enjoy late-night gatherings with karaoke. Tourists typically do not stay on the other islands, visiting them during sea excursions or for activity programs.

Fans of shopping during their vacation will be disappointed. The retail network on the islands only offers tourist essentials, simple souvenirs, groceries, fruits, and soft drinks. Alcohol is sold at very high prices due to high excise taxes.

Important to know: there are no ATMs on the islands, so ensure you have enough cash ringgit in advance. Credit cards are not accepted everywhere, mainly in large hotels and dive centers.

Weather, Seasons in the Perhentians

In the Perhentians, like on other resorts on the east coast of Malaysia, there are two seasons:

The high season (dry season) lasts from June to October. This is the best time to visit: not too hot, almost no rain, calm sea, ideal conditions for diving and beach holidays.

The low season (monsoon season) falls from November to May. Constantly blowing monsoon winds create high waves at sea, precipitation is frequent, and the sky is often overcast. During this period, tourist life on the island almost completely stops; hotels, restaurants, and attractions close. Going to the islands from November to February is pointless.

Current weather in the Perhentians (Kuala Besut) and forecast

Temperature and Precipitation in the Perhentians by Month

Hotels in the Perhentians

Hotels are only on the two main islands – Kecil and Besar. If your budget is limited, it's better to look for accommodation on Kecil. Besar has many more expensive hotels, and overall prices are higher and infrastructure is more developed. There are budget options (guesthouses, campsites) on Kecil, but there are few, so it's recommended to book in advance, especially in the high season.

Approximate accommodation prices (for two per night):

• Camping – from $15 USD.
• Inexpensive guest house with minimal amenities – from $25 USD.
• Comfortable room with private bathroom and air conditioning – from $50 USD.

You can find and book accommodation in the Perhentians online, including payment with Russian cards, on these trusted sites:

• Trip.com - the largest selection of options and low prices, our choice in SEA 99% of the time.
• Ostrovok.ru - a reliable old Russian booking system
• Yandex.Travel - here you can save with subscriptions and Plus points

Perhentian Hotels on the Map

How to Get There

There is no airport in the Perhentians; you can only get there by boat from the town of Kuala Besut in Terengganu state. Speedboats depart from the jetty in Kuala Besut from 09:00 to 17:00 without a fixed schedule, filling up as passengers arrive. The cost is 70 ringgit (17.14 USD) round trip and 40 one way, travel time 30-40 minutes. Boats from the islands depart at 08:00, 12:00, 16:00, or as they fill up.

You can get to Kuala Besut by bus from Kuala Lumpur from Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) (not from Hentian Putra Station as before), cost from 40 ringgit, departure at 09:00 and 21:00, travel time 9 hours.

Bus schedules and tickets in Malaysia can be checked and purchased on the websites:

• 12go.asia (you can pay cash at 7-eleven)
• busonlineticket.com
• easybook.com
• redbus.my/

Transport, How to Get Around

There is no transport on the islands, and you can only get around on foot or by water taxi between beaches and islands. All beaches and tourist areas are connected by trails, and you can reach the furthest by foot in a maximum of 30 minutes. Water taxis can be found on all beaches, costing from 8 to 20 ringgit (1.96-4.9 USD), price is negotiable, you can and should haggle.

Sights

There are no historical sights on the archipelago, but there are plenty of natural ones, most of which are underwater. Several dive centers operate on both islands, offering snorkeling tours. On the islands themselves, you can go trekking in the jungle. For example, on Perhentian Kecil, a popular hike is up the hill between Long Beach and Coral Bay, offering panoramic views of both bays. On the larger island, a trip to the abandoned lighthouse on the eastern tip is interesting.