Perhentian island ferry from Kuala Besut: times and fares

The route from the jetty to your beach

The speedboat from Kuala Besut is the usual way to reach the islands. The steps below begin once you are on your way to the jetty. For coaches and flights from further away, see the KL to Perhentian guide.

1. 01

   Get to Kuala Besut

   Buses from Kuala Lumpur leave from TBS and take about 7 hours 45 minutes. If you fly into Kota Bharu, the jetty is about one hour away by taxi.

2. 02

   Book your boat

   Perhentian Trans sells tickets online with an instant e-ticket, and every agency uses the same boats. Book ahead for weekends, public holidays and July–August.

3. 03

   Pay the fees at the jetty

   You must pay the RM30 adult marine park charge and the RM20 jetty fee before you enter the pier.

4. 04

   Collect your ticket

   Pick up your ticket at the agent's office on the jetty. Go Perhentian asks you to arrive at least 30 minutes before departure.

5. 05

   Cross to your beach

   The speedboat takes 30–45 minutes. Passengers for Coral Bay and Long Beach get off at each beach's own jetty.

6. 06

   Plan the return

   Set your return time when you check in or the day before you leave. Boats leave the islands at about 8am, 10am, 12pm and 4pm, so take an early one if you have an onward connection.

What you pay for the boat and the fees

Perhentian Trans charges RM40⁹ per adult one way. Wikivoyage quotes RM35⁵. From February 2026⁷, pulauperhentian.com.my and Go Perhentian both sell the return ticket at RM80¹¹ per adult and RM50¹¹ per child. Infants travel for RM0⁹.

The boat fare doesn’t include the fees. Visitors without a MyKad pay the marine park conservation charge, and the Department of Fisheries sets the same rate for seniors aged 60 and over¹³ as for children. You also pay a jetty fee, which Bubu Resort says is a state-government charge. Perhentian Trans says fares go up at weekends, on public holidays and in the July–August¹ peak, so book ahead.

Some resorts run their own boats. Bubu Resort charges MYR 100 one way or MYR 180 return⁴ per adult, and you check in at its Besut Jetty office.

Klook sells the Perhentian Trans ticket online. It also sells a full-board Perhentian Island Resort package that includes the return boat but not the marine park fee. Compare it with other Perhentian resort package rates before you book.

Boat transfer

Perhentian Island - Kuala Besut Jetty Ferry

4.6 out of 5 · 226 reviews

RM40 from Check dates

Booked on Klook

Package

3D2N Perhentian Island Resort Full Board Package

4.5 out of 5 · 11 reviews·3 days

RM560 from Check dates

Booked on Klook

Tips and common mistakes

• Arriving after the last boat. Perhentian Trans says that if you arrive after 6pm², you can ask for a charter boat at RM350–500² per boat, depending on the weather. Wikivoyage says travelling to the islands after dark is possible but not advisable⁵.
• Letting the taxi driver choose. Wikivoyage warns that some drivers take passengers to a travel agent who pays them commission¹⁴. Others head for Tok Bali, a fishing port about 48 km¹⁹ from Kota Bharu, reportedly for a hefty commission¹⁹. Wikivoyage says all agencies put you on the same boats⁵, so it doesn’t matter which one you use.
• Travelling out of season. The shared boat runs from February to October⁷, and most resorts close from the end of October to the end of February³. Bubu Resort says its transfers are subject to weather conditions⁴. Check the monsoon months on the islands before you book.
• Sitting in the wrong seat. Seats at the back are less bumpy but wetter and noisier⁵. Wikivoyage advises against sitting at the front⁵, because big swells can throw you into the air. The boats have no safe space for electronics⁵, so wrap your phone and camera in plastic.
• Arriving without cash. Few places on the islands accept credit cards⁵. There’s an ATM at Kuala Terengganu airport¹⁸, and on Perhentian Kecil you can change money at Long Beach⁵.
• Buying a ticket you can’t change. Go Perhentian tickets can’t be cancelled or refunded¹¹, but you can move them to another date. If you miss your boat, Wikivoyage says agencies usually put you on the next one⁵.
• Booking before choosing a beach. Wikivoyage says all boats take passengers straight to their destination⁵, so decide where you’re staying first. The beachfront resorts and chalets guide can help. If you drive, Bubu Resort says there is plenty of secure parking⁴ around the jetty.