It would be an impossible task to describe every one of Malaysia's
thousands of beautiful beaches. Ranging
from
the powdery stretches of sand that characterize the eastern coastline of
Peninsular Malaysia to the black sand beach of Pantai Pasir Hitam and the
smooth pebble beach of Pantai Batu Kerikil, Malaysia's shores offer more
idyllic locales than one could explore in many lifetimes. In addition to the
plenitude of beaches along the the peninsula and the coast of Eastern
Malaysia, the country also possesses over a hundred tropical islands. Many
of these are so beautiful as to have entered into legend centuries ago, like
the islands of Langkawi remain desert isles, marked , or Pulau Tioman.
Others only by the imprint of the South China Sea on their sands.
Despite such abundance and variety, Malaysia's beaches are noticeably
different from those in other parts of the world. They are often less
differentiated from the shoreline than those of the Caribbean, for example,
tending instead to be almost nestled up against the lush forests that this
nation is famous for. The color palette is different as well--golden sands
and emerald waters imbue Malaysian beaches with an air of succulent
sweetness that isn't found in the cool whites and blues of many western
strands. The result is that these beaches impart a very different sensation,
a sense of languid peace and a distinct feeling that the division between
land and sea is less a sharp line than a smooth continuum.

This continuity is noticeable in Malay culture as well. Kelongs, the
traditional villages of coastal Malaysia, are built out over the water on
stilts, reversing the usual notion of a beach view. Exploring the waters of
Malaysia can produce a similar sense that the sea rather than the land is
dominant here--cruising among the islands of Langkawi or those off Johor,
for example, or scuba diving and snorkeling among the country's many
world-class reefs.
Aur Island - The island, along with Pulau Dayang, Pulau Lang and
Pulau Pinang, are rated among the best diving destinations within the Johor
Marine Park Area. The deeper waters around the area ensure good visibility
and variety of marine life. Dive trips can be booked at most dive shops on
any of the islands. The rich pelagic action also attracts numerous sport
fishermen, hoping to try their luck with the marlins or sailfish outside the
marine park island. Many private yachts anchor at the calm waters between
Pulau Aur and Pulau Dayang.
Besar Island - Pulau Besar (Besar Island), one of the finest
islands on the South China Sea off the coast of Mersing,
Johor, Malaysia. The island is located
within a marine park with crystal clear water ideal for snorkeling, diving,
water sports activities and it is indeed the paradise resort. Pulau Besar (Besar
Island) is among a string of beautiful islands on the South China Sea off
the East Coast of Johor, Malaysia. The Island is only 13 km(8 miles) form
Mersing and a leisurely boat ride to the resort takes about an hour. Besar
Island, Johor Malaysia is most famous for it part as one of the location and
accommodation for the filming of the Expedition Robinson series. When you
visit Besar Island you get to see the locations and exhibits of the
Expedition Robinson.
Kapas Island - With soft sandy golden beaches and azure-green
clean water, you will definitely have a thought of what you enjoy next.
Almost everything can be arranged, jungle-tracking, fishing, canoeing,
snorkeling or scuba diving, or maybe you can just simply laze in the sun. If
you like, you can also enjoy surfing and kayaking a neat and enjoyable way
of exercising! Walking along the beach seems to be a good idea and if you
are interested, you can collect a variety of wonderful sea shells of various
shapes and sizes, or maybe catch a glimpse of wildlife such as birds and
lizards!
Lang Tengah Island or Pulau Lang Tengah off the coast of
Terengganu is one of the nation's
well-kept secrets. Its arresting beauty can easily captivate you while you
are there. Crystal clear sea-water, pristine beaches and untouched tropical
jungle. Its arresting beauty lingers forever in your memory. An island you
can call your own, private and tranquil. Take a stroll along the
whitewashed, sandy beaches or bath in the sun for that coveted golden tan.
Explore the wonders of nature, and you'll be surprised of what you'll
discover.
Langkawi Island -
Langkawi, part of yet situated just off the coast of Kedah, is actually made
up of 99 islands. The largest of which is Pulau Langkawi, while some of the
others appear to be mere dots in the emerald green ocean when viewed from
the air. Langkawi offers natural attractions unsurpassed by any other in the
region. Those who love a tropical island holiday and a place far from the
maddening crowd will find their haven in Langakawi Island. The outstanding
natural landscapes of the Langkawi Islands proclaim them a true tropical
paradise. Besides its whites sandy beaches and limestone hills, its lush
vegetation filled with exotic flora and fauna would attract natural lovers.
Lankayan Island - A jewel- like tiny island in the Sulu Sea and hour
and a half boat ride's north of Sandakan, Lakayan is soon to be declared
part of an immense Marine Protected Area. Unpopulated and covered by think
tropical island vegetation on its topside, this peaceful, untouched bit of
paradise is ringed by an endless pure white sandy beach.
Layang-Layang Island - Layang – Layang, known as “Swallows Reef” is
an atoll situated in the South China Sea, 300 km north of
Kota Kinabalu. The island is man made
and was constructed for the Malaysian Navy and later developed for the Dive
Resort, Layang – Layang Island Resort. This isolated resort is accessed by
regular flights from Kota Kinabalu to the Island’s airstrip. The extreme
location, the pristine reefs, excellent visibility, steep walls that drop
down to 2000 metres and regular sightings of pelagics have all given Layang
– Layang a much deserved reputation of being one of the top dive locations
in the world. Also known as 'The Jewel of the Borneo Banks', Layang - Layang
is truly a magical marine kingdom of bottomless blue, decorated with a
kaleidoscope of nature's most lavish seascape. In order to receive ultimate
diving conditions, Layang Layang is operational from March to October of
each year.
Mabul Island - Mabul is located some 25 minutes north of Sipadan
Island, this island offers a different world of diving opportunities from
most other diving locations. Here is a macro diving paradise where you will
be able to find rare macro world inhabitants hard to find at other dive
sites.
Mantanani Island - Mantanani is a group of 3 isolated islands
northwest of Kota Belud, or about an hour's drive from the state capital of
Kota Kinabalu. Although only
approximately an hour's boat ride by speedboat from the mainland, the
islands are a reminder of an earlier and simpler place and time. Time slows
down here amidst the crystal clear blue waters lapping on white sandy
beaches.
Mataking Island - Mataking is located on the east coast of
Sabah not far from the more renowned island
of Sipadan and Mabul. It is one of the latest additions on the diving map of
Sabah and is fast becoming a divers haven due to its largely unexplored
diving sites. Located to the north of Mabul Island, Mataking is about 3
times the size of Sipadan and is only a 40 minutes boat ride away from the
town of Semporna on mainland Sabah.
Pangkor Island - Pangkor
Island, the paradise island, is one of the famous and well known islands in
Malaysia. It is located approximately 90 km southwest of Ipoh. Pangkor
Island is an idyllic and beautiful island resort for a carefree and relaxing
holiday. Its natural scenery of green hills and palm-fringed beaches of fine
white sand lapped by the warm blue waters of the Straits of Malacca is truly
magnificent.
Perhentian Islands - Located at South China Sea east coast of Malaysia,
the Perhentian group of islands consists of Perhentian Besar and Perhentian
Kecil. Situated 108 km from Kuala Terengganu (1.5 Hours) and 54 km from Kota
Bharu (1 Hours). The boat journey of about 30 minute by speedboat and 1.5
hours by slow boat.
Pulau Island - Pulau Tiga National Park was established by Malaysia
in 1985 to protect the uninhabited island of Pulau Tiga and its adjacent
coral reef-filled sea plus two adjacent islands (Pulau Kalampunian Besar and
Pulau Kalampunian Damit - also known as 'Snakes Island'. The islands were
believed to have been formed by the eruption of several mud volcanoes, which
expelled muddy sediment that built up the island to its present height of
approx 100 m above sea level. Warm mud still continues to ooze from these
geothermal vents on the island. Though it's mostly a low-lying island, Pulau
Tiga's highest peak is approximately 330 feet tall. The island is now about
2.8 miles long and 1 mile wide, with a total of eight square miles.
Rawa Island - About 30 minutes from Mersing Jetty on a speed boat.
Mersing is the main gateway point for visitors going to islands off the
coast of Johor as well as
Tioman Island.
The island itself looks like a giant bare boulder rock from far away, due to
its lack of vegetation. Nonetheless, visitors will be amazed when looking at
the beach. The water is extremely crystal-clear and inviting. This is the
only beach on Rawa - the island's opposite side is rocky and not accessible.
Redang Island is a scuba diver's paradise. Located 50km from the
mainland and a 2 hour boat ride from the Marang Jetty, the island is
surrounded by crystal clear waters, pearly white shores, a colorful array of
spectacular marine life, a breathtaking sunset, and what could be the
world's most mature coral garden. The park is arguable among the best diving
spots in the world where marine life is protected and souvenir hunters are
liable for prosecution. This paradise-like island is perfect for swimming,
snorkeling, scuba diving, jungle trekking, fishing, boating, and canoeing.
Sibu Island - The Sibu archipelago has almost the same magical charm
and brilliance as celebrated by Pulau Rawa and Pulau Tioman. The island
consists of Pulau Sibu Besar, Pulau Sibu Tengah, Pulau Sibu Hujung, Pulau
Kukus, and Pulau Tinggi. Pulau Sibu forms part of the Seribuat chain of
islands and lies 12 kilometres off the east coast of the West Peninsular of
Malaysia. The island is shaped like a triangular hour glass, about 6
kilometres long and never more than one kilometre wide it's whole length.
You can walk from one resort to the other by jungle trekking. The abundance
of marine life makes it a terrific spot for recreational diving and
snorkeling, angling and water sports like canoeing, windsurfing, sailing,
yachting, cruising and island hoping.
Sipadan Island - In the northeast of Borneo, in the borderland
between Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines there are three world-class dive
destinations located within sight of each other. Sipadan is the legendary
island of the turtles, Kapalai with a resort built on stilts in the middle
of the sea, and Mabul - an enchanting island where every coconut tree has
its own number.
Tenggol Island - Pulau Tenggol is about one hour by speedboat from
Kuala Dungun (a small coastal town 145 kilometres north of Kuantan,
Pahang). The waters are among the deepest
in east coast Peninsular Malaysia with most dive sites bottoming out at 30
metres. Large rocky outcrops and the boulder-like terrain dominate the
seascape. The Tenggol group of islands is the most southerly of Terengganu's
Marine Parks. It consists of Pulau Tenggol, Pulau Nyireh (Nyireh Island),
Tokong Timur, Tokong Talang, Tokong Burung and Tokong Kemudi.
The main island, Pulau Tenggol, is about 50ha. in size and is one of the
most beautiful and serene islands off Peninsular Malaysia's east coast. It
is also famous for its spectacular rocky cliffs that offer many excellent
dive sites. Here, one can find pristine coral formations and a number of
submerged rocks with excellent coral growths. The deep waters surrounding
the island offer good visibility especially during the months of April until
June.
Tioman Island - Tioman is the biggest and most impressive island at
the east coast. There is a brisk jungle covers a ridge on the west section
of the island, which ends at the idyllic location of a beautiful palm
fringed beach. Tioman offers a wide range of activities for visitors:
snorkeling in crystal clear water, discover the beautiful underwater world
when you go diving, or just laze on the beach while you work on that tan.
Also, there is a jungle on the island that is just begging to be explored.
The dense forest is a habitat for many kinds of flora and fauna.
|