The Perhentian Islands are a Malaysian archipelago, located just off the northeastern coast of Peninsular Malaysia, known as the ‘Maldives of Malaysia’. This is a popular destination for travelers seeking pristine beaches, vibrant coral reefs, and a relaxed island vibe, with the two main islands, Perhentian Besar and Perhentian Kecil.

Besar is the most popular destination, drawing in many tourists, whilst the smaller island of Kecil has quieter beaches and sees less tourists. The island’s is in the heart of a marine sanctuary, making it an alluring destination for those interested in underwater life.

Though the islands were supported by fishing income early in their history, they are now part of Pulau Redang National Marine Park in the Terengganu region, where fishing is strictly prohibited. Tourism has taken over as the primary source of income, and the breathtaking beauty of fine sand beaches, coral reefs and thriving marine life, have resulted in their successful tourism sector.

Each of the Perhentian islands offer different vibes. Besar, the bigger island, has beaches dotted around its circumference, with a tangled maze of forest and rock at its centre. In contrast, Kecil’s two main beaches are perfect for backpacking. You have the quieter Coral Bay, where you can lay and bask in the sun, and then there’s Long Beach, which is renowned for its nightlife.

Snorkelling and scuba diving are both fantastic activities to partake in around both Islands, with its magnificent marine life to behold. With great sea turtles, clownfish, big blue-spotted rays and black-tipped reef sharks, the reefs can offer an otherworldly experience. Most of the resorts on Kecil have their own snorkel rental and day-long snorkelling trips, and a highly recommended service is Turtle Bay Divers.

One of many pleased TripAdvisor reviewers wrote: “Chose Turtle Bay Divers for our Open Water Diving Course and I did not regret this decision. Their team is super helpful and extremely accommodating.”

You can also rent out canoes and kayaks, go hiking through the jungles around the circumference of Kecil or Besar, and visit a small fishing village at the southernmost tip of Kecil.

Like many other coral reefs in the world, the reefs of the Perhentian Islands are facing threats from ever-changing environmental conditions. According to scientists from the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network, 14% of the world’s coral was lost between 2009 and 2018. This is more than all the coral currently in Australia’s reefs. The reefs in the Perhentian Islands are just as vulnerable as everywhere else, but thankfully, reef restoration has become a mainstream cause. Perhentian Marine Research Station is a marine conservation project dedicated to protecting and nurturing their coral reefs.

High season ends in mid-September and November brings in the powerful monsoons. The best time to visit is between March and early November – though the popularity of the islands means that booking ahead is a wise option. Peak season is in the Northern Hemisphere’s summer months, July and August and early September.