Discover Perhentian Island: A Hidden Gem Before Exploring Top Sea Destinations

This trip to the Malaysian islands took us to West Malaysia. While the more renowned Redang Island and Lang Tengah Island can be easily reached by flying from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Bharu and then taking a direct boat, Perhentian Island requires an additional land journey to Kuala Besut before boarding a boat, making it less convenient in terms of transportation.

However, this Malaysian adventure was a self-drive tour guided by local friends from Kuala Lumpur. After weighing factors such as tourist numbers and the cost of living on the island, we opted for the relatively lesser-known Perhentian Island (Pulau Perhentian). This hidden gem is a favorite among Malay and European tourists. Although the crystal-clear waters may not match those of Sabah in East Malaysia, they still offer a delightful holiday experience.

Photos [1R]-[4R]: Around Long Beach on the smaller Perhentian Island. We stayed at Long Beach, a bustling resort area with a variety of accommodation, dining, and diving options. The beach boasts fine, soft sand, though the view is somewhat marred by the numerous boats moored offshore. The water quality varies with the weather, looking particularly stunning on sunny days [PraiseR].

Photos [5R]-[6R]: A map of Perhentian Island, a tourist map, and inter-island transportation fees quoted by a local shop (for reference only).

Photo [7R]: The facade of the most popular restaurant near Long Beach. I can’t recall the name, but you can easily find it with this picture [LaughCryR]. The prices are quite reasonable, offering a genuine Malay flavor. You can choose from a range of dishes or enjoy a barbecue, with plenty of options. Our experience: ordering dishes and drinks costs about 30 RM per person, while a whole grilled grouper is around 70-80 RM [SlyFaceR].

Photo [8R]: We were incredibly fortunate to witness a turtle laying eggs up close, a rare sight even in the Maldives [PraiseR]. It was a truly heartwarming and unforgettable experience!

Photo [9R]: The snorkeling environment is fantastic (we didn’t bring our equipment, so no photos). You can spot sea anemones, giant clams, turtles, sharks (too swift to capture), and a colorful array of fish and corals. Thankfully, we didn’t encounter any triggerfish [FistBumpR].

Photo [1R][0R]: A must-visit spot even for Malaysians, Lata Air Berani (literally: Brave Waterfall). Here, you’ll find a very cold mountain spring, where locals rinse themselves from head to toe, a practice believed to bring blessings, purification, and spiritual cleansing [SmileR].

Photo [1R][1R]: The Long Beach pier is teeming with fish. You can buy bread from nearby shops to feed them, creating a lively and interactive experience.

[RightArrowR][RecommendR][FistBumpR] Here are some tips to make your trip smoother:

① In addition to the boat ticket, you’ll need to pay a tax and an island conservation fee, which adds up to about 40 RM per person (I can’t recall the exact amount, but it’s in that range). Make sure to budget for this extra cost.

② While credit cards are accepted on the island, some shops only take cash. It’s wise to bring some cash with you to avoid any inconvenience.

③ We packed instant noodles, worried about limited food options, but found out it wasn’t really necessary. A special note: Some hotels don’t provide hot water, so you can always head to a local café and ask for hot water to prepare your noodles—usually, they’ll do it for free. One friendly café owner even joked, “How about paying thousands?”