Kuala Besut

Ben van Wijnen

"The main access point to the Islands is of course by boat. There is one terminal that the boats leave from, Kuala Besut. A return boat trip is 70 MYR regardless of who you buy it from, so don’t pay any more than that. It is the same cost getting a return or 2 one-ways so save yourself the trouble and get a return ticket.
The speed boat takes 30-40 minutes depending on the sea conditions and should only hold between 12-15 people. When you board the boat, the driver will ask where you are staying or what beach you want to go to and he will drop you as close as possible."

Kuala Besut is a small town at the northern  State of  Terengganu. Bordering with Kelantan and Kuala Besut has significant Kelantanese influence. It is situated next to South Chinese Sea where the Perhentian Island are situated.

This little fishing town is another jumping-off point for tourist to Pulau Perhentian besides Tok Bali of Kelantan. Departing from Tok Bali was a political issue and is not possible anymore. Kuala besut is a compact square township with narrow streets, shops, hawkers centre and souvenirs outlets in the town centre. A number of speedboats and tour operators for Pulau Perhentian can be found here. When you're crossing the bridge, you'll see the original fishing village of Kuala Besut. Here are the scenes and the characters that some of the tourists and especially foreigners are looking for. Kuala Besut is a small fishermen and tourism town. It has a few hotels and motels, a few coffee shops, retail shops, one pharmacy shop and one clinic. Kuala Besut always likes to welcome any foreigner or local tourist to stay for short and long term holidays.

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In the 70's Kuala Besut was a hub for fishermen to sell their fish. They were proud of being an important hub for fishermen. But it has lost its pride to to port Tok Bali, Kelantan.
Now the village of Besut is a pass-through place on the way to Pulau Perhentian. Kuala Besut and Tok Bali are "the official of Perhentian Island boat terminals by the Government of Malaysia" to provide transportation for local and foreign tourists.

Selected Hotels in Kuala Besut <click here>

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Fastboat
Kuala Besut	- Perhentian	09.00 hours - 14.00 hours
Tok Bali	- Perhentian	07.00 hours - 10.00 hours - 12.00 hours - 16.00 hours
Perhentian	- Kuala Besut	08.00 hours - 12.00 hours - 16.00 hours
Perhentian	- Tok Bali	08.00 hours - 11.00 hours - 13.00 hours - 17.00 hours
Slowboat
Kuala Besut	- Perhentian	08.30 hours - 14.30 hours
Perhentian	- Kuala Besut	08.00 hours - 12.00 hours
Perhentian	- Tok Bali	08.00 hours - 12.00 hours

Fast boat : Adult RM60.00 / pp. Child : RM30.00 / pp
Slow boat : Adult RM40.00 / pp. Child : RM20.00 / pp
It is advisable to purchase a return ticket from Kuala Besut as there are no sale of ticket from Pulau Perhentian. Probably you would pay too much for your way back.
The boat trip from Kuala Besut to Perhentian Islands takes about ½  hour journey by fast boat and 1½ hour by slow boat.

Some taxi fares:
Kuala Besut - Kota Bharu ( Town ) - RM 40.00 ( Ac ) - RM 30.00 ( N-Ac )
Kuala Besut - Kota Bharu ( Airport ) - RM 49.00 ( Ac ) - RM 45.00 ( N-Ac )
Kuala Besut - Kuala Terengganu ( Town ) - RM 65.00 ( Ac ) - RM 50.00 ( N-Ac )
Kuala Besut - Kuala Terengganu ( Airport ) - RM 70.00 ( Ac ) - RM 60.00 ( N-Ac )
Kuala Besut - Marang Jetty ( Kapas Island / Gemia Island ) - RM 80.00 ( Ac ) - RM 65.00 ( N-Ac )

From Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Besut by bus.
Bus Station: Hentian Putra Station (opposite PWTC = Putra World Trade Centre).

Mutiara Ekspress Tel: (6) 603-40433655	daily	departure at 9.00pm RM 30.80
Mahligai Ekspress Tel: +6 03-4042 8533	daily	departure at 9.00pm RM 30.80

Changes to fares and time schedules are just a guide. Please contact the operators for most updated information.