Discover the Hidden Gem: Pulau Perhentian, Malaysia’s Best Kept Secret Island Escape!

I embarked on an unforgettable journey to Malaysia during the May Day holiday. Initially, my itinerary included Penang and Langkawi Island, but while scrolling through xhs, I stumbled upon the hidden gem of Perhentian Island. Unlike its more famous counterparts, Redang Island and Sipadan, Perhentian remains a well-kept secret, especially among Chinese travelers.

This enchanting island offers everything you could dream of: crystal-clear waters, swaying coconut trees, pristine white sand beaches, and incredible snorkeling opportunities. The best part? It’s blissfully uncrowded, making it a serene escape for both local and international visitors. Unlike Sipadan, where you need to hop from one island to another to enjoy the beach and sea, Perhentian allows you to step right out and immerse yourself in the beauty of nature.

🚗 Getting there is an adventure in itself. First, you’ll need to catch a flight from Kuala Lumpur T2 to Kota Bharu Airport. From there, a one-hour taxi ride will take you to the Kuala Besut Jetty. Boats to the island operate daily from 8 AM to 4 PM/5 PM. We booked our tickets at a hotel office near the jetty, where they assured us the boat would depart anytime.

However, we ended up waiting for about half an hour before setting sail. The scenic boat ride takes around 40 minutes. When leaving the island, there are only three departure times: 8 AM, 12 PM, and 4 PM. The 10 AM boat doesn’t run every day, so it’s essential to confirm the schedule when purchasing your ticket.

Avoid staying at the T Lodge near the jetty. The bed sheets and covers are alarmingly dirty, and some rooms have malfunctioning air conditioners. To add insult to injury, it’s not cheap, costing around 200 RMB per night. Accommodation options near the jetty are limited, with another lodge called Aia/Ain available. If you must stay here, bring disposable bed sheets, but the breakfast downstairs at the lodge is quite good (p3).

🏨 For accommodation, the choices are divided between the big and small islands. The small island is more bustling, with a variety of restaurants and lively beach performances at night. Well-known hotels on the small island include Bubu, Mimpi (both 4-star), Marriott, and Alunan, though I didn’t stay at any of these, so I can’t provide firsthand details.

On the big island, popular options include Pir, Coral View, Barat, Tuna Bay, Beachbox, and Cozy. This time, I chose Coral View, which was impressively clean, offering both garden and sea views (p5).

🍽️ During our stay on the island, we never dined at the hotel. The buffet breakfast at Coral View, priced at 25 RM per person, offered a very limited selection, and by 8:30 AM, the options were almost depleted. Instead, we opted for the Barat restaurant (p16-17), which was an excellent choice. I highly recommend the Maggi fried noodles, though the prices are a bit steep, with a meal for three costing 133 RM.

We also enjoyed dinner there, indulging in a seafood BBQ, main dishes, and drinks, which totaled over 300 RM. Despite the price, the taste was fantastic. We had another seafood BBQ at Long Beach, where we ordered similar items as at Barat, but it only cost 210 RM.

Additionally, I must mention the delightful restaurant and banana smoothie at Cozy Beach. It’s absolutely delicious! An American friend recommended it, and the beach is equipped with hammocks and lounge chairs (p14-15). Lying there, facing the serene sea, is incredibly relaxing.

🤿 For snorkeling, you can book your trip at Barat. There are two routes available: a few spots around the island for 50 RM, or a more adventurous option that includes three small islands, such as Rawa Island, for 60 RM. Departure times are at 10 AM and 2 PM. I strongly recommend the Rawa route, where the water is crystal clear, teeming with colorful fish, and adorned with beautiful coral. You might even spot Nemo and some small, harmless sharks.