Explore The Perhentian Islands

Nestled in the South China Sea, the Perhentian Islands off the coast of Terengganu, Malaysia, are a diver's paradise, boasting some of the most enchanting underwater experiences in the region. The islands consist of Perhentian Besar, ideal for families and honeymooners, and Perhentian Kecil, a favorite among backpackers. Both islands offer crystal-clear waters, teeming with marine life, and vibrant coral reefs. Divers here can enjoy the thrill of exploring underwater rock formations and swimming through captivating overhangs. The underwater world around the Perhentian Islands is alive with a dazzling array of marine species. Among the most memorable experiences are encounters with green and hawksbill sea turtles, as well as sightings of black-tip sharks cruising through the waters. The islands are renowned for their excellent visibility and warm waters, providing an inviting environment for both novice and seasoned divers. From March to October, the diving season reveals an abundance of life, with colorful reef fish darting through the corals and fascinating WWII wrecks, such as the Sugar Wreck, waiting to be explored by advanced divers. What makes diving in the Perhentian Islands truly special is the harmonious blend of natural beauty and thrilling underwater exploration. Whether you're captivated by the serene grace of a turtle gliding by or the adrenaline rush of discovering a historical wreck, the islands offer a dive experience that's both inspiring and unforgettable.

Places to Explore

Perhentian Kecil

14 Divesites 4 Centers

Perhentian Kecil is a tropical paradise island which lies in Terengganu, Malaysia, in the South China Sea. Perhentian Kecil is one of two islands, the other is Perhentian Besar, and Kecil is the island which is more visited by the backpacker tourists who also enjoy the nightlife of this island. It is still the definition of tropical with white sandy beaches, turquoise sparkling waters, an abundance of palm trees and a variety of flourishing life to see underwater. These islands are known to be one of the best diving locations in Malaysia due to the different types of diving; there are wrecks, there are boulder rock formations, there are thriving reefs and there are many different marine species to admire. There is always something revel over with dive buddies when surfacing after a dive here.

Perhentian Besar

16 Divesites 1 Center

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.

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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.

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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.

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33
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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.

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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.

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119
Divers
10.0 m
⌀ Depth
7.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Scubapro

★★★★☆ Sugar Wreck

Sugar Wreck - registered as MV Union Star at the time of sinking, was transporting sugar when it sunk during 1999. The 90m cargo ship now sits at 19m of water, gathering growth and fish-life for the past 24 years. The wreck lays sideway, with possible penetration into the interior for certified overhead diver.

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283
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19.0 m
⌀ Depth
8.0 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.

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242
Divers
18.0 m
⌀ Depth
11.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares

★★★★☆ Kampung Beach Front

Right in front of Nemo Chalet is the Kampung House Reef. This dive site is a simple shore entry, and is welcoming to snorkelers and divers alike. The sandy bottom stretch into 10m deep, and has an abundance of Clownfish and Anemones.

16
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9
Divers
9.0 m
⌀ Depth
12.0 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
Aqualung

★★★★☆ Vietnamese Wreck

The Vietnamese Wreck, aka Pasir Tani Wreck, was a US Troop Transport boat used by Japanese Navy during WW2, and used by Vietnamese asylum seekers in the 1970s. It ended up sunk in Malaysia Waters, and is now a Marine life haven laying at 24m depth. Penetration is possible for overhead certified divers.

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179
Divers
23.0 m
⌀ Depth
7.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares

★★★★☆ Six Sisters

The Six Sisters are a cluster of 6 impounded fisherman boats sunk as an artificial reef. The six wrecks are sometimes called magnificent 7, but the 7th boat were never located. The wreck lies around 23m depth, and is a haven of fishlife.

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37
Divers
21.0 m
⌀ Depth
7.0 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
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102
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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
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1,373
Divers
17.0 m
⌀ Depth
10.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares

★★★★☆ Sea Bell Rock

Sea Bell owes the name to the lighthouse. Beneath the lighthouse sits a massive boulder cluster, with extensive growth of corals and marine life on it. The dive site extends to Sea Bell Reef, where hard corals cover the sea bed, extending into 18-20m depth

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59
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14.0 m
⌀ Depth
8.0 m
⌀ Visibility

Diving in Perhentian Islands

There are many different dive sites surrounding the Perhentian Islands, and so a variety of types of diving to be done here. Luckily, the dive sites here are all quite close to the shore, so the dives are either done from shore, or with a short boat ride, the furthest being 20 minutes out. The topography of most of the dive sites are made up of boulders, pinnacles and other rock formations which also, in some dive sites, creative thrilling swim-throughs and overhangs, canyons and sometimes caves. This area also has three wrecks for divers to explore and there are a number of shallow reefs teeming with life to be enjoyed by all divers.

The best Months to dive in Perhentian Islands

The best time to dive in the Perhentian Islands is luckily the large majority of the year. Malaysia has two seasons; the rainy season and the dry season. The rainy season lasts only from December to January, and the rest of the year its is mostly dry with ideal diving conditions. The water temperatures here are warm throughout the year, which is why it is also a very popular diving destination. The lowest temperature the waters here ever reach is 27 degrees Celsius and in the midst of the summer the temperature can reach up to 32 degrees Celsius, so really nice, warmer temperatures to dive in. The visibility averages around 25 metres with 35 metres on the best days.

Statistics

Historical data and trends

Dive Activity & Environmental Conditions

Centers Map

Chomel Dive Center

Lot 67 Pasir Karang, 22300 Terengganu, MYS

Perhentian Marine Research Station

22, Jalan Setia Impian U13/4f, 40170 Selangor, MYS

Ombak Dive Resort

Lot 406, Teluk Aur, Pulau Perhentian Besut, 22300 Terengganu, MYS

Turtle Bay Divers

Lot 21 Longbeach Pulau Perhentian kecil, 22300 Kuala Besut, Terengganu, MYS

Blue Crystal Divers

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