MY · Terengganu · 5.90°N 102.75°E

perhentian islands

Clear water, turtles off the beach and no cars at all. Go between March and October.

Best time
March to October. Many resorts close during the northeast monsoon, roughly November to February.
How long
3 days, 2 nights
Getting there
Speedboat from Kuala Besut, about 30–45 minutes. Kuala Besut is around 1.5 hours' drive from Kota Bharu airport.
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MY · Terengganuperhentian islands5.90°N 102.75°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Clear water, turtles off the beach and no cars at all. Go between March and October.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingPerhentian IslandsMY, Terengganu
KLperhentian islands
≈ 329 km from KL, as the crow flies
Pulau Perhentian Besar Island, Malaysia. Breathtakingly beautiful. Clear blue turquoise water.

Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg · CC BY 4.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

Two islands, Besar and Kecil, off the Terengganu coast: clear water, coral close to the beach and no roads at all. You get around by water taxi or on foot.

Makan

  1. Beach barbecuesFresh fish grilled on the sand at night on Long Beach.Map ↗
  2. Village foodSimple Malay dishes in the fishing village on Kecil.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. SnorkellingTurtles and reef sharks at spots like Turtle Point and Shark Point.Map ↗
  2. DivingPlenty of dive centres; it's a popular place to learn.Map ↗
  3. Long BeachThe busiest beach, with the backpacker crowd.Map ↗
  4. Coral BayThe sunset side of Kecil.Map ↗
  5. Jungle trailsFootpaths link the bays across the islands.Map ↗

Where to stay

Besar for quieter, family-friendly resorts; Kecil for Long Beach and more of a scene.

Good to know

  • There are few cash machines on the islands. Bring enough cash.
  • A marine park fee is collected when you arrive.
  • Wear reef-safe sunscreen and never stand on the coral.

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