For my 43rd birthday, Mrs. NN surprised me on an unexpected adventure to the pristine shores of the Perhentian Islands in Malaysia. The surprise became evident as we boarded the ferry, and anticipation mingled with excitement as the journey unfolded. Enveloped by the breathtaking beauty of the main island, I felt compelled to share our experience, encouraging others to embark on their own journey to this hidden gem. Opting for a stay during the low season granted us the luxury of having the island virtually to ourselves. So, without further delay, let’s delve into the enchanting world of the Perhentian Islands!
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What are The Perhentian Islands
The Perhentian Islands consist of two primary isles: Perhentian Kecil, also known as “Lesser Perhentian” and Perhentian Besar, or “Greater Perhentian” 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.
How much time do you need to visit Perhentian Islands
We stayed 4 nights and 5 days on the island which was a really good amount as there is quite a few things to do. If you can afford an entire week, go for it!
What did we do?
There’s loads to do 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 you’ve gotta check out. If you’re up for it, take a hike and explore the island on foot through some jungle trekking.
Don’t forget about enjoying some BBQ fish at your hotel as well as getting your breakfast while feasting on the ocean’s view from your table. And make sure to wrap up your day by catching the beautiful sunsets that island offer every day!
Here is a maps of the main attractions:
Here is a recap of our itinerary day by day:
Day 1 – Arriving in Paradise
We kicked off our adventure bright and early in Penang, hopping from a Grab to a flight to a taxi, and finally onto a ferry that whisked us away to our resort. It 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. With our stomachs rumbling, we wasted no time diving into the menu for our first meal of the day.
The afternoon found us at a nearby snorkeling spot, where we were pleasantly surprised by the vibrant marine life. Schools of fish and stunning corals made for quite the spectacle.
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 mesmerizing sunset.
Day 2 – Embracing 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 never failed to impress with its ever-changing array of flavors.
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, offering an unparalleled experience from start to finish.
Another breathtaking sunset marked the end of another fulfilling day, and we turned in early to recharge for the next adventure.
Day 3 – Underwater Expedition
On day three, I embarked on a snorkeling expedition with a couple from Australia we met. Unfortunately, Mrs. NN wasn’t feeling well and couldn’t join us for the four-hour excursion. 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. While luck wasn’t on our side in spotting turtles, we did catch sight of some majestic stingrays gliding through the waters. Another day, another stunning sunset, and it was time to call it a night.
Day 4 – Diving Adventures
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 investigating sunken wrecks made for an exhilarating 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, snapping a few selfies for the memories. We also had the chance to meet with the resort owner which explained to us a lot about the past and upcoming renovations he has done to his resort.
Day 5 – Farewell to Paradise
Our final day began with one last morning swim and a hearty breakfast at the resort. After packing up, we snapped a few final selfies on the beach, bidding a fond farewell to our island haven.
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?
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 teeming with colorful corals and fish. It’s the perfect spot for a week-long getaway if you’re looking for pure relaxation.
The food is delicious, although it’s more island cuisine than the Penang food we’ve been raving about. They offer a generous breakfast buffet, and after meeting the owner in person, 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 a very helpful and friendly staff.
Keep in mind that the room 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 as we did it should not be an issue.
If this place is not available and you are looking for an alternative, you can search for other options in the search box below:
How to get there?
From Penang, you have two main options to reach the pier: you can either take a bus, which takes about 7 hours, or catch a flight to Kota Bharu, which is only an hour-long journey, and then hop in a taxi to the pier, which takes another hour. 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.
How much did we spend?
Our 5-day trip to the Perhentian Islands was really good. If you put the cost of travel aside, living on the island for a week only costed us $450 USD! This is less than $3,000 a month!
TL;DR; As a couple we spent a total of 731 USD for this island getaway.
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 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 |
Others tips?
- 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 bustling 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: Perhentian Besar is the preferred choice for most 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.
Our Bottom Line
So there you have it, a hidden gem of an island at an affordable cost. Have you had the chance to visit the Perhentian Islands before? Did you enjoy your stay as much as we did? Do you have any other activities to suggest for fellow travelers? We’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to leave a comment in the comments section below!
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