Pulau Perhentian Besar

Travel Guide
Pulau Perhentian Besar
Enjoy the stunning natural beauty and relaxed atmosphere of these Malaysian islands covered with lush jungles and surrounded by crystal-clear water.

If you’d like to swim, camp and explore an island wonderland, head to the Perhentian Islands. The white-sand beaches here are fringed by lush coastal jungle, and lead down to clear waters inhabited by turtles and reef fish.

The waters and islands are part of a National Marine Park and fishing is prohibited. This makes the area a snorkeling and diving paradise. For divers, there are several sunken police boats in shallow water to explore, as well as an older sugar cargo hauler, a Japanese ship that served in World War II and underwater geological formations, such as the world-renowned “Pinnacle.”

Perhentian Besar is the larger of the two islands and offers accommodation within a medium price range. Perhentian Kecil’s accommodation caters to those on a tighter budget, and is the busier of the two islands. Accommodation is seasonal, with most places closing down from September to February because of rough seas and monsoonal weather, so plan your visit from March to October.

The islands are fairly undeveloped, so pack some good books and a Frisbee, and enjoy the gorgeous tropical outdoors. Relax in one of the many spas that offer traditional massages and beauty treatments. Dine at one of the resorts, or explore the village restaurants and cafés offering both local and western dishes. If you’re feeling ecologically minded, join the turtle conservation programme, which accepts volunteers every Monday.

Once you’re done exploring the water and lazing on the beaches, check out some of the jungle trails for a close encounter with dusky leaf monkeys, who live high in the trees. This greyish brown monkey has white markings like spectacles, and babies that are born bright orange!

The Perhentian Islands are just over 12 miles (20 kilometres) off Penisular Malaysia’s northeast coast. The only way to get to the islands is from the mainland villages of Kuala Besut and Tok Bali by speed boat.

Eco Marine Perhentian Island Resort - Hostel
Eco Marine Perhentian Island Resort - Hostel
2.5 out of 5
Lot 174, Pulau Perhentian Besar, Teluk Dalam, Pulau Perhentian Besar
The price is RM201 per night from 2 Apr to 3 Apr
RM201
per night
2 Apr - 3 Apr
Stay at this hostel in Pulau Perhentian Besar. Enjoy breakfast, room service, and an airport shuttle. Popular attractions Flora Bay beach and Tuna Bay are located ...
5.4/10 (59 reviews)
"Guesthouse familiale. Acceuil chaleureux, nourriture excellente. Je recommande cet endroit avant tout à celles et ceux qui recherchent un endroit convivial, dans environnement calme et reposant. Ma chambre était simple, mais me convenait pour les quelques jours passés sur place."

Reviewed on 6 Jun 2023

Eco Marine Perhentian Island Resort - Hostel
Perhentian Island Resort
Perhentian Island Resort
3 out of 5
Pulau Perhentian Besar, Pulau Perhentian Besar, Terengganu
The price is RM318 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
RM318
per night
31 Mar - 1 Apr
Stay at this 3-star beach resort in Pulau Perhentian Besar. Enjoy breakfast, room service, and an airport shuttle. Popular attractions Perhentian Beach and PIR ...
7.4/10 Good! (300 reviews)
"Overall wonderful experience. My daughter picked going here again over other vacation in SE Asia. Just after booking the trip, my wife broke her ankle. The paths are not scooter friendly, but that was not a top priority when we were picking a vacation spot. She healed enough before we left that she ..."

Reviewed on 26 Apr 2023

Perhentian Island Resort
Arwana Perhentian Eco & Beach Resort
Arwana Perhentian Eco & Beach Resort
2.5 out of 5
Lot 181, Teluk Dalam, Besut, Perhentian Island, Terengganu, Pulau Perhentian Besar
The price is RM275 per night from 6 Apr to 7 Apr
RM275
per night
6 Apr - 7 Apr
Stay at this beach lodge in Pulau Perhentian Besar. Enjoy a beach locale, breakfast, and a free kid's club. Popular attractions Turtle beach and PIR Beach are ...
6.8/10 (40 reviews)
"Accommodation was clean and well kept. Diving centre next door was excellent "Leisure Divers" Malay cuisine for breakfast each day was repetitive and could be better eg more fruit etc and add some western. Location was not so good in that the "beach" was mostly mud flat throughout the day with no ..."

Reviewed on 6 Oct 2020

Arwana Perhentian Eco & Beach Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Villamas Perhentian Resort
Villamas Perhentian Resort
4.5 out of 5
Lot 78,Pasir Petani,Perhentian Kecil, Pulau Perhentian Kecil, Terengganu
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury chalet in Pulau Perhentian Kecil. Enjoy a private beach, breakfast, and dry cleaning or laundry services. Popular attractions Keranji ...
4/10 (1 review)
Décevant
"Nous avons été déçus par l'état général de l'hôtel, son isolement (selon les vagues,possibilité de ne pas pouvoir rentrer, on a réellement risqué notre vie un soir en rentrant), la plage pleine de cailloux, l'absence de restaurant, en même temps l'hôtel était quasiment vide,l'absence de frigo dans ..."

Reviewed on 7 Jul 2023

Villamas Perhentian Resort
Perhentian Cabana
Perhentian Cabana
1 out of 5
Pulau Perhentian Besar Besut, Pulau Perhentian Besar, Terengganu
Stay at this beach campground in Pulau Perhentian Besar. Enjoy a beach locale, breakfast, and airport pick-up service. Popular attractions Turtle beach and PIR ...
7.2/10 Good! (5 reviews)
"For experienced campers, this place is ideal to set up and get local!"

Reviewed on 23 Jun 2022

Perhentian Cabana
Harrera Perhentian Long Beach
Harrera Perhentian Long Beach
4.5 out of 5
Long Beach Kampung Pasir Panjang Besut, Pulau Perhentian Kecil, Terengganu
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury chalet in Pulau Perhentian Kecil. Enjoy 2 beach bars, a patio, and a rainfall showerhead. Popular attractions Long Beach and Golden ...
Harrera Perhentian Long Beach
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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