What's on in Perhentian Islands (Perhentian), Malaysia through the year

Shoulder season — school holidays in 6 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in January.

Still on: Northeast monsoon (15 Oct – 1 Mar (usually)), Islands shut for the monsoon (1 Nov – 28 Feb (usually))

Peak crowds — Ramadan and Hari Raya, Chinese New Year closure in Malaysia

• Holiday

  Ramadan and Hari Raya

  5 Feb – 25 Apr · usuallyRamadan & EidClosuresCrowded

  Kelantan and Terengganu are the most observant states in the country and the mainland jetty town runs on short daytime hours through the fast. The Raya break afterwards fills the boats. Source ↗

Still on: Northeast monsoon (15 Oct – 1 Mar (usually)), Islands shut for the monsoon (1 Nov – 28 Feb (usually))

Peak crowds — Ramadan and Hari Raya, Term-1 break (Hari Raya 2026) in Malaysia

• Opening

  The islands reopen

  1–31 Mar · usuallyDry season

  Resorts and dive shops come back one at a time through March as the sea settles and the Kuala Besut boats resume. Cheap, half-staffed, and the reef has had four months off. Source ↗

Still on: Ramadan and Hari Raya (5 Feb – 25 Apr (usually)), Northeast monsoon (15 Oct – 1 Mar (usually))

Peak crowds — Ramadan and Hari Raya, Open season, clear water

• Nature

  Turtle nesting

  1 Apr – 30 Sep · usually

  Green turtles haul up on the quieter beaches through the open season and the ranger station moves clutches to a fenced hatchery. Watching is licensed and the beaches close at night. Source ↗

• Season

  Open season, clear water

  1 Apr – 30 Sep · usuallyDry seasonCrowded

  The only months everything runs: daily boats, all the dive sites, and the best visibility of the year on the reef. The islands are small and it shows in July and August.

Still on: Ramadan and Hari Raya (5 Feb – 25 Apr (usually))

Peak crowds — Open season, clear water, Malaysian school holidays

• Holiday

  Malaysian school holidays

  20 May – 15 Sep · usuallyCrowdedBook early

  The mid-year and term breaks send families from the peninsula out on the Kuala Besut boats, and the handful of beach chalets sell out well in advance. Source ↗

Still on: Turtle nesting (1 Apr – 30 Sep (usually)), Open season, clear water (1 Apr – 30 Sep (usually))

Peak crowds — Open season, clear water, Malaysian school holidays

Nothing new starts in June.

Still on: Turtle nesting (1 Apr – 30 Sep (usually)), Open season, clear water (1 Apr – 30 Sep (usually)), Malaysian school holidays (20 May – 15 Sep (usually))

Peak crowds — Open season, clear water, Malaysian school holidays

Nothing new starts in July.

Still on: Turtle nesting (1 Apr – 30 Sep (usually)), Open season, clear water (1 Apr – 30 Sep (usually)), Malaysian school holidays (20 May – 15 Sep (usually))

Peak crowds — Open season, clear water, Malaysian school holidays

Nothing new starts in August.

Still on: Turtle nesting (1 Apr – 30 Sep (usually)), Open season, clear water (1 Apr – 30 Sep (usually)), Malaysian school holidays (20 May – 15 Sep (usually))

Peak crowds — Open season, clear water, Malaysian school holidays

Nothing new starts in September.

Still on: Turtle nesting (1 Apr – 30 Sep (usually)), Open season, clear water (1 Apr – 30 Sep (usually)), Malaysian school holidays (20 May – 15 Sep (usually))

Quiet — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, one of its worst months for weather

• Season

  Northeast monsoon

  15 Oct – 1 Mar · usuallyRisk

  The east coast takes the full weight of it: heavy rain, strong onshore wind and a crossing that is unsafe more days than not. Visibility underwater drops to nothing.

Quiet — one of its worst months for weather

• Closure

  Islands shut for the monsoon

  1 Nov – 28 Feb · usually

  Almost every resort closes and boat services stop for the season, which is a state-wide pattern across the Terengganu islands rather than a decision by any one operator. Plan around it, not through it. Source ↗

Still on: Northeast monsoon (15 Oct – 1 Mar (usually))

Busy — Year-end break in Malaysia, school holidays in 5 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in December.

Still on: Northeast monsoon (15 Oct – 1 Mar (usually)), Islands shut for the monsoon (1 Nov – 28 Feb (usually))