6 Beautiful Island Vacations in Malaysia

Malaysia is globally known for its spectacular islands and pristine beaches. If you love the sun, sea and sand, there are a few island paradises that you should see. All work and no play makes anyone feel dull, so take a breather from your hectic city life and enjoy yourself. You don’t have to travel far for emerald waters and iridescent sand, because our beautiful Malaysia has lots of islands of its own that you can visit. If you haven’t made any travel resolutions for the year, why not make one of these beaches a must-see spot for a tranquil getaway? Just imagine relaxing near crystal clear waters, white sandy beaches, gently swaying palm trees, lush greenery, incredible surfing spots, mesmerizing underwater life and some of the best diving sites in Asia. These picturesque islands are close to being heaven on earth. It’s your perfect answer if you are pursuing moments of freedom and leisure away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Let's explore six of Malaysia’s stunning island vacation spots.

Pangkor Island

 Escape to the scenic Pangkor Island if you are seeking a peaceful atmosphere and gorgeous beaches like Coral Bay and Teluk Nipah. Be sure to visit attractions like the Chinese Fu Lin Kong Temple, the Kali Amman Temple and the remnants of the Dutch fort that shelters the historic Tiger Rock while you’re there. Pangkor is filled with numerous fun activities like banana boating, jet skiing, jungle trekking and night swims with glowing plankton. Right next to Pangkor Island a smaller island called Pangkor Laut, home to one of the most luxurious resorts in all of Malaysia. It’s been reported that celebrities like Keira Knightley, Sting and Anna Friel are fans of the privately owned island.

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Tioman Island

Regarded by many as the one of the world’s most beautiful islands, Tioman Island was the scenic backdrop in the movie “South Pacific” in 1958. Even though it is mostly commercially developed, much of its natural beauty and wildlife diversity is still preserved. You’ll see all sorts of inhabitants on the island including monitor lizards. The island is perfect for diving and snorkeling because it is surrounded by amazing coral reefs. Here, you can go on jungle trekking adventures, experience swimming under waterfalls, visiting a turtle farm and immersing yourself in the local culture at the traditional village on Juara beach.

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Langkawi Island

Langkawi is an archipelago of 99 Malaysian islands in the Andaman Sea and it’s Malaysia’s most famous holiday destination. Known as the Jewel of Kedah, Langkawi Island is the largest of the islands with a diverse landscape of beaches, mountains, rainforests and mangrove wetlands. You’ll have so much to see and do here like taking a cable car ride up to Mount Mat Cinchang and walking across the spectacular Sky Bridge to see the stunning views across to Thailand. Nearby Mount Mat Cincang, is Mount Raya, Langkawi’s highest peak that features a resort hotel, restaurants and a remarkable lookout tower at its summit. You can also opt to visit the flourishing Laman Padi Rice Garden, the indoor aquarium at the Underwater World, and Oriental Village where you can enjoy cultural shows, watch snake charmers and ride elephants. The island is accessible only through a ferry ride or a flight. On a vacation, every minute is precious so it’s best to spend less time travelling so that you can maximize your time on the island. Firefly Airline offers amazing deals here https://goo.gl/d7RHQ8 for you to conveniently fly from Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah (Subang) Airport to Langkawi.

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Kapas Island

Kapas (Cotton) Island got its name from the locals because of its delicate, soft white beaches. Snorkelers and scuba divers love the island because of the beautiful, calm waters filled with a myriad of marine life. It’s truly an island paradise that makes you want to stay there forever. It’s remarkably minimalistic and that is what makes Kapas Island so special and a perfect holiday escape. Many have said that they have been left speechless when they first arrive because the water is turquoise, the beaches are immaculate and the air is fresh. If you love to explore underwater biodiversity, this is the island for you. Be sure to take a boat trip to Gem Island, a small island just off the coast of Kapas. It is home to one of the “Shark Bays” where you’ll have the chance to swim with sharks.

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Penang Island

Known as the Pearl of the Orient because of its vital location among the sea trade route, Penang is a vast and vibrant island shaped by its diverse culture, heritage and globally famous cuisine. Take a stroll or ride a rickshaw around historic Georgetown and be blown away by the colonial buildings, majestic mansions, exquisite temples and impressive hotels. One amazing hotel that is perfect for island vacations is the Holiday Inn Resort Penang over here: https://goo.gl/APU8Zg. It has everything you want and more in a beach resort. Here, there is wide variety of activities for guests of all ages, as well as special romantic offerings for couples. On the island, there are plenty activities that range from delicious culinary experiences, horse riding on the beach, photographing snakes in the Snake Temple to cable car rides up to Penang Hill.

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Manukan Island

Manukan Island attracts over 200,000 visits annually, making it the most frequented island by domestic and international tourists. Something must be absolutely amazing on the island. It could be the long beach (about 1.5km) at the southern side of the island that faces a bay of calm, crystal clear water or the fact the that it is ranked as the top snorkeling site on the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park (TARP). The waters are so tranquil and shallow so it’s perfect for non-swimmers. If you are bringing children along, rest easy because it’s safe to let them play in the water, as it’s shallow enough to always have them in view. Manukan Island is the second largest island in TARP and it’s a wonderful place for nature lovers. It’s also conveniently only 15 minutes away by boat from the city of Kota Kinabalu.

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If you want to know more about duty free chocolates on Langkawi Island, click here: https://nikainaa.blogspot.my/2015/04/tempat-murah-jual-coklat-di-langkawi.html

Contributor Profile

M.J. George

Menaka George is a professional copywriter with a Masters in Business Administration. She has written weekly blogs for Malaysia’s Largest Online Wine Shop, WineTalk and over 1000 product descriptions for EBay. She currently contributes digital articles to various commercial and corporate giants.