Dnamie Glamping & Chalet Perhentian — Island Comfort Without the Tent Struggle

The Vibe

This is glamping, not camping. Just want to be upfront about that. Dnamie is a glamping and chalet setup on Pulau Perhentian Kecil — air-conditioned tents with proper beds, private bathrooms, the works. You're not pitching your own tent here. If you showed up with a groundsheet and trekking poles expecting to rough it, wrong place. But if you want to wake up to birdsong on a tropical island without sleeping on sand — this is actually a really solid pick.

The place has a quiet, laid-back energy. Not the party scene you get further down Long Beach. Guests are mostly couples and small groups who want something comfortable but still feel like they're actually on the island — not stuck in some concrete resort. Staff here seem to genuinely enjoy their jobs, which makes a difference when you're island-side and everything feels slower.

Location is the real selling point. Dnamie sits right between Coral Bay and Long Beach — the two main beaches on Perhentian Kecil. Both are about 10 minutes on foot. So you get the best of both sides without committing to either crowd.

Getting There

You fly or drive to Kuala Besut jetty — that's your jump-off point. From KL, it's roughly a 6-7 hour drive up to Besut, or you can fly to Kota Bharu and drive about an hour from there. Grab a speedboat from Kuala Besut Jetty to Pulau Perhentian Kecil. Boats run regularly during peak season but slow down in the off-season — and yes, there is an off-season. Monsoon hits hard from November to February, so most places on the island actually shut down during that stretch. Don't book during those months.

Once you land on the island, there are no cars — everything is on foot or by boat taxi. Dnamie is at Coral Bay (also known as Aur Bay), so if you land at Long Beach jetty, it's a short 10-minute walk through the jungle path to get across. A bit muddy if it's been raining. Most speedboats can also drop you directly at Coral Bay if you tell them where you're heading.

What to Expect

Flat, wooded ground with proper glamping tents — not jungle camping. You're surrounded by trees and the sound of birds, not waves crashing right next to your head. It's quiet in the mornings, which is honestly a nice change from the beachfront chaos. Reviewers mentioned waking up to birds singing, which checks out — Perhentian Kecil still has decent jungle cover inland.

The crowd here tends to be mellower. Families, couples, solo travellers who want comfort without blowing resort money. Because you're not right on the beach, the immediate area feels calmer — less foot traffic, less noise at night. But the beach is still close enough that you can walk over for sunset at Coral Bay in flip flops.

This isn't a place for hardcore campers looking for a challenge. It's for people who love the idea of island camping but also really want air-conditioning after a day of snorkelling. No judgment — sometimes that's exactly what you need.

Facilities

Accommodation

Air-conditioned glamping tents with proper beds. Clean, according to multiple reviewers. Private bathroom included — which on Perhentian Kecil is genuinely a luxury.

Bathroom

Private bathroom per unit. Towels provided and changed during your stay — reviewers specifically called this out as a nice touch.

Restaurant

There's a restaurant right in front of the property. Convenient, especially since you're on an island where food options are limited and prices can be wild.

Breakfast

Room-only — no breakfast included. Factor this into your budget.

What Campers Are Saying

A few guests mentioned being welcomed with drinks at check-in — that kind of small gesture hits different when you've just been on a bumpy speedboat for 45 minutes. The staff apparently kept that friendliness going throughout the stay, not just at arrival.

One traveller described the location as being in the "middle of a quiet place" — and that's probably the most accurate description of Dnamie. You're not in the middle of Long Beach's noise, but you're also not isolated. That 10-minute walk to either beach is sweet spot distance.

A few reviewers highlighted the night view from the property — apparently the sky is properly dark out there since there's not much light pollution inland. Worth stepping outside after dinner just to look up.

On the practical side, multiple people flagged the air-conditioning as genuinely good. Sounds basic but Terengganu heat is no joke, especially after a full day in the sun. Coming back to a cold room matters.

One guest called it the best accommodation on Perhentian — strong claim, but based on the consistency of the reviews, Dnamie clearly does the basics very well. Clean rooms, friendly staff, solid location. On an island, that's actually enough to stand out.

TAHAN Tip

Dnamie's glamping tents have air-con and beds sorted, but since there's no breakfast and the nearest food stall might not open until late morning, bring some snacks for early risers. More importantly — plan your boat back to Kuala Besut early. Last boats usually leave by late afternoon, and missing it means another night on the island whether you planned for it or not. Check the latest schedule with the property when you arrive, not when you're already packing up.

If you're planning day trips to snorkel spots, Dnamie's central location makes it easy to just walk to the beach and flag down a boat taxi directly. Negotiate prices before you get in — island boat pricing is famously flexible.

Since you're on an island with no electricity supply to plug into outside your room, a good lantern goes a long way for the walk back at night through the jungle path. The TAHAN Luminate Multifunction Lantern is rechargeable and doubles as a powerbank — handy when the nearest charging point is your air-con room.

Mike has been camping across Malaysia for over 10 years — from jungle treks in Taman Negara to beach camps in Perhentian. He writes about it so you don't have to find out the hard way. Follow along on TAHAN Outdoor's blog for honest campsite reviews, every week.

You Might Also Like

• Rainforest Camping Perhentian Kecil — if you want to actually pitch a tent on the same island, this is the rougher, more adventurous alternative
• Chemerong Waterfall Campsite — another Terengganu gem worth exploring once you're done with the islands