Island Hopping Perhentian: Complete Review & Guide
Two islands, some of the clearest water in Malaysia, sea turtles, reef sharks, and no roads. Here's everything you need to plan it properly.
The Perhentian Islands sit in the South China Sea off the northeast coast of Malaysia, remote enough that getting there takes some planning, beautiful enough that most travellers who arrive wish they'd booked more nights. The Malay word "Perhentian" roughly translates to "stopping point" — an appropriate name, since most people who visit end up staying longer than planned.
Langkawi might be the more famous Malaysian island, but the Perhentians are the more beautiful one. No roads, no cars, no shopping malls. Crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches, and vibrant marine life — including sea turtles, blacktip reef sharks, and more tropical fish than most people have ever seen outside a David Attenborough documentary.
2 main
islands: Kecil & Besar
45 min
speedboat from Kuala Besut
Mar–Oct
open season (dry)
Turtles
nest on Turtle Beach, Besar
Kecil or Besar — Which Island Should You Stay On?
This is the first decision every visitor has to make. The two islands are less than a kilometre apart and a short water taxi ride from each other — but they feel like different worlds.
Perhentian Kecil
The Small Island
Budget · Social · Backpacker scene
- Long Beach — main hub, food, bars, fire shows
- Coral Bay — quieter, sunset side
- Budget chalets from RM60–120/night
- More restaurants and beachside cafes
- Livelier at night — beach bars, travellers mixing
- Better for solo travellers and backpackers
- D'Lagoon and Romantic Beach for seclusion
Perhentian Besar
The Big Island
Quiet · Resort · Families & couples
- Turtle Beach — sanctuary, nesting turtles
- Teluk Dalam — main beach, mid-range resorts
- Love Beach — snorkelling, calmer water
- Resorts from $73–$200+/night
- Quieter evenings, more family-friendly
- Better for couples, families, honeymooners
- Less food variety but higher-quality restaurants
Best Island Hopping Stops
Getting around Perhentian Besar and Perhentian Kecil is simple — water taxis make island hopping easy, usually priced between RM10–30 one way. You can also book half-day or full-day snorkelling island-hopping tours from most dive shops for around RM80–120 per person, which take you to the best snorkel spots without needing to navigate yourself.
Stop 01 — Best for Atmosphere
Long Beach
Perhentian Kecil · Main hub of the island
Long Beach is the beating heart of Perhentian Kecil — a 600-metre stretch of white sand lined with backpacker chalets, seafood restaurants, dive shops, and beach bars. Long Beach is the best beach on Kecil for food and a lively atmosphere. In the evenings, fire shows appear on the beach — poi spinners, fire breathers, and jumping rings — drawing crowds of travellers who've spent the day underwater and the evening on the sand.
The snorkelling directly off Long Beach is better than you'd expect from a populated beach — coral gardens start in shallow water and leopard sharks are occasionally spotted resting on the sandy bottom. If you're staying on Kecil, basing yourself here for at least part of your trip gives you easy access to everything else on the island.
Why visit
- Best range of food and restaurants on the islands
- Lively social scene — easy to meet other travellers
- Fire shows and beach bars in the evening
- Good snorkelling off the beach itself
- Most budget accommodation is here
Watch out for
- Can be crowded in peak season (June–August)
- Noisier at night than other beaches
- Water can be churned up by boat traffic
- Not as secluded as D'Lagoon or Romantic Beach
Stop 02 — Best for Turtles
Turtle Beach (Teluk Pauh)
Perhentian Besar · Home to the turtle sanctuary
Turtle Beach is exactly what it sounds like — a beach where green and hawksbill turtles come to nest, protected by a small sanctuary that monitors and protects the eggs. Snorkelling the water just off the beach gives you a genuinely high chance of encountering sea turtles feeding on the seagrass beds in shallow water. Most island hopping tours stop here specifically for this reason.
The beach itself is quiet and less developed than Long Beach — a handful of resorts, clear water, and a slower pace. Some beaches can be a bit crowded, but Turtle Beach is still a wonderful family-friendly destination. The turtle sanctuary is free to visit and the staff are knowledgeable. Don't touch the turtles — the sanctuary takes this seriously and so do the other snorkellers around you.
Why visit
- Highest chance of sea turtle encounters in Malaysia
- Active turtle nesting sanctuary — fascinating to visit
- Clear, calm water ideal for snorkelling
- Quieter than Long Beach — more peaceful
- Good for families with children
Watch out for
- No touching turtles — strictly enforced
- Limited food options compared to Kecil
- Water taxi required from Kecil (RM10–20)
- Can attract snorkel tour groups at busy times
Stop 03 — Most Secluded
D'Lagoon Beach
Perhentian Kecil · North coast · Jungle trail access
D'Lagoon is the beach that rewards the effort to reach it. Tucked into the north coast of Kecil, accessible by jungle trail from Long Beach or a short water taxi, it's a small cove with clear water, excellent snorkelling, and far fewer people than any other beach on the island. Blacktip reef sharks are regularly spotted here in the shallow water — harmless, but genuinely thrilling to snorkel alongside.
The Windmill Point viewpoint above D'Lagoon is worth the short uphill walk — sweeping views over the South China Sea and the surrounding smaller islands. Bring your own snacks and water as facilities here are very basic. A half-day trip from Long Beach combines perfectly: walk the jungle trail over, snorkel, then water taxi back.
Why visit
- Most secluded beach on Kecil
- Blacktip reef sharks in the water
- Windmill Point viewpoint nearby
- Great snorkelling on the reef
- Fewer tourists — feels genuinely remote
The logistics
- Jungle trail takes 30–45 min on foot
- Very basic facilities — bring food and water
- No accommodation if you miss the last taxi back
- Trail can be slippery after rain
Stop 04 — Best Sunsets
Coral Bay
Perhentian Kecil · West side · 10 min walk from Long Beach
Coral Bay has a more laid-back atmosphere than Long Beach and is only a 10-minute walk through the jungle or a short boat ride. Because it faces west, it catches the sunset in a way Long Beach doesn't — the evening light over the South China Sea is worth making the effort for. The snorkelling reef just offshore is well-named: coral coverage is decent and triggerfish, angelfish, and parrotfish are common sightings.
Several quiet cafes and small resorts line the beach, making it a good alternative base for anyone who wants to be on Kecil but away from Long Beach's noise. Families with young children often prefer the calmer water on this side. The jungle path connecting Coral Bay and Long Beach takes about 10 minutes and is easy enough to walk in flip flops during dry conditions.
Why visit
- Best sunset views on the Perhentian Islands
- Calmer, quieter than Long Beach
- Good coral snorkelling just offshore
- Family-friendly water conditions
- Easy 10-min jungle walk to Long Beach
Watch out for
- Fewer food and accommodation options than Long Beach
- Can be dark and quiet at night — not for nightlife seekers
- Trail to Long Beach slippery when wet
How to Get There: Step by Step
Getting to the Perhentians requires more planning than most Malaysian destinations — there's no direct transport from KL or any major tourist hub. Every visitor passes through Kuala Besut Jetty in Terengganu.
KL → Kuala Besut: Night bus (recommended)
Night buses depart from Kuala Lumpur's TBS terminal from 10pm onwards. The journey takes 6–9 hours and drops you at Kuala Besut in time for the morning ferry. This saves you a hotel night and puts you on the first boat to the islands.
Cost: RM44–60 depending on operator and seat type
KL → Kota Bharu: Fly (faster option)
Fly from KL to Kota Bharu (1 hour, from ~RM80 one way), then take a 1-hour minibus or taxi from Kota Bharu Airport to Kuala Besut Jetty. Faster overall but more expensive.
Cost: RM80–200 flight + RM30–50 taxi/bus to jetty
Pay environmental fee at Kuala Besut Jetty
You'll need to pay environmental fees at the jetty before boarding — around RM30 for foreign visitors. Carry small bills. The fee is compulsory and goes toward marine conservation.
Cost: RM30 per foreign adult (one-time, paid at jetty)
Speedboat to the islands (40–45 minutes)
From February 2026, the price of a round-trip boat ticket to Perhentian Island is RM80 per adult and RM50 per child. Ferries depart at 07:30, 09:00, 13:00 and 15:00. If you arrive too late and miss the final speedboat at around 4:40pm, you will need to spend the night in Kuala Besut. Tell the driver which beach you're going to on boarding.
Cost: RM80 return per adult (from Feb 2026 pricing)
Water taxi between beaches & islands
Water taxis make getting around both islands easy — rides are usually priced between RM10–30 one way. Tell any boatman where you want to go and agree the price before getting in. No fixed timetable — boats go when they have passengers.
Cost: RM10–30 per trip depending on distance
What Things Cost: Budget Breakdown
| Item | Budget (Kecil) | Mid-range (Besar) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation/night | RM60–120 | RM200–500 | Basic chalet vs resort room |
| Meals (per meal) | RM12–25 | RM25–60 | Seafood barbecue dinners RM40–80 |
| Snorkel gear rental/day | RM20 | RM20–30 | Widely available from dive shops |
| Island hopping tour | RM80–100 | RM100–120 | Half-day, 3–4 snorkel spots |
| Intro scuba dive | RM150–200 | RM200+ | No experience needed |
| PADI Open Water course | RM900–1,100 | RM1,100–1,400 | 3–4 days, internationally recognised |
| Water taxi between beaches | RM10–20 | RM10–30 | Negotiate before boarding |
| Return speedboat to jetty | RM80 (adults) | RM80 (adults) | RM50 for children (Feb 2026 pricing) |
Suggested 4-Day Itinerary
3 to 4 days is ideal for most travellers — enough time to try diving or snorkelling, visit both islands, and relax without rushing. Here's how a good 4-day itinerary breaks down:
Practical Tips
Bring more cash than you think you need
There are no ATMs on either island. Withdraw RM1,000–1,500 per person in Kuala Besut before boarding if you're staying 3–4 nights. Budget for meals (RM50–80/day), snorkelling tours, water taxis, and any gear rental. Larger resorts and dive shops on Besar accept cards, but chalets on Kecil usually cash only.
Book accommodation in advance for peak season
June to August is peak season and the better chalets on Long Beach and the mid-range resorts on Besar fill up early. Booking in advance for the Perhentian Islands is generally recommended, especially during peak season — the cheapest fares and the best rooms go first. Aim to book at least 3–4 weeks ahead for any dates between June and mid-August.
The water is genuinely extraordinary
The Perhentian Islands offer some of the clearest water and best snorkelling and diving in Malaysia, with far fewer crowds than Langkawi. The lack of roads and development keeps it feeling genuinely untouched. Visibility on good days exceeds 15 metres. Even from a beach with no snorkel gear, you can often see the coral and fish in waist-deep water.
Respect the marine environment
Don't touch coral — even brushing it with a fin kills the polyps. Don't touch turtles under any circumstances, including for photos. Use reef-safe sunscreen — standard sunscreen chemicals kill coral and are increasingly being banned around protected marine areas. Most dive shops sell reef-safe alternatives.