MY · Terengganu · 5.83°N 102.57°E

kuala besut

Fishing boats, the Perhentian jetty and quiet beaches at Bukit Keluang and Air Tawar.

Best time
March to September. During the north-east monsoon, roughly November to February, the sea is rough, the island boats stop and floods are possible. School holidays and long weekends bring a crush at the jetty.
How long
Half a day to 1 day
Getting there
Fly from KL to Kota Bharu (about an hour), then drive about 1.5 hours. Driving from KL takes about 6.5–7 hours on the East Coast Expressway via Kuala Terengganu.
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MY · Terengganukuala besut5.83°N 102.57°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Fishing boats, the Perhentian jetty and quiet beaches at Bukit Keluang and Air Tawar.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingKuala BesutMY, Terengganu
KLkuala besut
≈ 315 km from KL, as the crow flies
jetty at Kampung Kuala Besut, the departure point for the Perhentian Islands.

Photo: Chamberlain of Nilai · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

The fishing town at the mouth of the Besut River, best known as the main jetty for the Perhentians. If you're staying a night before the boat, or just want the coast without the island crowds, the beaches at Bukit Keluang and Air Tawar are a short drive away.

Makan

  1. Nasi dagangCoconut rice with fish curry, the Terengganu breakfast, at the stalls around town.Map ↗
  2. Keropok lekorFried fresh at roadside stalls. Eat it hot with chilli sauce.Map ↗
  3. Ikan bakarGrilled fish from the morning catch at the seaside stalls.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. The jetty and river mouthFishing boats and island speedboats share the river. Early morning is busiest, when the catch comes in.Map ↗
  2. Pantai Bukit KeluangA beach curled around a rocky headland, just short of the Kelantan border.Map ↗
  3. Pantai Air TawarA long beach with calmer water near town, popular with local families.Map ↗
  4. The Perhentian IslandsBoats leave from the jetty here. Give the islands their own trip.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Staying the night here means you can catch the first boat to the Perhentians.
  • Terengganu's weekend is Friday and Saturday.
  • Swim only when the sea is calm, and never during the monsoon.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.