The
Perhentian Islands (
Pulau Perhentian in
Malay) lie approximately 10 nautical miles (19 km) off the northeastern coast of
West Malaysia in the state of
Terengganu, approximately 40 miles (64 km) south of the
Thai border.
The two main islands are
Perhentian Besar ("Big Perhentian") and
Perhentian Kecil ("Small Perhentian"). The small, uninhabited islands of Susu Dara (
Virgin Milk), Serenggeh and Rawa lie off Kecil. The Perhentians belong to
Pulau Redang National Marine Park, which means that fishing, collecting coral and littering are strictly prohibited. Like
Besut, people here generally speak
Kelantanese Malay.
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| Crystal clear water of the sea |
Both islands are fringed by white sand beach, and the reefs and crystalline water are host to a wide variety of
coral, sea-turtles, jellyfish, small sharks and reef-fish. The islands' maximum elevation is approximately 100 m (328 ft) and they are uniformly covered in coastal tropical jungle, with few interior foot-trails and no roads.
Other than the owners and staff of the numerous cabin-style resorts that dot the islands (many of whom depart for the monsoon season), the islands' only permanent inhabitants live in a small fishing village on Kecil. With the exception of a single mainland-communications tower on each island, there are no structures taller than two storeys.
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| Boats used to get to the island |
Nature tourism provides the economic base for the islands. Both the islands have palm-fringed white coral sand beaches (that can be tough on the feet) and turquoise blue sea. Popular tourist activities include
scuba-diving,
snorkeling, and swimming. On most beaches, the water is shallow with many rays, cuttlefish and parrotfish. For diving, there are dozens of divesites around both main islands, as well as several off-shore sites. Apart from these, activities like camping, canoeing, fishing, jungle trekking, and banana boat riding are also available. As for accommodation, most of it can be found on Perhentian Besar, the larger island. Hotels are usually aimed at budget travelling.The only access to the Islands is by boat from the fishing villages of
Kuala Besut and
Tok Bali. Local tourist operators run fishing boats and speed boats several times a day. This was one of our best fieldtrip ever. The environment in Perhentian Island was indeed mesmerizing and peaceful.
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| Samudera Beach Chalet |
The Perhentian Islands were once home to a significant
green and
hawksbill sea turtle nesting population. Now the islands receive only 300 nestings per year, partly due to frequent oil spills from nearby oil production platforms and oil tankers owned by
Petronas. The
Department of Fisheries runs a turtle hatchery on the islands to help address the declining turtle populations.
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SBN3 In Pulau Kecil
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| Before leaving Perhentian Island |
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| Campfire Flame |
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| Snorkeling Session |
