Kapas and Perhentian : A detailed guide to an adventurous 4D 3N islands escapade' for under RM350

INTRODUCTION

Picture yourself strolling along endless stretches of powder-white sand, with crystal clear turquoise waters lapping at your toes, while lush tropical greenery sways in the warm breeze - this is just a taste of the enchanting beauty that awaits you on the islands of Terengganu.

Kapas Island and Perhentian Island are two stunning tropical destinations located in Malaysia that are worth visiting for any traveler seeking a serene and peaceful getaway.

Kapas Island, also known as Pulau Kapas, is a small island situated off the east coast of Malaysia, in the Terengganu state. It is known for its crystal-clear waters, pristine beaches, and lush greenery, making it an idyllic tropical paradise for those who love to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of the sea. With its serene and peaceful environment, Kapas Island is perfect for travelers seeking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.

Perhentian Island, on the other hand, is located in the northeastern coast of Peninsular Malaysia, in the state of Terengganu. It is divided into two islands, namely Perhentian Besar and Perhentian Kecil, both of which boast stunning white sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and abundant marine life. The island has two main beaches, Long Beach and Coral Bay. Long Beach is known for its lively atmosphere, with numerous bars and restaurants lining the shore. Coral Bay, on the other hand, is quieter and more secluded, making it ideal for those seeking a more peaceful experience. Perhentian Island is known for its excellent snorkeling and diving spots, where you can witness a vibrant and diverse marine ecosystem, including colorful corals and various species of fish.

Both Kapas Island and Perhentian Island are worth visiting for their breathtaking scenery, tranquil atmosphere, and a range of activities that cater to travelers of all ages and interests. From swimming and sunbathing to snorkeling and diving, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the natural beauty of the islands. Moreover, the islands offer various accommodations, ranging from budget-friendly hostels to luxurious resorts, making it accessible for all types of travelers.

Our routes will be KL - Kapas Island - Perhentian Island - KL. In this comprehensive article, we will be exploring these 2 islands (on a backpacker budget for 2 pax) as follows:

i. Getting there

ii. Accommodations

iii. Activities

iv. Food and Drinks

v. Practical Tips

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KAPAS ISLAND : A HIDDEN GEM IN MALAYSIA'S TERENGGANU STATE

i. Getting there

Getting to Kapas Island is easy, with several transportation options available from Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia. Visitors can take a domestic flight to Terengganu, drive or take a bus to the Marang jetty, where they can catch a boat to Kapas Island.

With a backpacker budget, we took the route as follows: Kuala Lumpur - Marang bus station - Marang jetty - Kapas island

Bus:

Kuala Lumpur (Tasik Bandaraya Selatan) - Marang bus station

Cost: RM35/pax

Duration: 7-8 hours

Boat

Marang bus station- Marang jetty- Kapas island

Cost: RM40/pax for boat (including return transfer)

Duration: Approximately 20 minutes

Note: Grab cost differs from Marang bus station to Marang jetty

ii. Accommodations

Kapas has a few accommodations to choose from, ranging from the pricier Kapas Coral Beach Resort, Ombak Kapas Island Beach Resort to the cheaper Loko-Loko Campsite and Longsha Campsite, to name a few. We opt for Longsha Campsite since we are on a backpacker's budget and that was an ABSOLUTELY perfect spot for stargazing at night.

Pic from Longsha Campsite website

Cost: RM40/ tent for a night (Shared 50-50 between 2 pax)

I kid you not when I say it is the perfect spot for stargazing at night.

The view of the sky at Longsha Campsite

iii. Activities

There are various activities one can do at Kapas island such as snorkeling, kayaking and hiking. You may rent the snorkeling gear from any of the tour shops there. Do survey a few first to get the best price.

Kapas Island

However, we opt to do the less 'touristy' stuff by hiking instead to 2 spots since it's free : Bukit Berakit and Bukit Singa

Bukit Berakit starting point. It's just a short hike of about 15 mins to reach the top via the flight of stairs

There is a lighthouse at the top of Bukit Berakit whereby you can view a panoramic view of Kapas Island

The breathtaking view that you can see along the way while hiking to Bukit Singa

Bukit Singa during sunrise (pic courtesy @letzuploadit)

To go to Bukit Singa, one has 2 options:

Option 1 - Buy a tour to Bukit Singa from any tour operator.in Kapas island. It will be RM15/pax for a boat ride there (including a return trip)

Option 2 - Depart before 8am to Bukit Singa by hiking as it will be easier to do so due to the low tide. The hike to Bukit Singa will take about 2 hours to go and return but the view is spectacular, reminds me of Nusa Penida in Bali.

I strongly suggest one to hike your way to Bukit Singa because of the scenic views at every corner along the route rather than taking a boat straight to the island itself. Unleash your adventurous soul!

A beautiful hidden lagoon found along the way while we are hiking to Bukit Singa. The water gets clearer as you hike to Bukit Singa

iv: Food and drink

Heads up! Food and drink on Kapas Island are expensive, about three times the price of food and drinks in Kuala Lumpur. Hence, it is advisable for you to get some from the mainland before coming to the island to save a lot of $$$. There are not many choices over there but there is one place that really serves good food which I will highly recommend people to check out KOKO Restaurant. Food is absolutely drool-worthy and worth every penny spent there. I can absolutely GUARANTEE you this.

vi. Practical tips

To make the journey less tiring, you may take the afternoon bus from TBS to Marang and spend a night in Marang before departing to Kapas island early morning on the next day so that you will have the whole day at Kapas island. We stayed a night at Marang at a budget hotel upon arrival.

Cost for hotel : RM40 (shared 50-50 between 2 pax)

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PERHENTIAN ISLAND : A DIVER'S HEAVEN

i. Getting there

From Kapas island, we took the boat back to Marang jetty before continuing our journey to Perhentian island.

Routes are as follows from Marang to Perhentian island: Marang jetty - Marang bus station- Kuala Terengganu - Kuala Besut - Kuala Besut Jetty - Perhentian Island

Bus

Marang - Kuala Terengganu

Cost: RM2/pax

Duration: 15-20 minutes

Kuala Terengganu - Kuala Besut

Cost: RM10/pax

Duration : Approximately 2 hours

Grab

Kuala Besut bus stop - Kuala Besut jetty

Cost: RM20 (shared 50-50 between 2 pax)

Boat

Kuala Besut jetty - Perhentian island

Cost: RM70/pax (including return transfer)

Duration: Approximately 40 minutes

Crazy boat ride as we almost got flipped several times due to the strong waves. So much fun!

ii. Accommodations

Accommodations are abundant in Perhentian island unlike in Kapas island. There are accommodations that fits into everyone's budget from a backpacker's to high-end luxury staycations. We camped here as well at Awatif Campsite since we are sticking to our backpacker's budget.

Cost : RM30 per tent/night (shared 50-50 between 2 pax)

You will be greeted by the refreshing cool air , the therapeutic sound from the waves, and the breathtaking view of the bright turquoise ocean right in front of your tent at Awatif Campsite for just RM30/night. That's a steal deal!

iii. Activities

One will be spoilt with the activities on Perhentian island. Snorkeling, island hopping, hiking, diving and surfing are just a few to name.

Beautiful Perhentian (Pic courtesy @Letzuploadit)

We started the day off by hiking to Windmill Point to catch the sunrise. Luckily for us, the hiking spot is just behind Awatif Campsite. It is an easy hike of about 30 minutes to reach there.

[Note: If you are wearing slippers to hike, be careful as the route can get quite slippery with the tiny stones or during the rainy day]

Sunrise at Windmill Point (Pic courtesy @letzuploadit)

As you hike further from the Windmill Point, you will come across this scenic spot which looks like Bali (Pic courtesy @Letzuploadit)

Next up, we went for snorkeling since the place is boasted with diverse marine life. The boat ride itself was an adventure, as we cruised through the turquoise waters, surrounded by lush greenery. There are many tour operators here, hence do take some time to negotiate around for prices.

Snorkeling (3 points: Shark point, Coral point and Turtle point)

Cost : RM50/pax

Ending the day with a relaxing sunset view with a good company gives a blissful feeling

iv. Food and Drinks

As usual, don't expect to find cheap food on the islands. Food and drinks are expensive as well in Perhentian island which cost about three times the price found in Kuala Lumpur. My two cents of advice, pack your own food from the mainland before coming here to save A LOT of $$$.

v. Practical tips

To make the journey less tiring, you may depart in the evening from Perhentian (the last boat is at 4pm) to Kuala Besut and spend the night there before departing back to Kuala Lumpur the next morning. We got ourselves a really good budget homestay in Kuala Besut called ZN Mix Homestay at an extremely good deal from Booking.com . Will highly recommend this place due to its cleanliness, environment and staff friendliness.,

Cost

Homestay: RM36 (shared 50-50 between 2 pax)

Bus: Kuala Besut - Kuala Lumpur is RM44.20/ pax

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CONCLUSION

Total cost (excluding food) to travel to Kapas and Perhentian islands from Kuala Lumpur including return trip: RM334.2/pax

I hope that this comprehensive article can help those who want to plan to travel to these places without breaking the bank :) Till our next travel on a budget! Follow us on Instagram @tivvyaa @Letzuploadit for more traveling on a budget adventures!

Bonus: Do check out this eyegasm cinematic video from @Letzuploadit on Youtube : Perhentian Island A Cinematic Escape To Tropical Bliss