[StarR] Transportation:
Kuala Lumpur ✈️ Kota Bharu, 1h15
Kota Bharu Airport 🚘 Besut Jetty, 1h10 (Island entry tax 50RM + Marine Conservation Fee)
Besut Jetty 🚤 Perhentian Island 40min
[StarR] Boat Schedule:
From Besut to Perhentian: 11, 14, 16
From Perhentian to Besut: 8, 12, 13
If there are always passengers at both ports, the boats will depart once they are full. I boarded the boat at 10 AM from Besut. Confirm the check-in time with the hotel, otherwise, you might arrive on the island too early and not be able to check in. You can arrange the boat for getting on and off the island at the hotel front desk.
[StarR] Accommodation:
Big Perhentian Island has a quiet beach, beautiful scenery, and direct access to diving.
Small Perhentian Island is lively with many people, more options for food and lodging, but the beach is not as nice as Big Perhentian Island, and you cannot dive directly.
See Figure 9 for several accommodations on Big Perhentian Island. I did not go to Small Perhentian Island, so I won’t make random recommendations for accommodation there.
[StarR] Snorkeling:
The Rawa package lasts three hours and covers four diving spots, ending with a visit to PIR’s entrance to see turtles. The port before arriving on the island has snorkeling-related products, which are cheaper than on the island. If you forget to bring something, you can buy it there.
You can also scuba dive and get a diving certification. There are diving shops on every popular beach on the island where you can inquire.
[StarR] Food
[PIR Buffet] A wide variety of dishes, all with decent taste. Don’t expect a gourmet meal; it’s very homely and comfortable. Each meal includes vegetables and fruits. The local stir-fried rice noodles and fried rice vermicelli are quite tasty, while the pasta is not good. The rice is the usual type, sometimes there’s egg-fried rice, but the texture is much lower than what you’d find in China.
The curry, tom yum soup, and borscht are delicious, but it depends on luck as they are not available every day. If you pay extra to order dishes, they might not be that great.
[Mama’s] Lively and affordable
The tom yum soup is very good
Stir-fried instant noodles are decent, a bit sweet, but still very tasty
Ordered mango ice, it was okay, passable
[The barat] The most crowded, with a long row of tables by the sea, and the huts are also full. The barbecue looks quite tempting.
[Coral view] Delicious, can eat indoors or by the seaside.
[StarR] Cash: It’s still necessary to bring cash on the island. Most restaurants cost around 50-60 RM per person. An expensive snorkeling set costs 60 RM. See Figure 17 for water taxi prices. I booked an all-inclusive package at PIR, and I spent less than 100 RM in cash on the island. For reference, the average spending per person is usually 300-500 RM.
[StarR] Jungle trekking, see Figures 16-17
Perhentian Island may not boast endless stretches of white sand and boundless seas, but it offers a unique, tranquil escape that’s perfect for those seeking a more niche and serene experience. With 90% of its visitors hailing from Europe and America, the island exudes a laid-back and relaxing vibe. As you step onto the island, you’ll be greeted by the charming presence of small squirrels, playful monkeys, and large lizards.
These creatures, while curious, are wary of humans and keep a respectful distance, adding to the natural and unspoiled atmosphere. The island strikes a beautiful balance between modest commercialization and harmonious coexistence with nature, making it a truly special destination.
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