Top 10 Malaysia Islands That You Cannot Miss!

Cherish the beautiful views of Coastline of Pulau Perhentian Kesil Island in Malaysia.

Malaysia is famous for its culture, natural landscape, and the urban land that exists along with it. The most important attractions of Malaysia are the many beautiful Malaysia islands. The beautiful tropical island is surrounded by serene water that warms the heart of the onlooker. Tourists might come across some serene peaceful, calm beaches to some adrenaline-inducing party beaches. Moreover, it is home to some of the most beautiful islands in the world.

Top 10 Beautiful Malaysia Islands

Malaysia has 879 islands in total. Here are the 10 best Malaysia islands that stand out from the rest.

1. Pulau Perhentian Kecil

Memerise by the turquoise waters of Pulau Perhentian Kecil, one of the Malaysia Islands.

Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg / Wikimedia Commons

Pulau Perhentian Kecil used to be a stopping point for traders between Bangkok and Malaysia. There are two Perhentian islands, Perhentian Besar and Perhentian Kecil. Both of them are blessed with beautiful beaches. But Perhentian Kecil is famous amongst travellers, thanks to its affordability and the beautiful atmosphere. One of the most famous tourist spots on Perhentian Kecil is the Long Beach that is known for its shallow turquoise water. This ivory white sand island is the best one for swimming and watersports.

Best Time To Visit: March to October

Suggested Read: Places To Visit In Malaysia

2. Langkawi Island

The beautiful view of Langkawi Island which is one of the isolated islands in the country.

Photo: C980040 / Wikimedia Commons

Langkawi is a popular tourist destination in Malaysia. The island is famous for its various activities, shopping centres and pristine beaches. The Island welcomes its visitors with beautiful beachside sunsets, lively nightlife, a bustling market area and adventurous terrains. The place is a hotspot for both people looking for adventure and for people looking for a relaxing place.

Best Time To Visit: November to March

3. Redang Island

Give yourself a nature retreat at Laguna Redang Beach, Redang Island, a Malaysian Island.

Photo: MDChaara / Wikimedia Commons

One of the biggest islands on the east coast of Malaysia, it is also one of the most beautiful islands in the country. The beach is famous for its beautiful beaches covered in white sands, vibrant coral reefs and turquoise water. It is a popular destination among snorkelling and diving enthusiasts. The sea around the island is a hub for rich marine biodiversity. Redang Island is one of the most beautiful, picturesque islands on the planet.

Best Time To Visit: March to September

Suggested Read: Theme Parks In Malaysia

4. Kapas Island

The view of lush green landscapes at Kapas Island, Marang District, Terengganu, Malaysia.

Photo: WorldTravleerAndPhotoTaker/ Wikimedia Commons

Kapas Island or Pulau Kapas, which literally means cotton island, got its name from its beautiful white sand. The island is blessed with a tropical jungle, clear sea, and warm white sand. It is known for its diving and snorkelling activities. The island is a perfect destination for tropical holidays and is a perfect place to go for a break during summer.

Best Time To Visit: February to August

5. Penang Island

The awe-inspiring view of skyline at George Town at Penang Island, a Malaysian Island.

Photo: Lishalini Selvaraju/ Wikimedia Commons

Penang Island is a hotspot of cultures. It is famous for its sandy beach, adventure zone, museum and most importantly, the main attraction, its sunset. It offers oceans of food options, an exciting, yet peaceful nightlife, along with laidback music. One can see the influence of various Asian cultures on this small Malaysian island, through its architecture, culture and history.

Best Time To Visit: November to January

Suggested Read: Malaysia Nightlife

6. Pangkor Island

The amazing view of several pools at Pangkor Laut Resort at Pangkor Laut Island.

Photo: Azreey/ Wikimedia Commons

Pangkor Island is known for its pristine beach, historical heritage and ambience. It is the home to the ancient Dutch Fort, which was built in the 17th century to control the Perak Tin Trade. Now the fort is open for visitors, who can explore and appreciate the old fort, which once was a bustling port for the city. Its beaches such as Teluk Nipah, Pasim Giam and Coral Bay are some of the most famous beaches in Malaysia.

Best Time To Visit: February to July

7. Tioman Island

A boat on the clear waters of Salang Beach at Tioman Island, a Malaysian Island.

Photo: Thantzinmyint / Wikimedia Commons Commons

Tioman Island is a nature reserve surrounded by an island. It is one of the most beautiful places on the planet. It is famous for its diving sites, which let divers explore coral reefs, shipwrecks, sea sponges and sea fans. The island is a safehouse for various animals and reptiles.

Best Time To Visit: July to August

Suggested Read: Skydiving Malaysia

8. Sipadan Island

Experience the unique magic of turquoise underwater at the pristine Sipadan Island.

Photo: Ilgın Çelikdemir / Wikimedia Commons

It is the only oceanic island in Malaysia. It is situated on the east coast of Sabah, in the Celebes Sea. The island is nothing less of a wonder, formed by living coral, born on top of an inactive volcano, the place is a testament to nature’s uniqueness and power. It is one of the most famous dive sites in the world. The island offers 12 different dive sites to visitors.

Best Time To Visit: March to October

9. Mabul Island

The beautiful view of the Resort Water Bungalow at Mabul Island, a Malaysian Island.

Photo: Cerevisae / Wikimedia Commons

The island used to be a small fishing image back in the 1970s. In the 1990s the island became a hub for scuba diving, thanks to its close distance to Sipadan Island. It is home to some exotic fish species, coral gardens and an exceptional marine biodiversity.

Best Time To Visit: April to September

Suggested Read: Things To Do In Malaysia

10. Rawa Island

Relax near the coast of Rawa Island, one of the islands to spend time in Malaysia.

Photo: Fizysam / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

Rawa Island got its name because of the abundance of the doves on the island. It is an extremely tiny island with almost no roads, except for the walkways. It is situated in Mersing and is famous for its beautiful landscape. The island is quite expensive to visit, due to its exclusivity and untamed nature.

Best Time To Visit: March to October

Being an island country, Malaysia has numerous islands, one more beautiful than the other. Malaysian islands offer a variety of food options, beautiful views, exciting water sports such as kayaking, jet skiing, swimming, and a lively nightlife. It is everything a tourist can ask for. There is so much to explore around the islands in Malaysia and in the small towns next to the beautiful oceans. If you are ready to explore Malaysian beaches, book your tour with TripXL today!

Cover Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg /Wikimedia Commons

Frequently Asked Questions

Cenang Beach is famous for its watersports, shopping malls and the overall atmosphere it offers.
If you wanna explore Malaysia, 1 to 2 weeks are more than enough. In these two weeks, you’ll get to visit national monuments, world heritages, beaches, theme parks and many more such things.
You can visit the night market, roam around the beach, and visit Chin Farm Waterfall, a Tropical fruit farm in Batu Ferringhi for free.
Langkawi Island is one of the most visited islands in Malaysia. It is popular for its shopping centres, water sports and pristine beaches next to lavish resorts.
Malaysia is a very developed country with a great transportation system that is easy to navigate. One can travel through Malaysia by bus, boat, cab and train.

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