I am trying to figure out the best way to get to the Perhentians from either the airport at Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. Any suggestions?

I'm also trying to decide between Rawa Island and the Perhentians.

See my response to your other message on Rawa for information on buses in Malaysia. You can use Transnasional for getting to Kuala Terengganu, which is the jumping off point for boats to the Perhentians. If you are in KL or Spore you can fly to Redang, one of the main Perhentians, on Berjaya Air, although in both cases you have to switch airports. You can also take long-haul buses up to Kuala Terengganu form either and then take a boat over. You could also fly to Kuala Terengganu from either (easier from KL) and then take a boat over. You may also be able to get buses (or a series of buses) down to Kuala Terengganu from Phuket and southern Thailand (or hire a series of taxis), you could also get down to Mersing/Rawa this way too.

If you plan on spending a week or more, IMO the Perhentians would probably be a better choice, as there are more islands to choose from and a broader range of activities, more snorkeling and diving islands, and there are small but actual towns on some of them like Redang. Rawa is one small island, lovely as it is. Redang and that area share similarities with Rawa, so IMO you won’t really miss out if you go to one over the other, but I think you may have more opportunities to do things if you go to the Perhentians. Kuala Terengganu is also a large size town, and is near to one of the entrances to Taman Negara Park, and also has some lovely coast towns south of it. Rawa could be a long way to go for one small island. But if you are in Singapore, it’s an easy trip. So it’s a nice add on to Singapore if you want to see something of Malaysia. The Perhentians are better if you have a longer trip planed for Malaysia, IMO. Not sure if this helps.

Thanks Cicerone.

I only have 3-4 days and am wondering if this will be worthwhile to do considering the trek to get there?

Are there any other nice islands in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, or Thailand that you'd recommend which are easier to get to considering the short amount of time I have?

I actually like lower-key, less touristy islands/beaches. Interested in chilling out, good food, swimming, and nature walks.

Cheers!

Redang is not in the Perhentians group. It's some distance down the coast, closer to Kuantan than Terengganu.

Was reading recently that the Perhentians are getting rather ruined, but that may have been just one person's opinion. Based on your last response, you might consider Redang instead of the Perhentians.

Yes, I think there is some marketing confusion going on with that term. There are two island not far off the coast from Kuantan which now call themseleves Pulau Perhentian Besar and Pulau Perhentian Kecil. I used to know as “Pulau Babi Besar” and “Pulau Babi Kecil” (Big Island and Little Island, respectively) when I first started going to that area of Malaysia in 1986. I have always, however, considered the island of Redang, which I mentioned above, as being part of the Perhentian islands. It may be the new general marketing name for all islands offshore of the east coast of Malaysia. I think Redang and those islands north of Kuala Terrenganu are prettier then Besar and Kucil.

Sorry, I also disagree that Redang is closer to Kuantan. Redang is actually a bit north of Kuala Terranganu. If going by boat to Redang, you go from the Merang jetty at Kuala Terranganu, you would not go from Kuantan.

Maybe you are thinking of another island called Redang which is closer to Kuantan. Could be. But I am referring to the one which Berjaya Air flies to, and also you can reach by boat from KT.

We're talking about the same Redang. Sorry, I had the location of P. Tenggu in my mind for some reason. Anyway, the point was that Redang is not considered part of the Perhentians.