The Perhentian Islands in Malaysia is a lesser known paradise with blue clear waters, gorgeous beaches and great snorkeling. It’s harder to reach than many parts of Malaysia but that also means that it is less crowded and not overly developed. Travelers from around the world come to enjoy the peacefulness and raw beauty of the Perhentian Islands. You might find other pristine beach destinations in South East Asia but many of them are overly developed and have lost their charm. The Perhentian Islands feels like an island stopped in time, in a good way. In this detailed 5 day itinerary of the Perhentian Islands, you will discover things to do, where to stay, where to eat and other tips so that you can enjoy a wonderful getaway.
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Staying on Perhentian Besar or Perhentian Kecil
The Perhentian Islands consist of two primary isles: Perhentian Kecil (also known as the “small” island) and Perhentian Besar (“big” island) along with three uninhabited islands. While smaller in size, Kecil buzzes with activity, boasting budget-friendly accommodations and a plethora of recreational options. On the other hand, Besar caters to a more upscale clientele, with a greater concentration of resorts tailored to families, honeymooners, and discerning travelers seeking a luxurious escape. So it depends if you are looking for a place with more action and restaurants like in Kecil or looking for a more peaceful getaway in Besar. It’s fairly easy to catch a boat taxi to cross the island so you will get a chance to experience both.
How many days do you need to visit the Perhentian Islands?
We stayed 4 nights and 5 days on the island which was a really good amount of time as there is quite a few things to do and it gives enough down time to enjoy the beach. If you can afford an entire week, go for it! Because the journey itself to the Perhentian Islands can be time consuming, it is recommended that you stay at least for 2 nights.
Things to Do in the Perhentian Islands
There is plenty of activity on the island. Obviously, hitting the beach for a swim is a must. Then, there are tons of spots for snorkeling and scuba diving that are amazing. If you’re up for it, take a hike and explore the island on foot through some jungle trekking.
You can also enjoy some fresh BBQ fish at your hotel or at a local restaurant. You will be able to enjoy all of your meals with a beautiful ocean view. And make sure to wrap up your days by catching the beautiful sunsets that the island offers every day!
Here is a maps of the main attractions:
Detailed 5 day itinerary of the Perhentian Islands
Day 1 – Arriving in Paradise
We flew into Kota Bharu airport and the resort where we booked, The Tuna Bay Resort, arranged a taxi to the their office in Kuala Besut on the mainland – this is about a 1 hour and a half ride. From the resort offices, we caught a ferry with other resort guests to The Tuna Bay Resort which is on Pulau Besar, the big island of the Perhentian. The commute time ate up most of our morning, but the moment we stepped foot onto the resort grounds, we were greeted with refreshing welcome drinks, and the staff took care of getting our stuff to our room. We were really hungry at that point and we wasted no time diving into the resort restaurant menu for lunch.
The afternoon found us at a nearby snorkeling spot, where we were pleasantly surprised by the vibrant marine life just off the shore. The schools of fish and stunning corals were very impressive.
We rounded off the day by venturing to the other side of the island for some jungle trekking before settling in for dinner at the resort and soaking in a beautiful sunset.
Day 2 – Embracing the Slow Island Life
We kicked off day two with a refreshing morning swim, indulging in the fantastic coral and fish just steps away from our room. After a rejuvenating 30 minute dip, we headed to our resort’s breakfast buffet, which was had a good variety every morning.
Taking a break from the scorching sun (11-4pm), we lounged for a few hours before setting out to explore more of the island. More jungle trekking ensued, along with visits to neighboring resorts. From chatting with fellow travelers, it became clear that our resort was a standout on the island. It turns out that many of the guests from neighboring resorts were coming to our resort for better food.
Another breathtaking sunset marked the end of another fulfilling day, and we turned in early to recharge for the next day.
Day 3 – Underwater Activities
We booked a snorkel tour through our resort and it was a nice small group of 5. Our destination was Rawa Island, renowned for its spectacular snorkeling spots. With three stops along the way, we were treated to an array of colorful fish and marine life.
Returning to Perhentian Besar, we searched for turtles at the famous Turtle Point – a young family was able to spot a turtle! We were also able to see some majestic stingrays gliding through the waters. Another day, another stunning sunset, and it was time to call it a night.
Day 4 – Scuba Diving
Day four was all about diving as I booked two fun dives with the only dive shop open during the low season. Exploring depths of 30 meters and exploring sunken wrecks made for a great experience. The dive shop staff were fantastic, and I even had the chance to mingle with some friendly Malaysians undertaking their PADI courses.
Post-dive, we indulged in some more snorkeling in front of our resort and taking plenty of beautiful photos for the memories. We also had the chance to meet with the resort owner who explained a lot about the past and upcoming renovations he has done to his resort. You can’t take things like water and electricity for granted, it’s no easy feat to obtain on an island!
Day 5 – Farewell to Paradise
Our final day began with one last morning swim and a hearty breakfast at the resort. We were sad to say farewell to paradise but we were happy with our 5 day getaway.
Our boat arrived at noon, and the island owner we met the day before generously offered to show us his childhood home near the pier. We enjoyed a private tour and received tips for a delicious BBQ fish lunch, the perfect send-off before catching our flight back to Penang.
Where to stay in Perhentian Islands
We highly recommend staying at Tuna Beach Resort. The staff is amazing, the rooms are clean and cozy, and you can’t beat the location. You’re literally steps away from a stunning beach very alive with colorful corals and fish. It’s the perfect spot for a getaway if you’re looking for pure relaxation as everything is taken care of at the resort.
The food is delicious, especially for island cuisine at a resort. They offer a generous breakfast buffet and we can confidently say this place is top-notch. They’re always making improvements to the grounds, and the water quality is definitely a major highlight. You can also book all of your activity from the lobby thanks to the very helpful and friendly staff.
Keep in mind that the rooms are relatively basic and a bit outdated but they come will all the essentials (wifi, A/C). Since you probably want to spend most of your time outside, it should not be an issue.
If Tuna Beach Resort is not available and you are looking for an alternative, you can search for other options in the search box below:
Getting to Perhentian Islands
From within Malaysia, you have two main options to reach the Kuala Besut pier: you can either take a bus, which takes about 7+ hours depending on where you’re coming from or you can catch a flight to Kota Bharu, which is a short flight and then a 1-1.5 hour taxi ride to the pier. From the pier, it’s a quick 30 minute boat ride to reach the island.
If you’re traveling from outside Malaysia, you can fly into either Kuala Lumpur or Penang first. From there, you can connect to a local flight to Kota Bharu or opt for a bus journey to reach the pier.
Cost of the Perhentian Islands
Our 5 day trip to the Perhentian Islands was really good value considering the paradise destination and resort experience. If you put the cost of travel aside, staying on the island for 5 days only cost us $450 USD.
TL;DR; As a couple we spent a total of 731 USD for this island getaway if you count our flights.
Note: this budget is as a couple so if you travel solo, your budget might differ.
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Here is our budget breakdown per spending category from the largest to the smallest:
| Category | Total Cost USD | Comments |
| Local Transportation | $273.74 | This include our round trip airline tickets from Penang ($189) + Local transportation to the ferry + Ferry |
| Accommodation | $266.73 | This covers our 5 nights at the Tuna Beach Resort |
| Dining Out | $120.52 | This covered all of our meals on the island at the resort (breakfast was included in our daily rate) + our meal on our last day back on the mainland |
| Recreational Activities | $79.83 | 2 fun dives + our snorkeling 4 hours expedition. |
| Snacks | $9.05 | Some juices, snacks and ice-creams we got on our last day after we left the island. |
| TOTAL | $731.21 |
Tips for the Perhentian Islands
- Best time to visit: It’s wise to steer clear of the very high season, typically July to August, as this is when the islands are crowded with tourists. Opting for the low season can be a budget-friendly choice, but keep in mind that many resorts may be closed, especially if you’re booking in February. Additionally, be prepared for some rainy weather, as this period coincides with the rainy season. However, luck may be on your side, as we experienced perfect weather during our visit.
- Location: Do some research on which island would suit your preferences more. Perhentian Besar is the preferred choice for many travelers, as it offers the best beaches and amenities. Perhentian Kecil, on the other hand, retains a more rustic charm, resembling a fishing village with fewer appealing beaches. However, if you’re traveling on a tight budget, Perhentian Kecil might offer more affordable options for accommodation.
Are you planning a trip to Malaysia? See our detailed Destination Guide to Penang and the Cost of Living Report to Penang.
Have you had the chance to visit the Perhentian Islands before? Did you enjoy your stay as much as we did? \We’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to leave a comment in the comments section below!
1 Comment
Skip · June 13, 2024 at 8:25 am
Thanks for sharing your experience. We visit Malaysia often, but haven’t gotten to the Perhentian Islands yet. I think we will put it on there itinerary for the next time. Safe travels guys.