Perhentian Island

About Perhentian Island

Perhentian Island or Pulau Perhentian (in Malay) – Lying just 21km off the northeast coast of Terengganu in Peninsular Malaysia, this beautiful island is famous among travellers for its palm-fringed white sandy beaches, turquoise blue sea and laid back lifestyle. The island comprises of Pulau Perhentian Besar (The Big Island) and Pulau Perhentian Kecil (The Small Island).

The island is accessible from the small fishing port of Kuala Besut via a 40-minute sea journey by speedboat. The island has a number of activities on its beaches and forests, with the most popular being snorkeling and scuba diving. The more relaxing pursuits are sunbathing and swimming. Apart from these, the island also offers activities like canoeing, jungle trekking, fishing and island hopping.

Owing to the islands’ protected status, the main tourist activities have minimal environmental impact. This makes Pulau Perhentian famous in the region for its stunning preserved natural world and diverse marine life.

Marine Park

A Marine Park is an area of the sea protected by law. They are established to protect, conserve and manage important marine ecosystems, particularly coral reefs. The waters around the Perhentian Islands were declared as a Marine Park under Malaysian law in 1994. The protected waters extend 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) from the shore.

Visitors to the Perhentian Islands are required to pay a Conservation Charge to the Department of Marine Parks Malaysia, which is collected at the departure point to the islands. Proceeds from the Charge are used to finance management of the Park, including patrolling, enforcement, research, and education and awareness programmes.

As a “Protected Area”, certain activities are prohibited within the boundaries of the Park. Violation can result in heavy fines. Please be aware of the following prohibited and permitted activities in the Marine Park:

Water skiing, speed boat racing and jet skiing.
Wear fins during snorkeling.
Stepping on or touching corals and other marine life.
Collection or capture of any marine resources whether alive or dead.
Deposit or leave any litter.
Vandalizing any structure or object within the marine park.
Chase / Harass fish or turtles. Stressed animals either die or migrate.
Fishing and possession of fishing equipments within the protected area.
Catch / Touch the marine life.

Help to reduce plastic waste by reusing your empty water bottles to refill at the resort’s restaurant.
Do take your trash with you when you leave the island and dispose of it on mainland.
Underwater photography.
Scuba Diving (fins are allowed)
Throw rubbish into rubbish bins provided
Observe the marine life
Swim / Snorkel in designated area only (do not swim / snorkel outside the buoy line).
Wear life jacket while swimming / snorkeling.
Underwater photography.
Kayaking / Canoeing.

Be a Responsible Tourist

The Perhentian Islands are blessed with a myriad of beautiful natural resources. Sadly, human activities on the island are threatening these resources.
Everyone has a role to play in protecting the islands for future generations. In the Marine Park, be a Responsible Tourist.

WARNING!! Offenders shall be liable to a fine not exceeding MYR 20,000 or a term of imprisonment not exceeding 2 years or both.

Malaysia fisheries ACT 1985
BE A RESPONSIBLE TOURIST!!!
TAKE ONLY PICTURES, LEAVE ONLY FOOTPRINTS, KILL ONLY TIME!!!

Rain Forest

Pulau Perhentian’s lush rain forest on the island is a particularly favourable destination for trekking, as the island’s remarkable biodiversity is matched by a good network of jungle trails where one can experience the hundreds of species of flora and animal inhabitants. Come and join us, let’s expand the knowledge of this undiscovered life that exists beyond this two paradise. Please kindly refer to our reception for guidance and island maps.