3 Reasons Why Perhenthian Islands Are A Must-Visit When In Malaysia
Malaysia's best kept secret for a quiet, relaxing and beautiful getaway.
Beneath the shade of a lone palm tree, on a beach, reading in our hammock, we found our paradise in 2019. The Perhentian Islands weren't just a stop in our Malaysia roundtrip; they were some of the favorite days we spent abroad.
Let us tell you why
During our roundtrip through Malaysia in 2019, we found ourselves debating between visiting Langkawi on the west side of the Perhentian Islands on the east. After some research, we chose the ‘path less traveled’ to the Perhentian Islands, drawn by its promise of calmness and peaceful nature.
Tourists? Busy? You’re almost alone here
In August 2019, at the height of the summer holidays, we found ourselves on the Perhentian Islands. Despite it being peak season, it never felt like the islands were busy with tourists.
Mornings were for heading to the beach with a book and finding that perfect hammock spot. We'd look around and see just a few others doing their thing, all spread out. Even wandering the island in the afternoon, we'd hardly bump into anyone. The islands truly provide a place to enjoy the surroundings in solitude.
It’s not often that you can find such a quiet place, without having to travel to the edges of civilization. The cities on the mainland where you can take the boat to the islands are only an hour's flight away from the bustling capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. This means that you can wake up in Kuala Lumpur in the morning, and change your shorts for your beach outfit when lunchtime rolls around.
Beaches
The beaches here are exactly what you need. They're beautiful, of course, with clear water and clean sand, but without the busy crowds you would expect at such a place. Whether you want to sunbathe, read, or just chill, these beaches offer the perfect place for a relaxed day by the sea.
If you really want to escape the crowds (and humanity, it sometimes felt like) then grab a kayak and set out to explore the coastline. Some beaches are only accessible by water, meaning you’ll be the only one there if you’re lucky.
We also did this, and we managed to secure a spot on our private beach for the afternoon. This is the perfect place for a picnic if you bring some snacks and drinks.
It's like having a slice of paradise all to yourself, where the loudest sounds are often just the waves and the wind.
Tip: time your kayak adventure with sunset to be treated to some beautiful sights. Of course, make sure to return before it gets too dark!
Nature, Snorkeling, and Diving
Nature lovers will find their happy place in the Perhentian Islands. The clear waters make snorkeling and diving here incredible.
We went on a snorkeling excursion (unfortunately, Mike hadn’t discovered the magic world of scuba diving yet, such a missed opportunity!), and we were the only ones on the boat. After a short boat ride of 15 minutes, we arrived at the snorkeling place that we had all to ourselves!
The place was bustling with sea life and corals. Our guide told us that you could see the occasional turtles swimming around. But unfortunately, we didn’t see one that day. After a quick hop to our second and final destination, we again had the whole snorkeling place to ourselves.
I can tell you, this is pretty unique.
You can also wander through the jungles of the island and go for some great hikes. The hikes will not be super challenging in general, but it’s a great way to get your steps in after laying on the beach all morning 😉
So, did we convince you to add the Perhentian Islands to your travel list when you’re in the area? We sure hope so. If you have any questions after reading our post, feel free to let us know in the comments and we’ll happily tell you more
But what about you? Have you ever stumbled upon an unexpected paradise that took you by surprise, a place where time slowed down and daily life felt worlds away? Or is there a hidden gem you're dreaming of escaping to? Share your stories or your travel wish list with us. We're always on the lookout for our next adventure, and who knows, your suggestion might just be where we head next!
💤 Some great accommodations in the area:
We stayed in this amazing Airbnb, which offered a simple but comfortable tent and amazing food (although it sadly seems that they’re not taking reservations anymore)
If you want to go diving in the Perhentian Islands, why not stay at Ombak Dive Resort?
If luxury is more your vibe, prepare to indulge and have the time of your life at Mimpi
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Great pictures and an area we still need to go to... will keep it in mind!
Doet mij denken aan mijn reis naar Maleisië. Wij waren destijds geloof ik op Pulau lang tengah.