Laid-back and relaxed, with no motorized vehicles whatsoever, and with turtles swimming all around it, the Perhentian Islands are the perfect tropical getaway! Located right off the northeast coast of Malaysia the two islands, Perhentian Besar and Perhentian Kecil, offer some of the best underwater experiences in Malaysia.
Perhentian Kecil, the smaller island, is more budget-friendly while its bigger sister, Perhentian Besar is filled with bigger resorts and luxury villas. Whatever island you choose, this is your go-to guide to this slice of paradise!
Also read: Langkawi: Your Go-to Guide to Malaysia’s #1 Island
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit the Perhentian Islands is between March and October. This period falls within the dry season, offering sunny days and minimal rainfall, which is ideal. The peak tourist season is from June to August.
Important: From mid-November to mid-March, the islands close. All resorts and tourist services stop operating here during the monsoon season.
Also read: From Langkawi to Tioman: 7 Must-Visit Malaysian Islands
How to Get to Perhentian Islands
Getting to the Perhentian Islands involves a two-step journey: first reaching the Kuala Besut jetty on the mainland, and then taking a boat to the islands.
Getting to Kuala Besut Jetty:
✈️ By Air: The nearest airport is the Sultan Ismail Petra Airport in Kota Bharu. From there, it is about a one-hour drive to Kuala Besut. Taxis or pre-arranged transfers are commonly used.
🚌 By Bus: Buses are available from various Malaysian cities to Kuala Besut. This is a cost-effective option and can be quite comfortable.
🚗 By Car: If you are driving, you can park your car at Kuala Besut town. There are secure parking lots available, as you can’t take your vehicle to the islands.
Hot tip: We highly recommend booking your transportation online through 12Go Asia or Bookaway – our go-to platforms in SEA.
Ferry to Perhentian Islands:
⛵ From Kuala Besut, you will take a speedboat to the Perhentian Islands. The journey takes about 30 to 45 minutes and costs around RM35 one way or RM70 return.
Boats usually operate from early morning to late afternoon and return tickets can be bought directly at the jetty or in advance online.
Book your ferry to Perhentian Islands here >
How Long to Stay
We recommend staying a minimum of 3 days on the archipelago. Ideally, to see both islands comfortably you’d need 4-5 days. If you’re visiting the islands for the popular PADI Open Water courses, you’ll need to separate 3 full days just for the course.
Also read: Tioman Island: How to Get to & Best Things to Do
Getting Around
As mentioned before, the Perhentian Islands are free from motorized vehicles and roads. The only transportation modes around here are your own feet and boat taxis:
🚶♂️ Walking: The islands are relatively small, so walking is a feasible and enjoyable way to explore. There are jungle paths connecting various beaches and resorts, especially on Perhentian Kecil. It is a great way to experience the natural beauty of the islands up close.
🚤 Water Taxis: You can get water taxis to visit secluded beaches and between the two main islands. Short trips on the same island usually go for about RM10-20 and up to RM25-30 between islands.
⛵ Boat Tours: Many operators offer boat tours around the islands, which can include stops at popular snorkeling and diving sites, as well as secluded beaches. These tours can be arranged through your accommodation or tour operators on their stalls right on the beach.
Where to Stay at Perhentian Islands
Perhentian Kecil, the smaller island, is more budget-friendly while Perhentian Besar is catered to wealthier tourists, with bigger resorts and luxury villas.
It’s highly recommended to book your accommodation in advance, as securing a last-minute booking can be quite challenging on the islands. We recommend using Agoda for bookings in Malaysia and around Southeast Asia for the best deals.
Also read: Top ESSENTIAL Apps for Travel in Southeast Asia
Perhentian Kecil
Long Beach is the best place to stay as most of the amenities are located here. Coral Beach is the other option, located just a short 10-minute walk from Long Beach.
The budget options in Long Beach are usually small wooden chalets with no electricity during the day. They go for around 15-30 euros a night, but we wouldn’t really recommend it – and we’re all for budget stays! But it gets way too hot here, the chalets get filled with mosquitos at night and are not very clean. For this price range, the Fishing Village offers better options – like the Perhentian Mama’s.
Tip: both islands are free from motorized vehicles and roads, so getting a suitcase to your hotel can be challenging – a backpack is the way to go here!
Perhentian Besar
You’ll find most of the accommodation on this island located at Teluk Dalam (or Arwana Beach), the southern big bay. Tuna Bay and Teluk Pauh, facing Perhentian Kecil, are where most of the resorts are located.
Find more accommodation options at Perhentian Islands here >
Note: If you are a digital nomad and need a good wifi connection, it is best to avoid budget accommodations as the internet connection in most of those places is not very strong. At Perhentian Kecil, Long Beach Cafe Espresso has a great wifi connection and A/C!
Where to Eat on Perhentian Islands
Dining options on both islands are more casual and laid-back. Usually, restaurants are located by the beach and tables are right on the sand!
Perhentian Kecil
🍔 Chillout Cafe: by far the best restaurant in Long Beach! It offers a great variety of dishes, from local stir-fries to yummy burgers. Prices range from RM 8-20 per dish.
🥞 Adawiyah Cafe: another great dining option in Long Beach, we love this cafe for its (cheap) Rotis and smoothies! Local food is also good here. The prices range from RM 6-18 per dish.
🧘♂️ Ombak Cafe: located on Coral Bay, this cafe is known for its cinema nights! It also offers both Asian and Western dishes but it’s more on the pricier side, with prices ranging from RM 20-50 per dish.
Hot Tip: except for Ombak Cafe, restaurants in Coral Bay tend to be cheaper than in Long Beach. If you’re on a tight budget, we recommend Amelia Cafe.
Perhentian Besar
🍤 Mama’s Restaurant: located on Turtle Bay, we recommend their breakfast sets and fresh grilled fish for dinner. Prices range from RM 5-20 per dish.
🍚 Nia Cafe: located on Tuna Bay, this is a very simple place but the food is delicious! You can expect big portions and fresh seafood. Prices range from RM 8-30 per dish.
🐟 BBQ Restaurant: located on Teluk Dalam, this is the best place to eat fresh fish and chicken grilled right on the spot. Make sure to ask for their coconut sauce! Prices depend on the menu of the day.
Also read: Top 11 Places to Visit in Kuala Lumpur
Things to Do on Perhentian Islands
🤿 Go Diving: the Perhentian archipelago is home to some vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life and offers some of the best underwater experiences in Malaysia! Lots of operators offer the PADI Open Water certification course which includes food and accommodation and is a great way to explore the best part of the islands.
Tip: If you’re traveling on a budget, we recommend using Worldpackers to experience places like the Perhentian Islands for free, in exchange for a few hours of work per week.
🐚 Take a snorkeling tour around the islands: if you’re not into diving, a boat tour is a great option to take a sneak peek into the underwater world. Boats usually stop at the best snorkeling spots on both islands.
🌿 Jungle Trekking: the many jungle trails connecting different parts of the islands offer a chance to explore the more secluded and paradisiacal bays. In Perhentian Kecil, the trail to Windmill Scenic Spot offers some of the best views!
😌 Relax and Unwind: the laid-back atmosphere of the islands is perfect to unwind! Spend your days lounging on the beach, enjoying the sun, and taking in the peace.
Book tours in advance for the Perhentian Islands online here >
Perhentian Islands on a Budget
🏠 Accommodation: the cheapest accommodations at P. Kecil start at around €10-15 a night (usually without A/C) and €25-30 at P. Besar.
🍔 Food: local food ranges between €2-6, averaging €4 per dish. In general, the prices for food and drinks are a bit more expensive than on the mainland.
🚗 Transport: the ferry from Kuala Besut to Perhentian Kecil costs around RM35 one way or RM70 return.
🎟️ Activities: it’s totally possible to visit the Perhentian Islands without paying for any tours, but if you plan on doing at least the tour to snorkel you should consider around RM30-40 per person for a half-day experience.
Note: we visited Perhentian Kecil on a budget for 5 days in October 2022. We managed to stay at a budget of around €25 per person per day.
Tips for visiting the Perhentian Islands
- Cash is King: One of the most important things you have to know: there is no ATM on the island and most places do not accept cards.
Hot tip: the one travel card we use and swear by for international travel is Wise. With minimal fees for withdrawals, Wise also offers some of the best conversion rates for travel.
- Pack Essentials: bring your own sunscreen and insect repellent! Buying those on the island can be quite expensive.
- Limited Internet: 4G works just fine on the Island, but if you need faster internet, then you might need to look for a cafe/restaurant. At Perhentian Kecil, Long Beach Cafe Espresso has a great wifi connection and A/C!
- Rooms with A/C: we know rooms with A/C are usually more expensive, but you might want to consider it here. It gets very hot during the day and well, it doesn’t change much during the night.
