Perhentian island is referred to as the Maldives of Malaysia and recognized as one among the top islands of the world. The crystal-clear water makes this tropical paradise island as a perfect spot for snorkeling and diving. The beautiful white sandy beaches along the shoreline are the best places where you can sit, relax and enjoy the sun.Perhentian island is one of the most desired islands in Malaysia. My parents visited us from India after my father got retired so it’s time for them to have some post-retirement fun. So, we headed to Perhentian island for a short island getaway and we had a great time there and loved the trip.
Perhentian island is divided into two islands, namely Pulau Perhentian Besar (large island) and Pulau Perhentian Kecil (small island). Perhentian Besar is your perfect choice if you want a tranquility island holiday with your loved one or family and Perhentian Kecil is more popular among backpackers who prefer partying and budget-friendly holiday styles. So if you want a pocket-friendly holiday with lots of inexpensive accommodations and food options then head straight to Perhentian Kecil and if you are on your honeymoon or want some privacy then Perhentian Besar is apt for you. As it is less crowded and has some fancy restaurants to dine with your family. And one other important thing on the island is that there are no roadways to communicate within the island which means there are small boat taxis that will carry you from one island to another. And there are only certain parts of the island which is connected by walkways.
Best time to visit the island?
The best time to visit the island is between March and October; hot and sunny weather with calm sea and little rain. June to August is the most visited time of the year due to which the hotels get a little expensive and it is difficult to get budget accommodation without a booking. The rest of the time most of the island gets closed due to bad weather (rains) and rough sea. I visited in October where the island was not very crowded and expensive.
How to get to the island?
The only way to go to the Pulau Perhentian island is by the sea especially the boat services from Kuala Besut. So first you have to get to the Kuala Besut Jetty point then you have to board the boat from there to the Perhentian Islands (Perhentian Besar or Perhentian Kecil) which usually takes 45 mins.
Perhentian Island is connected via bus, road, rail, and air transportation systems from cities and towns throughout Malaysia. We drove our self to the island which took us 5 hours from Kuala Lumpur to Kuala B
To book a bus click here
Best things to do at Perhentian island 🙂
- Diving
- Do a dive course
- Snorkeling
- Kayaking
- Island hopping
- Chilling or relaxing on the beach
- Hiking
- Partying
- Jungle trekking
- Camping
We stayed there for three nights and four days at
You will be surprised by what you can find in the water even in knees deep. While snorkeling we witnessed some fresh coral reefs and colorful fishes and some sharks at shark point. Perhentian Island is a pocket-sized tropical paradise with snowy white sands, clear turquoise waters, rustling palm trees, and fiery pink sunsets. It’s my absolute favorite island in Malaysia and worth a visit.
Important Tips:
- Bring sunscreen and mosquito repellent, you’ll need both at the island.
- Bring enough cash with you as there is no ATM and most of the places accept cash only.
