Pulau Perhentian Travel Guide
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Located on the east coast of Malaysia, Pulau Perhentian consists of a cluster of islands blessed with crystal-clear waters, fine-sand beaches, swaying coconut trees, and breathtaking marine life. Popular amongst snorkelers, divers, and beach lovers in general, it is the perfect little slice of paradise to just relax and soak up the sun!
Wanna know more about this hidden gem? Here's our Pulau Perhentian travel guide with everything you need to know from the best things to do to hotel suggestions, and more!
Best Time To Visit Pulau Perhentian
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Pulau Perhentian is closed from November to early March due to the monsoon season when heavy rain and winds make it unsafe to travel to.
The most popular months to visit Pulau Perhentian are from July to August as the diving conditions are the best in these months, but if you're travelling on a budget and wish to avoid crowded beaches and full resorts, we'd recommend planning your trip during the non-peak months in April, May, or June!
Getting To Pulau Perhentian
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Located on the East Coast of Malaysia, Pulau Perhentian is easily accessible from a speedboat ride from Kuala Besut jetty where you will take a speedboat to Perhentian Kecil or Perhentian Besar, depending on where you wish to stay.
Here's a simplified guide on getting to Pulau Perhentian:
1. The nearest airport is Sultan Ismail Petra Airport in Kota Bharu. There are currently no direct flights from Singapore to Kota Bahru, so you would have to make a stopover at Kuala Lumpur. Cheapest flights can start from $140.
2. From Kota Bharu Airport take a 50-minute taxi ride to Kuala Besut Jetty.
3. From Kuala Besut Jetty, hop on a 45-minute speedboat ride - boat tickets can be purchased below and schedule can be seen above.
Best Hotels & Resorts In Pulau Perhentian
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Pulau Perhentian is composed of two main islands: Perhentian Kecil which offers plenty of budget accommodation and cheap food options, and Perhentian Besar, which is popular amongst families and couples, offering a range of mid-range to luxury resorts.
You can easily travel between the two islands via a short water taxi ride though, so it doesn't really matter where you decide to stay - both are equally good options and it just depends on what you're looking for.
1. Bubu Resort, Pulau Perhentian Kecil
Situated along the Long Beach of Perhentian Kecil, Bubu Resort is a beachfront hotel that offers sweeping views of the ocean from almost every room. Boasting cosy, spacious rooms, facilities on-site including restaurants and a spa, as well as direct access to the beach, it's hard to find something to complain about at Bubu Resort.
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Pssst, make sure you head to the Bubu Terrace for complimentary evening cocktails while you watch the sun go down!
2. Alunan Resort, Pulau Perhentian Kecil
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While Alunan Resort is also located on Pulau Perhentian Kecil, it's tucked away along the more secluded Petani Beach. The resort is a tranquil slice of paradise set amidst nature, featuring double-storey, modern suites offering stunning views, private rooftop sun decks, and a wide range of service and facilities.
While it looks super grand on photos and in person, you'll be surprised to find out that the prices of a stay here aren't too exorbitant and is worth every single cent.
3. Mimpi Perhentian Resort, Pulau Perhentian Kecil
Mimpi Perhentian is one of Perhentian Island's most iconic resorts, having welcomed beach lovers from all over the world for years.
Situated along Long Beach on Pulau Perhentian Kecil, it's the perfect launchpad for an adrenaline-filled beach getaway, being within close proximity to a wide variety of beach and water activities whether it's snorkelling, scuba diving, island hopping, trekking, and more.
4. Tuna Bay Island Resort, Pulau Perhentian Besar
Located on the southwest coast of Perhentian Besar, Tuna Bay Island Resort is surrounded by tropical jungle and occupies a quiet, untouched section of the island. Take your pick from the resort's 55 units of cool and cosy wooden chalets offering a mixture of ocean and garden views. If you're travelling with family, you can even book one of their spacious family chalets which consist of two interconnecting chalets, perfect for family retreats!
5. The Barat Perhentian Beach Resort, Pulau Perhentian Besar
Looking for a clean and cosy yet affordable stay? The Barat Perhentian Beach Resort is a popular and wallet-friendly hotel located on Perhentian Besar. The resort offers a wide variety of room options, from sea view chalets to family rooms and even dormitory-style rooms that come with bunk beds!
Best Things To Do In Pulau Perhentian
1. Go island hopping
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Pulau Perhentian is composed of two main islands (Perhentian Kecil and Perhentian Besar, accessible via an easy 5 - 10-minute water taxi ride!) as well as a handful of beautiful, smaller islands such as Pulau Rawa and Serengeh Island.
To get the most out of your visit, we recommend planning an island-hopping day trip so you can explore the beauty of Perhentian.
Photo credit: @marie_dflt
Many of the local tours offer a leisurely schedule (that includes snorkeling trips) and will bring you to some of the best spots on the islands which aren't easy to get to on your own.
2. Have fun or relax at the beaches
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From secluded, tranquil stretches to vibrant ones lined with restaurants and bars, you'll definitely find a beach that's up your alley in Pulau Perhentian.
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Whether you'd like to just relax and sunbathe or fill your itinerary with beach and water activities such as snorkeling, kayaking, or hopping on a banana boat, the beaches at Pulau Perhentian offer fun and relaxation for all types of travellers.
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Here are some of the best beaches to check out while you're here:
- Long Beach: a popular stretch that's known as the 'party beach' - it's vibrant with beach activities in the day and comes to life with bars, fire shows, and bonfires upon nightfall
- Coral Bay: peaceful and perfect for couples, with beautiful reefs, snorkeling spots, and breathtaking sunsets
- Adam & Eve Beach: one of the quietest stretches on the island, great for those who enjoy solitude and just want to relax away from the crowds
- Turtle Sanctuary Beach: clear waters, tranquil vibes, and great for snorkeling - if you're lucky, you may spot some sea turtles here!
- Romantic Beach: white sands and tranquil atmosphere, great for couples
3. Go snorkeling
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You simply can't leave Pulau Perhentian without snorkeling in its crystalline waters. There are plenty of snorkeling spots on the islands, and you can rent your snorkel gear at affordable prices from almost every resort here.
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Head to popular snorkeling spots on your own or by signing up for a snorkeling trip package, and swim alongside schools of vibrant fish, sea turtles, stingrays, and even harmless black-tipped sharks!
4. Go hiking or jungle trekking
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For those who enjoy hiking, you'll be glad to know that there are a handful of hiking and jungle trekking trails that criss-cross the Perhentian Islands.
If you're planning to include a hike on your Perhentian itinerary, make sure you pack sturdy shoes besides your swimwear and flip-flops! Depending on the trail you take, you'll likely come across harmless wildlife including monkeys, squirrels, birds, and monitor lizards.
5. Enjoy panoramic ocean views from the Windmill Point
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One of the best hikes on Pulau Perhentian is the one that starts on Long Beach and will take you up to a viewpoint that offers panoramic views of the blue skies, turquoise ocean, rolling hills, and rugged coastline.
Photo credit: @zairulgriezmann
Follow the signs leading to the windmills to get here, but do note that the trail includes climbing up a fleet of 400 stairs, so make sure you put on proper footwear and sunscreen!
6. Scuba dive or get your PADI Diving License
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Pulau Perhentian's clear water, good visibility, and beautiful reefs make it a popular spot for those who wish to learn to dive. If getting a diving license is on your bucket list, you can consider getting your PADI Open Water Diver Course here, under the guidance of experienced and friendly instructors.
7. Catch a beautiful sunset from the beach
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Nothing beats the warm and fuzzy feeling of watching the sun set over the horizon on a peaceful beach. Pulau Perhentian is known for their pretty sunsets, which can be caught from many beaches and resorts across the island.
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Coral Bay on Perhentian Kecil is one of the best places to do so, so be sure to include sunset-watching on your trip itinerary! You can also book a hotel that offers sunset views.
8. Catch a glimpse of sea turtles or volunteer to protect them
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Did you know that the Perhentian Islands are home to a significant turtle nesting population? In fact, the islands have a well-established volunteer community project where you can volunteer to protect the sea turtles whether through patrols, beach cleans, working with the local villagers, or facilitating awareness and conservation campaigns.
If you just want to catch a glimpse of them, you may encounter these gentle creatures on your snorkeling or diving trip, or even at Turtle Beach when they come ashore to lay their eggs at night!
9. Visit the local fishing village
Want to take a peek into the life of the locals on the islands? Besides spending time on the beach, you can visit the local fishing village nestled on the southernmost tip of Pulau Perhentian Kecil. The village is reachable by foot via a 30-minute jungle trail from Petani Beach.
10. Eat & drink
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Eat, drink, and be merry during your island getaway! Pulau Perhentian may not be known for its food, but there are lots of budget-friendly local meals, laid-back beachfront restaurants, and relaxing bars for travellers to have a hearty meal or a cold drink to cool down.
