Dreaming of crystal-clear water, white sandy beaches, and some of the best snorkelling in Malaysia? Then the Perhentian Islands need to be on your travel list immediately.
However, one thing that surprises many travellers is that getting there is not exactly straightforward.
If you have been endlessly Googling “how to go perhentian island”, don’t worry; we were confused too at first. Between flights, buses, minibuses, ferries, and random transfers, it can feel a little overwhelming. Thankfully, once you understand the route, it’s actually quite simple.
In this guide, we’ll explain exactly how to get there, which transport options are worth considering, what we personally recommend, and a few important things we wish we knew before travelling ourselves.
Before we start, do not forget to check out our list of the ultimate Malaysian street food dishes, drinks, desserts, and snacks you HAVE to try while in Perhentian!
So, let’s make planning your island escape a whole lot easier.
How to Get To Perhentian Island: Understanding the Route
Before booking anything, there’s one important thing to know. No matter where you are coming from, your final stop on mainland Malaysia will almost always be Kuala Besut Jetty.
This jetty is basically the main gateway to the Perhentian Islands (both of them). To our knowledge, it is the only mainland location where you can take a boat directly to the islands. Technically, you can also arrive from Redang Island, but most travellers will use Kuala Besut.
Here’s where things get slightly annoying though.
Sadly, most major public transportation routes do not go directly to Kuala Besut Jetty. Instead, most transport options stop in Kota Bharu, which is still around 1 to 1.5 hours away from the jetty by car or minibus. If you choose a larger public bus route, it can even take 3 to 4 hours depending on transfers and delays.
Still, don’t panic. There are several ways to complete the journey depending on your budget, comfort level, and travel style.
First, let’s get as close to Kuala Besut as we can.
By Air (Getting To Kuala Besut Jetty)
For many travellers, flying is the easiest and fastest option when researching “how to go Perhentian Island”.
However, there is no airport in Kuala Besut itself. The closest airport is Kota Bharu Airport. From there, you’ll need additional transport to reach Kuala Besut Jetty.
The good news? You have several options.
1. Minibus (What We Personally Did)
This was honestly the best option for us.
The minibus was cheap, easy, and surprisingly fast. In fact, the journey time was roughly the same as taking a private car, except we paid significantly less.
We paid $7.86 per person one way, which felt incredibly reasonable considering how convenient it was.
The minibuses usually wait outside or near the airport and are designed specifically for travellers heading towards the islands. Because of that, the process felt pretty straightforward.
Another huge benefit is that you don’t need to stress too much about navigating complicated public transport routes. You simply get in, relax, and head towards the jetty.
If you’re travelling on a budget but still want something convenient, this is probably the sweet spot.
We booked out minibus through 12Go. We have booked MANY trips through them and trust them completely. Always double check whether the tour company is good and have good reviews online.
Then, our minibus operator was called Perhentian Trans Holiday.
They do also have boat services available, but we actually booked our ferry through another company and will 10000% recommend the other company. More on that later.
2. Private Car
A private car or private transfer is definitely an option. However, unless you are travelling in a large group or carrying loads of luggage, we honestly don’t think it’s necessary.
Prices usually range anywhere between $20–$60 per person one way, depending on the vehicle type and how many people are sharing the ride.
The biggest issue? It takes almost the exact same amount of time as the minibus.
So unless you really value privacy or comfort, it can feel a little hard to justify the extra cost.
That said, if you’re arriving very late at night, travelling with family, or simply prefer a stress-free private ride, this could still be worth considering.
You can find private cars outside the airport or book online (I am not exactly sure where to book online but you can definitely ask on Malaysian travel Facebook groups – Facebook is big in South East Asia).
3. Big Bus
Technically, there are public buses that can help you get from Kota Bharu Airport towards Kuala Besut Jetty.
However, this option is definitely not for everyone.
While it’s the cheapest choice at roughly $3–4 per person one way, it also takes significantly longer. Most journeys can take anywhere from 2 to 4 hours depending on the stops, sometimes even longer if you miss connections.
You’ll likely need to combine:
- Walking
- Multiple bus transfers
- Waiting around
- More walking
We personally wouldn’t recommend this unless you have plenty of time and genuinely enjoy navigating local public transport systems.
Another thing to note is that the route itself is not particularly scenic. You’re driving along very similar roads to the minibus route anyway, just with far more stops and complications.
We also tried finding online tickets ourselves, but unfortunately the website wasn’t working properly at the time.
So yes, it’s possible. But it’s probably not the easiest way to figure out how to go perhentian island if you’re a first-time visitor.
By Train: The KTMB “Jungle Line” (Getting To Kuala Besut Jetty)
If you love train travel, you might come across Malaysia’s famous KTMB Jungle Line while researching how to go perhentian island.
And honestly? It sounds incredibly adventurous.
However, there’s something important to understand before planning your route around it.
The train does not go directly to Kuala Besut Jetty either AND you cannot take this line from Kuala Lumpur.
The closest major stop is still near Kota Bharu, meaning you will once again need to arrange additional transport to the jetty afterwards.
Usually, that means taking either a :
- A minibus
- A private car
- Or a public bus
That said, the train can still be a really fun experience if you’re travelling slowly around Malaysia and want something more unique than flying.
You can book tickets directly through the online website here.
How To Go To Perhentian Island: Other Routes
Honestly, there are plenty of route combinations depending on where you’re starting from.
Some travellers:
- Take overnight buses from Kuala Lumpur
- Combine trains and buses depending on where in Malaysia you are at the moment
- Travel from nearby islands
- Rent cars and drive themselves
However, no matter which route you choose, the important thing to remember is this:
Your goal is always to reach Kuala Besut Jetty first.
Once there, you’ll take a speedboat to the islands themselves.
How To Go to Perhentian Island From Kuala Besut Jetty Via Ferry
Once you have made your way to Kuala Besut Jetty, you can finally take a ferry to Perhentian Islands.
Now most companies makes stops at every pier on Perhentian Kecil and Perhentian Besar. This means people will be dropped off at Coral Bay, Long Beach, Jeti taman laut pulau perhentian, and more! You simply need to let them know which pier or select the correct option on the website.
We booked our ferry through Direct Ferries. The name of our tour operator (ferry operator) was Perhentian Boat Services. You can also book directly at Perhentian Boat Services through their Whatsapp number (+60 13-984 7179).
You can see from the image below, they have drop offs at MANY locations on both islands. The tickets were $21.16 per person (return tickets).
Now, why this company and not another?
1. The staff were INCREDIBLY friendly and helpful
2. They communicated with us via whatsapp and phone calls to confirm our trip and movements
3. Helped us with a bunch of questions once we arrived and gave us extra tips for travel
4. They out us on an earlier ferry because we arrived early instead of making us wait for our booked time
5. One of the ladies said we should take her bike to buy some groceries because everything on the island is more expensive (we talked about living in Cambodia so she assumed we know how to drive motos haha – which we did)
We met some people on the boat who re-booked their tickets because they had issues with other operators. So I wouldn’t even try another company. This one was AMAZING!
How Long Does It Take To Get To Perhentian Islands?
The ferry ride is between 40-60 minutes depending on the weather and ocean conditions. It also depends on which pier you get off at. For example, on arrival, Coral Bay was the first stop (so we got off quickly). But for people being dropped off on the Perhentian Besar, well, they had to wait a little longer.
Important Tips Before You Go To Perhentian Islands
Book Your Boat in Advance During Peak Season
During busy travel periods, boats can fill up surprisingly quickly. Therefore, it’s worth organising your ferry ticket ahead of time if possible.
Prepare for Rough Boat Rides
Depending on the weather, the speedboat ride can get VERY rough. If you get seasick easily, definitely consider taking motion sickness tablets beforehand.
Trust us on this one.
Bring Cash
While some places on the islands accept cards, MOST businesses only use cash.
Also, there are 2 “permits” you have to buy at the jetty that allows you to enter the islands (these go to funding conservation efforts and maintenance fees), but one of these permits can only be paid by cash.
Travel Early if Possible
The earlier you arrive in Kota Bharu, the smoother your connections will usually be. Late-night arrivals can make transport to Kuala Besut slightly more complicated and expensive. Not to mention ferries don’t travel at night. So if you arrive too late, you might need to find accommodation in Kuala Besut for the night.
Final Thoughts on How to Go Perhentian Island
Figuring out how to go perhentian island can seem confusing at first. There are multiple transport combinations, unexpected transfers, and surprisingly little clear information online.
However, once you understand the basic route, it becomes much easier.
For us personally, flying into Kota Bharu and taking a minibus to Kuala Besut Jetty was the perfect balance between affordability, speed, and convenience. We would absolutely do it again.
And honestly? The moment you arrive at those insanely blue waters, every transfer instantly feels worth it.
If you’re planning your own Perhentian Islands adventure, feel free to leave a comment below with your questions or travel tips. We’d also love to hear about your own experience getting there.
And if you enjoy detailed travel guides like this one, make sure to follow along on our social media for more honest travel advice, budget tips, and real experiences from travelling around South East Asia.
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