By air
Sultan Ismail Petra, Kota Bharu (KBR), then ~1 h by road and a boat from Kuala Besut
Southeast Asia · Malaysia
Perhentian Islands, Malaysia
Clear water and simple beach huts
Getting there
Best time to visit
April to September — the monsoon closes them roughly November to February
Don't miss
Long Beach (Perhentian Kecil)
Coral Bay
Turtle Point
Shark Point
Things to do
Snorkelling with turtles and reef sharks
Diving
Jungle trails between beaches
Where to eat
What to pack
Snorkel gear, cash, insect repellent
A quieter corner
Turtle Beach on Perhentian Besar, early in the morning
Questions travellers ask
What's the season for the Perhentian Islands?
April to September. The monsoon closes the islands roughly November to February, so plan around it.
What's the route to the Perhentian Islands?
Fly into Sultan Ismail Petra at Kota Bharu (KBR), then it's about 1 hour by road and a boat from Kuala Besut.
What should I pack for the Perhentians?
Snorkel gear, cash and insect repellent. Expect clear water and simple beach huts.
How should I spend my days on the Perhentian Islands?
Snorkel with turtles and reef sharks, dive, and walk the jungle trails between beaches. Early in the morning, head to Turtle Beach on Perhentian Besar.
About Perhentian Islands
- Island
Where it is
The Perhentian Islands lie in the South China Sea off the north-east coast of the Malay Peninsula, in the state of Terengganu, Malaysia; the two main islands, Perhentian Besar and Perhentian Kecil, are reached by boat from Kuala Besut.
History
Perhentian means stopping place in Malay, and the islands long served as a sheltered stop for traders sailing between the Malay Peninsula and Siam. Fishing families settled on Perhentian Kecil, and today the reefs and beaches draw divers and backpackers; the surrounding waters were made a marine park in 1994.
People
The islands' main village is a Malay fishing community on Perhentian Kecil, whose families speak the Terengganu dialect of Malay and now also run boats, chalets and small restaurants. On the mainland, Terengganu is known for batik, songket weaving and keropok lekor, a chewy fish sausage.
Known for
- Snorkelling with turtles and reef sharks
- Long Beach on Perhentian Kecil
- Diving at sites such as Shark Point
- Jungle trails between the beaches
- Simple beach chalets
Did you know?
Green and hawksbill turtles nest on the islands' beaches, and snorkellers often meet them feeding in the shallow bays.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.