Many of Malaysia’s islands are still relatively unknown, while others have become popular honeymoon or getaway destinations, offering a unique blend of luxury, food, and culture in a tropical setting.
With so many islands in Malaysia, you could be perplexed about selecting the ideal paradise destination that meets your demands and budget.
Mabul Island
Pulau Mabul is well-known for snorkeling, and even more so for diving, which is the island’s major activity. The island, located off the coast of Sabah in Borneo, is well-known for its muck diving and is particularly popular with macro photographers.
Mabul Island is extremely small and can be walked around in approximately an hour. Although there are better beaches elsewhere, I’ve included it on this list of the finest Malaysian islands because of the abundance of marine life, making it a fantastic vacation for enthusiasts of the undersea world!
Mabul Island may be reached by boat from Semporna in Sabah.
Tioman Island
On Tioman, one of the best Malaysian islands and one of my favorite places in Malaysia, it’s easy to lose track of time and space.
This laid-back, picturesque island with gorgeous sandy beaches is bordered by lush vegetation, and despite visiting during peak season.
Look no further if deserted beaches with turquoise waves, spectacular waterfalls encircled by a jungle canopy, and easygoing village life are your thing.
Tioman has a wide range of accommodations accessible, from luxury resorts to backpacker beach cottages, making it appropriate for most budgets.
Tioman is a 2-hour ferry trip away from Mersing Jetty. More information about Tioman can be found here.
Perhentian Islands
The two main Perhentian islands (Big Island and Small Island) offer a variety of lodging alternatives.
The smaller island caters primarily to backpackers, and beach parties are frequent. The main island’s tourism is geared toward families and people looking to escape the party scene.
The Perhentians’ magnificent beaches, blue-green lagoons, and lush jungle make them among the best Malaysian islands for sunbathing and relaxing on white dunes.
Doesn’t it sound good? Even better, the islands provide superb snorkeling and diving opportunities, typically with outstanding visibility.
The Perhentians have grown in popularity among Malaysians and backpackers alike, so plan ahead of time if you plan on visiting during peak season (June – August).
To go to the Perhentians, take a boat from Kuala Besut’s jetty. Transfers and journeys between islands are provided by water taxis.
Pangkor Island
This tranquil small island features some of Malaysia’s most beautiful beaches and is regarded as one of the top Malaysian islands on the west coast.
A blend of fishing towns, resorts, and lush jungle creates a captivating destination that is peaceful during the week, making it an excellent spot to unwind. The ideal way to explore the island is by motorcycle, pausing every now and then to admire the scenery or to swim in the clear waters.
If you enjoy fish, the local produce is always fresh and delicious! Pangkor is a 40-minute boat voyage from Lumut Jetty, with half-hourly departures.
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Tenggol Island
Pulau Tenggol is yet another pristine top diving destination, with over 20 dive sites surrounding it. The snorkeling is excellent, and the white sand beaches are stunning.
The island is small and has only a few resorts, all of which fully attend to their visitors’ needs because there are no other facilities. Typically, customers opt for the resorts’ all-inclusive diving and snorkeling packages.
When compared to the other best Malaysian islands, the island is relatively calm and secluded, so don’t expect crowds! Instead, you can expect beautiful terrain and a spectacular underwater world filled with well-preserved corals and fascinating marine life.
You may get to Pulau Tenggol from the mainland by organizing a transfer with your resort.
Langkawi
This tropical treasure is actually an archipelago of around 100 islands in Malaysia’s northwest, with Pulau Langkawi being the largest and most densely populated.
The island is divided into districts and caters to visitors of all budgets, with backpacker hostels as well as upscale all-inclusive beach resorts.
It is also one of the best Malaysian islands for a honeymoon escape, with luxury resorts devoted to romantic retreats in Datai Bay. If you want a strong nightlife scene and a variety of eateries, stay in the scenic Pantai Cenang, which has beachfront pubs and lounges.
There are numerous activities on the island, including waterfall swimming, jungle trekking, cable car rides, stunning rice fields and gardens, and, of course, many beaches with water-based sports.
Langkawi is served by its own international airport. You can also reach there by ferry from several other Malaysian cities.
Kapas Island
Little Kapas, home to several gorgeous beaches and a very easygoing mood, is my favorite among the best Malaysian islands.
Kapas literally means cotton, and it’s easy to see how the island got its name. The soft sand beaches are as white as they get, yet they are almost always deserted!
There isn’t much to do on Kapas but relax on the white sand and swim in the crystal-clear waters, but why would you want to?
If you’re feeling daring, you can go up to the opposite half of the island through dense jungle, but the beaches on the resort side are significantly superior.
Kapas is a true paradise island that appears to have escaped mass tourism. There are a few places that appeal to backpackers, and it is even feasible to tent or sleep in a dorm. Having your own private pure glittering white-sand beach is a privilege here.
The ferry to Kapas Island departs from Marang Jetty.
Penang Island
Penang is a popular destination in Malaysia for expats, remote workers, and visitors alike. It’s one of the nicest Malaysian islands to visit, particularly because its capital, George Town, is Malaysia’s second-largest city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
George Town is also a famous gastronomic destination, offering a variety of street food alternatives. This, combined with its distinctive architecture and quirky street art, makes the city deserving of its status as Malaysia’s cuisine and art capital.
While George Town lacks island vibes and beaches, they are just a bus ride away at Batu Ferringhi and Tanjung Bungah, where resorts and hotels line the seaside.
Redang Island
In contrast to Kapas, Redang does not pander to the backpacker crowd and instead has several pretty good up-market resorts.
Because there is no public transportation on the island, you are mainly limited to remaining close to your resort unless you enjoy hiking through hot and humid forest paths or chartering a boat. That, however, is not a major issue. The coral reefs in the coastal areas around the island make for excellent snorkeling.
Diving is also popular here, and you can rent kayaks if you want to go further away. This is the spot to go if you want to see a pristine underwater environment!
Redang Island may be reached by speedboats and ferry boats from Merang Jetty.
Sipadan Island
Sipadan is without a doubt one of the best Malaysian islands to visit if you enjoy scuba diving. The diving here is world-class, and it is regarded as the best diving spot in the world. This is because the island is bordered by a highly rich coral reef where many kinds of reef fish can be found.
Snorkeling around the island’s reef is also a popular pastime for non-divers, who can usually accompany dive boats and snorkel in the shallow seas surrounding dive spots.
Because Sipadan Island is now a protected area, you can no longer remain there; instead, you can find lodging on nearby Mabul Island, Kapalai Island, or mainland Semporna.
The number of daily divers allowed on the island is limited, and you can only stay on land for a limited time, so it is critical to arrange your dive excursion wisely.
