Malaysia is well-known for its iconic Petronas Towers and glitzy capital metropolis, however there’s much more to the nation than industrial high-rise buildings.
A number of the greatest Malaysian islands are additionally house to spectacular abandoned seashores and lazy vibes, rivaling these in close by Thailand, Indonesia and The Philippines.
Lots of Malaysia’s islands are nonetheless quite obscure, whereas others have develop into staple honeymoon or getaway locations, well-known for offering a mix of luxurious, gastronomy, and tradition in a tropical setting.
Greatest Islands to Go to in Malaysia
With so many islands in Malaysia, you might really feel confused about discovering the right paradise spot that most closely fits your wants and finances.
After spending many weeks exploring the gorgeous Malaysian islands, I’ve put collectively this checklist that can assist you out.
1. Tioman Island
It’s simple to lose monitor of area and time on Tioman, probably the greatest Malaysian islands, and certainly one of my favourite spots in all of Malaysia.
This laid-back, idyllic island with attractive sandy seashores is surrounded by a lush jungle and though I visited throughout peak season, there have been occasions once I felt that I had the entire island to myself!
If abandoned seashores with turquoise waters, magnificent waterfalls surrounded by a jungle cover and easygoing village life is your factor, look no additional.
There’s all kinds of lodging accessible on Tioman starting from luxurious resorts to backpacker seaside chalets which make this island appropriate for many budgets.
Tioman may be reached through a 2-hour ferry trip from Mersing Jetty. Yow will discover extra detailed details about Tioman right here.
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2. Mabul Island
Pulau Mabul is known for snorkeling, and much more so for diving which is the principle exercise on the island. Situated off the coast of Sabah in Borneo, the island is understood to be an ideal web site for muck diving and is particularly common with macro photographers.
Mabul island could be very small and you may simply stroll round it in about an hour. Though there are higher seashores elsewhere, I’m together with it on this checklist of greatest Malaysian islands due to its excessive focus of marine life which makes it a incredible vacation spot for followers of the underwater world!
You possibly can attain Mabul island by taking a ship from Semporna in Sabah.
3. Penang Island
Penang is certainly one of Malaysia’s hottest locations, for expats, distant employees, and vacationers alike. It’s probably the greatest Malaysian islands to go to, particularly since George City, its capital, is Malaysia’s second-largest metropolis and a UNESCO World Heritage Website.
George City can also be a extremely popular culinary vacation spot with various road meals choices. This, along with its distinctive structure and quirky road artwork, makes the town worthy of its status as Malaysia’s hub for meals and artwork.
While George City itself lacks island vibes and seashores, these may be discovered only a bus trip away from the capital in Batu Ferringhi and Tanjung Bungah the place resorts and lodges line the seaside.
Additional afield, Monkey Seashore has stretch of white sand which nevertheless, can get fairly noisy with native vacationers on weekends, so greatest go to in the course of the week for a quieter expertise!
You will get to Penang island utilizing Malaysia’s environment friendly bus system in addition to by practice or by aircraft from Kuala Lumpur. Ferry providers to Penang Port are additionally accessible.
4. Perhentian Islands
The 2 predominant Perhentian islands (Huge Island and Small Island) present several types of lodging choices.
The smaller island caters primarily to the backpacker crowd the place events on the seaside are common. Tourism on the bigger island is concentrated extra in the direction of households and people eager to keep away from the celebration scene.
The Perhentians’ spectacular seashores, blue-green waters and wealthy jungle make them a number of the greatest Malaysian islands for these wanting to absorb the solar and chill out on the white sands.
Sounds good proper? Even higher is the truth that the islands provide some nice snorkeling and diving alternatives, fairly often with wonderful visibility.
The Perhentians have develop into quite common with Malaysian locals and backpackers alike, so you should definitely guide lodging upfront when you’re considering of going there throughout peak season (June – August).
To get to the Perhentians, take a ship from the jetty at Kuala Besut. Water taxis present transfers and journeys between the islands.
5. Pangkor Island
This sleepy little island has a number of the prettiest seashores in Malaysia and is taken into account to be probably the greatest Malaysian islands on the west coast.
A mix of fishing villages, resorts and dense jungle leads to a compelling vacation spot that’s quiet in the course of the week, making it an ideal place to chill out. One of the best ways to discover the island is by bike, stopping every now and then to admire the view or to take a dip within the pristine waters.
Should you’re a lover of seafood, the native produce is at all times recent and engaging! Pangkor is a 40-minute ferry trip away from Lumut Jetty with departures each half hour.
6. Langkawi
This tropical gem is definitely an archipelago of about 100 islands within the northwest of Malaysia with Pulau Langkawi being the biggest and most densely inhabited.
The island is split into a number of districts and caters to vacationers of all budgets, being house to backpacker hostels in addition to luxurious all-inclusive seaside resorts.
It is usually probably the greatest Malaysian islands for a honeymoon retreat with unique resorts in Datai Bay catering for romantic getaways. Should you’re searching for nightlife scene and various eating places, your greatest wager is to base your self within the picturesque Pantai Cenang with its beachfront bars and lounges.
There are many actions on the island starting from bathing in waterfall swimming pools, jungle trekking, cable automotive rides, stunning rice fields and gardens, and naturally a number of seashores with water-based actions.
Langkawi has its personal worldwide airport. You too can get there by ferry from a number of different locations in Malaysia.
7. Kapas Island
Laid-back, little Kapas is my favourite on the checklist of the perfect Malaysian islands, being house to a number of pristine seashores and a really relaxed vibe.
Kapas really means cotton and it’s not obscure how the island’s title got here to be. The delicate sand seashores are as white as may be, and likewise idyllically empty more often than not!
There’s not a lot to do on Kapas besides lounge on the white sand and swim within the crystal-clear waters, however why would you need to do the rest right here?
Should you’re feeling adventurous, you’ll be able to trek as much as the opposite facet of the island by a dense jungle, however the seashores are much better on the resort facet.
Kapas is really a paradise island that appears to have remained undiscovered by mass tourism. The small variety of resorts cater extra to the backpacker crowd and it’s even doable to camp or sleep in a dorm. The posh right here is having your personal non-public pristine glowing white-sand seaside.
Kapas island is accessible through ferry from Marang Jetty.
8. Redang Island
In distinction to Kapas island, Redang doesn’t cater to the backpacker crowd however is house to some quite nice resorts that are extra up-market.
There’s no public transport on the island so that you’re usually restricted to staying round your resort except you are feeling like mountaineering by scorching and humid jungle paths otherwise you constitution a ship. That’s probably not an issue although. The coastal areas across the island are prime snorkeling websites because the coral reefs are actually attractive.
Diving can also be a preferred exercise right here and you may hire kayaks when you want to enterprise additional afield. If you wish to expertise a pristine underwater world, that is the place to be!
Redang Island is accessible through speedboats and ferry boats from Merang Jetty.
9. Sipadan Island
Sipadan is definitely probably the greatest Malaysian islands to go to when you’re a scuba diver. The diving right here is prime class and it’s reputed to be the world’s greatest diving web site. That is as a result of island being surrounded by a really wealthy coral reef the place all types of reef fish may be noticed.
Snorkeling across the island’s reef can also be a wonderful exercise for non-divers who can usually be part of dive boats and snorkel within the shallow waters across the dive websites.
You’re not allowed to remain on Sipadan island since it’s now a protected space, so lodging choices may be discovered on close by Mabul island (see level no. 2), Kapalai island, or mainland Semporna.
The variety of day by day divers to the island is capped and you’re solely permitted to remain on land throughout a sure time-frame, so it’s actually essential to plan your dive journey fastidiously.
10. Tenggol Island
Pulau Tenggol is one other pristine prime diving vacation spot with about 20 dive websites throughout it. The snorkeling right here is great and the white sand seashores, stunning.
The island is tiny and there are few resorts on it, all of which totally cater to the wants of their friends since there aren’t any different amenities. Usually friends select to take all-inclusive diving and snorkeling packages supplied by the resorts.
The island could be very quiet and secluded when in comparison with the opposite greatest Malaysian islands so don’t count on crowds! What you’ll be able to count on as a substitute is a scenic panorama and an incredible underwater world with well-preserved corals and attention-grabbing marine life.
You will get to Pulau Tenggol by arranging a switch from the mainland along with your resort.
In Conclusion
With so many islands in Malaysia, it’s typically tough to find out which one to decide on. I hope that you simply discover this checklist of greatest Malaysian islands helpful in serving to you make the precise selection for an ideal trip!
