Perhentian Islands

The Perhentian Islands off Malaysia's east coast offer clear waters for swimming with turtles and blacktip reef sharks—resort living on the big island, backpacker vibes on the small one.

The Perhentian Islands (Pulau Perhentian) lie in the South China Sea about 20 km off the northeast coast of Peninsular Malaysia, in the Besut district of Terengganu. The group consists of Perhentian Besar (Big), Perhentian Kecil (Small) and uninhabited islets such as Rawa and Susu Dara, all protected as a marine park. The two main islands have distinct atmospheres: Perhentian Kecil centers on Long Beach, with budget chalets, dive shops and beach bars that draw backpackers and young travelers; Coral Bay on the west coast is the place for sunsets, and the north has a windmill viewpoint and hidden beaches. Perhentian Besar is mostly mid-range to upscale resorts with quieter beaches, suited to families and couples, and Turtle Point and Shark Point at its southern tip are the snorkeling highlights. Seasons: the islands are open March–October, with the best sea conditions and visibility April–August; from November to February the northeast monsoon brings big waves and most resorts and boat services shut down. Getting there: fly to Kota Bharu and drive about 1 hour to the Kuala Besut jetty, or take an overnight bus from Kuala Lumpur, then a 35–45-minute speedboat to the islands; water taxis link the islands. Plan on 3–4 days. Note: there are no ATMs on the islands, so bring enough cash; electricity and internet are limited; Malaysia is a Muslim country, so dress modestly away from the beach, and alcohol is limited. When snorkeling or diving, do not touch coral or turtles, and use reef-safe sunscreen.

Top sights

• Long Beach, Perhentian Kecil – The longest white sand beach on the east coast of Perhentian Kecil, lined with backpacker lodges, dive shops and beach bars, with fire danc…
• Turtle Point, Perhentian Besar – A snorkeling site at the southern tip of Perhentian Besar. Seagrass and sandy seabed draw green turtles to feed, and you can almost always…
• Coral Bay (Teluk Aur) – A small bay on the west coast of Perhentian Kecil with calm waters and beautiful sunsets. Shallow reefs inside the bay let you snorkel stra…
• Shark Point – A reef slope west of Flora Bay at the southern tip of Perhentian Besar, where blacktip reef sharks often patrol the shallows, alongside tur…
• D'Lagoon (Teluk Kerma) – A secluded bay at the northeast corner of Perhentian Kecil with just one resort. The waters are calm, you can snorkel to see turtles, and a…
• Pulau Rawa – An uninhabited islet northwest of the Perhentian group, ringed by white sand and reef rocks. It's a popular stop on island-hopping snorkel…
• Pulau Susu Dara – A cluster of small islets northwest of the Perhentian group. Surrounded by the region's most popular dive sites, it has the 'Temple of the…
• Windmill Viewpoint – A lookout on the ridge of Perhentian Kecil beside a decommissioned wind power station. The jungle trail takes about 30 minutes and offers v…
• Romantic Beach – A small sandy bay on the northwest of Perhentian Kecil with only a few huts. It's much quieter than Long Beach, ideal for relaxing and snor…
• Adam and Eve Beach – A small beach with no facilities at the northern tip of Perhentian Kecil, surrounded by jungle with clear water. Reached on foot or by boat.
• Kampung Pasir Hantu – The only Malay fishing village at the southern tip of Perhentian Kecil, with a school, mosque, clinic and small pier, where you can experie…
• Teluk Pauh, Perhentian Besar – A white-sand bay on the northwest coast of Perhentian Besar, home to long-established resorts. Clear water and many shallow reefs make it s…
• Three Coves Bay (Tiga Ruang) – A pristine beach of three linked small coves on the northeast tip of Perhentian Besar, backed by jungle. It's a turtle nesting site that ca…
• Petani Beach – A quiet white-sand beach in the south of the Perhentian islands with only a few resorts and calm waters, suited to couples who want to esca…
• Kuala Besut Jetty – The main mainland pier for the Perhentian Islands. Speedboats take about 35 to 45 minutes to reach the island, and the marine park conserva…

Where to eat

• Santai Restaurant at BuBu Resort – The beachfront restaurant at BuBu Resort, at the north end of Long Beach on Perhentian Kecil. It's known for evening be…
• Chillout Coffee & Craft Café – A small, highly rated café on Long Beach, popular for breakfast, smoothie bowls and vegetarian wraps, with a gallery an…
• Mama's Seaside Restaurant – An affordable seaside restaurant beside Mama's Chalet in Turtle Bay on Perhentian Besar, offering fish you pick yoursel…

Itineraries

• Rainforest, Highlands & Island Trio – From the ancient rainforest of Taman Negara to the tea plantations of the Cameron Highlands, then across the peninsula…