Perhentian snorkelling trips: shared or private boats
You want to snorkel around Perhentian and need to know what a shared boat gives you.
A shared snorkel boat gives you a set route with other guests, and a private boat gives you your own pace. What matters most is how many people share the water with you and how long you stay at each stop. Ask for those two numbers whichever you choose.
This guide builds on our wider guide to choosing an island package. For the island setting, see Perhentian Kecil.
What do you get on a shared boat?
A shared boat follows a route set by the operator, with other guests aboard. You get a lower price per person and a ready-made plan.
You give up some control. The stops, the order and the time at each one are the operator’s call. The group size decides how much attention you get in the water. Our guide on guide-to-guest ratios explains why this matters.
What do you get on a private boat?
A private boat is yours alone, within what the operator allows. You can ask for a start time that suits your group, a pace that suits your slowest swimmer and a stop that suits your interests.
The price is for the whole boat, so the cost per person depends on how many of you there are. Our guide on private snorkelling outings versus shared covers the cost side.
How do shared and private compare?
| Shared | Private | |
|---|---|---|
| Who is aboard | Other guests | Your own group |
| Route | Set by the operator | Agreed with you |
| Time in water | Set | More flexible |
| Price | Per seat | Per boat |
| Best for | Pairs, small groups, budgets | Friends, families, mixed skill |
If the table feels close to even, group size is the tiebreaker. Four friends can split a private boat close to a shared seat price.
How do I split a private boat among friends?
- Ask the price of the whole boat for the trip you want.
- Divide it by the number of people who will go.
- Ask the shared price per seat for the same stops.
- Compare the two numbers.
Our island trip cost calculator does the division. If you travel as a group of friends, the gap may be smaller than you expect.
What do marine park rules mean for the trip?
Perhentian has been a marine park since 1994 and protects Besar, Kecil and Susu Dara Besar [1]. A search snippet from the Department of Fisheries lists taking marine life, high-powered boats for water sports and anchoring on coral among restricted activities [2].
Ask how the operator follows these rules. A guide who explains them before you enter the water is a good sign.
Which questions expose a thin offer?
- How many stops, and how long in the water at each?
- How many guests per guide?
- Which gear is included, and in which sizes?
- Is the marine park fee in the price?
- What is the rule if the sea is rough?
If the operator cannot answer in a line each, ask again or choose another.
What about getting to Kecil?
If your resort is on Besar and the trip leaves from Kecil, a taxi boat may be needed. A blogger reported about RM20 between the two islands [3]. Ask whether the snorkel trip collects you from your beach.
A better fit if…
A shared boat may suit you if you travel as a pair or small group and the budget matters. A private boat may be a better fit if you are friends splitting the cost, travel with mixed skill levels or want a quieter start to the day.
Common questions
What is the main difference between a shared and a private snorkel boat?
A shared boat carries other guests and follows a set route and time. A private boat is yours alone, so you can choose the stops, the pace and the start time within the operator's limits. Ask about group size in both cases, because that shapes your time in the water.
How do I split a private boat among friends?
Ask for the price of the whole boat and divide it by the number of people who will go. Compare that figure with the shared price per seat. If the gap is small, a private boat can be good value for a group of friends.
Do snorkel trips include the marine park fee?
Some do and some do not. Perhentian is a gazetted marine park, so a fee applies to visitors. Ask whether the trip price includes it, or whether you pay on the day.
What if only some of my group want to snorkel?
Ask whether the trip charges per boat or per seat, and whether non-snorkellers may ride along for a lower price. Some groups split, with snorkellers on the trip and others on the beach.
Sources
- Wikipedia (accessed 2026-10-16)
- Jabatan Perikanan Malaysia (Marine Park) (accessed 2026-10-16)
- homeiswhereyourbagis.com (blog) (accessed 2026-10-16)