Perhentian Islands Malaysia travel and tourist guide
There are fantastic views from the hillside
The magnificent Perhentian Islands attract thousands of tourists every year to their magical shores. Despite the obvious lack of any cultural sights, the islands are blessed with an astonishingly rich array of natural wonders including some of the best snorkelling and diving anywhere on the continent.
The Perhentian Islands truly are a glimpse of pure paradise and well worth visiting from Penang. The beaches here are as close to idyllic as one could get within reach of Penang - certainly one-up from those around the back end of Penang - and the snorkelling is fantastic.
Below is a brief glimpse at the Perhentian Islands but for our comprehensive guide click here or visit 1stopMalaysia.
There are two Perhentian Islands which lie just over 20kms from Malaysia’s eastern coast extremely near the border with Thailand. The name means ’stopping points’ as the islands remained uninhabited until fairly recently and were only used by tired merchant seamen for a brief resting place and to stock up on supplies. Since the 1960s the popularity of the Perhentians has grown massively as ever more Western tourists discover their charms.
Pulau Perhentian Kecil is where the majority of the backpacker accommodation is located although there are also a few high-end resorts as well. This teardrop-shaped landmass has two main areas – Long beach where the majority of the albeit limited nightlife is found, and Coral Beach where most of the diving schools are based. It is possible to walk between the beaches (a twenty minute hike through thick rainforest with monkeys and monitor lizards) or take a taxi boat.
Pulau Perhentian Besir is the larger of the two islands and is home to most of the luxury resorts. But it’s not exclusively for the moneyed elite and there is a reasonable selection of budget huts and chalets as well. Besar is undoubtedly the quieter island and after dinner there’s virtually nothing going on. But the Perhentians never has pretended to be Koh Pha Ngan and the tranquillity of the place is half the charm. More on Perhentians hotels.
There’s not a great deal to do on the Perhentians and many people are content with simply soaking up some sun and watching films in the restaurants during the evening. Scuba diving is a massive draw and the combination of cheap prices, near-perfect visibility and wondrous sea life makes delving into the depths of the warm blue ocean extremely tempting. Tropical birds also nest in the inland areas and there are plenty of interesting reptiles and mammals to keep naturalists happy. More on Perhentians attractions.
Snorkelling is superb in the Perhentians
The food in the Perhentian Islands is generally of a high standard although many restaurants fall into the age-old trap of attempting to cater for too many Western tastes and missing the mark with soggy burgers and bland pasta dishes. Stick to the Malay cuisine if you can take the heat and sample as much seafood as you desire, it is always brilliantly fresh. The international resorts on Perhentian Besar all posses a variety of restaurants serving delectable European cuisine. More on Perhentians restaurants and bars.
The Perhentian Islands are simple to reach with most of the large hotel chains offering a transfer service from Kota Bharu airport, 45kms drive from the mainland port of Kuala Besut. Otherwise taxis or local buses can be used to reach the jetty. From here speedboats ferry passengers to the islands in around 40 minutes, although it is wise not to eat too much before the journey as it is notoriously bumpy. For more on Perhantians transportation.
Although cash advances on credit cards can be arranged from Perhentian Kecil’s BuBu’s Resort (there is no ATM on either island), these are charged at an extortionate 10 per cent. It is therefore wise to bring as much cash with you for the length of your intended stay. Diving schools will accept credit cards but typically charge around three per cent commission. The islands become virtually deserted during the monsoon season between November and February and during which time most restaurants and accommodation close down. It is still possible to stay on the islands, however, and showers are relatively sparse.
Waste management is an ongoing concern on the islands and it is important to lead by example and dispose of all your rubbish in an eco-friendly manner. There are regular collections and attempts to educate the local population are being made, but too many people still burn their refuse and the smell of smoldering plastic can shatter the illusion of paradise somewhat.
For more information on the Perhentian Islands visit 1stopMalaysia.
