Perhentian Islands Malaysia

Rest and relax in the stunning Perhentian Islands located in the South China Sea, just off the northeastern coast of peninsular Malaysia. Spread across two islands – Perhentian Besar (big) and Perhentian Kecil (small), part of the Pulau Redang National Marine Park, embrace barefoot living and unwinding at this tropical getaway.

Between the crystalline turquoise-blue waters and the network of rocky trails through lush wooded hills, explore a handful of small beaches, secluded coves, and viewpoints. Macaque monkeys and monitor lizards wander about inland, while blacktip reef sharks, turtles, and corals entice snorkelers and divers to Shark Point, Coral Bay, and a sugar hauler shipwreck site! Apart from your hammocks and beach picnics, there are kayaking excursions, seasonal turtle conservation projects, and fishing village interactions to experience, with colorful local water taxis to ferry you around. At the end of each day, spectacular sunsets and bonfires await you at the popular Love Beach and Long Beach.

Visiting the Perhentian Islands

Although tourism is the lifeblood of Pulau Perhentian, the islands have not lost their rough-and-tumble, jungle appeal. There are no structures over two stories tall, no motorized vehicles, and electricity is provided by temperamental generators which could leave you in the dark with no notice.

Very little infrastructure exists on the islands; there are no real “sites” or activities outside of enjoying the sun and water.

• Internet access is spotty and expensive; internet cafes charge US $5 an hour or more.
• There are no call centers on the islands, but mobile phones do work in some areas. (Read about cellphone roaming in Southeast Asia, or about Malaysia’s Maxis prepaid SIM card.)
• Large monitor lizards can sometimes be spotted roaming the island; don’t be concerned, these are not Komodo Dragons such as those on Rinca Island!

Warning: There are no banks or ATMs on the islands; thieves target guest houses on Perhentian Kecil because they know that travelers must bring enough cash to the islands.

What to Do in the Perhentian Islands:

Snorkel and scuba are both fantastic around both Kecil and Besar islands, with great marine life to behold. Canoes and kayaks are also available for rent, though the current can be challenging if it is a windy day.

There is good hiking through the jungles and around the circumference of Kecil, and a small Terengganu fishing village at the southernmost tip of Kecil makes for an interesting afternoon visit. Besar also has a circle hike from sea to summit and back again.

Diving and Snorkeling on the Perhentian Islands

And then there is the wildlife under the sea. Huge sea turtles, clownfish, big blue-spotted rays and black-tipped reef sharks are plentiful. Most of the resorts on Kecil have their own snorkel rental and day-long snorkeling trips, which are well worth it. A highlight: climbing and jumping off of a tall lighthouse and into the deep sea below.

For the scuba-divers, there are several diving outfits on each of Coral Bay and Long Beach who will take you out to “the Pinnacle”, a stretch of land jutting upward from the seabed and the surrounding Malaysian islands.