Perhentians or Perhentian Islands in Malaysia are an archipelago of several Malay islands. Most of them are small and uninhabited, and only two islands have infrastructure: Perhentian Besar (Big Island) and Perhentian Kecil (Small Island). Perhentians are called the Paradise of Malaysia. Lovers of snorkeling, diving and beach holidays, as well as those looking for luxurious hotels and tropical views, want to get here. Also, you can visit Redang island located to the southeast from Perhentians.
This is the only ultimate travel guide you need to check to get more details about Perhentian Islands in Malaysia; how to go there, best time to visit, things to do and other useful information for first time visitors.
General Information
- Location: South China Sea, 19 km from mainland Malaysia.
- Infrastructure: hotels, shops, restaurants, private beaches and villas.
- Entertainment: snorkeling, diving, trekking, yachting, helicopter flights.
- On the map: link.
How to get to Perhentian
Perhentians are not connected to Malaysia by bridges and there are no airports, so you can only get to the islands by boat. You can rent a boat and sail to Perhentians on your own or go on “public” boats. If you’re traveling from Kuala Lumpur you need to travel 326 km to get to the place.
To do this, you need to come to the pier in the city of Kuala Besut. There is no exact timetable for the departure of the boats. If you’re traveling with a group, then you will be taken to the islands immediately. If you don’t have too many people with you, you’ll have to wait. The fare is 70 ringgit per person, this is a price for round trip transfer.
Renting the entire boat will cost 2000 ringgit per day minimum.
How to get around Perhentians
On the islands themselves, tourists also travel by boat. Usually guests of Perhentian from the pier in Kuala Besut are immediately taken to the hotels. But sometimes the hotel does not have its own pier, so on the island you will have to transfer to another boat to get to the desired hotel. On average, such a transfer costs 2-3 ringgits.
If you want to drive around the islands and visit all the local beaches, you’ll also have to swim to them. Almost every hotel has its own boat station, where you can see the boat schedule and ticket prices to different points of Perhentian.
Islands to Visit: Big or Small
Perhentian Besar (Big Island) is for more luxurious vacation type. You can stay in one of high-end hotels there, but there are no nightclubs and similar types of entertainments. Around 8.00 pm, life on Besar island stops: everyone enjoys quiet gatherings on the beach or in their hotel rooms. Therefore, the Big Island is more suitable for tourists with children.
Perhentian Kecil is a youth resort, cheerful and noisy. There are cheap hostels all over the coast, but there are also three expensive hotels. In the center of Kecil there is a public beach called Long Beach. During the high season, there is music playing around the clock, bars open and occasional fire shows and fireworks.
Best time to Visit
Perhentian Islands have two distinct seasons:
- Dry season: lasts from mid-spring to mid-autumn. Many tourists plan their vacation on this period, so the islands are filled with life.
- Wet or rainy season: At the end of October, precipitation begins to fall on Perhentians. Heavy rains don’t stop until March. It’s a period of strong monsoons and hurricanes.
The best months to visit Perhentian Islands in Malaysia are May, June, July, August.
Things to Do in Perhentian Islands
Perhentian Islands in Malaysia have diverse underwater world: beautiful corals, paradise fish, turtles, plankton, shrimp, crabs and lobsters. That is why, this is one of the most popular diving spots in Malaysia.
To go snorkeling, you can rent a mask and snorkel (or bring your own) and dive right next to the hotel – you will see many interesting things.
Scuba diving tours are usually happen further from the coast. Tourists are taken to the point by boat. You can join a diving group tour at all major hotels on the islands.
Not all beaches on Perhentians are easily accessible. In most places, the coast is rocky, so it is difficult to swim there. If you want to go to a wild beach, then take a garbage bag with you: many places are heavily polluted.
It is better to swim and sunbathe on equipped beaches at hotels. The hotel staff carefully monitors the cleanliness of the coastline and nearby water.
Best Perhentian Island Beaches
Turtle Beach
Located in the northwest of the Big Island. If you are lucky, you may be able to see sea turtles nesting. The only way to get to the beach is by boat, there is no pedestrian access to it. There are few tourists on the beach and almost no infrastructure.
Perhentian Island Resort
The cleanest beach at the hotel of the same name. The sand is fine, the water is clear, the bottom is flat. There is a beautiful pier, rent of sunbeds and umbrellas, a dive center and a restaurant. Anyone can swim on the beach. Located on Big Island.
Beaches near Cozy Resort and Cocohut Chalet
Located in a picturesque bay on Big Island. There is no wind here and it is convenient for children to swim: entry into the water is very gentle. There is a whole beach infrastructure.
Tuna Bay Island Resort
White sand, clear water, changing rooms, sun loungers, umbrellas and a beach cafe. Located on Perhentian Besir.
Long Beach
Long party beach on Small Island. It is not very clean here, but it has all the infrastructure, bars, karaoke and restaurants.
Best Hotels in Perhentian Islands
Perhentians offer a large selection of hotels, inns and hostels. Most of the good hotels are on Big Island.
Bubu Long Beach Resort
3-star hotel with ocean view rooms, private balconies, couples massage and airport transportation services. This is a family-friednly resort with stunning garden views. If you’re fond of water activites, you can try canoeing here. Free breakfast is included.
BuBu Villa
Modern-style villas with spa and diving services, comortable bridal rooms and Italian-themed restaurant. Free breakfast is included.
Alunan Resort
Family and kid-friendly resort with rooftop terrace, spa and boating services, private beach and ocean view rooms. Free breakfast is included. Hotel is located on Pulau Perhentian Kecil.
Perhentian Island Resort
Family-friednly resort with pool, couples massage and airport transportation. Each room has a private balcony overlooking the sea. Near is the cleanest beach. There is a restaurant that offers national Malay cuisine, but you also can use BBQ facilities.
Perhentians are not yet very popular among our compatriots. But guests from the west and locals love to relax here. A visit to the Perhentian Islands in Malaysia is a unique opportunity to plunge into a tropical resort atmosphere and truly take a break from the bustle of megacities.
