Perhentian beaches: Long Beach, Coral Bay and more

The beaches, one by one

Both main islands have white coral sand beaches and clear sea. The real differences are noise, food and how you get there. Perhentian Kecil is the livelier island and the cheaper one to sleep on. Perhentian Besar is quieter, and Rough Guides says it suits families and couples better.

Long Beach (Pasir Panjang)

What it is: a beach on the east coast of Perhentian Kecil and, according to Wikivoyage, the most popular backpacker spot on the islands. It has the only nightlife, and you can change money here.

Who it suits: backpackers and anyone who wants bars after dark. Light sleepers should note Wikivoyage’s warning that loud disco music plays until late every night near the beach, so pack earplugs.

Getting there and cost: Coral Bay is an easy walk of about ten minutes¹ across the island. Water taxis between beaches cost about RM12 per hop¹, and the price is negotiable. Rooms on Kecil cost less than on Besar, so compare Perhentian island accommodation by budget before you book.

Coral Bay

What it is: a bay on Perhentian Kecil with a few restaurants. Wikivoyage calls it the best place on the islands to watch the sunset.

Who it suits: anyone staying on Kecil who wants a quieter evening than Long Beach, and snorkellers. Mat & Man, a pair of local boatmen, work from here. Their short snorkelling trip costs RM60 per person² and lasts about 3 hours².

Getting there: walk over from Long Beach. A paved trail also runs south from Coral Bay: 30 minutes¹ to Mira Beach, 20 minutes¹ on to Impiani beach and another 20 minutes¹ to the fishing village. For dive sites and reef trips, see the Perhentian Islands diving guide.

D’Lagoon and Adam and Eve beach

What it is: a pair of beaches on Perhentian Kecil that you reach on foot rather than by boat.

Getting there: take the jungle path that starts behind Bubu resort at the northern end of Long Beach to D’Lagoon. From there, another route reaches Adam and Eve beach on the west side of Kecil in about 25 minutes¹.

Who it suits: people staying on Long Beach who want a walk and a different stretch of sand without paying for a water taxi.

Fisherman Village on Perhentian Kecil

What it is: Kampung Pasir Hantu, better known as Fisherman Village (Kampung Nelayan), sits at the southeast corner of Perhentian Kecil. It is a working village rather than a resort beach. Medan Selera, right next to the pier, has a dozen or so stalls¹ selling cheap local food. The village also has a small medical reception, where a doctor and nurses give basic, low-cost care.

Getting there: a daily boat service still runs to the village. On foot, follow the paved trail south from Coral Bay by way of Mira Beach and Impiani beach. Several snorkelling trips stop here too. Mimpi Perhentian’s 5-hour³ Extended Trip calls at the village, and so does Mat & Man’s long snorkelling trip, which costs RM70 per person² and runs from 10:30 AM to 4–5 PM².

Teluk Dalam

What it is: a long, white sandy beach at the south tip of Perhentian Besar, close to Shark Point. Flora Bay Resort sits in the middle of it. Terengganutourism.com lists Teluk Dalam among the most famous beaches on Besar, alongside Teluk Pauh and a Besar beach also called Pasir Panjang. Wikivoyage describes the southern beach on Besar as the largest and quietest on the islands, with six resorts or chalets¹.

Who it suits: families and anyone avoiding the backpacker party scene, which Wikivoyage says Besar caters to. Snorkellers can try Shark Point, which Wikivoyage lists as one of the popular spots on Besar.

Getting there and cost: water taxi from the other beaches, at around RM12¹ a hop. For rooms on this side, see budget stays on the Perhentians.

Teluk Pauh and the Besar west side

What it is: a beach on Perhentian Besar. Wikivoyage names the water to the left of the beach in front of PI Resort as one of the island’s popular snorkelling spots, along with Shark Point and Tanjung Basi. Wikivoyage also says Besar’s best and cleanest beaches are on its west side.

Who it suits: snorkellers who want to swim straight from the sand, and families who prefer Besar’s calmer pace.

Romantic Beach, KK Beach and Turtle Beach

Romantic Beach and KK Beach are stops on boat trips rather than places to base yourself. Mat & Man describe them as stops for photos, relaxing and island scenery, and both are on the route of their long snorkelling trip at RM70² a head. Wikivoyage places Turtle Beach on the west side but gives no further detail, so treat it as a stop on a boat trip rather than somewhere to plan a day around.

Tips

• Marine park charge: the conservation charge is compulsory and paid at the jetty⁴. Adults without a MyKad pay RM30⁶. Children aged 6 to 12⁶ and seniors without one pay RM15⁶.
• Fishing rules: the islands became a marine park in 1994⁵, and fishing is banned within two miles of the shore⁵.
• Water taxis: agree the price before you get in. Most hops between beaches cost about RM12¹.
• Snorkelling from your beach: Go Perhentian runs a shared-boat trip from any resort for RM50 per person⁷, with mask, snorkel, life jacket and a boat guide included. Sea Voice Divers’ eco snorkelling tour costs RM80 per person⁸.
• Getting to the beaches: the speedboat crossing from Kuala Besut takes 30–45 minutes¹, and you can book the Kuala Besut jetty boat online.