Perhentian Island (Pulau Perhentian)
About Perhentian Island
(Pulau Perhentian)
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.
When Is The Best Time To Visit?
The best time to visit Perhentian Island (Pulau Perhentian) is during the dry season, which spans from March to October. Diving enthusiasts will find April to June particularly appealing due to excellent underwater visibility. Perhentian Island is closed from November to early March due to the monsoon season when heavy rain and winds make it unsafe to travel to. For pleasant weather and fewer tourists, consider planning your trip in September or October.
Top Things to Do in Perhentian Island (Pulau Perhentian)
Snorkeling
Perhentian Island is renowned for its vibrant coral reefs and rich marine life, making it a haven for snorkeling enthusiasts. You can easily snorkel right off the beaches or join guided tours that take you to the best spots. Popular locations like Shark Point and Turtle Bay offer incredible opportunities to see sea turtles, reef sharks, and colorful fish in their natural habitat.
Scuba Diving
For certified divers or those looking to get their certification, Perhentian Island offers some of the best dive sites in Malaysia. Dive into the deep blue waters to explore famous sites like the Sugar Wreck, the Vietnamese Wreck, and Temple of the Sea. Discover the island’s stunning underwater world filled with barracudas, rays, and an array of coral species.
Island Hopping
Explore the neighboring islands by taking an island-hopping tour. These tours give you the chance to visit secluded beaches, hidden coves, and other islands like Pulau Lang Tengah and Pulau Redang.
Canoeing and Kayaking
Rent a canoe or kayak to paddle along the calm coastlines of the Perhentian Islands. This allows you to explore the serene beauty of the island’s rocky shores, mangroves, and quiet beaches at your own pace. Kayaking is a peaceful way to connect with nature while enjoying panoramic views of the island.
Jungle Trekking
Perhentian’s lush rainforests are perfect for those who love hiking and adventure. The island has well-marked trails that take you through dense jungle and up to scenic viewpoints where you can see the island’s breathtaking landscape from above. Wildlife sightings like monkeys and tropical birds add to the experience.
Visit Fisherman Village
Immerse yourself in local culture by visiting the traditional Fisherman Village on Pulau Perhentian Kecil. Here, you can meet the friendly locals, sample fresh seafood dishes, and learn about the island’s fishing heritage. The village offers a glimpse into the simple, laid-back lifestyle of the island’s residents.
Turtle Observing
Perhentian Island is a nesting site for sea turtles, and visitors have the opportunity to observe these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. Join a guided tour to Turtle Bay, where you can watch turtles swimming or even witness them nesting on the beach during the right season.
Relax and Unwind on the Beach
Perhentian Island’s pristine beaches are ideal for unwinding after a day of exploring. Whether you prefer sunbathing, swimming in the turquoise waters, or just lounging under the palm trees with a good book, the island’s beaches offer a tranquil escape from daily life.
Sunset Viewing
Watching the sunset over the horizon is a must-do on Perhentian Island. Head to popular spots such as Coral Bay or Long Beach to witness the sky transform into vibrant shades of orange, pink, and purple as the sun dips into the sea. It’s the perfect way to end your day of adventure.
Nightlife and Beach Bars
Perhentian Island offers a relaxed nightlife with beach bars where you can enjoy drinks, live music, and even catch a fire show. It’s the perfect way to unwind and socialize after a day of island adventures.
Star Gazing
With minimal light pollution, Perhentian Island offers fantastic opportunities for star gazing. On a clear night, the sky is dotted with countless stars, and if you’re lucky, you might even spot a shooting star!
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.
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!!!
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.
How to go to Perhentian Island (Pulau Perhentian)?
To visit the stunning Perhentian Islands, your journey begins at Kuala Besut Jetty, the main access point to the islands. From the jetty, a boat ride of 30-45 minutes will take you to either Pulau Perhentian Besar or Pulau Perhentian Kecil. The jetty is easily accessible by various means of transport, including express buses, cars, trains to Tanah Merah Station (followed by a 45-minute drive to Kuala Besut), or flights to Kota Bharu Airport, with a short drive from the airport to the jetty. For more comprehensive travel details, check out our Getting Here page here.
Where to Find Us? Discover Our Location on Perhentian Island!
Tuna Bay Island Resort is perfectly located on Pulau Perhentian Besar, one of the two stunning Perhentian Islands, offering guests an idyllic retreat surrounded by lush greenery and pristine waters. Our resort is situated in a prime spot that provides easy access to the best beaches, snorkeling spots, and other key attractions on the island.
