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. Depending on your take off
point, it only takes a minimum of 45 minutes to two hours by boat to
get here.
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.
