Top 15 Things To Do In Perhentian Islands [2024]

You’ve found your slice of paradise – Perhentian Islands! But now you are wondering what to do in Perhentian Islands?

You are in the right place. Below, we share all the best things to do in Perhentian Islands – whether you’re wondering what are the things to do in Perhentian Kecil or what to do in Perhentian Besar. Either way, I’ll share all of my favourite activities in Pulau Perhentian in this post – read on!

The Perhentian Islands (or Pulau Perhentian) are located off the east coast of the northern part of Malaysia. They are known for their beautiful beaches, crystal clear water, jungle trekking and fabulous underwater marine life. While these are the main Perhentian Island attractions, there are also more things to do in Pulau Perhentian than this.

The Perhentian Islands are a collection of islands with the main ones (where all these Perhentian Island activities are located on or around) being Perhentian Besar and Perhentian Kecil. These islands are close together and it’s easy to hire a boat to take you between the two during daylight hours.

Perhentian itself actually means stop. A very appropriate name as you will want to stop on these islands for awhile! This is a very beautiful part of the world.

But more about that below! In addition to what to do in Pulau Perhentian, we share information about where to stay, the differences between the main two islands, how to get there, the best time to visit and what it’s like in Perhentian Islands with kids if you are thinking about visiting as a family.

The Perhentians are not just a great place to relax and soak up the sunshine, there are also plenty of Perhentian Island things to do which make them a unique island destination in Malaysia. The good news is that you definitely don’t need to be worried about getting bored or struggling to find Pulau Perhentian things to do here!

By the end, you’ll know exactly what to do and where to be on your trip for a fabulous time!

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Top 15 Best Things To Do In Perhentian Islands, Malaysia

Go Scuba Diving

If you are a diver, or thinking about learning to dive, this is the perfect place to do it! Diving is one of the top Pulau Perhentian activities.

One of the most popular things to do Perhentian Islands has to offer, diving in the Perhentians allows you to enjoy the coral reefs around the islands. It’s also easy to organise diving trips further afield to Redang Island or Pulau Lang Tengah.

There are many dive centres for Perhentian Islands diving on the islands which keeps prices low, and this is a very good value dive destination.

If you aren’t certified yet, it’s a great place to do your PADI open water course as well with it possible to do a course for about RM1,200 including simple accommodation.

If you aren’t certified yet, it’s also possible to do a discovery dive to try it out.

There are plenty of options for diving on both Perhentian Besar and Perhentian Kecil, so whether you’re looking for what to do in Perhentian Kecil island or on Besar, you’ll always have diving options close by.

Try Snorkelling

Another of the most common answers to the question “Perhentian Island – what to do” is snorkelling! If you aren’t a diver, don’t worry. You can still enjoy the amazing underwater environment with one of the most popular activities in Perhentian Island – snorkelling!

There is some great snorkelling on offer, so there is no reason to feel like you are missing out.

Snorkelling is definitely one of the top Perhentian Islands things to do as no matter where you are, there are plenty of good snorkelling spots and places that will rent you out equipment for a very modest cost. Snorkelling is also a good option if you’re looking for what to do in Pulau Perhentian Besar.

You can rent snorkels from many resorts and guesthouses. You shouldn’t have any problem finding one. Some good spots where you can snorkel off the beach are:

• Northern end of Long Beach on Perhentian Kecil
• In front of Coral View Island Resort on Perhentian Besar

There are also some great boat trips that can take you to a few different snorkelling spots. This is recommended over snorkelling off the beach as the marine environment is usually in much better condition – meaning you get to see more!

Watch Turtles

If you are a turtle fan, you will love this Pulau Perhentian attraction! Turtles can be seen at many of the snorkelling and diving spots around the island. When you are booking diving or snorkelling trips, ask where they have been seen recently and head there.

But, even better, is if you visit between June and September when there is the chance you may see giant green turtles laying eggs on the beach. One spot for this is the beach at the Perhentian Island Resort if you’re looking for things to do in Perhentian Besar.

You can also visit Turtle Sanctuary Beach on Besar during the day which is one of the most stunning spots on the Perhentians. You will need to get a boat here or kayak and leave before sunset when the beach is only for turtles.

Volunteering At The Perhentian Turtle Project

You can take your love of turtles a step further with volunteering at the Perhentian Turtle Project from March to September if you’re wondering what to do at Pulau Perhentian during a longer stay. The minimum time commitment is two weeks.

As a volunteer, you can do things like snorkel trips to identify turtles and photograph their habitat, patrolling for nesting turtles at night and learn how to deter poaches.

This is a paid program and prices include dorm accommodation, meals, activities and the ferry to and from Kuala Besut. There is plenty of time to enjoy the islands as well.

Click here for more information about this program.

Go Sea Kayaking

For a fun answer to what to do at Perhentian Island AND a great way to explore either Perhentian Island, go sea kayaking. This is great if you’re the more active type looking to explore different places to visit in Perhentian Island that are off the beaten path, as by sea kayak you can find your own secluded bays and coves.

Kayaking Perhentian Islands is a great way to see more of the islands and get some great views from the water. You may even be able to find your own beach!

Outside the monsoon, the waters are usually calm and you can go alone or with a tour.

You can rent kayaks from many guesthouses on both Besar and Kecil, and it’s definitely one of my favourite Perhentian things to do.

Go Camping At Teluk KK

For a different choice of the things to do at Perhentian Island, or if you’re looking for alternative Pulau Perhentian Besar attractions, head to Teluk Keke on Perhentian Besar. Here, you can stay at a campground on the southern end of the beach where you can sleep under the stars.

You can ask at your guesthouse where you can hire camping equipment or there are some tents available at Keke but not other camping equipment like bedding.

Explore The Wonderful Beaches

If there is an essential thing to do on Perhentian Islands, it’s exploring the beaches! There are many wonderful beaches. It would be a shame to stick to just one!

Some of the best beaches on Perhentian Besar are:

• The beach outside the Perhentian Island Resort
• Turtle Sanctuary Beach
• Love Beach

Some of the best beaches on Perhentian Kecil are:

• Long Beach
• Beaches around Teluk Kerma
• Petani Beach
• Keranji Beach

Perhentian Island Long Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches, and also the most popular beach for good reason. If you’re wondering what to do in Long Beach Perhentian, there’s plenty going on here, from restaurants to bars, swimming, snorkelling, boat trips and just soaking up the vibes.

But this isn’t the best beach for getting away from the action or enjoying a peaceful experience.

You can find more information on different beach areas in my guide here.

Go Jungle Trekking

If you can pull yourself out of the water then another must do activity on Perhentian Islands is to go jungle trekking! The interior of both main islands has some great jungle to explore. There are many trekking opportunities.

If you’re wondering what to do in Pulau Perhentian Kecil this is also a good option as there’s a jungle trek that runs between Coral Bay and Long Beach on either side of the island. We did this hike, and it’s great.

It’s also a great way to see more of the islands and the only thing that is tough about it is finding the entry point! So I help you with this below.

I recommend you pick at least one that’s convenient to where you are staying and add it to your Perhentian Islands itinerary! Hiking in the Perhentians is also a great way to find your new best place in Perhentian Island that others may not have discovered.

Some popular hikes:

1. Besar Island North To South – One of my favourite Pulau Perhentian Besar things to do, you can take this trek that goes from behind the Perhentian Island Resort to Teluk Dalam on the island’s south side. It’s about 2.5 kilometres long and takes about an hour thanks to being hilly.

It has by far the most adventurous feeling of the treks we did and you really feel like you have escaped everything in the jungle.

2. Kecil Island Long Beach To Coral Bay – This is probably the best known Perhentian Islands long beach trek – it’s signposted and the paved path will take you between these two beach areas on the east and west sides of the island.

It’s up and over a hill but it’s easy and takes only 15 minutes. Unfortunately, you do get a close look at some of the trash problems on the island.

3. Long Beach To The Village – This “boardwalk” runs from near the start of the path between Long Beach and Coral Bay to the village. You can’t miss the starting sign pictured above.

4. Kecil Island Coral Bay To The Village – This west coast track is a lovely one between Coral Bay and Petani Beach then on to the Village where it is often shaded and offers regular glimpses of the coastline. It takes about an hour. It’s my favourite one and I have full details and instructions below!

You can also combine 2, 3 and 4 above for a really fantastic hike! But one way treks work well as there are many sea taxis to take you between locations (more about this below).

Make sure you take plenty of water – it’s HOT. Also ensure that you will finish your trek before it’s dark. Leave the flip flops in your room and wear sturdier shoes.

Hiking From The Village To Coral Bay On Perhentian Island

We took a sea taxi to the Village from Perhentian Besar and then hiked from here continuing on to Long Beach. You can just as easily do this in reverse.

To find the start of this path, walk left on arrival and keep going until you get to another sea taxi stand just before the end of the village area by a beach. Behind this, is what looks like a local path running up through the Village. Walk up it, until you find the following sign to Petani Beach – you are at the start of the path!

The first part of the trek is to Petani Beach. There are up and down parts but it is pleasant with plenty of shade. Petani Beach itself is the most built up beach on this path until Coral Bay.

At the end of Petani Beach, the path continues. It is easy to spot. 

Not long after Petani Beach was my favourite part of the walk – a tiny private cove. There are quite a few of these over the length of the walk.

After Petani, we regularly started seeing little beaches with resorts and restaurants, all very low key. I particularly liked Keranji Beach.

Whenever you hit a beach like this, you walk to the end and the next section of the path is always obvious. It keeps winding its way around the coast to Coral Bay.

The path is generally in good condition but there are parts with trees over it. Mostly, with makeshift paths around them but sometimes you need to do some weird limbo action.

70 minutes after we left the village, we arrived at the start of Coral Bay. I did this hike with my 7 year old and a broken toe so I’m sure you can do it faster this with no hardship.

It’s a fun walk and we really enjoyed it. It’s a great option if you’ve run out of other ideas for Pulau Perhentian what to do options! 

It also felt like we had the path alone. We only came across one other person walking on it and that was right at the end. I highly recommend it!

Relax At The Perhentian Island Resort

If you are looking for things to do in Pulau Perhentian Besar, take a walk to Perhentian Island Resort if you are not staying here already (otherwise enjoy the facilities and make at least a half day of it!). It’s the best place in Pulau Perhentian in my opinion!

This resort is towards the northern end of the west coast and is set on a stunning beach. You can relax, have a bite to eat, hire a kayak and snorkel nearby. There’s also usually some beach volleyball and soccer set up.

Visit Mosque A R Rahman Pulau Perhentian

For a different answer to what to do in Perhentian Kecil, head to Mosque A R Rahman Pulau Perhentian. This attractive mosque is built over water at the island’s main village. You can enter if dressed appropriately.

Also keep a look out for it as you arrive on the islands – you should get a good view from your ferry.

Visit the Fishing Village (Kampung Pasir Hantu)

While you are visiting the mosque, you can also visit the local fishing village which is located here. It’s definitely a different side of these islands to see how the locals live and work as these islands are not just for tourists.

It’s a colourful little village with plenty of restaurants and shops.

The best way to visit is by hiring a taxi boat to take you. Ideally, visit in the morning as the local fishermen bring in their catch.

Get Great Views Of Perhentian Kecil From The Wind Turbines

For some great views and a work out, this option of the things to do in Pulau Perhentian Kecil is worth finding time for.

The wind turbines are on top of a hill. There is either a short trail (made up of steep stairs) from the coast that a boat can drop you off at OR you can take the hiking trail from Long Beach to Teluk Kerma and you will find these about 20 minutes along after leaving Long Beach.

After you take lots of photos and finish enjoying the views, you can choose whether to head on to Teluk Kerma, back to Long Beach or back down the stairs to the coast (note that last time we went that the stairs were in bad shape and may not be safe).

Eat And Drink On Long Beach

If you want a bit of action during your Perhentian Island trip and a wide range of drinking and eating options then Long Beach on Perhentian Kecil is the place to head. This is the most developed beach, and there are many choices!

It has a party reputation, and this is also the best place to go in the evening if you want to go out. Note that it’s not safe to travel by boat after dark so if you are staying on Besar or elsewhere on Kecil, leave before sunset.

Watch A Fire Show

The second last item on our list of things to do in Perhentian Islands is to watch a fire show! These take place on Long Beach on Perhentian Kecil.

These can seem to happen somewhat randomly along the beach, and you may find them between 7:30-8:30pm at the northern end of the beach.

There is also usually a main show around 10:30pm near the outside of the Bubu Long Beach Resort. Asking at your closest bar what’s happening that night is usually the best way to make sure you don’t miss out.

You can sit on the beach and enjoy a drink while watching the dance and fire show. The performers are very talented, and it’s lots of fun. It’s definitely the best of the things to do in Perhentian Islands at night.

Take A Day Trip To Redang Island

Redang Island is another gorgeous east coast Malaysian island about a 60 minute boat ride from Perhentian Islands. It’s possible to visit here on a day trip (if you are planning to stay on Redang you can also do the reverse and do a day trip to Perhentian Island from Redang).

Surrounded by a marine park, it also has some great diving and snorkelling. In addition to this, you can explore the beaches, go kayaking and do many of the same activities mentioned above while seeing a different part of the world.

Find our list of things to do on Redang here.

Perhentian Besar Vs Perhentian Kecil

Now you know all about the activities on Perhentian Islands, you might be wondering about the differences between the main islands, Perhentian Besar and Perhentian Kecil, and which one you are best to stay on.

Besar means big and kecil means small – meaning that Perhentian Besar is the bigger of the two islands.

Perhentian Besar is also the quieter and cruisier of the two. I read that it is more developed but personally I found areas of Kecil much more developed. It has a bigger range of resorts and is often recommended for families or people who want nicer accommodation, and want to get away from it all.

I think the accommodation is better value here, and I like that the resorts are a bit more spaced out and there is less of an top-of-each-other feel like on Long Beach or Coral Bay.

Perhentian Kecil has a reputation as a backpacker island, and most people that stay here are backpackers. There is also more of an opportunity to party. There are more budget accommodation options including camping in great spots on Long Beach, and there are some top resort options too. But I think the value is better on Besar where there are cheap options as well.

Alcohol is more readily available on Kecil and there are places open late, especially compared to Besar where everything is shut by 11pm. So Kecil is definitely the better island if you want to party and have plenty of choice for drinks in the evening.

If you are after the best beach it is pretty hard to beat the beautiful soft sands of Long Beach on Kecil, but the downside is you will have to share it with many others. Some of the beaches on Besar have quite a bit of Coral, but you’re much more likely to find a quieter spot for yourself.

I prefer Besar as I don’t want to be out late and the accommodation is better value. But, if you want night life, you definitely want to pick Kecil and stay on Long Beach. While it’s easy to journey between the two islands and explore both, you shouldn’t do this once it is dark.

While sea taxis do operate in the evening (at twice the price!), it isn’t safe and I don’t recommend taking one.

Either island is beautiful though so you can’t go wrong!

Best Resorts In Perhentian Islands

There are some fabulous accommodation options on Perhentian Islands and I list choices for all budgets in my accommodation guide here. I also include more information about each beach area on the islands so you can find your perfect spot.

Below are my top choices for the best resort in Perhentian Islands for each island.

Perhentian Island Resort Review – Best Resort on Perhentian Besar

The Perhentian Island Resort is in a stunning location on a beautiful beach in the northern part of the west coast of Perhentian Besar. No other resorts share this beach making it extra special. There is restricted boat access and a chance to see turtles right out the front. It’s a great place to relax and have a swim.

The facilities at this resort are maybe the best on any of the islands. There is a swimming pool, tennis courts, beach volleyball and soccer, kayaking, a day spa and more. You can even sing in a karaoke room.

There is a restaurant and cafe and you can have a drink on the beach (but note that there is no alcohol and the food is far from the best on the islands).

There are many room types including three different comfort levels depending on what you want to pay but all come with a fridge, kettle, air conditioning and balconies. If you can, pay extra to be beachfront – just stunning!

Unfortunately, the cheaper room types tend to be the oldest and some are badly in need of a renovation. This is definitely somewhere to pay extra for an upgraded room. The grounds and facilities in general also need more care and a facelift. But, the beach is always awesome!

Click here for the latest prices or read our full review here

Bubu Villas Review – Best Resort On Perhentian Kecil

If you are looking for a 5 star resort on Perhentian Islands you will be disappointed – as they don’t exist. The next best thing, however, are the Bubu Villas.

This resort consists of spacious villas which are somewhat removed from the noise and bustle of Long Beach on Perhentian Kecil. They are well presented with thatched roofs, air conditioning, bathrobes, personal safe and tea and coffee making facilities.

Some villas have outdoor bathrooms and there are family villas available too. They are the best rooms on the islands, in my opinion.

There are not a ton of facilities beyond an outdoor restaurant and beach chairs. You do get a complimentary cocktail later in the day and breakfast is great though.

This resort is in a good spot if you want easy access to nightlife but it does come with the drawback that some villas have a noise problem thanks to surrounding bars. There can also be a fair amount of trash on the beach at times.

Click here for the latest prices.

Find more fantastic accommodation options on the Perhentian Islands here.

Map Of What To Do In Perhentian Islands

How To Get To Perhentian Islands

Getting to the Perhentian Islands can seem complicated because it’s always going to involve at least two forms of transport – but it’s really not.

There is no airport on the islands, so you need to catch a ferry from Kuala Besut. This means that the first part of your journey is to get to Kuala Besut which is a town to the south of Kota Bahru. You can look for buses directly to Kuala Besut here.

Otherwise, you can fly or catch a bus or train to Kota Bharu and then take a bus or taxi to Kuala Besut.

You can see ferry timetables and ticket prices to Perhentian Islands here.

You can also take a long-distance taxi from anywhere in peninsular Malaysia or Singapore. We can book a taxi for you with a safe and trustworthy local operator.

Click here for more details and prices.

To make this extra easy for you, we have some detailed guides to exactly how to get to Perhentian Islands which I recommend you read. You can find our exact instructions to how to get to Perhentian Islands from:

• Kuala Lumpur
• Singapore
• Kota Bharu
• Penang
• Everywhere else

Getting Around Perhentian Islands

Transport is all about sea taxis. These are in many points with signs telling you the prices per person. Find any local around the sign or in a boat nearby, and they will either take you or find someone who will.

Prices are reasonable for one or two people but they would certainly add up for a family. I found prices somewhat static around the islands EXCEPT on Long Beach on Kecil. Head to the jetty at the end for the best prices.

Here are the prices from the end of Long Beach.

And where you can go on a map:

Best Time To Visit Perhentian Islands

The best time to visit Perhentian Islands is in the dry season from late March to early October. This part of Malaysia has a very heavy monsoon period and the islands basically shut down to tourists from late October to early March. It can be hard to get boats to the islands and most resorts and restaurants are shut.

The dry season is also the most popular time to visit and you should book ahead. The absolute best time is April to June so you are there during the dry season but there are also less tourists compared to the later months. However for divers, visibility is best in August and September.

We last visited in early October and found everything perfect.

Read our full guide to the best time to visit Perhentian Islands here.

Perhentian Island With Kids

The Perhentian Islands are an excellent place to visit with kids. I went with mine! All the outdoor attractions are easy for kids to enjoy (and thus parents). They are also likely to enjoy the journey there, and everything on offer.

There is also a playground in the village by the waterfront on the way to the mosque.

Final Words

This is a beautiful part of the world, and I highly recommend a visit! From the gorgeous beaches to exploring under-the-water to jungle trekking, they have a lot to offer people who love enjoying nature.

The best part is that everything is easy on these islands. They are well set up for tourists with many restaurants, hotels, shops and “taxis”. It’s definitely the easiest of the East Coast islands I have visited for independent travellers. However, the downside is that it is more built up.

Still, these things are relative, and it’s still a very relaxed, beautiful part of the world that we love to visit.

Add it to your bucket list and come as soon as you can!

Looking for more options for the best resorts in Perhentian Islands? Find our full guide here. You can also find all our other guides for the best trip possible to Perhentian Islands here.

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