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Bidong Island

Island

Pulau Bidong off Terengganu combines white-sand beaches and snorkeling with the remains and history of a former Vietnamese refugee camp; visitors come for sea activities and history.

Bidong Island Kuala LumpurGeorge TownMalaccaLangkawiKota KinabaluKuchingCameron HighlandsBidong Island
In this guide

Bidong Island essentials

Country: Malaysia
Driest months: Feb-Apr
Pay in: Ringgit (RM)
Language: Malay
Emergency: 999

Bidong Island at a Glance

About Bidong Island

Bidong Island (Pulau Bidong) is a small island off the coast of Terengganu, Malaysia, notable for having hosted one of Southeast Asia’s largest Vietnamese refugee camps from the late 1970s until the early 1990s. Today the island is quiet and visited for its beaches, ruins and trails.

Visitors can see traces of the former camp infrastructure, along with sandy beaches and wooded slopes used for short walks. The island’s buildings and foundations provide a visible reminder of its recent history while the shoreline offers swimming where sea conditions allow.

From 1978 the island accommodated large numbers of Vietnamese refugees under international and Malaysian management; the camp closed in the early 1990s as refugees were resettled elsewhere and the island’s population declined. Some structural remains and pathways from that period are still present.

Pulau Bidong lies off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia in Terengganu state, within the South China Sea, and is reached by boat from coastal towns in the region.

  • Refugee camp history: Hosted a large Vietnamese refugee camp from 1978 until the early 1990s; remnants of camp infrastructure remain visible on the island.
  • Access: Access is by private boat from the Terengganu coast; visitor facilities are minimal and the island is lightly developed.

What to See#

  • Former refugee camp site: The area that contained the refugee camp for Vietnamese boat people, now visible in parts as concrete foundations and cleared terraces.
  • Beaches and coastal slopes: Coastal beaches and low wooded slopes around the island that form the principal landing and walking areas.
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Bidong Island

Visit between March and October when seas are calmer and island access is most reliable.

Calm season (best time)
March-October · 25-31°C
Calmer seas and more reliable boat services make this the main season for swimming, snorkeling and beach visits.
Northeast monsoon (rough seas)
November-February · 24-29°C
Frequent heavy rain and rough seas often disrupt boat services and make coastal conditions unsafe; many island facilities close or reduce operations.

Weather & Climate near Bidong Island

Climate

Tropical climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 22°C to 31°C. Heavy rainfall (2845 mm/year), wettest in December.

Air Quality: AQI 59 Moderate
Best Time to Visit
MarchFebruaryApril
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
33°
Warmest Month
22°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Good 22° - 27° 25° 190 mm overcast 85% 2.8 m/s 1.9 very high 11.7h
February Very Good 22° - 28° 25° 92 mm partly cloudy 83% 2.7 m/s 2.4 extreme 11.8h
March Very Good 23° - 29° 26° 123 mm partly cloudy 82% 2.7 m/s 2.5 extreme 12.0h
April Very Good 23° - 30° 27° 102 mm partly cloudy 80% 2.1 m/s 2.5 extreme 12.1h
May Good 23° - 31° 30° 127 mm overcast 80% 1.8 m/s 2.2 extreme 12.3h
June Good 23° - 31° 27° 136 mm overcast 80% 2.0 m/s 2.1 extreme 12.3h
July Good 23° - 30° 27° 130 mm overcast 80% 2.1 m/s 2.1 extreme 12.3h
August Good 23° - 30° 26° 171 mm overcast 80% 2.2 m/s 2.2 extreme 12.2h
September Good 23° - 30° 26° 224 mm overcast 80% 2.2 m/s 2.2 extreme 12.0h
October Good 23° - 29° 26° 294 mm overcast 82% 2.0 m/s 1.9 very high 11.9h
November Good 23° - 28° 25° 599 mm overcast 85% 1.9 m/s 1.7 very high 11.8h
December Good 23° - 27° 25° 657 mm overcast 86% 2.6 m/s 1.7 very high 11.7h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Bidong Island

Pulau Bidong (Bidong Island) lies off the coast of Terengganu, Malaysia, and is accessed only by boat. Boats depart from mainland jetties on the Terengganu coast (check local departure points such as Kuala Terengganu/nearby small jetties) - services can be irregular so arrange transport in advance with local operators; once ashore the island is small and walked on foot.

Tips for Visiting Bidong Island

  • Plan trips to Bidong Island in the calm season (roughly March-September) to avoid the northeast monsoon when sea crossings from the Terengganu coast can be cancelled.
  • Arrange your transfer in advance with a licensed boat operator from the nearest Terengganu jetties and confirm return times; services to smaller islands are often weather-dependent and infrequent.
  • Expect minimal facilities on the island-pack supplies and everything you need for the day, and respect any signs about restricted areas around former camp ruins and nesting seabirds.