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The Perhentian Islands lie in the South China Sea off Besut District in Terengganu, about 10 nautical miles (19 km)1 off the north-eastern coast of West Malaysia. Wikivoyage says Perhentian Kecil draws more travellers because its accommodation is cheaper, while Perhentian Besar is a little more expensive. Rough Guides agrees: Kecil is lively and more budget-friendly, and Besar is far quieter and better for families and couples.
Many places go by both a Malay and an English name, so Long Beach is also Pasir Panjang. Keep your expectations realistic too. A Free Malaysia Today travel piece says the islands are not quite the unspoilt paradise some websites suggest.
| Area | Island | Vibe | Example room rates | Good for | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long Beach (Pasir Panjang) | Perhentian Kecil | Most popular backpacker beach; the only real nightlife, with loud music late | RM350 (Cocohut twin) to RM3,085 (BuBu family suite, 2025) | Nightlife, backpackers | Wikivoyage; pulauperhentian.com.my (booking agent) |
| Coral Bay | Perhentian Kecil | A few restaurants; sunset spot, view partly spoiled by a new jetty | RM390–760 (Shari-La, agent rate) | Sunsets, local snorkelling boats | Wikivoyage; pulauperhentian.com.my (booking agent) |
| Perhentian Marriott area | Perhentian Kecil | Large resort with 200 rooms and 17 villas, a short walk from Long Beach | From US$220–271 | Families: kids' club and kids' pool | EdgeProp (news); Wikivoyage; HalalBooking (booking agent) |
| Teluk Pauh | Perhentian Besar | Shared by Perhentian Island Resort and Coral View; coral garden off the beach | RM150 (Coral View fan room) to RM1,300 (Coral View suite) | Couples, families, divers | pulauperhentian.com.my (booking agent); Perhentian Island Resort (resort) |
| Teluk Dalam | Perhentian Besar | Long white sandy beach at the south tip, near Shark Point | RM160 (Flora Bay) to RM1,705 (Arwana villa) | Couples, families | Flora Bay Resort (resort); Wikivoyage; pulauperhentian.com.my (booking agent); Arwana Resort (resort) |
| South-west coast | Perhentian Besar | Quieter stretch reached only by boat; house reef off Tuna Bay | RM190 (The Barat dorm) to RM1,340 (Tuna Bay family chalet) | Quiet stays, families | The Barat Perhentian (resort); Tuna Bay Island Resort (resort); Bamboo Travel (tour company) |
Wikivoyage; pulauperhentian.com.my (booking agent); EdgeProp (news); HalalBooking (booking agent); Perhentian Island Resort (resort); Flora Bay Resort (resort); Arwana Resort (resort); The Barat Perhentian (resort); Tuna Bay Island Resort (resort); Bamboo Travel (tour company)
Wikivoyage puts the luxury accommodation on the west bay of Besar, priced to match, and says Besar’s best and cleanest beaches are on its west side. It calls the southern beach on Besar the largest and quietest on the islands, with six resorts or chalets1. For swimming, sunsets and crowds beach by beach, see Perhentian beaches compared by suitability. For help choosing the island, read a fuller look at Kecil versus Besar.
If you want an island where almost every bed is in a resort, look at Redang. Wikipedia says this gives Redang a more upmarket image than the Perhentians. Rough Guides calls it more upscale, with luxurious beachfront resorts aimed at couples and families. Here is how Redang stacks up against the Perhentians.
Between the Marine Park and the Government chalet (beach not named by the resort), Perhentian Besar
From RM190 a night in 2026 for a Standard Garden View, and every room has air-con, a mini fridge and a hot shower.
RM190–330 per room per night (2026, plus 8% SST)
Long Beach (northern end), Perhentian Kecil
Near the jetty at the northern end of Long Beach, the only place on the islands with real nightlife; rates include breakfast and an evening cocktail.
RM1,120–3,085 per room per night (2025 agent rates)
Tuna Bay, south-west coast of Perhentian Besar, Perhentian Besar
Family sea-view chalets sleep 3 to 6 from RM1,120 with breakfast, and a house reef within wading distance is safe for young and old.
RM410–1,340 per room per night (2026, with breakfast, plus 8% SST)
Southwest coast, Perhentian Besar
On Besar's south-west coast, one of its quieter stretches and reachable only by boat; Standard Rooms are RM280–430, room only.
RM190–830 per room (room only)
Teluk Pauh Beach, Perhentian Besar
Promotes scuba diving from Teluk Pauh Beach, and A Frame rooms start at RM250 with breakfast for 2.
RM250–1,200 per room per night (2026, by season)
Long Beach (southern end), Perhentian Kecil
Private pool villas for 2 on Long Beach; a Garden Villa cost RM1,490–2,100 a night in 2025, with breakfast and an evening cocktail.
RM1,490–4,070 per villa per night (2025 agent rates)
Picks are based on location, price and what each resort says it offers, not on our own stays.
Each pick is based on the resort’s own description or its listed rates, never on review scores. The cards below group every stay on this page by island.
Long Beach (northern end), Perhentian Kecil
RM1,120–3,085 per room per night (2025 agent rates)
Long Beach (southern end), Perhentian Kecil
RM1,490–4,070 per villa per night (2025 agent rates)
Long Beach, Perhentian Kecil
RM900–3,000 per room per night (2026)
Northwest coast, next to Pantai Cendrawasih, a short walk from Long Beach, Perhentian Kecil
From about US$220–271 per night (agent and guide figures, not the resort's own rates)
Mimpi Perhentian’s rooms cost RM900 (Hill Superior King) to RM3,000 (Premier Suite) a night in 20264, breakfast included. It adds a surcharge of RM180 per room per night4 on 21–28 March, 26 May–1 June and 1 July–31 August4. Its prices also exclude the tourism tax of RM10 per night4.
Teluk Pauh Beach, Perhentian Besar
RM250–1,200 per room per night (2026, by season)
Teluk Pauh Beach (Tanjung Genting), Perhentian Besar
RM150–1,300 per room per night (2026, room only)
Southwest coast, Perhentian Besar
RM190–830 per room (room only)
Tuna Bay, south-west coast of Perhentian Besar, Perhentian Besar
RM410–1,340 per room per night (2026, with breakfast, plus 8% SST)
Teluk Dalam, Perhentian Besar
RM515–1,705 per room per night (2026, agent rates)
Between the Marine Park and the Government chalet (beach not named by the resort), Perhentian Besar
RM190–330 per room per night (2026, plus 8% SST)
South/southwest beach of Perhentian Besar, between Mama's Chalet and New Cocohut, Perhentian Besar
RM200–350 per room per night (2026, 2 people), plus 8% SST
Ringgit for one room for one night unless marked. Taxes and surcharges are extra where the sub-line says so; see Extra costs.
The cheapest listed room is Coral View’s Standard Fan at RM1502, without breakfast. At the top end, BuBu Villa’s Beach Family Villa cost RM4,070 per night from 1 July to 31 August 20255, according to the booking site pulauperhentian.com.my. Mimpi’s range excludes its RM1804 peak surcharge (21–28 March, 26 May–1 June and 1 July–31 August4) and the tourism tax of RM10 per night4.
These rates come from the resorts’ own sites where they publish them, and from pulauperhentian.com.my where they don’t, so the figures can differ. Abdul’s Chalet lists RM1906 to RM3306 on its own site, while pulauperhentian.com.my shows RM215 to RM3707. Older guidebook prices are lower. Wikivoyage lists Tuna Bay’s air-con chalets from RM2901, against the resort’s own RM4108. It lists Shari-La’s rooms from RM1001, against an agent’s RM3909.
Alunan Resort is the all-inclusive choice. Adults pay from RM509++ per person per night10. That covers the room, yacht trips, unlimited snorkelling, water sports, meals and drinks, and return boat transfers. The full price is charged on the day of booking, and bookings are non-refundable11. One child aged 0–9 sharing the parents’ bed stays free11, but children aged 10 and over pay adult rates11.
Perhentian Marriott Resort & Spa is priced in US dollars. Wikivoyage lists it from US$2201, and HalalBooking showed prices from US$271 in October 202612. Breakfast costs extra, at about MYR 13812 to MYR 14813 per adult.
At Perhentian Island Resort, the cheapest A Frame room costs RM250 in February, March and October, RM300 in April, May and September, and RM350 from June to August14. The resort aims these rooms at solo travellers who want to relax after the beach. Packages put meals and boats into one price, so compare Perhentian package prices by season before you book a room on its own.
Long Beach is on the east coast of Kecil. It is the most popular backpacker beach and the only place on the islands with any real nightlife1.
You can change money on Long Beach, and Wikivoyage says Bubu Long Beach Resort gives cash advances.
Coral Bay has a few restaurants. Wikivoyage calls it the best place on the islands to watch the sunset, but says a new jetty has spoiled most of the view. Senja Bay Resort here also gives cash advances. Shari-La Island Resort is near Teluk Aur beach. pulauperhentian.com.my lists it at RM390 to RM7609 a night with breakfast, for stays from 20 March until October9. Wikivoyage lists small fan rooms at Teratak Amelia Cafe and Chalet from RM401. Its Shari-La price is far below current rates, so check this one before you rely on it.
Perhentian Marriott Resort & Spa has 200 rooms and 17 villas22. HalalBooking says it is steps from Pantai Cendrawasih beach and a 4-minute12 walk from Long Beach, with a kids’ club and a kids’ pool. Guests must take a boat to reach the resort12, and HalalBooking says to contact it at least 72 hours before travel12.
Fisherman Village (Kampung Pasir Hantu) is at the southeast corner of Kecil, and a daily boat service runs to it. Medan Selera, next to its 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.
Wikivoyage says Besar caters more to families and to people who want to avoid the backpacker party scene. The travel site terengganutourism.com lists Teluk Dalam and Teluk Pauh among Besar’s most famous and popular beaches.
Teluk Dalam is a long white sandy beach at the south tip of Besar, near Shark Point.
The room rate rarely covers everything. The marine park conservation charge is paid at the jetty and compulsory3. BuBu says guests pay it at the Marine Park counter at Kuala Besut Jetty. Foreign guests also pay tourism tax, usually MYR 10 per room per night17, and several resorts add SST on top.
| Ticket | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
| Marine park conservation charge, no MyKad | RM30 | RM15 (ages 6–12) |
| Marine park conservation charge, MyKad holders | RM5 | RM2 |
| Tourism tax, foreign guests | RM10 per room each night | – |
| Tuna Bay speedboat, one way | RM40 | RM20 (ages 4–12) |
| Abdul's Chalet boat, return | RM80 | RM50 |
| The Barat shared speedboat, return | RM70 | RM60 |
dof.gov.my (official); BuBu Villa (resort); Arwana Resort (resort); abdulchalet.com (resort); Tuna Bay Island Resort (resort); The Barat Perhentian (resort)
| Stay | Taxes and fees | Surcharges | Other terms | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mimpi Perhentian | RM10 tourism tax a night | RM180: 21–28 Mar, 26 May–1 Jun, 1 Jul–31 Aug | MYR 500 deposit | pulauperhentian.com.my (booking agent); Trip.com (booking agent) |
| Perhentian Island Resort | MYR 10 tourist tax a night, paid at check-in | RM80 a night on selected eves and public holidays (per person on the resort's site, per room on an agent's) | Extra bed RM100 a night | Perhentian Island Resort (resort); pulauperhentian.com.my (booking agent) |
| Coral View Island Resort | RM10 tourism tax a night | None listed | Extra person RM35; breakfast about MYR 26.50 | pulauperhentian.com.my (booking agent); halalbooking.com (booking agent) |
| Tuna Bay Island Resort | 8% SST plus tourism tax for non-Malaysians | RM60 in July and August | 5-night minimum in July–August; non-refundable | Tuna Bay Island Resort (resort) |
| The Barat Perhentian | Tourism tax for non-Malaysians; meals and transfers extra | RM50–150 in July and August | Room only; extra mattress RM50 a night | The Barat Perhentian (resort) |
| Arwana Perhentian Eco Resort | MYR 10 tourism tax | RM90 on Fridays, Saturdays and listed holidays | Non-refundable; alcohol-free | Arwana Resort (resort); pulauperhentian.com.my (booking agent) |
| Abdul's Chalet | 8% SST plus RM10 tourism tax | RM50 on public holidays and 1 Jul–16 Sep | Non-refundable; 3% card surcharge | abdulchalet.com (resort) |
| Cozy Chalet | 8% SST | None listed | Extra adult RM60, child RM30 a night | perhentianislandcocohut.com (resort) |
| BuBu Resort and BuBu Villa | 8% tax plus MYR 10 tourism tax | MYR 300 a night, 26 Jun–6 Sep 2026 (honeymoon package) | No changes or cancellations | BuBu Resort (resort); BuBu Villa (resort) |
| Perhentian Marriott Resort & Spa | Resort fee MYR 108 a night | None listed | MYR 800 deposit a night; breakfast MYR 138–148 per adult | HalalBooking (booking agent); Trip.com (booking agent) |
pulauperhentian.com.my (booking agent); Trip.com (booking agent); Perhentian Island Resort (resort); halalbooking.com (booking agent); Tuna Bay Island Resort (resort); The Barat Perhentian (resort); Arwana Resort (resort); abdulchalet.com (resort); perhentianislandcocohut.com (resort); BuBu Resort (resort); BuBu Villa (resort); HalalBooking (booking agent)
The boat fare is often separate from the room. You can book the Kuala Besut jetty ferry ticket in advance. The mainland leg is covered in getting to Perhentian from Kuala Lumpur.
Open season
April to September
Monsoon, mostly closed
November to January
The islands have a heavy monsoon from November to February34. Wikivoyage puts the best time to visit from early March or April to late October1. BuBu shuts its properties from 1 November to 28 February35 every year, and Abdul’s Chalet says it is closed from November until January36. HalalBooking says boats to Coral View can’t be guaranteed in November37.
Low-season rates apply in the shoulder months: Cozy Chalet’s low season is March and October38. The peak months fill up fast, and Tuna Bay accepts July and August bookings for stays of at least 5 nights8. For conditions month by month, see when to visit the Perhentian Islands.
Both main islands have white coral sand beaches and clear sea, and many stays sit close to a reef. Tuna Bay has a house reef within wading distance, and Coral View has a coral garden off its beach. For trips further out, resorts and local boatmen run shared boats.
| Trip | Leaves from | Price per person | Length | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Go Perhentian shared snorkelling | Any Perhentian resort | RM50 | Not stated | Go Perhentian (booking agent) |
| Mat & Man Short Snorkeling Trip | Coral Bay, Perhentian Kecil | RM60 | About 3 hours | Perhentian Private Snorkeling (operator) |
| Mat & Man Long Snorkeling Trip | Coral Bay, Perhentian Kecil | RM70 | 10:30 AM to 4–5 PM | Perhentian Private Snorkeling (operator) |
| Sea Voice Divers eco snorkelling | Not stated | RM80 | Not stated | Sea Voice Divers (dive centre) |
| Perhentian Island Divers day trip | Not stated | RM139 | About 9am to 3pm, 4–5 places | perhentianisland.net (dive centre) |
| Mimpi Standard or Extended Trip | Mimpi Perhentian, Long Beach | Not listed | 3–4 hours (4 spots) or 5 hours (5 spots) | Mimpi Perhentian (resort) |
| YBD Long Snorkelling Trip | Perhentian Marriott | Not listed | About 4 hours, equipment included | travel.padi.com (booking agent) |
| Rawa Island add-on | Abdul's Chalet (package guests) | RM55 | Not stated | abdulchalet.com (resort) |
| Package add-on trips | Perhentian Island Resort (package guests) | RM70 (Susu Dara + Rawa); RM180 (Redang + Lang Tengah, minimum 2) | Not stated | pulauperhentian.com.my (booking agent) |
Go Perhentian (booking agent); Perhentian Private Snorkeling (operator); Sea Voice Divers (dive centre); perhentianisland.net (dive centre); Mimpi Perhentian (resort); travel.padi.com (booking agent); abdulchalet.com (resort); pulauperhentian.com.my (booking agent)
For diving, Mimpi’s BTS Dive Centre takes both beginners and experienced divers, and The Barat offers certified diving for all levels.
