Malaysia’s islands and beaches are some of the best in the world. Sunny breezes, white sandy beaches and a serene atmosphere are our hallmark of perfection.
The Langkawi archipelago off the coast of Kedah hides a wealth of mystery and fascination. From the legends of giants that became mountains to lakes that hold magical powers, Langkawi awaits the traveller looking for something new and special to discover. Its beaches are submerged in pure, white sand and the natural flora and fauna simply amazing. Those after conventional recreation will appreciate the world-class marinas and golf-courses on the island.
The popular beach of Port Dickson in Negeri Sembilan is also a town in itself. Years of development has blunt its glitter but the quaint place still has some magic left to uncover. Visitors can enjoy the usual swimming and water sports but those after untouched beaches should head to Tanjung Tuan, a beach accessible only by a 30 minute trek through coastal forest or the Blue Lagoon, a scenic and peaceful beach. Both are located near the Rachado Lighthouse.
Arguably Pahang’s most popular beach, Cherating feels a lot like an Asian ‘Hawaii’. Just 47km away from Kuantan, the capital, Cherating is home to a whole range of water sports and one Club Med. The excellent wind conditions facilitate windsurfing and kite flying and occasionally, you get to ride some pretty tall waves.
Arguably Pahang’s most popular beach, Cherating feels a lot like an Asian ‘Hawaii’. Just 47km away from Kuantan, the capital, Cherating is home to a whole range of water sports and one Club Med. The excellent wind conditions facilitate windsurfing and kite flying and occasionally, you get to ride some pretty tall waves.
Pangkor is one of the most accessible islands, being several minutes away by boat from Lumut in Perak. Charming little fishing villages dot the tranquil landscape of this peaceful island. Here, visitors can enjoy picnics by the seaside or run a kayak across the calm water.
The island of Tioman is one of Pahang state’s hidden gems. Said to be the final resting place of a dragon princess, Tioman’s beaches are unparalleled in beauty. The waters hold a rich stretch of corals and aquatic creatures such as moray eels, Napolean fish, golden-stripped trevally, bumphead parrotfish and black-tip sharks. In Tioman, you can admire the seabed by diving or through a glass-bottomed boat. Evening walks on the beach will reward you with a spectacular sight of the horizon as the sun burns into the background.
Redang is a paradise; from the hilly landscape to every unimaginable creature that dwells on the coral bed, the island bristles with life. Located 45km away from the coast of Kuala Terengganu, Redang never fails to enchant visitors; from the sleepy fishing villages to the warm beaches and verdant rainforests to a seasonal encounter with Hawksbill turtles nesting.
Perhentian
This is another magical, but often overlooked, island off the coast of Terengganu with coral-rich gardens in its waters. Often sought after by diving enthusiasts around the world, Perhentian island has an unspoilt beauty that will allure you. Desaru
Every weekend, Malaysians in the south state of Johor flock to Desaru, a 25 stretch of warm beach just 98km away from its capital Johor Bahru. The water sports industry is at its zenith here. Water skiing, canoeing and catamaran sailing activities are some of the developments in this famous beach. Other activities you can do include horse-riding, archery, camping and off-road adventures in 4x4 vehicles. Sipadan
Winner of numerous tourism and diving awards, the seas of Sipadan in Sabah are renowned for having more than 3000 species of fish and coral live in its ecosystem. Divers can even explore an underwater limestone cavern here. Despite once being catapulted to world news for terrorist kidnappings, Sipadan is now very safe and closely guarded by the marines. Rantau Abang
Rantau Abang is the only location in Malaysia where the massive leatherback; the largest turtle species on Earth, comes to nest every year. Between May and September, visitors who come here to Rantau Abang in Dungun, Terengganu, will get a rare glimpse of leatherbacks climbing the gentle beach slopes to lay their eggs and return to the sea. Tanjung Aru
Just 15 minutes away by car from Kota Kinabalu, Tanjung Aru’s long line of sandy beach dotted with casuarina trees provides a peaceful and inviting sight. The beach is a popular sport to swim, relax and watch the beautiful sunsets of Sabah. |
