Although the Perhentian Islands are a very popular tourist destination, getting here can sometimes be quite complicated.

If you're travelling from afar, you'll need to fly into mainland Malaysia first, then take a bus to the port and continue on to the islands by boat.

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By boat

Boats to the Perhentian Islands depart from the port in the coastal town of Kuala Besut.

Some hotels and resorts arrange boat transfers for their visitors directly to the hotel, but for cheaper accommodation you'll need to arrange your own transport.

Some tour operators also arrange boats to the Perhentians from Redang Island and Lang Tenghah Island.

How to get from Kuala Besut to the Perhentians?

Public boats depart from Kuala Besut at least every hour from 8am to 5pm and the journey takes 40 minutes. The boat usually goes to all the main beaches, so just tell them exactly where you are going. For a one-way ticket, pay 35 myr.

You can buy tickets from any travel agent in the port or online at besutjetty.com.

You will need to pay a conservation fee before travelling to the islands 30 myr.

By bus

There is a bus station in Kuala Besut where buses leave for many parts of Malaysia. A number of tourist agencies also operate buses between tourist sites in Malaysia (Taman Negara, Cameron Highlands) and Kuala Besut.

Public buses run to Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Terengganu and Kota Bharu, and buses also run to other, smaller towns in the area.

Some buses (such as those to Kuala Lumpur) can be booked in advance, for shorter distances just buy tickets from the driver.

Book buses to Kuala Besut

By air

There is no airport directly on the Perhentian Islands.

The nearest airport you can use is the domestic airport , Kuala Terengganu TGG.

There are direct flights to this airport every day from Kuala Lumpur Airport, operated by Malaysia Airlines, Firefly and AirAsia. The cheapest tickets are usually purchased from AirAsia.

• Cheapest flights to Kuala Terengganu - airasia.com

If you are travelling from far away, you can fly into the airport Kuala Lumpur KUL and continue to the Perhentian Islands by bus. Compare the best airfares at skyscanner.com.