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Perhentian Islands
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Perhentian Islands

Clear Water, Turtles and No Roads

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3 daysIdeal stay₹3,720From / night₹1,510Food / day₹700Entry

Two islands in a marine park off Terengganu with clear water, reefs a few metres off the beach, turtles and blacktip reef sharks: Perhentian Kecil for backpackers and Long Beach, Perhentian Besar for quieter family resorts. There are no roads or cars; water taxis go between beaches. One of the cheapest places in the world to learn to dive. Speedboats from Kuala Besut jetty, about an hour from Kota Bharu airport, take 30-45 minutes. The islands close with the monsoon from November to February.

Highlights

  • Snorkelling with turtles at Turtle Beach
  • Blacktip reef sharks at Shark Point
  • Open Water dive course
  • Long Beach sunsets
  • Jungle trail between beaches
  • Water-taxi island-hopping

Things to do

  • Snorkelling trip: Shark Point, Turtle Beach, Coral GardenMorning · 4h
  • Fun dive or Open Water course dayMorning · 4h
  • Jungle trail to D'Lagoon or Romantic BeachAfternoon · 2h 30m
  • Long Beach sunset & beach barbecueEvening · 2h 30m

Tours & tickets

Tours & tickets in Perhentian Islandsvia GetYourGuideTours & tickets in Perhentian Islandsvia Klook

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When to go

Best time: April – September

Plan around this

Islands Closed for the Monsoon

⚠️ The north-east monsoon shuts the Perhentians and Redang from about November to February: the boats from Kuala Besut and Merang are suspended in rough seas and almost every resort, dive shop and restaurant closes. Move the beach days to Langkawi or Penang, which are in their dry season now.

Worth knowing

Start or End of the Island Season

Resorts and boats reopen through March and start closing towards the end of October; the sea can still be rough. Check that your resort is open and its boat is running for your exact dates, and keep a spare day before your flight.

  • Ramadan and Hari Raya Aidilfitri — During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to dusk: Malay restaurants are quiet by day and the evening Ramadan bazaars, with food stalls at every mosque and market, are the best street food of the year. Don't eat or drink in the street in Kelantan and Terengganu. At its end, Hari Raya Aidilfitri brings the "balik kampung" exodus: buses, trains and flights sell out weeks ahead and KL empties for a week. Dates move about 11 days earlier each year; they are set by the new moon.