Teluk Dalam
Perhentian Besar, Terengganu, Malaysia
Teluk Dalam sits on the south tip of Perhentian Besar in Malaysia, a circular bay lined with budget to midrange resorts that stays noticeably calmer than the more built up Long Beach on the island's other side. Turtles and reef sharks turn up regularly just offshore, close enough to spot while snorkeling straight from the sand.
Quieter and better for wildlife sightings than the island's main strip, though the monsoon season shuts the whole island down for months at a time, which limits when it's actually reachable.
Take the coastal hiking trail from Perhentian Island Resort instead of the boat if you don't mind a 2.5 kilometer, roughly hour long walk through the jungle.
There's no car access on Perhentian Besar. Boats from Kuala Besut jetty on the mainland take 30 to 45 minutes, with most resorts arranging the transfer as part of a stay.
The beach itself is flat and easy from the resort strip, though reaching it on foot from elsewhere on the island means the jungle trail rather than a road.
The dry season from March through September brings calm, clear water for snorkeling, while the monsoon from November through February regularly closes the island to boat traffic entirely.
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