It’s not unusual for Malaysian Islands to be outshined by its Southeast Asian neighbors. Yes, we all know Thailand is filled with pristine islands and Bali is calling, but so are over 800 islands spread throughout Malaysia.
Some of these islands are nothing short of amazing: white soft sandy beaches, jungle treks, and colorful reefs filled with turtles and sharks set the scene for a perfect tropical getaway. There’s no reason not to extend your stay beyond Kuala Lumpur and include at least one Malaysian island on your itinerary!
From Langkawi to Tioman, here are the 7 Must-Visit islands in Peninsular Malaysia:
1. Langkawi
The Sharpay Evans of Malaysian Islands, Langkawi is the most popular tropical getaway in the country. Made up of 99 islands, the archipelago is home to lush jungles, turquoise waters, and beautiful karst formations.
Whether you’re a backpacker on a budget, a digital nomad seeking a new paradise to call home, or a luxury traveler, Langkawi has something for everyone.
Read more: What to Do in Langkawi – 15 Bucket List Activities
Pros 👍
- Plenty of activities for all budgets
- Plenty of accommodation options
- Great Internet speed
Cons 👎
- Water is not so clear for snorkeling or diving
- Very touristy
- No public transportation. Taxi is the only way to get around.
☀️ Best time to visit: November to April, with January to March being the months with the best weather: sunny and warm, perfect for outdoor activities.
✈️ How to get to Langkawi: Ferry services are available from Kuala Kedah and Kuala Perlis in Malaysia and Satun and Koh Lipe in Thailand. You can also reach Langkawi by catching a flight directly to the island.
Book your ferry to Langkawi here >
💰 Is Langkawi budget-friendly? You can visit Langkawi on a budget or as a luxury traveler – the island has it all! We visited on a budget of €25 per person per day including activities and had a great time here.
Read more: Langkawi: Your Go-to Guide to Malaysia’s #1 Island
2. Pangkor Island
Still on the West Coast is one of the best well-kept secrets of Peninsular Malaysia: Pangkor Island. This paradisiac archipelago is located only a 4-hour ride north of Kuala Lumpur and it is still free from big commercial resorts and large-scale tourism, meaning you can still experience its pristine nature without breaking the bank.
Pros 👍
- Very local experience!
- You can rent a scooter to explore the island (international driving license required)
- Very quiet and relaxing
Cons 👎
- Gets very crowded with locals during weekends and holidays
- No public transportation
☀️ Best time to visit: January to February, and June to mid-September for the best dry and sunny weather.
✈️ How to get to Pangkor Island: Ferries depart every hour or so from the small towns of Lumut or Marina Island, and the journey takes around 30-45 minutes depending on sea conditions.
Book your ferry to Pangkor Island here >
💰 Is Pangkor Island budget-friendly? Yes! You can go as cheap as 30 euros per person per day including activities. Even less if you opt for having street food only during your stay.
Read more: Pangkor Island Travel Guide – Malaysia’s Best-Kept Secret Island
Hot tip: if you’re willing to splurge, we highly recommend staying at least two nights at Pangkor Laut Resort. The resort is located on a private island and is an experience on its own! Read our complete review here.
3. Perhentian Islands
Laid-back and relaxed, with no motorized vehicles whatsoever, and with turtles swimming all around them, the Perhentian Islands are the perfect tropical getaway!
Located right off the northeast coast of Malaysia the two islands, Perhentian Besar and Perhentian Kecil, offer some of the best underwater experiences in the country.
Pros 👍
- Clearest water ever! Perfect place for snorkeling and diving
- Real tropical getaway
- Not overly crowded
- Small enough you can walk everywhere
Cons 👎
- Budget accommodations are not the best
- Almost no internet and phone service
☀️ Best time to visit: March to October, with June to August being the peak season.
Important: From mid-November to mid-March, the islands close. All resorts and tourist services stop operating here during the monsoon season.
✈️ How to get to Perhentian Islands: Getting to the Perhentian Islands involves a two-step journey: first reaching the Kuala Besut jetty on the mainland, and then taking a boat to the islands, which takes about 30 to 45 minutes.
Book your ferry to Perhentian Islands here >
💰 Are the Perhentian Islands budget-friendly? If you’re willing to ditch the air conditioner for a few days then you can visit it on a budget as low as €25 per person per day (not including diving).
Hot tip: A great way to save money and still go diving is by purchasing a 3D2N diving package with accommodation included in one of the diving resorts on the island. Angel Diver has some pretty good ones starting at around RM 500 (~ €100).
Read more: Perhentian Islands – The ULTIMATE Travel Guide
4. Redang Island
Located just a few kilometers South of the Perhentian Islands, Redang Island shares the same breathtaking landscape: crystal clear waters and (almost blinding) bright white sand beaches. It’s gorgeous!
The main island of Redang is part of a 9 islands archipelago surrounded by a protected marine park, one of the most sought-after snorkeling and diving destinations in peninsular Malaysia.
Pros 👍
- Some of the most beautiful beaches in the country
- Top-notch snorkeling and diving experiences!
- Very lively at night
- Not so many Western tourists
Cons 👎
- Resort Island
- More expensive than usual
- Wifi is usually only available in the Lobby area of resorts
☀️ Best time to visit: Redang and Perhentian Islands share the same seasons, so the best time to visit is also March to October, with June to August being the peak season.
Important: Redang Island is also closed from mid-November to mid-March.
✈️ How to get to Redang Island: You first need to reach the town of Kuala Terengganu, from where you can take a one-and-a-half-hour ferry to Redang. Alternatively, you can take a 30-minute taxi to Merang Jetty, from where the boat ride to Redang only takes 45 minutes.
Book your ferry to Redang Island here >
💰 Is Redang budget-friendly? Compared to the other islands in peninsular Malaysia, no. It is a deluxe destination and finding budget accommodation here can be a challenge. A realistic budget including paid activities would start at 60-80 euros a day per person.
Hot tip: Just like in the Perhentians, you can save money and still go diving by purchasing a 3D2N diving package with accommodation included in one of the diving resorts on the island. You can find some pretty good options starting at around RM 950 (~ €190). Snorkeling packages are also available and start at RM 600 (~ €120).
Book a luxury 3D2N package to Redang Island here >
5. Kapas Island
Kapas Island is one of what we’d consider Malaysia’s best-kept secrets! Still not under the usual traveler’s radar, this tiny island is usually found empty and quiet for most of the year. If you’re looking for a peaceful and relaxing paradisiacal destination, Kapas Island is just it.
Pros 👍
- You’ll feel like you have the island to yourself
- Really easy to get to
- Good enough snorkeling and diving
Cons 👎
- No infrastructure except for the hotels
- No ATMs – bring cash!
- Very basic meals – bring snacks!
☀️ Best time to visit: the best time to visit Kapas Island is from April to August, and similar to the other islands mentioned above, Kapas Island closes from October to February.
✈️ How to get to Kapas Island: From Kuala Terengganu, take a 30-minute taxi to Merang Jetty, from where ferries depart to Kapas Island around 5 times a day. The journey takes only 20-30 minutes.
Book your ferry to Kapas Island here >
💰 Is Kapas Island budget-friendly? If you’re ok with camping, then this is an extremely inexpensive destination! If not, then a good budget including a snorkeling trip is around €35 per person per day (not including diving).
Hot tip: You can arrange very cheap 2D1N and 3D2N packages including air-con rooms, meals, a snorkeling trip, and the ferry to and from through the Kapas Island official website (contact them via the WhatsApp icon).
6. Rawa Island
Just like Koh Lipe is considered the Maldives of Thailand, and Koh Rong the Maldives of Cambodia, Rawa Island is considered the Maldives of Malaysia.
This teeny-tiny island is located just 16 km off the coast of Mersing, Johor. Only two resorts dot the white sandy island and its surroundings are filled with colorful coral reefs and protected marine life. It’s a just-remote-enough option for a tropical getaway!
Pros 👍
- Great snorkeling and diving!
- Small enough you can walk everywhere
Cons 👎
- Very expensive
- Nothing to do besides enjoying the beach and going snorkeling/diving
☀️ Best time to visit: March to October, with June to August being the peak season.
✈️ How to get to Rawa Island: You’ll need to arrange your boat transfer with the respective resort in advance. Speedboats depart from the town of Mersing and the journey takes about 20-30 minutes only.
💰 Is Rawa Island budget-friendly? Not really. From all of the islands mentioned in this post, this is the only one you most definitely can’t visit on a budget. A night here at one of the resorts starts at 250 euros and not per room… per person.
Book a 3D2N or 4D3N package to Rawa Island here >
7. Tioman Island
One of the many gems on the east coast of Malaysia, Tioman is every diver’s dream come true: an isolated island, surrounded by coral reefs packed with all sorts of fish and other marine life. Even if you’re not a diver, snorkeling experiences, jungle hikes, and paradisiacal beaches await you here!
Pros 👍
- Pristine beaches
- Clear waters, top-notch diving experience
- Chance to see the release of turtle hatchlings into the sea
Cons 👎
- Hard to get to and get around
- Almost no internet and phone service
- Expensive
☀️ Best time to visit: March to October, with June to August being the peak season.
✈️ How to get to Tioman Island: We’ll admit this isn’t the easiest of places to reach. A 2-hour long ferry leaves the continent from the towns of Mersing and Tanjung Gemok, both of which you guessed it: have no airport. You have to reach them first by bus or car before taking the ferry.
Book your ferry to Tioman Island here >
💰 Is Tioman Island budget-friendly? If you’re used to the daily budget of 25-35 euros when visiting islands in Malaysia, then no. Tioman definitely holds a higher price tag. A realistic budget including one paid activity here would start at 50 euros a day per person.
Hot tip: A great way to save money when visiting Tioman is to volunteer! Worldpackers offers quite a few volunteering options on the island, most of them in big resorts. We met a volunteer during our stay at Tunamaya Resort and she had free accommodation and food and joined most of their tours for free too.
