Monday, July 19, 2010

10 Most Beautiful Island in Malaysia

  • If you're travelling to Malaysia during holiday, you don't want to miss visiting some of the most beautiful islands in South East Asia located in Malaysia itself.
  • Those sandy beaches and palm trees that you would normally dream of can become a reality once you set your foot on the paradise islands.
  • Visiting these beautiful islands can:
  • Be a perfect breakaway from your daily hectic office life.
  • If you want to move away from visiting big cities and watching skyscrapers, Malaysia has more than enough islands to complete your dream vacation.

One of the top islands that you don't want to miss is the Tioman island :

  • located in the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia.
  • It is rated as one of the world's most beautiful islands and the biggest and most impressive one in the east coast.
  • The west section of the island is covered with a brisk jungle filled with many kinds of flora and fauna, waiting to be explored by visitors from all around the world.

  • There are quite a number of villages in Tioman island, each offers different kind of activities for tourists and the likes:
  • Snorkelling in the island's crystal clear water is the most popular activity, together with diving and exploring the underwater world.
  • If you fancy playing golf on the island, you should book a room in Berjaya Tioman Beach Resort where it has its own 18-hole golf course for you to enjoy your time there.


  • The second Island that you can go for your holiday is Langkawi,(Jawi:لانكاوي ) officially nown as Langkawi, the Jewel of Kedah
  • (Malay: Langkawi Permata Kedah) is an archipelago of 99 islands in the Andaman Sea, some 30 km off the mainland coast of northwestern Malaysia.
  • The islands are a part of the state of Kedah, which is adjacent to the Thai border. On July 15, 2008, Sultan Abdul Halim of Kedah had consented to the change of name to Langkawi Permata Kedah in conjunction with his Golden Jubilee Celebration.
  • By far the largest of the islands is the eponymous Pulau Langkawi with a population of some 64,792, the only other inhabited island being nearby Pulau Tuba.
  • Langkawi is also an administrative district with the town of Kuah as the capital and largest town. Langkawi is a duty-free island.

  • On June 1, 2007, Langkawi Island has been given a World Geopark status by UNESCO. Three of its main conservation area in Langkawi Geopark;Machincang Cambrian Geoforest Park, Kilim Karst Geoforest Park and Dayang Bunting Marble Geoforest park.(Island of the Pregnant Maiden Lake).
  • These three parks are the most popular tourism area within Langkawi Geopark.

  • Some of the most popular beaches are Pantai Cenang, Pantai Tengah, Burau Bay, Pantai Kok, and Datai Bay. Pantai Cenang is a picturesque beach with seemingly unending stretches of fine white sand.
  • The beach is contoured by tall coconuts and casuarinas.
  • Pantai Tengah is separated from Cenang by a small cape. Burau Bay, fringed by rocky outcrops, is the favorite place of migratory birds in Langkawi.
  • Pantai Kok is a peaceful beach with the backdrop of limestone hills.
  • Datai Bay has combination of forests and sea.
  • The milky beach is backed by lush forest.
  • The Langkawi Cable Car takes visitors up to the peak of Gunung Mat Chincang, where the Langkawi Sky Bridge is located.
  • Tourists can enter into the island via ferry from Kuala Perlis or by flight from Kuala Lumpur.
  • AirAsia, provides budget connections to the island.


  • The third Island that you can go for holiday isPulau Pangkor.
  • Pulau Pangkor is an island off the coast of Perak in north-west peninsular Malaysia, reached by ferry from Lumut (a small coastal town that links to Ipoh, or from Sitiawan).
  • It has a land area of only 8 square kilometers, and a population of approximately 25,000 islanders.ey It is heavily promoted as a low-k tourist destination by the Malaysian government, but fishing and fish products remain major industries.
  • Historically, Pangkor was a refuge for local fishermen, merchants and pirates.
  • Pangkor is famous for its fine beaches and a mix of low budget to 5 star accommodations.
  • Teluk Nipah and Coral Bay on the north west of the island is extremely popular with travellers from Europe.
  • The quality of sand in the Pasir Bogak Beach is far superior to that elsewhere on the island.
  • The sand is golden brown, quite similar to most leading prime beaches.
  • There are a few resorts in Teluk Nipah or Nipah Bay.
  • Since the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami in Indonesia, Thailand and to a lesser extent the West Coast of Malaysia in December 2004, there have been fewer local tourists visiting Pangkor.
  • In 2006, a biotechnology centre, a joint venture of Global Hi-Q Malaysia S/B and Hi-Q Bio-Tech International (Taiwan) Ltd began operations with initial investments of RM100million (USD30m).
  • Their operations include fish farming and aquaculture, and the first harvest is expected in 2009.
  • Just next to island of Pangkor, there is a smaller island called Pulau Pangkor Laut.

  • Next island that you can visit is Pulau Redang.Redang Island, locally known as Pulau Redang or just "Redang" is one of the largest islands off the east coast of Malaysia. It is a popular holiday island for Malaysians, most of whom come on package deals to one of the resorts.
  • Redang is one of n

    • ine islands, which form a marine park, and which offer snorkeling and diving opportunities.
    • Access is from Merang or Kuala Terenggganu on boats operated by the resorts; there is also a small airport with services operated by Berjaya Air from Singapore (Seletar Airport) and Kuala Lumpur (Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport).

  • The island is also an important conservation site for sea turtles.
  • Previously, the indiscriminate economic exploitation of turtle eggs had caused fewer turtles returning to nest on the island.
  • This has led the Terengganu state government to set up the Koperasi
  • Setiajaya Pulau Redang in 1989, a cooperative aiming to develop and manage socio-economic programmes that could improve the livelihood of Pulau Redang locals without endangering its natural resources.


  • The Perhentian Islands (Pulau Perhentian in Malay) lay approximately 10 nautical miles (19 km) offshore the coast of northeastern Malaysia in the state of Terengganu, approximately 40 miles (64 km) south of the Thai border.

  • The two main islands are:

  • Perhentian Besar ("Big Perhentian") and Perhentian Kecil ("Small Perhentian").

  • The small, uninhabited islands of Susu Dara (Virgin Milk), Serenggeh and Rawa lie off Kecil. The Perhentians belong to Pulau Redang National Marine Park, which means that fishing, collecting coral and littering are strictly prohibited.

  • Like Besut, people here generally speak Kelantanese Malay.

  • Sheer beauty of Pulau Perhentian makes it the destination of tourists.

  • Both the islands have palm-fringed white coral sand beaches (that can be tough on the feet) and turquoise blue sea. One can have a number of activities on its beaches and forests.

  • Scuba-diving, snorkeling, and swimming are the most popular tourist activities here.

  • Apart from these, you could also enjoy activities like camping, canoeing, fishing, jungle trekking, and banana boat riding. As for accommodation, most of it can be found on Perhentian Besar, the larger island. Hotels are usually aimed at budget travelers.


  • The island was referred to as Bīnláng Yù (檳榔嶼, 槟榔屿) in the navigational drawings used by Admiral Zheng He of Ming-dynasty China in his expeditions to the South Seas in the 15th century. Early Malays called it Pulau Ka-Satu or "First Island".

  • The name "Penang" comes from the modern Malay name Pulau Pinang, which means island of the areca nut palm (Areca catechu, family Palmae). The name Penang can refer either to the island of Penang or the state of Penang.

  • The capital of Penang state is George Town. More specifically, George

  • Town is also called Tanjung in Malay. Penang Island is simply Pulau Pinang and Penang state is Negeri Pulau Pinang in Malay.

  • Although the state is called Penang in English, it's official name is actually the state's Malay name, Pulau Pinang.

  • This is because the Malay name is always used in governmental letters and also the Malaysian identity card, MyKad.

  • Penang is severally known as "The Pearl of the Orient", "东方花园" and "Pulau Pinang Pulau Mutiara" (Penang Island of Pearls).

  • Nowadays, due to short messaging, Penang is also referred as "PG" or "PP" in Malay.

  • Penang is also one of the main tourism hubs in Malaysia. In 2008, the state of Penang attracted 6.3 million tourists, 4th most in Malaysia.

  • It has many attractions that includes beaches, museums, historical places, good food and etc.

  • Penang's historic architecture is centred mainly in George Town. Its rows of 100 year-old shophouses and colonial villas give George Town its distinctive atmosphere.

  • Penang was the venue for several historical movies, such as Anna and the King and the French film Indochine.

  • The best way to capture Penang’s mixed heritage is to stroll around town.

  • The aged buildings are noted for their faded colours and crumbling walls.


  • Mabul is an island off the south-eastern coast of Sabah in Malaysia. It first became popular due to its proximity to Sipadan island.

  • Few years back, it has gained its recognition as one of the best "muck diving" sites in the world.

  • Mabul Island is a small oval shaped island surrounded by sandy beaches and perched on the northwest corner of a larger two square kilometer reef.

  • It is more correctly recognised now that the reason for the quality of the MUCK Diving is simply a result of overfishing uses of cyanide and dynamite by the local people of this area.

  • The reef is on the edge of the continental shelf and the seabed surrounding the reef slopes out to 25 to 30 m deep. There are several dive resorts operating on Mabul island.


  • The Pulau Payar Marine Park is situated in the northern part of the Straits of Melaka, 19 nautical miles south of Langkawi and encompasses the islands of Pulau Payar, Pulau Lembu, Pulau Segantang and Pulau Kaca which are surrounded by coral reefs.

  • The marine park teems with a fascinating diversity of marine life and vegetation.


  • Many endangered species of fishes and marine organisms live within the sanctuary.

  • Among the enchanting dive spots is the "Coral Garden", an area covered with bright, multi-hued soft corals.


  • There are several sandy beaches on Pulau Payar island for picnics as well as hiking trails for those who wish to explore the island. Just off the beach, one can indulge in the thrilling experience of feeding baby sharks.

  • Facilities include gazebos, picnic tables, barbecue pits and restrooms at selected areas.

  • There is also a Visitors' Centre that provides information about the marine park.


  • The Tenggol group of islands is the most southernly of Terengganu's Marine Parks. It consists of Pulau Tenggol (Tenggol Island), Pulau Nyireh, Tokong Timur, Tokong Burung and Tokong Talang/Tokong Kemudi, Tokong Laut.

Cited as “The Best Diving in Peninsular Malaysia” Asian Diver Magazine 2002 Annual Edition.

  • Pulau Tenggol lies 14 nautical miles (26 km) off the coast of quiet fishing town of Kuala Dungun, Terengganu, Malaysia.

  • This rocky island about 50 hectares in size, spans less than 3 kilometres in length and 2 kilometres at its widest point, is one of the most beautiful and serene islands off Peninsular Malaysia's east coast, with spectacular rocky cliffs that offer many excellent dive sites.

  • One of the island’s attractions is that it is close to its original state. A virgin island with its white sandy beaches backed by steeply forested cliffs is a pleasant retreat away from the city.

  • Activities range from snorkelling, scuba diving, jungle trekking or just basking under the sun on the white sandy beach.

  • At Pulau Tenggol, divers and Snorkellers alike can find pristine coral formations and a number of submerged rocks with excellent coral growths.

  • Tenggol and its surrounding islands offer good visibility with teeming of marine life, including sharks, rays, nudibranch and a wide variety of hard and soft corals.

  • Divers will discover that Tenggol offers great diving experiences, ranging from deep diving, drift diving and wreck dive for the advanced divers or experienced divers.

  • The fantastic shallow dives are great for the least experienced divers or just for the experienced to off gas.