Perhentian Islands: Malaysia’s Best-Kept Tropical Paradise (+ Travel Guide)

Flo MBT
Feb 9
4 min read

Updated: Mar 1

The Perhentian Islands: A Slice of Tropical Paradise in Malaysia

If you're dreaming of a tropical escape with crystal-clear waters and vibrant marine life, look no further than the Perhentian Islands. Located off the northeast coast of Malaysia, this island duo offers the best of both worlds—lively beach parties and serene natural beauty.

Boats with colorful canopies docked near a wooden pier, "Perhentian People" text on one. Calm sea, hilly forest, and cloudy sky backdrop. — Perhentian Islands

The Two Faces of Perhentian: Which One is for You?

The Perhentian Islands are made up of two main islands:

Perhentian Kecil (The Little Island) – Known for its energetic, backpacker-friendly vibe, Perhentian Kecil is home to Long Beach, often dubbed the "Ibiza of Malaysia" during peak season. Here, beach bars, DJs, and fire shows light up the night along the beach. On the other side of the island, you’ll find the local fishing village, offering a more authentic experience with seafood restaurants and a floating mosque.
Perhentian Besar (The Big Island) – If you’re looking for tranquility, Perhentian Besar is your go-to. This is where we stayed, soaking in the peaceful atmosphere, hidden beaches, and jungle treks. It's easy to explore, with taxi boats readily available - even at night - making it simple to hop between beaches.

How to get there?

By Air ✈️

The easiest way to reach the Perhentian Islands is by flying to Kota Bharu Airport (KBR) from Kuala Lumpur or Penang. Once in Kota Bharu, you’ll need to take a taxi or shuttle to Kuala Besut Jetty, which is about a 1-hour drive. From there, hop on a speedboat to the islands (40–50 minutes). Be sure to know the name of your hotel, as boats drop passengers off at different locations.

By Bus 🚌

For budget travelers, buses from Kuala Lumpur’s Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) run to Kuala Besut and take 7 to 9 hours. Once you arrive, the jetty is just a 10-minute walk from the bus station, where you can catch a boat to the islands.

How long to spend

If you're traveling around Malaysia, we recommend spending at least 3 nights and 2 to 3 full days on the Perhentian Islands to truly enjoy what they have to offer.

Ferries run between 8 AM and 4 PM, making it easy to plan your arrival and departure.

When to visit the Perhentian Islands

The best time to visit is from March to October, when the islands are in full swing with perfect weather, and all restaurants and activities running.

We visited in mid-February and had great weather with fewer crowds, which made for a more peaceful experience. However, many restaurants and businesses hadn’t opened for the season yet, so keep that in mind if you're planning an early visit!

Things To Do

The Perhentian Islands offer all the classic beach holiday activities—from kayaking to beach hopping and island hopping, as well as jungle trekking, snorkeling, and scuba diving. Whether you’re looking for adventure or relaxation, there’s something for everyone!

Snorkeling Trip

We went on a snorkeling trip around the Perhentian Islands, stopping at five spots, where we swam alongside colorful fish, reef sharks, and sea turtles: Turtle Beach, Turtle Point, Fish Point, Shark Point, Coral Garden.
After an amazing time exploring the underwater world, we had lunch at the Fisherman Village, a great spot to enjoy fresh seafood and experience local island life.
We also made a special request to be dropped off at Coral Bay after lunch. From there, we took a scenic 10-minute walk across the island to Long Beach, where we relaxed for a while before our boat came to pick us up from Coral Bay and took us back to our hotel.

Island Hopping

From the Perhentian Islands, you can take a day trip island hopping, with Redang Island just an hour away by boat. Though we didn’t get the chance to do it ourselves, we heard it’s a must-do.

There are no ATMs on the Perhentian Islands. While most restaurants and bars accept credit cards, it's essential to bring enough cash for activities like water taxis, kayaking, snorkeling trips, and smaller purchases. Plan ahead to avoid any inconvenience!

Where did we stay?

We stayed at Samudra Beach Chalet on Perhentian Besar (the big island), and despite the many negative reviews on Google, we had a great experience. This quiet, small hotel has a laid-back resort feel, its own beachfront restaurant, and very affordable prices. Plus, it’s right on the beach!

A Few Things to Keep in Mind:

Access: Getting to the hotel can be tricky, especially during high tide. The nearest jetty belongs to a large resort, and they don’t make it easy to pass through. At low tide, you can walk along the beach to reach the chalet.
Internet: There’s no WiFi in the rooms, only at the restaurant. But the restaurant is open-air, right by the beach—so it’s actually a nice spot to get online if needed. Not a big deal for us!
Rooms: Our room was simple, which is pretty standard for this price range in Malaysia. The walls aren’t the thickest, so noise from neighbors could be an issue, but we didn’t experience any problems during our stay.