Perhentian Islands

Located 21 kilometers off the coast of Terengganu in northeastern Peninsular Malaysia, the Perhentian Islands consist of two main islands: Perhentian Kecil (Small Island) and Perhentian Besar (Big Island). Renowned for crystal-clear turquoise waters, pristine coral reefs, and white sand beaches, these protected marine park islands serve as a world-class destination for scuba diving, snorkeling, and tropical beach leisure.

Key Highlights & Experiences

• Marine Park Snorkeling Trips: Swim alongside sea turtles, harmless blacktip reef sharks, and vibrant soft corals at Turtle Point, Shark Point, and Teluk KKP.

• Scuba Diving Certification: Complete affordable PADI/SSI open water diving courses at dive centers located along Coral Bay and Long Beach.

• Long Beach Sunset & Fire Shows: Enjoy beachside dining, relaxed nightlife, and evening fire-dancing performances along the white sands of Perhentian Kecil.

• Jungle Trekking Between Bays: Walk paved forest trails connecting Long Beach to Coral Bay to view monitor lizards and dusky leaf monkeys.

Insider Visitor Tips

Pro Tip: Choose your island according to your travel style! Perhentian Kecil caters to backpackers, budget travelers, and vibrant social beach nightlife, while Perhentian Besar offers quieter mid-range resorts suited for families and couples.

• What to Pack: Swimwear, reef-safe sunscreen, dry bag, underwater camera, beach footwear, light summer clothes, power bank, and cash (limited ATM reliability on the islands).

• Accessibility: Island transit is reliant on small wooden water taxis; landing on beaches often requires stepping into shallow water (wet landings).

• Safety & Guidelines: Protect marine life by avoiding stepping on living coral reefs or touching sea turtles; wear life jackets during water taxi transfers.

Location & Getting There

• Address / Landmark: Pulau Perhentian, Besut District, Terengganu, Malaysia.

• Transport Options: Fly into Sultan Ismail Petra Airport in Kota Bharu (KBR) or Kuala Terengganu Airport (TGG), take a 1-hour taxi to Kuala Besut Jetty, and board a 30-to-45-minute speedboat transfer to the islands.

• Nearby Attractions:

  • Lang Tengah Island (~45 mins boat transfer)

  • Redang Island (~1 hour boat transfer)