Long Beach, Perhentian Kecil | Top 150 Bikini Destinations
PERHENTIAN KECIL, TERENGGANU / MALAYSIA
A day on
Long Beach.
Take a boat to Kecil’s east coast, then cross the island on foot for sunset.
Plan your beach day ↘TOP 150 BIKINI DESTINATIONS / TERENGGANU
A beach on the east.
A bay on the west.
Long Beach, or Pasir Panjang, is a sweep of pale sand backed by forest on the east side of Perhentian Kecil, off Malaysia’s northeast coast.
Start on the sand, book a reef trip if the sea is calm, and follow the short path across the island to Coral Bay. This guide starts at Long Beach, with trips farther afield when boat and trail conditions allow.
ON THE WORLD MAP
Off the coast of Terengganu
Long Beach, Perhentian Kecil, Terengganu
01 / GETTING THERE
Start in Kota Bharu.
The mainland gateway
The Besut River at Kuala Besut, where the road portion of the trip ends.
Photo: Countryball mys123 · CC BY 4.0Get around Perhentian Kecil
Leave vehicles on the mainland. On Kecil, walk between nearby beaches and use water taxis for coves and Perhentian Besar. Agree the return pickup before you set out.
On the beach
Lifeguard coverage could not be confirmed. Passenger operations at the main jetty typically pause around November through February. Confirm your sailing and beach conditions locally. Beach status ↗
02 / BEACH ESSENTIALS
Know before you go.
A sandy beach with seasonal cafes and dive shops. Arrive with the cash and supplies you need for the day.
01 / HOW TO GET THERE
Kuala Besut to the island
Take the speedboat from Kuala Besut passenger jetty and ask for Long Beach on Perhentian Kecil. Allow about 30–45 minutes on the water in ordinary conditions. Ask the operator about mainland parking before driving. The Marine Parks conservation charge is MYR 30 for adults without a MyKad and MYR 5 for adult MyKad holders. Confirm sailing before travel during the northeast monsoon, roughly November through February.
Speedboat operator ↗02 / BEACH ACCESS
From landing to sand
Confirm where the boat will drop you. The main landing is at the north end. Small water taxis may use a beach landing, with wet feet and a step down from the boat. Wheelchair-accessible boarding and an accessible route across the sand could not be confirmed.
03 / THE SAND
Pale sand, rocky ends
The main bay has pale, fine sand that heats up in full sun. Rocks and coral rubble are more common near the ends of the bay. Pack water shoes if you plan to explore rocky entries.
04 / FOOD & WATER
Eat on the beach in season
Beachfront cafes serve meals and sell drinks in season. Bring drinking water and snacks, and carry cash because an island ATM could not be confirmed. Ask basic chalets about water supply and generator hours before you book.
05 / CHAIRS & UMBRELLAS
Bring your own shade
Some beach businesses put out loungers or umbrellas in season. Rental availability and rates could not be confirmed. Bring a hat and a light shade option if you need reliable cover.
06 / RESTROOMS & SHOWERS
Ask a cafe or your lodging
Some cafes and resorts have customer restrooms. Public toilets, showers, changing rooms and a staffed first-aid post could not be confirmed. Ask before relying on any of them.
03 / THE BEACH
A day at Long Beach.
Where the bay meets the headland
From the rocks at the south end, Long Beach curves toward the jetty and the forested north headland.
Photo: Renek78 · CC0 1.001 / FIRST LIGHT
Walk the bay
The east-facing beach gets morning light. Start with a shoreline walk before the sand heats up.
02 / IN THE WATER
Ask before swimming
Check for flags, swell and boat traffic, and keep clear of the jetty and landing lanes.
03 / ACROSS KECIL
Follow the trail
The short jungle path leads to Coral Bay on the west side of the island.
04 / AFTERNOON
Leave time for the sea
Plan snorkeling or a dive around conditions and your operator’s guidance.
Walk Long Beach early, eat near the sand and cross to Coral Bay before dusk. If a shower moves through, wait under cover at a cafe. Skip exposed rocks, steep trails and boat trips during lightning or rough seas.
04 / NEARBY BEACHES
Four shores beyond Long Beach.
Walk west to Coral Bay, hike north for small coves, or cross the channel to the southern shore of Besar.
Coral Bay
A west-facing bay with cafes and small boats. Follow the inland path from Long Beach for a walk of about 10 minutes.
- Best for
- Sunset and a shore meal
- Facilities
- Seasonal cafes, dive operators and a jetty
- Good to know
- Watch for boat lanes if you enter the water.
Adam & Eve Beach
A small forest-backed cove reached from the D’Lagoon trail or by arranged water taxi when conditions allow.
- Best for
- A quiet walk and a rest in the shade
- Facilities
- No facilities confirmed. Carry water and snacks.
- Good to know
- Confirm the trail before leaving and allow enough daylight to walk back.
D’Lagoon
A small northeastern cove below the windmill ridge. The photo shows the former chalet site. Check locally for current shore access.
- Best for
- A guided snorkel stop or a daylight hike
- Facilities
- No public services confirmed. Bring food and water.
- Good to know
- Ask whether the trail is passable and whether a boat can collect you.
Teluk Dalam
A long, sheltered bay on the southern side of Perhentian Besar, reached by water taxi from Kecil.
- Best for
- A slower beach day across the channel
- Facilities
- Seasonal resort and chalet services
- Good to know
- Arrange your return before leaving Long Beach.
Distances are straight-line from Long Beach. Facilities change by season, so check on the day.
05 / MUST-SEE PLACES
Three trips from Long Beach.
01 / PERHENTIAN BESAR
Shark Point and Turtle Point
Book a guided boat trip across the channel. Ask about visibility and currents before leaving, and give turtles and reef sharks room if you see them.
The Barat’s snorkeling trips ↗02 / OUTER ISLANDS
Rawa and Susu Dara
Rawa is a listed snorkeling stop. Susu Dara lies off Kecil in the same offshore group. Ask a licensed skipper which sites are accessible and whether landings are allowed. Tourism Malaysia dive map
Operator routes ↗03 / NORTHERN KECIL
Jungle trails and local diving
Ask about the north-end trail over the windmill ridge to D’Lagoon and onward to Adam & Eve Beach. For a water day, Turtle Bay Divers runs trips from Long Beach and Ombak Divers operates from Coral Bay in season.
Turtle Bay Divers ↗EXPLORE THE AREA
Long Beach and the Perhentian channel.
The pin marks the sand at Pasir Panjang. Coral Bay is across the island, and Perhentian Besar lies to the southeast.
Open the interactive map ↗BEYOND THE BEACH
Beyond the headlands.
The fishing village, the forest ridge and the marine park waters around Kecil and Besar.
Kampung Pasir Hantu
The waterfront mosque in the fishing village on southern Kecil. Cover your shoulders and knees in the village.
Photo: Renek78 · CC0 1.0
The windmill ridge
The view from Kecil’s northern ridge. Ask locally about the route before attempting the descent.
Photo: Apisnye · CC BY-SA 4.0
Reef life off Besar
Young blacktip reef sharks photographed in shallow water off Perhentian Besar. Sightings vary with conditions.
Photo: Kris Mikael Krister · CC BY 3.0
Perhentian Marine Park
A marine park boat moored on Perhentian Besar.
Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg · CC BY 4.006 / SIX HOTELS
Find your base.
KUALA BESUT
Hotel Samudera
$ Budget · MYR 105–180 per room per night, listed starting rates
A mainland stop on Jalan Jeti for an early boat. Ask reception about the walk to the passenger terminal and arrange your crossing separately.
Hotel Samudera official site ↗PERHENTIAN BESAR / SOUTHWEST SHORE
Abdul’s Chalet
$ Budget · MYR 210–350 per room per night before tax and peak surcharges, 2027 listed rates
Simple rooms with air-conditioning and private showers across the channel from Long Beach. The property lists a March reopening. Arrange a water taxi for visits to Kecil.
Abdul’s Chalet official site ↗CORAL BAY
Ombak Dive Resort
$$ Mid-Range · Current official room rate unconfirmed
Rooms and a dive center on the west coast. You can walk across the island to Long Beach in about 10 minutes. Ask about the room and boat package before booking.
Ombak Dive Resort official site ↗LONG BEACH / NORTH END
Mimpi Perhentian
$$ Mid-Range · MYR 840–1,160 for standard and deluxe rooms on the resort’s 2024 tariff. Ask for current rates.
A resort at the jetty end of the beach with balconies and a dive center. Choose a hillside or ocean-facing room and confirm the seasonal transfer.
Mimpi Perhentian official site ↗PETANI BEACH
Alunan Resort
$$$ Upscale · All-inclusive from MYR 509++ per person per night, as advertised by the resort
Hillside suites above Petani Beach, with boat transfers and meals available in the package. Plan a water taxi to Long Beach and ask about stairs if mobility is a concern.
Alunan Resort official site ↗LONG BEACH / SOUTH END
BuBu Villa
$$$$ Luxury · Past official package from MYR 4,488+ per couple for three nights. Ask for current nightly rates.
A small villa property by the south end of the sand, a walk along the shore from the northern jetty. Check whether your room includes boat transfers.
BuBu Villa official site ↗
WHEN TO GO
Choose the day you want.
March through October is the usual travel window. Rough seas and heavy rain in the northeast monsoon can stop boats and close businesses from about November through February. Confirm your dates with your lodging. No official Long Beach lifeguard season could be verified. Climate normals ↗
07 / FOOD, LANGUAGE & LOCAL LIFE
From sand to table.
Rice and tea by the water
A meal at Rosemary Cafe on Perhentian Kecil.
Photo: Renek78 · CC0 1.0What to order
Look for nasi dagang, rice with fish curry, or keropok lekor, a chewy fish snack from Terengganu. Order ikan bakar for grilled fish or teh tarik for sweet pulled milk tea.
Local habits
Wear a cover-up over swimwear when you leave the sand. Ask before photographing people in the village or entering a place of worship.
A LITTLE MALAY
Useful on the beach and in town.
- Terima kasih
- Thank you
- Berapa harga?
- How much is it?
- Di mana tandas?
- Where is the restroom?
- Air kosong
- Plain water
SIX RESTAURANTS
Where to eat.
KAMPUNG PASIR HANTU
Warung Pak Jokong
$ Budget · Current menu prices unconfirmed
A village warung for Malay rice dishes. Carry small ringgit notes and check service locally, especially between island seasons.
Warung Pak Jokong on Google Maps ↗KUALA BESUT
Fairfield Kitchen
$ Budget · MYR 38+ per person for the advertised steamboat set
Share a hot pot at this mainland hotel restaurant. Ask whether the set is offered on your night and reserve if you arrive late.
Fairfield Kitchen official site ↗CORAL BAY
Ombak Cafe
$$ Mid-Range · Current official menu prices unconfirmed
A relaxed meal after the walk across Kecil, with Asian dishes and barbecue on the operator’s menu. Check the kitchen’s seasonal hours before walking over.
Ombak Cafe official site ↗PERHENTIAN BESAR / WEST COAST
The Barat Perhentian Restaurant
$$ Mid-Range · MYR 16–38 for rice and noodle mains before service and tax
Choose a Malay rice or noodle dish or ask what seafood is available. If you are crossing from Kecil, arrange the ride back before sitting down.
The Barat Perhentian Restaurant official site ↗LONG BEACH
Santai Restaurant
$$$ Upscale · Current official menu prices unconfirmed
BuBu’s beachfront restaurant suits a sit-down meal close to the north jetty. Ask about the day’s seafood and confirm service before coming in the shoulder season.
Santai Restaurant official site ↗RESORT TERRACE / NORTHWEST KECIL
Sekoci
$$$$ Luxury · Current official menu prices unconfirmed
The Marriott’s terrace restaurant serves grilled seafood and Malaysian dishes. Reserve ahead and ask the resort about non-guest access and seasonal transfers.
Sekoci official site ↗08 / TERENGGANU AFTER DARK
Three evening stops.
OhLaLa
Stay by the sand for a casual evening with food and an easy walk back to lodging on Long Beach. OhLaLa ↗
Crocodile Rock Bistro
Book ahead for a small dinner room with local produce. The bistro lists Monday as its closing day. Crocodile Rock Bistro ↗
Greatroom
The Marriott lounge has a sea view and lighter dishes. Ask the resort about evening access if you are staying elsewhere. Greatroom at the Marriott ↗
Base the evening near where you sleep. Bring a light for the walk back from Coral Bay and arrange any boat pickup before dark.
09 / PERHENTIAN EVENT CALENDAR & MONEY
Plan around the celebrations.
Perhentian Island Challenge
An open-water swim on Perhentian Besar in early October. Check the organizer for entry rules and the next edition.
Perhentian Island Challenge official site ↗Perhentian International Marine Symposium
A marine conservation gathering at Mimpi on Long Beach in early September. Check the organizer for future dates and registration.
Symposium organizer ↗Currency / Malaysian ringgit
Bring Malaysian ringgit (MYR, written RM) in small notes from the mainland. Plan as if there is no ATM on the island. Cards or digital payment may work at some resorts and shops. Ask before ordering or booking a water taxi.
Bank Negara Malaysia ↗10 / WHAT TO WEAR
Pack for sand and forest.
THE ISLAND KIT
Swim.
Walk.
Stay out.
On the sand
Wear the Perhentian Almond one-piece with a loose sun shirt, a hat and sandals for the sand.
On the jungle path
Pack shoes with grip, water, insect repellent and a dry bag. Turn back if rain makes the trail slippery.
In town
Terengganu is conservative. Cover shoulders and knees in the village and wear a loose cover-up or change out of swimwear before you leave the beach.
11 / BEFORE YOU LEAVE
Good to know.
Which airport should I use?
Sultan Ismail Petra Airport in Kota Bharu is the nearer gateway. Take a road transfer to Kuala Besut and a speedboat to Long Beach.
Is it good for swimming?
Conditions vary. Ask about swell, local flags and boat lanes on arrival. Swim away from the jetty and stay ashore when the sea is rough.
Is the beach step-free?
A step-free route from the speedboat to the beach could not be confirmed. Check the boarding and landing arrangements with your boat operator.
Can I walk to Coral Bay?
Yes. The short jungle path runs west across Kecil and usually takes about 10 minutes. Bring a light if you will return after dusk.
Can I visit during the monsoon?
Plan for seasonal closures from about November to February. Check the jetty and your lodging before you make a reservation.
FOG & FOUNDRY / SWIM
Sage leaves on almond.
Sage, teal and terracotta leaf clusters on a cream one-piece with a scoop neckline and a low scoop back.
Explore the Perhentian Almond one-piece ↗
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