Take your pick from one of these four beach destinations in Malaysia.
Thailand is blessed with some of the world’s best beaches. Beach-worshippers near and far flock to them to soak up the sun and to cool off in the waters. Although it would be nearly impossible to exhaust the country’s large swathe of sandy shores, you may just fancy travelling a bit further afield. Thailand’s neighbour Malaysia is also the proud owner of a stack of picture postcard beaches. Plus with the abundance of budget airlines operating out of Thailand to Malaysia, getting there couldn’t be easier so we have given you a quick round up of our top four Malaysian beaches.
1. Langkawi.
Langkawi is a world famous Malaysian beach. Nestled up on the north west coast on the Andaman Sea and bordering neighbouring Thailand, this glistening island is in fact made of up an archipelago of 104 islands. Best visited between November and May due to lower humidity and lots of sunny days, it is also is fortunate to receive less rainfall compared to the eastern coast of Malaysia meaning that it can be visited pretty much year round although September to November are the wettest. One downside to Langkawi is that top end resorts occupy some of the best coves on this island meaning that you cannot enjoy them unless you are a guest. However the island has access to some great diving and snorkelling site namely Palau Payar Marine Park, so there is good reason why people continue to flock here and its picture perfect beaches.
2. Tioman Island.
If you are looking for something a little less developed then head to Tioman on the eastern coast. Just 32 kilometres of the mainland it is a mecca for those who love the outdoors with lots of trekking opportunities in the jungle. Golf is an abundance here but if dry land isn’t your thing then dive down to the Tioman Marine Park to explore the underwater world. There is a good range of accommodation on the island dependent on your needs each with its own vibe. A word of warning, monitor lizards can be found on Tioman as well as monkeys who have a particular liking for golf balls.
3. Perhentian Islands.
This group of five islands have become part of the backpacker route. Translated to ‘the place to stop’, many who make the journey to the Perhentian Islands find themselves staying for sometime and not wanting to leave. Situated on the northeastern corner of Malaysia there it is not surprising that these white sandy beaches and clear waters have become so popular. Subsequently a host of budget accommodation has popped up but there is still some family friendly options if you are wanting to get away from the party action. To reach these blissful Malaysian beaches you can fly from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Bharu or Kuala Terengganu in just 45 minutes, then travel for between an hour to an hour and half to reach the jetty at Kuala Besut. Overland is also possible if time is on your side.
4. Similajau National Park.
Should you be seeking jungle and beach then travelling to the Similajau National Park on Sarawak is well worth it. Here you should be able to spot dolphins, gibbons, turtles, macaques, a plethora of bird species, plus lush forests and waterfalls. You can even watch turtles lay their eggs on the beach with a valid permit. It is a bit of a trek to reach via a flight to Bintulu and then a 45 minute journey by land but this is a true hidden gem of Malaysian beaches. Head between April and September for the best weather and to see turtles between March and September. Accommodation comes in the form of campsites and hostels, plus there is also a café.
