Pulau Perhentian is located in the South China
Sea 21 km from the coast of Kuala Besut, Terengganut.
For hundred of years ago vessel sailing from
the south coast of Peninsular Malaysia to Bangkok
will stop-by for a rest and shelter at the Island.
They all an ancient merchant carrying food,
jewelry, vast and etc. As the activities of
merchants, sailors and traders from the South
of Chinese Sea have taken place, the island
is getting popular for their 'one stop station',
these Islands were named as 'Once Stop Island'
so called 'Pulau Perhentian' in Malay language.
It comprises of two islands; Pulau Perhentian
Besar and Pulau Perhentian Kecil. Both islands
are surrounded by beautiful palm-fringed powdery
white sandy beaches and crystal-clear turquoise-blue
sea.
The two Perhentian Islands are rated as some
of the most beautiful islands in the world;
a virtual paradise for snorkelling and diving
in crystal-clear water or just for lazing on
one of the white sandy beaches waiting for the
coconuts to drop …
The two main islands are heavily forested and
ringed with sandy beaches, typical of tropical
islands. Accomodation for visitors are predominantly
aimed at budget travellers and is mostly on
the larger Pulau Perhentian Besar, which not
only has wonderful beaches but also forest trails
over the hills.
Both islands are separated by a very narrow
sound but with strong current. The significant
different between the two islands is, Perhentian
Besar is more for a vocational island while
the small one is an island with the mixture
of vacation mood and reality life due to the
fishing village, Kampung Pasir Hantu which is
resided with more than 2000 villagers and completed
with basic facilities apart from resorts and
guesthouses.
All manner of aquatic life is visible both near
and far from the beach such as turtles, sharks,
coral and thousands of tropical fish. The interior
is covered by jungle with a wide variety of
species. You can watch monitor lizards, monkeys,
geckos, flying squirrels, butterflies and many
other types - sometimes right in front of your
chalet. There are no roads and not many paths,
so the islands are mainly peaceful and untouched
- so far.