The Perhentian Islands in the northeastern part of Malaysia are paradise on Earth. You can enjoy fantastic snorkeling and diving among colorful corals, tropical fish, sea turtles, and (harmless) sharks! The Perhentian Islands are mainly covered in jungle, palm trees, and pristine white beaches. There are no roads on the islands, so there is no motorized transportation other than water taxis. This is the perfect place to completely unwind. Read this vendible surpassing your throw-away to learn everything you need to know well-nigh the Perhentian Islands. Find out how to get there, the weightier time to visit, what activities are available, and where you can enjoy succulent meals and well-appointed accommodations. With these tips well-nigh all things to do, you’ll make the most of your visit to the Perhentian Islands!
Good to know: The Perhentian Islands consist of two islands; Perhentian Besar and Perhentian Kecil. Most people segregate to stay on Perhentian Kecil, where you’ll find the most entertainment, hotels, and restaurants. From here, you can hands take a water taxi to the neighboring island.
How to Travel to the Perhentian Islands?
Most people travel to the Perhentian Islands from Taman Negara or Penang (Georgetown). Below, you can read well-nigh how to get there from these destinations.
From Taman Negara to the Perhentian Islands
By bus boat: In the village of Kuala Tahan (the wiring for Taman Negara National Park), you can reservation a bus to Jetty Kuala Besut. This journey takes well-nigh 9 hours with Han Travel. At Jetty Kuala Besut, you can workbench the ferry that will take you to the Perhentian Islands in 40 minutes. Check out the throw-away times of the ferry and reserve your spot on the wend in advance.
From Penang to the Perhentian Islands
By plane boat: The quickest way to make this journey is by plane. You can fly to Pengkalan Chepa for as little as a few dollars. Compare all flights here. From the airport, take a taxi or bus to Jetty Kuala Besut and then workbench the ferry to the Perhentian Islands. Check out the ferry throw-away times and reserve a spot on the boat.
By bus boat: Alternatively, you can segregate to travel from Penang to Kuala Besut by bus. This journey takes approximately 7 to 8 hours. You can typesetting this bus through your walk-up in Penang. In Kuala Besut, you can workbench the ferry that will take you to the Perhentian Islands in 40 minutes. Check out the ferry throw-away times and typesetting your boat.
Please note: Due to the long travel time, you might miss the last ferry from Kuala Besut to the Perhentian Islands. In that case, you’ll need to spend a night in Kuala Besut surpassing transmissible the ferry the next morning. Walk-up options are limited in Kuala Besut. Besut Guesthouse is the weightier affordable option for a well-appointed stay.
Transportation on the Perhentian Islands
What makes the Perhentian Islands so special is that there are no roads at all. The island has only walking trails. There is no motorized transportation, creating the ultimate sense of peace and tranquility. Considering the island is mostly covered in jungle, you cannot reach all places on foot. Many beaches are only wieldy by boat. To get around, you can take a water taxi that can take you anywhere on Perhentian Kecil and Perhentian Besar. Most water taxis start operating at 09:30. If you want to be picked up from a waterfront without stuff dropped off, it’s a good idea to save the phone number of the water taxi.
Important: There are no ATMs on the Perhentian Islands, so make sure to bring unbearable mazuma with you.
What to Do on the Perhentian Islands?
A visit to the Perhentian Islands mainly involves snorkeling, diving, and exploring trappy beaches, but there are other fun activities to enjoy. Below are some of the weightier tips for the Perhentian Islands.
Explore the Underwater World of the Perhentian Islands
Snorkeling and diving are the main reasons many travelers visit the Perhentian Islands. The underwater world is incredibly impressive, with numerous snorkeling and diving spots virtually the islands. You can find snorkel sets for rent at various shops on beaches like Long Waterfront and Coral Bay. When you walk into the sea from the waterfront with your snorkel gear, you can often see a lot of trappy marine life. Take a snorkeling tour to visit the most stunning snorkeling spots on the Perhentian Islands. You’ll spend half a day exploring Fish Point, Turtle Point, Shark Point, Coral Garden, and Turtle Garden.
Enjoy the View at Windmill Scenic Spot
The most trappy view of Perhentian Kecil can be worshiped from the Windmill Scenic Spot. The walk from Long Waterfront and Coral Bay to the viewpoint takes well-nigh thirty minutes. You can unmistakably see the hiking trail in the Maps.me app. The coordinates of the viewpoint in Maps.me are: 5.927248, 102.719879. The zone virtually the windmill isn’t particularly attractive, but when you walk virtually it, you can reach the viewpoint via wooden stairs.
Explore Perhentian Besar Island
Perhentian Besar is the largest island, and it moreover features some trappy beaches. You can take a pleasant walk on the island, pursuit winding jungle paths from Turtle Waterfront to Teluk Keke. These are the most trappy beaches on Perhentian Besar in my opinion. The sand is pure white, the water is incredibly blue, the jungle surrounding the waterfront is stunning, and you might plane encounter playful monkeys. Make sure to bring unbearable water considering there are no restaurants or shops at either Turtle Waterfront or Teluk Keke. Withal the way, you’ll come wideness a few restaurants, with Mama’s Restaurant stuff a recommended spot to grab a meal.
Note: To protect the turtles that lay their eggs on Turtle Beach, it’s prohibited to be on the waterfront without 18:00.
Dance with Your Feet in the Sand at Long Beach
If you’re in the mood for a lively evening, throne to Long Waterfront on Perhentian Kecil. The evening usually starts off calmly, but virtually 22:00, there are often fire shows. If it gets crowded enough, the waterfront chairs are pushed aside, and the music volume goes up. The real party usually starts virtually 23:00 or 00:00. The weightier parties are usually organized at Black Tip Bar or Joe’s Perhentian. Monkey Dives Perhentian and OhLaLa Divers swoop schools moreover occasionally host parties.
Kayaking at Sunset
One of the most enjoyable activities on the Perhentian Islands is kayaking! Rent a kayak from Coral Bay well surpassing sunset and explore surrounding beaches like Romantic Beach. This trappy waterfront can only be reached by water, making it finger like you’ve truly landed on a deserted island. Paddle when surpassing the sun sets, and on the way, you can enjoy a front-row seat to the colorful sky spectacle. Of course, make sure to return to land surpassing it gets dark.
The Most Trappy Beaches of the Perhentian Islands
The Perhentian Islands are renowned for their pristine white beaches, crystal-clear waters, and laid-back atmosphere. Here are the most trappy beaches I’ve put together for you.
Long Beach
Long Waterfront is located on the east side of Perhentian Kecil and is the most famous and popping beach. You’ll find numerous waterfront bars and restaurants here. It’s not the platonic waterfront for swimming, but you can relax and order a unprepossessed drink. Kayaks are moreover misogynist for rent, and you can plane play a game of volleyball.
Coral Bay
Coral Bay is situated on the west tailspin of Perhentian Kecil, just a ten-minute walk from Long Beach. It’s much quieter than Long Beach, but you can still find a few hotels and restaurants. It’s a unconfined place for swimming, snorkeling, and renting kayaks to explore nearby beaches. Plus, the sunsets at Coral Bay are breathtaking!
Mira Beach
From Coral Bay, you can walk to Mira Waterfront in well-nigh 25 minutes. The journey itself is once enjoyable as you walk through the jungle, withal both marked and unmarked trails. The waterfront boasts white sand, undecorous waters, and palm trees.
Romantic Beach
This tiny waterfront on Perhentian Kecil is only wieldy by water. It’s a little paradise with crystal-clear water and white sand that can be scrutinizingly blinding when the sun is upper in the sky. Chances are you’ll have the place all to yourself! Rent a kayak from Coral Bay and paddle to Romantic Waterfront or have a water taxi waif you off.
Turtle Beach
Turtle Waterfront is a mannerly little waterfront on Perhentian Besar where you can enjoy spanking-new snorkeling. If you squint closely at the sand, you might plane see traces of turtles that have laid their eggs here on the beach.
Teluk Keke
This trappy waterfront on Perhentian Besar is veritably my favorite. The massive waddle formations divide the beach, with the right side seeming deserted. It feels like you’ve landed on an uninhabited island with hundreds of swaying palm trees. It’s incredibly stunning! The island has no amenities, but at Cosmic Divers, you can rent snorkeling gear and order drinks.
The Weightier Time to Visit the Perhentian Islands
Unfortunately, the Perhentian Islands are not wieldy year-round. From mid-October to mid-March, it’s the monsoon season, and nearly everything on the island is closed. From mid-March to mid-October, everything is open, and you can travel to the Perhentian Islands. July and August are the weightier months to visit the Perhentian Islands, but they are moreover the busiest months, although it’s never extremely crowded on the islands.
Best Restaurants on the Perhentian Islands
Ewan’s Restaurant – Here, you can order the tastiest smoothies on Perhentian Kecil. Besides smoothies, the menu primarily offers Asian dishes with plenty of vegetarian options.
Crocodile Waddle Bistro – About a ten-minute walk from Coral Bay, subconscious in the jungle, you’ll find Crocodile Waddle Bistro. You can enjoy succulent coffee and breakfast here in the morning. They are sealed in the afternoon but unshut then for dinner or a pleasant drink in the evening.
The World Cafe – This restaurant at Long Waterfront is perfect if you’re in the mood for a increasingly upscale dining experience. The doughboy is Italian, and you can taste it in the supplies here.
Pit Stop Station – This is a small restaurant on Long Waterfront where you can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Nia Cafe – You’ll find this restaurant on Perhentian Besar. Here, you can dine with your feet in the sand. Order a flavorful curry with plenty of vegetables.
Where to Stay on the Perhentian Islands?
Most people segregate to stay on Perhentian Kecil, as this island offers the most lively atmosphere, hotels, and restaurants. Particularly virtually Long Waterfront and Coral Bay, it’s bustling. Unfortunately, many hotels on the Perhentian Islands are expensive, and the affordable ones often have good reviews. It took some searching, but we found a few recommendations on Perhentian Kecil where you can enjoy a pleasant stay without breaking the bank.
Our Favorite Places to Stay on Perhentian Kecil
On the trappy Coral Bay, you’ll find Ombak Swoop Resort Perhentian Island. It has a fantastic atmosphere, and every night is movie night! You can stay at a reasonable price in a well-appointed double room with all the suavities you need, including constructive air conditioning, a comfy bed, and a fridge. If you’re keen on diving on the Perhentian Islands, this is the right place. On the trappy Mira Beach, you’ll find the stunning Keranji Waterfront Resort, and staying here gives you that ultimate island feeling. You’ll be sleeping in a wooden bungalow right on the beach! Keep in mind that it’s quite remote. If you want to treat yourself to a luxurious stay, Alunan Resort, located in the far south of Perhentian Kecil, is the place to be. You’ll stay in a spacious room with a scenic view of the crystal-clear sea. At this small private beach, you can snorkel beautifully.