Beach Guide: Perhentian Islands

Huddled together off the eastern coast of Malaysia, the tiny Perhentian Islands are slow and quiet, and the perfect destination for anyone seeking a little tranquility. In the Malay language, “Perhentian” means “stopping-point” – the name dates from when Malaysian sea-traders would stop off at the island to rest before continuing their journey north into Thailand. These days, travelers are still coming to the Perhentians to find rest and relaxation on beautiful ivory beaches.

The main islands are Perhentian Besar and Perhentian Kechil. Besar is the biggest island, and boasts some gorgeous remote beaches. Both islands can only be reached by boat from Kuala Besut on the mainland. There are cheap and regular speedboats, but you can also travel in style on a traditional wooden longboat, which tends to be more expensive. In general, accommodation is a little more up-market on Besar – there are a handful of lavish resorts, hidden away on the more isolated beaches. The other hotels and diving schools are concentrated along the main stretch of beach-front, which manages to remain blissfully quiet.

Long Beach Backpacker Scene

Travelers on a tighter budget tend to gravitate towards Long Beach on Pulau Perhentian Kecil. The backpacker hostels and bars make this stretch of beach a little rowdier than Pulau Besar, and offers the closest thing you’ll find to a nightlife on the Perhentian islands. Alcohol is heavily marked-up on the island, so it’s not the best place for a binge. As should be expected, diving and snorkelling is excellent around the island, and there are plenty of dive-centers scattered across Long Beach. The water is incredibly clear, and the islands are just a short boat-trip away from some beautiful marine wildlife reserves.

The monsoon season wreaks havoc with tourism on the islands, so it’s important to plan your trip carefully if you want to take full advantage of the beautiful Perhentian beaches. From November to February, the islands shut down, with only a couple of the more expensive resorts staying open. If you feel like braving the rain, however, there’s nothing quite like having a deserted beach all to yourself. During the dry season’s peak tourist months (July and August) competition gets fierce for the best accommodation. It’s better to book your hotel or hostel before arrival, especially on the weekends. This is partly because the beaches of the Perhentian Islands have become so popular with international travelers on long trips round south-east Asia. Everyone seems drawn to these oases of calm – the perfect place to slow down, kick back, and unwind.