If you’re looking for more of a peaceful tropical retreat, it’s Malaysia’s islands that will give you a fun range of travel choices — from Penang ‘s cosmopolitan elegance to Perhentian hippie getaway.
The order/number on the list does not indicate rating or ranking; all are equivalently ranked as must-try island to visit in Malaysia.
Top 10 Island to Visit in Malaysia
1. Rawa Island
Credit : Google maps
Rawa Island is one of the islands in Mersing District, Johor, Malaysia. Pulau Rawa, which is small in size, is located about 16 kilometers off Johor’s coast, and it is close to several other islands, namely Pulau Besar, Pulau Sibu, and Pulau Tinggi. Pulau Rawa has a clean, white, sandy beach. Clear water surrounds all the beaches on the islands. This is because the beaches face the open sea, which causes waves to hit them and pull mud from the sand.
Address: Pulau Rawa, Johor
2. Tioman Island
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This popular holiday island in Malaysia has two claims to fame that media and advertisers tend to hyped about. First is the spectacular topography of this tear drop shaped island in the South China Sea that was (allegedly) used as a setting for the 1958 film “South Pacific.” Then in the 1970s. Time magazine called it one of the most beautiful islands in the world.While it is now a firm fixture on the tourist trail and has lost some of its exotic mysticism, it retains the natural environment and wildlife which made it popular for the very first time. The giant monitor lizards that wander among the kampungs (Malay for villages) in search of food are amongst animals, at least on land. Don’t worry, they stop men. Since most of the time.
Address: Mersing, Pahang
3. Manukan Island
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Taman Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia’s second-largest island, and Manukan Island hold recognition as a national marine park. You can visit this island by boat. It is located in the east part of Malaysia, in the state of Sabah.
Manukan Island, in the Kota Kinabalu area, is the most popular island. The island also has some well-developed areas on the south coast. The best beaches are at the eastern end of the island. Off the coast of Manukan Island, there is a coral reef that is very suitable for diving. The island has the most advanced tourist facilities, with 20 chalet units, a clubhouse, and several restaurants and diving centres.
Address: Taman Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
4. Pangkor Island
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The island of Pangkor lies just off Peninsular Malaysia’s west coast. It is known for beaches such as Teluk Nipah, Coral Bay and Pasir Giam which connect at low tide to the coralringed Giam Island. The ruined Dutch Fort dates back to 1670, and shows the strategic colonial significance of the island. The Sacred Rock is engraved near by with the emblem of the Dutch East India Company and a image of a tiger carrying away a child.
Address: Pulau Pangkor, Perak
5. Langkawi Island
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Located right on the border with Thailand, Langkawi is part of the Kedah state of Malaysia, not Perlis, which is simply directly adjacent to it. Famously, it was claimed that the Island of Malaysia was cursed in 1819 when a woman named Mahsuri was put to death for alleged adultery. She said before she died, “There will be no peace and prosperity on this island for a seven generation time.Two years later Langkawi fell to the invading Thais, with a large part of his population subsequently starving to death. Indeed, the island was barren for a long time until Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad the colossus of Malaysian politics who also designed the Petronas Towers of Kuala Lumpur and the Sepang F1 circuit decided to transform it into a resort island in 1986.
Address: Pulau Langkawi, Kedah
6. Lang Tengah Island
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Lang Tengah Island is located in Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia. The island boasts pristine sea water, pristine white beaches, and uncharted tropical forests. A ferry connects it to the mainland at Merang, situated between Redang Island and Perhentian Island.
Address: Pulau Lang Tengah, Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu
7. Redang Island
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Redang Island is an island in the district of Kuala Nerus, in Terengganu , Malaysia. It is among the largest islands off Peninsular Malaysia’s east coast. The crystal clear waters and white sandy beaches make it popular.
Address: Pulau Redang, 21090 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu
8. Perhentian Island
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They might not be easy to get to, but on the backpacker route, the Perhentian islands off Peninsular Malaysia’s northeast coast have gained iconic status. And for good reason — the waters are so clear that right off the beach you can snorkel and still see a range of marine life. Fishermen turned tour guides will take you out on a day trip in their small boat to swim with shark and turtles.
Address: Pulau Perhentian, Terengganu
9. Kapas Island
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Kapas Island The name, Pulau Kapas (cotton island malay), refers to the white beaches on the island. In the nearby waters the island has tropical vegetation, dark seawater, white sand beaches, and coral reefs. It is promoted as a “paradise for diving and snorkelling”
Address: Pulau Kapas, Terengganu
10. Bohidulong Island
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Bohidulong Island, or Bohey Dulang, or Bohaydulong, is one of the islands that tourists in Semporna, Sabah, use as a place for recreation and family fun. Bohidulong Island, located in Tun Sakaran Marine Park, has a beautiful sandy beach and clear water that attracts visitors to picnic and bathe with their families. Visitors to Bohidulong Island can do activities on the beach all day, such as flying kites and building sand castles, relax with their families, and enjoy nature’s beauty.
Address: Semporna, Sabah