The Perhentian Islands: Malaysia's Diving Oasis

Malaysia’s island oasis combines world-class diving and snorkelling with empty beaches and a healthy lack of commercialisation. Culture Trip uncovers the best of this untouched wilderness and explores why it’s such a favourite with backpackers and divers.

As the boat approaches, the first images of the Perhentian Islands are two jungle-covered hills surrounded by blinding white sand. The teal-coloured water reflects against the turquoise sky as the rainforest cacophony fills the silence. Welcome to Malaysia’s Perhentian Islands.

Malaysia’s almost secret tropical islands

Unlike Langkawi on the opposite side of Malaysia’s Peninsular, the Perhentian Islands lack commercialisation. There aren’t any cars pumping out toxic fumes, honking motorbikes or swerving bicycles. Just walking trails and water taxis. Monitor lizards and monkeys share the soft sand rather than dozens of sunbathing tourists. The few visitors enjoy their evenings in a beachside bungalow next to the sea and fall asleep to the gentle crashing waves.

A storm shelter transformed into an island utopia

White sand beaches and crystal clear water

A diving and snorkelling oasis

Healthy coral reefs bursting with colourful tropical fish surround both Kecil and Besar’s coastline. Crystal clear water puts visibility at almost 20 metres (65.6 feet) both near the coast and out in greater depths. Snorkelers and divers instantly witness the explosion of marine life when they submerge into the South China Sea. The adventurous can swim from Flora Bay to Shark Point where swimming with dozens of sharks is almost guaranteed. And don’t worry, they’re not the man-eating ones! Next, catch a water taxi to Besar’s Turtle Sanctuary. Green and Hawksbill turtles nest on the beach and swim in the shallow waters. Few places offer the chance to witness the coral bursting with life, sharks and turtles in the same afternoon.

Affordable diving trips and PADI courses

If you’re PADI-certified, join one of the rock-bottom half or full-day tours advertised along the beaches. The nearby spit known as ‘The Pinnacle’ is a favourite where hundreds of colourful fish, rays and clownfish swim just below the surface. And the price of this treasured experience will cost less than a classy meal in Kuala Lumpur. If you want to learn how to dive, check out one of Perhentian Kecil’s many dive schools. Both PADI and SSI courses including accommodation and meals cost a fraction of what you would expect in Southeast Asia. There’s no waiting list either; contact the school, book your place and make your way to the Perhentian Islands.

The Perhentian Islands offer some of Southeast’s cheapest diving courses

Experiencing the Perhentian Islands

Malaysia’s international airport lies a good eight hours drive from Kuala Besut Port where a 45-minute ferry to the islands awaits. Or fly into Kota Bahru. If you’re lucky, you can get to the port in less than two hours from Terengganu State’s capital. And to make things more complicated, the eastern monsoon virtually shuts the islands for six months between October and March. If you want to experience the Perhentian Islands, be prepared for the lack of connectivity, occasional blackouts and millions of mosquitoes. Head to Perhentian Kecil for a more active adventure, hours of diving and to socialise with other travellers. Catch the sunrise over Long Beach and sunset at Coral Bay. Or stay on Besar for a luxurious getaway and a more off-the-grid experience.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.