Alongside its larger sibling, Pulau Perhentian Besar, these islands were historical resting points for traders, a legacy reflected in their name, which translates to “stopping point” in Malay.

And then we spent the next 30 minutes bouncing across the waves, just the 8 of us, heading to the Perhentian Islands. Of which there are two. The big island and the little island. Besar and Kecil. You ...