Pulau Perhentian consists of two islands, Pulau Perhentian Besar and Pulau Perhentian Kecil and lies 79km north of Kuala Terengganu and 22 km east of the town of Besut. It takes approximately 30 minutes by speed boat from Kuala Besut Jetty to the island. There are water taxis plying for visitors to hop on hop off between the two islands
The Perhentian Islands were mentioned in CNN as having the 13th Best Beach in the World in 2013 whilst the Lonely Planet Travel Guide Book 2010 described the island as being the 5th Best Beach to Swing a Hammock.
Pristine aquamarine waters and powdery sandy beaches and the natural beauty of the islands are what draw tourists from all over the world. Inland, the islands are covered with untouched jungle, which also acts as a valuable water catchment area. There are no roads here, you either walk or take a water taxi to get from one end to the other.
The island which means “stopover” in Malay, is so named as it was used as a sanctuary for fishermen and ancient traders that ply the old trade routes between Siam and Terengganu. Today the Perhentian Islands are magnets for the outdoor and nature lovers. Water sports and diving are the main activities offered.
The accommodation here ranges from home stays to first class hotels and locals are friendly and hospitable.
