The small, uninhabited islands of Susu Dara (Virgin Milk), Serengeh and Rawa, lie off Kecil.

The name "Perhentian" means "stopping point" in Malay, referring to the islands' traditional role as a waypoint for traders between Bangkok and Malaysia.

In the water and on the coral reefs, sea turtles, clownfish, cuttlefish, blue spotted rays, and black tipped sharks swim freely among many others.

Of these, 3 islands were protected and gazetted as marine parks by the Department of Fisheries and zoned 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) from the shore at lowest tide.

On average each year, the Perhentian Islands receive over 98.3 plus inches of rain and experience roughly 12 daylight hours.

[8] In the summer of 2007, two wind turbines were installed, although they were still not connected to the network as of August 2013, leaving diesel generators as the main source of the islands' electrical power.

The islands have mobile phone coverage, but as of 2022 still lack a sewerage system, leading some resorts to discharge wastewater directly into the sea.