Explore Perhentian Besar

Perhentian Besar is a tropical island of Terengganu, Malaysia, located in the pristine waters of the South China Sea. Perhentian Besar is the larger of two islands which make up the Perhentian Islands, the other is called Perhentian Kecil. Kecil is suited more for backpackers, while Besar is more for families, honeymooners and visitors who would like to have a more relaxing and secluded holiday. This island is the epitome of paradise; white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters and scenic views. These waters hold a large variety of beauty for divers to explore, including flourishing reefs which inhabit a high abundance of marine species, ranging from small to Whale Shark, there are wrecks and unique boulder rock formations. The multiple dive centres and dive resorts here will be able to share some of the best diving in Malaysia with their divers here.

Top Dive Sites Map

Scubapro, Stephen Frink

★★★★☆ Batu Kapal

Located south of Shark Point, Batu Kapal (translated as Ship Rock) is a twin-pinnacle underwater, with the base at 18m depth, and the tip of the pinnacles between 8-10m. It is a small dive site, that is usually dived together with Shark Point in a same dive.

41
Logs
35
Divers
19.0 m
⌀ Depth
11.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares, Janez Kranjc

★★★★☆ Perhentian Shark Point

East to the southernmost Cape of Perhentian Besar lies Shark Point. As the name suggest, a big population of Black-Tip Reef Sharks dwells in the staghorn reef here. It’s a beginner friendly site with frequent shark and turtle sightings.

1,423
Logs
1,129
Divers
12.0 m
⌀ Depth
10.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Aqualung

★★★★☆ Tukas Laut

The deeper of two dive sites in Tanjung Tukas, Tukas Laut locates about 300-400m off Tukas Darat. The site is a barren bottom, which is silty and muddy. The dive site is between 20-25m deep, and is a macro haven for critters lovers. Current can be strong at time, with occasional low visibility.

31
Logs
29
Divers
18.0 m
⌀ Depth
10.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares

★★★★☆ Tukas Darat

The shallower of the two sites in Tanjung Tukas is Tukas Darat. The site is located on the eastern face of Tanjung Tukas. The site is 14m deep, with a rocky slope and patches of staghorn coral. Perfect for beginners and snorkelers alike.

34
Logs
33
Divers
15.0 m
⌀ Depth
10.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares

★★★★☆ Maritime Wreck

KM Ligitan (KM 3145) was a decommissioned Maritime Patrol Vessel sunk in 2104 as an artificial reef. The wreck is sitting at 21-23m bottom, and the top of the wreck is 16m. The length of the wreck is roughly 30m long. Currently, the wreck is teeming with schools of fishes seeking shelter.

69
Logs
61
Divers
20.0 m
⌀ Depth
8.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares, Janez Kranjc

★★★★☆ KK Beach

Teluk KK is the name of both the dive side and the bay of the beach. The site is accessible through the shore and boat. The sandy bottom starts from the beach and extends to 12m. There are reefs of staghorns and some artificial reefs made of PVC pipes at the bottom. Perfect dive site for beginners and snorkelers.

182
Logs
119
Divers
10.0 m
⌀ Depth
7.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Aqualung

★★★★☆ Batu Chaping

Located on the uninhabited East Face of Perhentian Besar, Batu Caping’s main topographical characteristics is the majestic boulders and swim-throughs. With Daisy Corals at the overhang, this dive site extends into the depth of 18-20m, and turns into a sandy bottom deeper.

311
Logs
242
Divers
18.0 m
⌀ Depth
11.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Aqualung

★★★★☆ Tuna Bay, Malaysia

The name of Tuna Bay House Reef is self-explanatory - it locates in front of the Tuna Bay Resort. Blessed with an accessible beach entry, the house reef extends all the way to the Marine Park Jetty. On a lucky day, you can see reef sharks swimming around boulder corals along the jetty.

337
Logs
178
Divers
13.0 m
⌀ Depth
9.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares, Janez Kranjc

★★★★☆ Terumbu Dua (T2)

Roughly 200m towards the shore from the famous Terumbu Tiga is Terumbu Dua. Shortened to T2, Terumbu Dua is also a boulder dive site with an amazing underwater view. Since it is closer to the shore, T2 also is an easier dive site with shallower depth than the sister site.

119
Logs
102
Divers
15.0 m
⌀ Depth
13.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares, Janez Kranjc

★★★★☆ Terumbu Tiga (T3)

Terumbu Tiga offers one of the best dive in Perhentian. It consists of 3 big boulders with multiple smaller boulders stacked and aligned in-between, creating an amazing topography underwater. The stacked boulders form channel and swim-throughs, allowing advanced divers a chance for a cool photograph.

2,068
Logs
1,373
Divers
17.0 m
⌀ Depth
10.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Aqualung

★★★★☆ Tiga Ruang

Tiga Ruang owed the name to the beach of the same name. Tiga Ruang has a sandy bottom that extends into deep water. On the shallow parts, the are patches of coral clusters all around. This dive site is suitable for snorkelers and entry-level courses alike.

477
Logs
355
Divers
12.0 m
⌀ Depth
10.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares, Predrag Vuckovic

★★★★☆ Teluk Gadong - Perhentian

Teluk Gadong is located at the east side of Perhentian Besar, which is a shallow sandy seabed. The dive site can be access only by boat, is is very suitable for entry level courses and snorkelers alike. Maximum depth is 8-10m deep.

23
Logs
21
Divers
13.0 m
⌀ Depth
9.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares, Predrag Vuckovic

★★★★☆ Police Wreck

Police Wreck(s), as the name suggest, is a set of 3 decommissioned police sunk in 2012 as an artificial reef. The wrecks lie between 14-19m of depth, link to each other with a guideline. The wreck dive is relatively easy, and makes a good spot for wreck specialty course.

2,940
Logs
1,942
Divers
17.0 m
⌀ Depth
9.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares

★★★★☆ Batu Layar

Batu Layar, or translated into Sail Rock, is a hard coral reef of Staghorn Corals and massive Table Corals. The coral reef extends into 18m, and turns into a sandy bottom. Batu Layar is considered one of the best dive sites in Perhentian with consistently good visibility.

2,241
Logs
1,659
Divers
16.0 m
⌀ Depth
9.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares

★★★★★ Laluan Naga

Laluan Naga, or translated to ’Dragon’s Path’ as majestic topography. The huge boulder juts out from the shore and extends deep into the sandy depth. Peering down at the bottom from the shallows, the rock formation actually looks like something massive have swam through it and flatten the bottom, hence the name.

12
Logs
12
Divers
16.0 m
⌀ Depth
5.0 m
⌀ Visibility

Diving in Perhentian Besar

One of the luxuries is that the diving is close to the island; there are multiple shore dive opportunities and the ones offshore are between 5 and 20 minutes by boat. Due to the pristine waters with easily accessible dive sites, this is an ideal location to take dive courses. Other types of diving here include wreck diving, such as the Sugar Wreck and the Vietnamese Wreck, there are pinnacles, boulders and other underwater formations to swim through at Temple of the Sea, there are stunning reefs, swim-throughs, canyons and so much more!

The best Months to Dive in Perhentian Besar

Malaysia has two seasons; the rainy season and the dry season. Luckily for divers, the rainy season only lasts from December to February, which is also not the most advisable time to visit. The rest of the year the conditions are ideal; water temperatures are warm and pleasant, dropping down to only 27°C during the rainy season and reaching up to 32°C in the peak of summer in August. The visibility ranges between 10 metres in the rainy season up to 35 plus metres in the dry season.

Statistics

Historical data and trends

Dive Activity & Environmental Conditions

Centers Map

Blue Crystal Divers

Kg Seberang Raja, Pulau Perhentian Besar, 22300 Kuala Besut, MYS