Every year around November, the same question fills Malaysian travel groups: are the Perhentians closed? The honest answer is more useful than a yes or no. MetMalaysia's media statement of 23 October 2026 says the northeast monsoon 2026/27 was expected to begin on 27 October 2026 and continue to March 2027. During the early phase, from November to January, it expects three to five episodes of heavy, persistent rain, and says strong, steady northeast winds can whip up rough seas and raise sea levels in the South China Sea. On the east coast of the Peninsula, its climate page lists November to January as the wettest months.
That forecast, not a government order, is what shuts most of the east coast's island tourism for the season.
Nobody orders the islands closed
Terengganu's tourism officials have said this plainly several times. In September 2024 the state tourism director told reporters that the state has never ordered a closure, and that about 88 hotels, resorts and chalets on its islands usually stop operating and taking bookings from October to February. In October 2025, Bernama reported the state's position again: there is no directive to close the islands, and several larger resorts on Redang and Perhentian stay open because visitors still come. In December 2025 The Star reported that whether tourists can reach a given island is left to the Marine Department.
So in practice, each resort decides. Some examples, from their own websites:
- The Taaras, Redang: its FAQ says the resort "is open all year long", because its private beach sits between two sheltering bays.
- Laguna Redang: its FAQ advises avoiding the east coast from November to February and says many beach resorts close and reopen in March. Its own 2026 year-end rate card ended with a last check-out on 1 November.
- Summer Bay, Lang Tengah: its FAQ says the resorts are shut from November to January for the monsoon, and its island guide says the resort and island close every year from November to February. Treat March as the safe reopening month.
For Perhentian, Kapas and Tenggol we could not find 2026/27 dates published by the resorts themselves. Last season, local travel sites quoted a Besut district council notice suspending passenger boarding at the Kuala Besut tourist jetty from 1 November 2025 to 28 February 2026, but we could not find the council's original notice or one for this season. If a resort says it is open, ask how guests will actually get there.
Boats decide whether you get there
Even an open resort cannot promise a crossing. Terengganu's rules, as reported by Bernama in October 2025, are that boats may not sail when waves are rough, life jackets are compulsory, and the boat operator makes the final call. Resorts that stay open must show guests a safety video on swimming in the sea, and in December 2025 the state also banned swimming and camping near waterfalls during the monsoon. Bernama quoted officials saying boats can usually get across "three or four times a month" during the monsoon. Plan for a trip that can be cut short or stretched by several days.
MetMalaysia issues strong wind and rough sea warnings in three categories. As reported in the press, Category 1 means winds of 40-50km/h and waves up to 3.5m, dangerous for small boats and water sports; Category 2 means 50-60km/h winds and waves up to 4.5m; Category 3 means winds above 60km/h and waves above 4.5m, dangerous for all coastal and shipping activity. Check the current warnings on met.gov.my or the myCuaca app the day before you sail.
Tioman is a different case
Tioman, in Pahang, does not empty out in the same way, but getting there is harder. Tioman SpeedBoat, which runs from Tanjung Gemok in Rompin, says it suspends operations "typically from 1 November to 28 February", following Marine Department rules, and resumes on 1 March. In the 2023/24 monsoon the NST reported that only the Mersing ferry was still running, and Bernama reported in September 2026 that resort operators were already complaining of too few ferry seats. Mersing sailings can still be cancelled in bad weather, and some Tioman resorts close for the season while others stay open.
Fees and rules if you do go
The islands sit inside marine parks, and the conservation fee is set by the Fees (Marine Parks Malaysia) Order 2017: RM5 for adult MyKad holders and RM30 for other adults, RM2 and RM15 for children aged 6 to 12 and seniors, and free for OKU visitors. Since 1 January 2026, visitors must also carry their own rubbish back to the mainland, The Star reported in November 2025.
If you want sun between November and February
MetMalaysia's climate page points west. The northwestern Peninsula, which includes Langkawi, has its driest months in January and February. Kota Kinabalu and Sabah's west coast are wettest in October and driest in February. Northeast Sabah around Sandakan, on the other hand, gets most of its rain from December to March, so it is not an escape from the monsoon. Wherever you go, book flexible or refundable rates.
