The Best Island Getaways in Malaysia: A Guide to the Most Beautiful and Relaxing Beach Destinations
Renowned for its diverse beauty, abundant natural resources and rich cultural heritage, Malaysia has become one of the top holiday destinations for travellers from across the globe. One of the major key attractions the country has to offer is of course its stunning collection of islands. Offerings a unique blend of tropical beauty, adventure and relaxation, each of the islands in Malaysia offers its own unique charm.
Some of the most popular islands include the gorgeous Redang Island (Pulau Redang), the postcard worthy Tioman Island (Pulau Tioman) and the ‘Jewel of Kedah’, Langkawi Island (Pulau Langkawi). These islands are so incredibly breathtaking that they draw hundreds of thousands of visitors on a monthly basis!
So whether you’re looking for a tropical getaway, an adventure-filled vacation or a cultural exploration, the islands in Malaysia are sure to deliver. To ensure that you get to experience the best island getaways Malaysia has to offer, we put together this guide on some of the most beautiful and relaxing beach destinations for your next holiday adventure. So, pack your travel essentials and get excited for your next island getaway!
1. Pulau Pangkor, Perak (Pangkor Island)
If you’re looking for an island getaway not too far away from the bustling city of Kuala Lumpur, Pangkor Island (or Pulau Pangkor) is your best bet. Unlike a majority of islands on the east coast, Pangkor Island is relatively unaffected by the annual monsoon seasons and boasts a steady, tropical climate all year round. This means you can pretty much pack up and go on a beach vacation whenever you like.
Despite Pangkor Island not being as thrilling or bustling as other popular islands like Langkawi or Pulau Perhentian, it’s still a pretty popular destination amongst both local and international tourists. That said, you can find tons of places to stay during your trip. From stunning chalets and luxurious resorts to cosy homestay, there’s a perfect accommodation for every kind of traveller and budget.
With its beautiful beaches, crystal clear waters and abundance of marine life, this island paradise is the perfect spot for a myriad of activities — which includes snorkelling, diving and of course beach-hopping. Some of the most popular beaches include Coral Bay, Teluk Nipah, and Sunset Beach, each one offering gorgeous views, unique relaxation opportunities and of course photo ops!
Just imagine taking underwater photos of the colourful coral reefs or the stunning sunsets as the sun dips into the horizon. It’s enough to take your breath away. And although you can’t stay on vacation indefinitely, you can still print out the photos you’ve taken from your Pangkor trip and turn them into personalised gifts and souvenirs. From canvas and framed prints that you can use to decorate your space to stunning photobooks to place on your coffee table, you’ll be able to revisit your trip whenever you like in print.
2. Pulau Redang, Kuala Terengganu (Redang Island)
Redang Island (locally known as Pulau Redang) is one of the largest beaches off the east coast of Malaysia and one of the world’s most beautiful beaches to boot. Visiting Redang Island is a must for those of you who enjoy outdoor activities! This idyllic island is part of the Redang Marine Park — making it a premier destination for snorkelling, diving and exploring the abundant marine life.
Surrounded by clear blue waters and pristine sandy beaches, it’s a veritable island paradise. Bring along your personalised travel essentials — like a custom travel bottle to keep hydrated as you enjoy activities like kayaking and jungle tracking; a canvas tote bag to carry your towel and a change of clothes for when you go for swimming or even a smaller drawstring pouch to keep your sunscreen, tanning oil or portable mini fan for when you just want to kick back, relax and do a little sunbathing.
Given its popularity as a tourist destination, you can find many wonderful accommodations available on the island. Some of the popular places to stay include stunning Laguna Redang Island Resort, the gorgeous and budget-friendly Coral Redang Island Resort, and ‘back-to-basic’ style Mutiara Beach Resort Redang — which provides an ideal mix of value, comfort and convenience with its chalet style lodgings.
With its serene atmosphere, friendly locals and stunning natural beauty, booking a Redang Island Package on a travel website or planning a day trip to Pulau Redang is incredibly tempting and easy to do. Undoubtedly, it’ll be an unforgettable experience that you can capture and cherish forever in photobooks, photo prints and even posters.
3. Pulau Tioman, Pahang (Tioman Island)
Pulau Tioman or Tioman Island makes for one of the most interesting places to visit in Malaysia. In 1970, Time Magazine also named Tioman Island as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world — causing an influx of visitors, which led to the island’s rapid commercialisation. You can find plenty of souvenirs like keychains, mugs, and even photo magnets at the duty-free gift shops. But if you’re looking for something a bit more one-of-a-kind, you can always personalise your own souvenirs by printing out your Tioman trip photos and turning them into stunning origami tiles, hanging canvas prints or even insta cards that you can give out to friends and family members.
Offering a unique blend of natural beauty, relaxation and adventure, this gorgeous island is home to several luxurious resorts, such as Aman Tioman Beach Resort and Tioman Island Resort. These stunning accommodations also offer a range of amenities and activities to suit all needs and budgets — ensuring you have plenty to do and experience. Visitors can also choose from a variety of Pulau Tioman packages, which often include accommodation, meals, activities and transportation, making exploration of the island even more convenient.
The island is most famous for its lush jungles and dive sites, which are brimming with colourful corals, sea fans, sea sponges, as well as shipwrecks. Aside from snorkelling, diving and jungle trekking, visitors can also explore many of the island’s picturesque villages and sample the delicious seafood cuisine.
4. Pulau Perhentian, Terengganu (Perhentian Island)
Located off the north coast of Peninsular Malaysia is the Perhentian Island (also known as Pulau Perhentian). Contrary to its name, the Perhentian Island is not a singular island. It actually consists of a group of seven captivating coral islands.
Take into consideration who you’re travelling with when you plan your holiday vacation. Whether you’re planning to travel solo, with family or with a group of friends, some islands may be better than others. For example, Perhentian Besar, is more fitting for families, while Perhentian Kecil, is more suited for younger solo travellers and backpackers. As for accommodation options on the islands, some of the most well known spots include the Perhentian Island Resort, Tuna Bay Island Resort and Samudra Beach Chalet.
As far as popular travel destinations go, Perhentian Island is still considered to be one of Malaysia’s hidden gems. Despite its popularity on social media, the islands have somehow managed to avoid attracting too much of a crowd. Thus maintaining the image of secluded charm.
So if you do visit, be sure to come prepared with your cameras as these islands are well-known for their pristine white-sand beaches, sparkling cerulean waters, and diverse marine life. Those of you who enjoy snorkelling or diving will be able to feast your eyes on an array of colourful aquatic animals — including black tip reef sharks, barracuda, blue-ringed octopus, and giant pufferfish.
Without a doubt, the Perhentian Islands offer a unique and unforgettable experience. The scenic landscapes would make for stunning home decor pieces should you decide to turn them into canvas prints, photobooks or even table top frames.
5. Pulau Kapas, Terengganu (Kapas Island)
Another postcard worthy hidden gem for travellers to visit is Kapas Island (Pulau Kapas), located off the coast of Terengganu. Measuring approximately 2.5 km long and 1 km wide, you need to take a boat to Kapas Island from the Merang Jetty in order to reach this gorgeous island with its cotton-white sand beaches, tropical landscapes and breathtaking views..
Though a little less exciting than other popular beaches in Malaysia, Kapas Island island still boasts a respectable beach-to-resort ratio, making it the perfect destination for those of you who want to unplug and spend your days lounging on jungle-backed beaches while exploring nature.
There are only a handful of modest but cosy beach resorts on the island that cater to adventurous backpackers and younger travellers. The most popular resort in Pulau Kapas is the Kapas Coral Beach Resort which offers Free Wifi. This is a pretty big deal as getting internet signals on the island is nearly impossible! Some other alternatives are the aesthetic Kapas Turtle Valley Chalet and the rustic D Seri Kapas Island Resort which offers a laid-back atmosphere. Additionally, you need to bring enough cash with you as there aren’t any ATMs on the island and only a few spots on the island accept credit cards.
While there may not be many activities aside from visiting dive sites, it is the simplicity of the island that makes it so alluring. Being able to take the time to enjoy the scenery and live in the moment is a wonderful experience that you can also revisit by creating a photobook of your Kapas Island trip. We have plenty of readybook templates to help turn your experience into a memorable story. And if you want to opt for something a little more subtle, you can also print your photos as insta cards, photo prints, photo magnets and even mugs as well.
6. Pulau Penang, Pulau Pinang (Penang Island)
Known as the ‘Pearl of the Orient’, Penang Island (Pulau Pinang) is famous for its rich history, cultural heritage, and world-famous cuisine. When in Penang, you’d be remiss to not visit George Town. There, you can enjoy taking a stroll or rickshaw ride to admire the stunning colonial buildings, historical landmarks (such as Fort Cornwallis), and beautiful temples. There are also plenty of street stalls, hipster cafes and famous eateries — like Deen Maju Nasi Kandar, Nasi Kandar Line Clear and Hameediyah Nasi Kandar in the area so you’ll be able to comfortably take breaks and recharge yourself before continuing to explore the island.
If you’d much rather spend your time at the beach, Batu Ferringhi is famous for its abundance of beach side resorts that offer plenty of water-based activities, delicious seafood restaurants and seafront night markets. Walk away with souvenirs ranging from handcrafted batik pieces, postcards, keychains, travel bottles and more. Or if you’re feeling particularly crafty, you make your own souvenirs by printing out your travel photos onto mugs, insta prints or even posters.
The sheer range of activities available on the island is mind-boggling. From exceptional shopping and culinary experiences to horse riding on the beach, visiting the Snake Temple, and taking cable car rides up to Penang Hill — there’s a little something for every kind of traveller.
The island also offers a wide range of accommodation options, including many famous hotels and resorts like Shangri-La Rasa Sayang, Hard Rock Hotel and DoubleTree Resort by Hilton. If you’re travelling on a budget, there are also plenty of comfortable boutique hotels — like Very Hotel and Kooning as well as guesthouses, capsule hotels and backpacker dorms available too.
And if you’re looking for a change of scenery, you can easily travel from Penang to the nearby Langkawi Island by flight.
7. Pulau Mabul, Sabah (Mabul Island)
Mabul Island or Pulau Mabul, located in Sabah, Malaysia, is a hidden gem and an ideal destination for a beach holiday. With its immaculate beaches fringed by coconut trees, fine white sand, and clear emerald waters, this island paradise is one of those spots that deserve to be turned into a postcard or a full-fledged coffee table photobook.
A must-visit travel destination, you can find a few unique and luxurious accommodations on the island. One of the best places to stay is the Mabul Island Resort, which offers water chalets that are built on stilts over the water. The chalet’s are equipped with all the amenities necessary for a comfortable stay and offer a stunning view of the sea.
Kayaking, snorkelling and scuba diving is a ‘must’ when visiting Mabul Island. As the island is located near the world-renowned Sipadan Island, Mabul offers one of the best dive sites globally. Its waters are home to a diverse array of marine life, including vibrant corals, turtles, and schools of fish. Divers from all over the world visit the island throughout the year in the hopes of encountering and capturing the reefs, pelagic creatures, and colourful fish, as well as the remarkable array of minute, and occasionally rare, macro marine life that flourish in the surrounding waters.
Mabul island also offers dive courses for beginners, so even if you have no prior experience, you can still enjoy the wonders of the sea. And to commemorate such a thrilling visit, you can create little mementos like a desktop plaque or table top frame to showcase the highlights from your travel adventure.
8. Pulau Langkawi, Kedah (Langkawi Island)
Langkawi Island, also known as Pulau Langkawi, can be easily accessed via a short plane ride from Penang Island or ferry boat from Kuala Kedah, Kuala Perlis, or Satun (Thailand). It is a popular tourist destination and known as the ‘Jewel of Kedah’, boasting stunning beaches, clear waters, and natural beauty. There is a wide variety of accommodations to choose from, including the luxurious Berjaya Resort Langkawi and Ritz Carlton Langkawi, both with stunning views and recreational facilities. The Bayview Langkawi Hotel, centrally located in Kuah, is an affordable option for those on a budget and is conveniently placed nearby plenty of restaurants, souvenir shops and local attractions.
Speaking of attractions, one of the must-visit attractions in Langkawi is the Underwater World Langkawi. Visitors can walk through an underwater tunnel and observe sharks, rays, and other sea creatures up close. For those of you seeking a more thrilling experience, you can visit the Langkawi Sky Bridge. Enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape while suspended 660 metres above sea level. Accessible via a scenic cable car ride, it’s an excellent place to take panoramic photos for your future travel photobook or canvas prints.
Another unique attraction is the Langkawi Skydome, which features a 360-degree immersive projection system that takes visitors on a virtual tour of the universe. For wildlife enthusiasts, the Crocodile Adventureland is an excellent place to observe these fearsome reptiles up close. Visitors can also join in on feeding sessions and take photos with baby crocodiles — definitely a memorable moment you would want to immortalise in an insta print.
Snorkelling and diving are also popular activities here — especially in popular spots such as Pulau Payar Marine Park and Tanjung Rhu Beach, where clear waters plays home to a wide range of colourful fish and corals.
9. Pulau Sipadan, Sabah (Sipadan Island)
Known throughout the world as a diver’s paradise, Sipadan Island (Pulau Sipadan) is a must-visit travel destination for anyone interested in exploring the underwater world. Located in the Celebes Sea, the crystal clear waters that surround the island are home to diverse marine life, and stunning coral reefs.
When travelling to Sipadan Island, it is important to bring the right travel essentials to ensure a comfortable and stress-free trip. Be sure to pack sunblock, insect repellent, a hat or cap, a waterproof phone case, and comfortable clothes and shoes for diving and walking on the island. Bringing a first aid kit is also a good idea, as medical facilities on the island are limited.
Another useful travel accessory to consider bringing to Sipadan is a personalised luggage tag. These tags can help you easily identify your luggage and can also help you avoid losing your luggage during transit. Plus they make for excellent souvenirs to remind yourself of your adventure!
Since there are no hotels on Sipadan Island itself, you will need to book your stays in one of the surrounding islands. One of the best places to stay is the Sipadan Water Village located on Mabul Island. Featuring beautiful Bajau architecture, this eco-friendly resort is built on stilts and offers a unique experience of living on the sea.
As mentioned before, Sipadan is a diver’s paradise and home to a diverse range of marine life. If you’re a beginner, consider booking a Sipadan diving package. Most packages include diving lessons as well as trips to gorgeous diving spots where you’ll be able to see sea turtles, schools of barracuda, and reef sharks.
10. Pulau Payar, Kedah (Payar Island)
Located not too far off Langkawi is the beautiful Payar Island, also known as Pulau Payar. It is part of a collection of four islands that make up the Pulau Payar Marine Park, alongside Pulau Kaca, Pulau Lembu, and Pulau Segantang . Out of the four islands, Payar Island is the biggest — boasting lush forests, white sand beaches and crystal clear water.
As Payar Island is an uninhabited island, be sure to pack a canvas tote bag with all your travel essentials. Remember to include a travel bottle to help keep you hydrated, some sunblock, a waterproof phone case, a change of clothes and a personalised travel towel — just so you can easily identify your belongings among a sea of others.
For those of you looking to stay for a couple of days, the Pulau Payar Resort is a great option. Located right on the beach, this modest resort provides comfy rooms and a stunning view of the sea and surrounding island. If you have nothing concrete planned for your trip, the resort also offers a variety of fun activities — including island hopping tours for snorkelling, diving packages and fishing trips.
Overall, a trip to Pulau Payar is a great way to experience the natural beauty of Malaysia. With the opportunity to snorkel, dive, and enjoy the island’s stunning beaches, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
In conclusion, Malaysia has some of the best island getaways in the world. The pristine beaches, crystal clear waters, abundant natural beauty, variety of accommodation options and various attractions make them an appealing travel destination all year round. If you’re coming in from another country, the best time to visit would be between March and October, but do expect some sporadic rainfall throughout the year due to the tropical climate. As for what to pack, we recommend bringing light, breathable clothing, as well as comfortable shoes and a rain jacket. Consider attaching personalised luggage tags to your bags to minimise the risk of your belongings getting lost in transit.
At Photobook Malaysia, we hope this post has given you some insight and inspiration on where you can spend your next holiday. And if you’d like to discover more about personalised travel essentials for your next big adventure, feel free to visit us HERE.