There’s a kind of quiet you find only far from the mainland.It is not the quiet of a room.The kind that has life. Like waves touching sandor the gentle sound of a boat engine from the distance And those palm leaves moving softly in a breeze that smells a bit like salt and sunscreen.
you would find this kind of quiet, on the Perhentian Islands.And I have to say I have been trying to go there ever since.The Perhentian Islands are really special.I love the Perhentian Islands.

Perhentian Islands is Hidden just off the northeast coast of peninsular Malaysia in Terengganu state, the Perhentians have been languishing, unknown and secretly loved, by backpackers and divers for years who have “discovered” it virtually by accident. No chain hotel chains. No late-night nightclubs. No designer infinity pool for selfies. Just two tiny islands, a fair chunk of jungle and some of the most transparent waters you will ever put your face in. The name means ‘stopping place’ in Malay and you can imagine the traders taking rest before sailing between Singapore and Thailand. This  island still sees travellers doing just that, wishing they didn’t have to go anywhere else.

Getting There Is Half the Journey

To be blunt, getting to the Perhentians islands is difficult and that’s one of the reasons the islands are still unspoiled. Whether you fly up to Kota Bharu or Kuala Terengganu from Kuala Lumpur (a domestic flight), or you opt for a much longer, though pleasant journey by bus, you have to then travel to the one-street jetty town of Kuala Besut which appears to exist solely to process and propel island-bound travellers to their destination.

Those speedboats which run between Kuala Besut and the Perhentians islands  take around 45 minutes, and if the South China Sea is having one of its moody days, those 45 minutes can be genuinely exciting. Hang on to your hat — literally. But the moment the islands come into view, the first glimpse of that impossible blue-green water against the dark green hills, every bump and spray of the journey immediately forgives itself.

The  Perhentian Islands close to tourists from November through February, when the monsoon season rolls in and turns that beautiful sea into something considerably less welcoming. Plan your trip between March and October, with April through August being the sweet spot for calm water and good visibility underwater.

Two Islands, Two Very Different Moods

There are two islands at Perhentian Islands : Perhentian Besar the Big one and Perhentian Kecil the small one . You can see one island from the other because they are close together.. They both attract different type of traveller to each other.

Perhentian Besar: Is good for families and people who want places to stay. The resorts on Besar are a bit more fancy. The beaches are well taken care of. Coral Bay on Besar is really beautiful. this beach has a sandy beach and calm water that makes it great for swimming. The sunsets, at Coral Bay are amazing. Can stop you from talking.

Perhentian Kecil:  Is the gathering spot of backpackers, budget travellers and “people-who-stayed-for-two-weeks-and-forgot-to-leave”. Long Beach, the main social hot spot, is an extensive crescent of white sand fringed with wooden chalets, a few modest cafes serving fresh catch of the day, ice-cold Milo, and dive operators advertising a full list of diving courses. On the other hand, the water off Long Beach is without a doubt one of the most incredibly turquoise waters I’ve ever laid my eyes on. Photos really can’t do justice to this vibrant, inner-lit sea.

There’s another smaller, more serene bay called Coral Bay (yes, there’s a Coral Bay on both islands, but confusingly enough, it is located in Kecil). It’s an inlet, protected, placid and popular amongst travelers who are already ‘wasted’ and want to get more out of their long beach trip.

Under the Surface

If you are or even a moderately enthusiastic Diver then the Perhentians islands will completely reorganize your life’s priorities. The reef systems surrounding these two islands are some of the finest accessible reef systems in Southeast Asia and although a fair number of people visit these islands to dive it seems that there is still enough marine life here to take your breath away.

Green sea turtles are all over the  Perhentian Islands almost.During Diving you’ll come across them slowly and with a timeless grace floating amongst the corals, they’ll rise to the surface for a gasp of air and dive back down to continue their routine. Blacktip reef sharks are in abundance in some of the more shallower areas of a couple of the bays, they are a completely harmless creature and pay no attention to Diver peering down at them from the surface. With good fortune and condition there are also whale sharks in these waters; I can’t say that they are a regular occurrence, nothing in the sea ever is, but it’s a subject of much discussion before every dive.

The Perhentians islands have great dive sites. They are good for beginners and experts Some sites are easy and gentle perfect for those just starting out.Others are more challenging with walls and sunken ships to explore.The Sugar Wreck is a spot. there is a cargo ship that lies upright on the ocean floor.Soft corals have grown over it and it is home to many glass fish.They swim around you as you pass through.

Shark Point is a site that lives up, to its name. You can see sharks here.Tokong Laut is a mountain that attracts big fish when the current is strong.You do not need scuba gear to see life.Snorkelling off the beach is fun.You can see creatures that people pay to see elsewhere.All you need to do is rent a mask and fins for a dollars walk into the water and wait a few minutes.You can see a lot of fish and other sea creatures at Perhentian Islands.

Life on Land

It’s not all about water here though, even if the water does take centre stage. Life on the Perhentians islands just feels so far removed from life on the mainland, and the pace of it is completely different. Mornings are laid-back – there are many cafes in which to enjoy coffee and toast, the kind that have tables set out on the beach, and the Wi-Fi password scribbled onto the back of the bar in handwriting that looks like it hasn’t changed in a decade

. Breakfast is provided at most guesthouses (usually something relatively simple and there is something about having toast and scrambled eggs and watching long boats taking their first wave of snorkelers out to the reef) but again it just feels relaxed and pleasant.

The water is really nice by mid-morning. because the sun is high in the sky which gets really hot so people usually go back to their chalets to rest or read a book. Then they go out again for a swim or a walk on the beach path that goes to all the bays on Kecil. For dinner they have seafood that is grilled and served with rice and a cold drink you can say best combo. It tastes really good.

There are no roads on the islands so we have to walk or take a boat to get around and talk walk is really long. At first this is a bit of a problem.. After one day it seems normal. After two days I forget why we even need roads.

The nightlife on the Perhentian Islands  is not very wild. Some of the restaurants, on the beach stay open late. Play music but it is not too loud. I think they do this so they do not disturb anyone. Some people might think this is boring. If you like to party you might like Langkawi better.. For everyone else the quiet is what makes this place special.

Practical Things Worth Knowing

Cash is king on the Perhentians islands . There are ATMs, but they’re unreliable, and some of the smaller guesthouses and warungs operate on a cash-only basis. Bring more ringgit than you think you’ll need.

Accommodation ranges from very basic fan-cooled chalets with shared bathrooms — the kind where you share a bathroom with three other rooms and everyone pretends this is fine, and it actually is fine — to reasonably comfortable air-conditioned rooms with attached baths. There are no true luxury options in the international hotel sense, and if that’s what you’re after, these islands will disappoint you. That’s not a criticism; it’s just a description of what the place is and who it’s for.

Pack reef safe sunscreen if you are environmentally concerned, as you really should be its necessary at Perhentian Islands . The reefs are relatively healthy here compared to other spots in the region and it’s up to everyone to maintain that. Biologically degradable toiletries, though a little effort to procure before you leave, are a sound investment. Water is scarce on these islands and shouldn’t be wasted; during the dry season, a couple of the guesthouses have limits on the amount of time you can spend in the shower. Although the restriction is made to sound a lot worse than it is in reality, be aware of it.

Glance Asia Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Plan Your Trip

Our editors put together this quick-reference section so you have everything in one place before you book.

• How to Get to the Perhentian Islands;   if you are going from KL Kuala Lumpur  the most common point of travelers, the fly from  Sultanah Bahiyah Airport to Kota Bharu Airport. then take a text to kuala besut jetty  from there it would roughly 1.5 hours to Perhentian Islands.
• When to Go:   The Perhentians islands  are the seasonal destination. the island are officially close for traveller during november  to february  so the best time to visit this place is  between April to August.  the sea condition at this time are the calmest and underwater visibility is ai its best you can enjoy the most this time .

What to Do: The Highlights. of what to do in Perhentian Islands.

• Snorkelling and Diving. This is the thing that people come for. Every beach has people who will rent you the gear you need. They also have trips to the best places to see the reefs. They happen every day. If you want to learn how to dive you can take a PADI Open Water course, which’s a good thing to do. There are also dives that you can go on. The prices are pretty good.
• Sea Turtle Encounters.there You can see turtles around the islands, especially near Turtle Bay on Perhentian Besar. You can snorkel with them on your own you do not need any guide. Just remember to be nice to them keep your distance do not touch them and do not try to chase them.
• Island Hopping by Water Taxi. You can go between the islands using the water taxis. It is a way to get around it only costs RM 5 to 15 depending on how far you are going. It is a way to see the different bays and beaches. You can also see some of the coves that you can not get to by walking.
• Jungle Trekking. There is a path which goes across to Perhentian Kecil from Long Beach, to Coral Bay. It nearly takes upto 20 to 30 minutes through the jungle. It is a rainforest you will hear birds singing you will also see lizards and when you get to the other side you will feel like you have earned the right to relax on the beach.
• Doing Absolutely Nothing. This is something that people do not do enough of. You can just sit in a hammock read a book and drink a coconut. Not everything has to be an activity, Snorkelling and Diving are fun. So is just relaxing.

Glance Asia’s Final Thought

Asia at Glance travels quite widely across Asia. The temples of Kyoto; the street food stalls of Penang; the urban panorama of Seoul; the valley trails of Bhutan. But once in a while, there’s a destination which convinces you to ditch your notebook and just be present.
The Perhentian Islands is one such beautiful destination. Perhentian Islands is must visit place.

There are no spectacular cultural monuments here at Perhentian Islands , no UNESCO World Heritage sites or Michelin-starred restaurants. What they do have-genuinely clear waters, thriving corals, turtles foraging as they have done for centuries and a rhythm that reassures you of the definition of rest-is getting rarer and more valuable each year. There are only so many places in the world that have successfully held out against mass tourism. The Perhentians just about manage to remain so, for now.

Visit before that stops being true. Visit with some reef-safe scream and a healthy respect for this location. And if, when you’re back home, you’re describing the clarity of the waters to people who don’t really seem to believe you-that’s okay. Keep it a secret just between you and them.
Glance Asia rating: 9/10 – It’s a must-see destination for a Southeast Asian holiday. In fact, if you’ve never seen a turtle in the wild, go do that.
if you liked the Perhentian Islands  then you will also need to visit Maya_bay_Beach