Discover Perhentian Island: Ultimate Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors (Part 1)
There seems to be a lack of comprehensive information about Perhentian Island, so I’ve divided my October 2023 trip into two parts for a concise summary, which you might find useful. The initial reason for choosing Perhentian Island was to avoid the crowds during the National Day holiday, and I was looking for a less frequented island.
By chance, I came across a recommendation for Redang Island and Perhentian Island in a comment section, which sparked my interest. After some research, I concluded that Perhentian Island would be more convenient, and I began planning my trip, including booking flights and accommodations.
I won’t delve into the details of preparing for an international trip, but it’s worth noting that flying to Kota Bharu is the most convenient option for reaching Perhentian Island (be sure not to confuse Kota Bharu (KBR) with Kota Kinabalu (BKI), as they are in different parts of Malaysia). We transferred from Kuala Lumpur to Sultan Ismail Petra Airport in Kota Bharu.
The airport is quite small, with only two baggage carousels, making luggage collection quick and easy. At the exit, there’s a taxi service price list (Figure 7), and the fare to KUALA BESUT pier is 80RM. You can inquire at the counter, and it’s said that haggling is possible. We initially planned to use Grab, but as soon as we left the airport, a driver approached us.
After confirming the price, which was also 80RM, we decided to take the taxi, a decision that proved to be wise.
The drive to the pier takes about an hour and a half. If you’re prone to motion sickness, it’s advisable to apply motion sickness patches or take medication beforehand, as the drivers tend to drive quite fast. The driver will drop you off at a travel agency where you can purchase your boat tickets. The prices are consistent, so you can simply go in and buy them.
The ticket costs RM70 per person for a round trip, and each person also needs to pay an island entry fee of RM5 and a marine conservation fee of RM30. The shop will confirm the specific return time with you, and if you’re unsure, you can call the number on the ticket the day before your return. The boat generally runs three round trips a day (Figure 8, you can also confirm this with your hotel by email), but it depends on the weather.
Our boat was scheduled for 2 PM, and we arrived at 2:30 PM. While waiting, you can visit the nearby 711 to stock up on snacks, as the island primarily offers restaurants.
Perhentian Island is divided into Big Perhentian and Small Perhentian, with the smaller island being more vibrant and the larger one more tranquil. It all depends on your personal preference. We prefer quietness and originally intended to stay in a hotel, so we chose Perhentian Island Resort on the big island. This resort is the last stop of the boat ride, taking about 40 minutes.
PIR is a charming, vintage hotel with slightly dated facilities, yet it boasts an exceptional ecological environment. The hotel is home to the most pristine white sand beach in the area, offering a serene and picturesque setting. Every day, you can witness the lively antics of squirrels scampering around the grounds.
After a refreshing rain, the courtyard transforms into a mini wildlife sanctuary, where I was thrilled to spot several water monitors basking in the sun. Around 1:30 PM, following a snorkeling adventure, I had the delightful surprise of encountering a dusky leaf monkey. Just in front of the hotel lies a renowned turtle snorkeling spot, where you can rent top-notch snorkeling gear from the on-site dive shop.
This spot is a haven for turtle enthusiasts, as a large turtle is often seen gracefully gliding through the crystal-clear waters.
