Larger and quieter than Kecil, Perhentian Besar is the place to grab a book, alternate between sand and sea, and forget about the world for a while. Visitors can enjoy the same crystal blue water and fine white sand without the party craziness and backpacker crowds found at Perhentian Kecil.
Accommodation on Perhentian Besar is much more exclusive compared to the smaller island; Luxury bungalow operations abound. Unfortunately, the improvement in comfort also comes with an improvement in price.
Read more about the Perhentian Islands in Malaysia.
Things to do in Besar Perhentian
Don’t come to Perhentian Besar expecting sites, entertainment, or even a cultural experience. The only real reason to visit Perhentian Besar is to take advantage of the sun, sand, and sea.
- Snorkeling – If you’re not a diver, don’t despair: Perhentian Besar has excellent snorkeling just offshore on the north and east sides of the island. Snorkeling gear rental costs around $ 4 per day.
- Diving: The Perhentian Islands are blessed with excellent and inexpensive diving. A lot of dive shops maintain enough price pressure to make diving a great value compared to the rest of Malaysia. Low prices and great visibility make the Perhentian a popular place for people with plenty of time to earn PADI certification.
- Trekking: Much of the interior of Perhentian Besar can be explored on foot. Sweating down the jungle trails is a great way to see monkeys and other wildlife. The trail between Watercolors Paradise and Arwana is a popular 30 minute hike to see termite mounds and the occasional monkey. Read these hiking safety tips.
Night life
Unless you’re considering a “party” to watch the sunset from the sand with a bottle of rum, there is very little nightlife in Perhentian Besar. Occasional beach bonfire parties can break out during peak season, depending on the mood of the bungalow staff.
Travelers who want to socialize beyond the confines of their resort should try Love Beach, a rocky stretch of beach where people go to meet other travelers. Otherwise, the nearby Perhentian Kecil is the place for serious parties and dancing.
Stay safe
- Monkeys and Lizards: Macaque monkeys roam the island; most are friendly, but they know how to deal with a monkey attack just in case. Although the large lizards that walk the island look a lot like Komodo dragons, they are harmless!
- Mosquitoes: Mosquitoes are a real problem in Perhentian Besar, particularly at night. Read how to protect yourself from mosquitoes.
- Theft – With no ATMs on the island, thieves know that guests must bring a large amount of cash. Room break-ins and petty theft of unattended bags left on the beach are common. Watercolors Paradise Resort will exchange money or provide credit card advances for a fee.
Read these basic tips to stay safe in Southeast Asia.
Move to Perhentian Besar
Although the island is quite large, only the westernmost side of Perhentian Besar develops. The island does not have motorized transportation. Instead, water taxis transport people who want to snorkel or can’t walk the sandy path between the beaches.
Arrive at Perhentian Besar
Perhentian Besar is easily accessible via the port city of Kuala Besut , about a nine-hour bus ride from Kuala Lumpur. If traveling by land from Kota Bharu, you must change buses at Jerteh or Pasir Puteh.
Fiberglass speedboats from the mainland to the Perhentian Islands spend more time in the air than in the water as they bounce off the waves at full speed. Both passengers and luggage get wet; Travel can be a painful experience, especially when the sea is rough. The bumpy ride takes about 45 minutes before reaching the islands.
When to go
The only time to visit Perhentian Besar is during the dry season between March and October. The islands are mostly closed and difficult to reach during the eastern monsoon period between December and February.
