Perhentian Kecil, off the northeast coast of Malaysia, is one of the most popular backpacker islands in Southeast Asia. Smaller and slightly louder of the two Perhentian Islands, Perhentian Kecil is an ideal place for snorkeling, sunbathing, and socializing with fellow budget travelers.
Warm turquoise water teeming with marine life splashes onto white sand beaches. The jungle provides a lush, green backdrop to this island paradise. Many travelers fall in love with Perhentian Kecil, if they don’t run out of money first!
Orientation
Perhentian Kecil is divided into two distinct beaches, both with their own vibes and personality. Long Beach , on the east side of the island, steals most of the attention with its best beaches and better nightlife.
On the opposite side of the island, Coral Bay , often referred to as Coral Beach, has spectacular sunsets and is much more relaxed. A narrow jungle path, easily passable in about 15 minutes, connects the two beaches.
Long Beach
Long Beach is the first place travelers arrive and where most end up staying. The fine white sand beach is wide enough to accommodate bathers, even during high season, and the swimming is excellent.
Long Beach accommodation ranges from a couple of semi-luxurious “resorts” to ramshackle bungalows with dirty mattresses and bare light bulbs. Food and alcohol prices are expensive compared to the rest of Malaysia.
Coral bay
Coral Bay, with its rocky beach and unforgettable sunsets, is much quieter than Long Beach. Excellent snorkeling awaits just to the right of the pier. It is possible to scramble over the rocks, past the last resort on the right side of the beach, down to some lonely romantic sand patches. Prices are only slightly discounted at Coral Beach, despite the lower volume of travelers.
Rooms tend to be nicer on Coral Beach than on the opposite side of the island.
Diving
Diving in the Perhentians is cheap, around US $ 25 per dive, and the dive shops compete fiercely for business. Thanks to a turtle restoration program, sharks and turtles are frequently seen on dives, as well as a wide variety of species that call the warm water home. Perhentian Kecil is a popular place to do PADI certifications due to the low prices and quality of the dive shop operations.
Most dive shops offer snorkeling boat trips or rent their own gear and head to one of Coral Bay’s rocky bays to find some great snorkeling.
Food
A number of side-by-side restaurants in Long Beach have tables for dining directly on the beach. The menus and prices are almost identical, as well as the poor quality of the food. The ever popular Panorama in Long Beach has an impressive menu of local and western food; portion sizes are larger than found in other restaurants.
Many restaurants offer grilled seafood every night on the beach.
Night life
What little nightlife there is in the Perhentians happens along Long Beach. Alcohol prices are expensive; many travelers choose to bring their own to the island. Most people start the night by socializing during the late-night movie that is shown in Panorama or Matahari. The occasional dance party breaks out during peak season at one of two operations.
As with the rest of Malaysia, drugs are illegal on the island.
Money
There are no ATMs or banks in Perhentian Kecil. Cash advances on a credit card can sometimes be obtained for a large fee at one of the resorts.
Warning: thieves are well aware that travelers must bring a large amount of cash to the island; Theft from bungalows in Long Beach is common.
Other concerns
- Shopping: Other than a few small shops selling essentials and some handmade jewelry tables, there is no shopping at Perhentian Kecil.
- Internet: Internet access on the island is very slow and rates can reach US $ 5 for 30 minutes.
- Telephone – Calls can be made from the larger resorts for a fee. Mobile phones work on the island.
- Electricity: Electricity in Perhentian Kecil is provided by generators, however power outages are frequent. Some small bungalows only have power in the dark.
- Mosquitoes: Mosquitoes can be a real problem on the island after a rain; bring protection and burn the coils when sitting at night.
- Sunburn : the sun is stronger than expected on the island. Learn to protect yourself from the sun.
Get there
The usual port to access Perhentian Kecil is the coastal city of Kuala Besut . There is no direct bus service from Kota Bharu to Kuala Besut, you must change buses at Jerteh or Pasir Puteh .
Small speedboats make the choppy 45-minute trip to the island regularly throughout the day. Small fiberglass boats bounce fearlessly off the waves and send passengers and luggage into the air; everything gets wet. Speedboats transfer passengers just before shore and a smaller boat races to the beach. Expect to walk on land through knee-deep water with your bags.
If the seas are particularly rough, boatmen may choose to drop off passengers on the west side of the island at Coral Bay.
All travelers to the Perhentians pay a conservation fee before leaving Kuala Besut.
When to go
Perhentian Kecil is best visited during the dry season between March and November . The island is almost closed during the rainy months and strong currents make swimming dangerous.
The entire island can get crowded during peak season, particularly in July . It’s not uncommon to see travelers sleeping on Long Beach waiting for a room in the morning.
