23 Islands to Explore in Malaysia

Besar island is an island in Mersing District, Johor, Malaysia. The island, which is surrounded by Rawa, Sibu and Tinggi Island, is characterized by quiet, clean beaches of powdery white sand and crystal-clear azure waters.

Dayang Island is located on the east side of Johor Bahru, Johor. It is one of a group of islands along with Pulau Aur, Pulau Lang, and Pulau Pemanggil. This is a small island that offers a private holiday with the two resorts available on the island. Being the furthest island in West Malaysia.

Pulau Duyong is a river island in the mouth of Terengganu River in the state of Terengganu, Malaysia. Previously, it was divided into Pulau Duyong Besar and the smaller Pulau Duyong Kecil, but sedimentation and reclamation have united it as well as changed its coastline substantially. A seaward extension has been developed into the Heritage Bay Resort which hosts the annual Monsoon Cup yacht race.

Gaya is the largest island in the Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park and is covered with dense tropical forest. Several ridges rise more than 600 feet (180 m), peaking at 1,000 feet (300 m), along the backbone of Gaya Island.

Jerejak Island is an islet off the eastern coast of Penang Island in the State of Penang, Malaysia. Located within the Northeast Penang Island District, it is also a short ferry ride from the town of Bayan Lepas near the southeastern tip of Penang Island. It was formerly the main leper asylum for the Straits Settlements. It is one of the beautiful islands in Malaysia.

Kapas Island is located nearby the city of Kuala Terengganu in the eastern part of the peninsula. Kapas Island is only 2 kilometers long and 1 kilometer wide. It is a tiny island that travelers mainly visit for relaxation, sunbathing, diving and especially snorkeling as the corals around Kapas are very nice.

Lang Tengah Island is located between the two very popular tropical islands Perhentian and Redang northeast of the Peninsular Malaysia. Compared to Perhentian and Redang it is a small island, people mainly visit the island to dive and snorkel.

A small tropical coral resort island popular for its aquatic life. Green and hawksbill sea turtles make this island a key nesting spot in the Sulu Sea.

Mabul is a small island off the south-eastern coast of Sabah in Malaysia. Mabul is arguably one of the richest single destinations for exotic small marine life anywhere in the world.

Malacca Island is a man-made island in Malacca City, Malacca, Malaysia. Malacca Island, Malaysia’s first “Twin Island City Centre”, is undertaken by Pulau Kembar Sdn Bhd. A 98.999%-owned subsidiary of Talam. This waterfront development project involves the reclamation of two islands.

A group of three small islands popular for recreational diving. There are three dive wrecks dating from the Second World War is present in the area here.

Out of the five islands making up Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park, Manukan Island is the most popular island and features the most developed tourist facilities. It is covered in dense vegetation and has hiking trails.

The name of the island comes from the Thai 'Pang Ko', which means Beautiful Island. Pangkor Island lies within the state of Perak, about 85 kilometers from Ipoh (the 2nd biggest city of Malaysia), and about a 3-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur.

Pulau Kukup is one of the largest uninhabited mangroves in the world. It is also the only one situated in Johor waters. The park is an important stopover site for migratory waterbirds undertaking the perilous journey along the East Asian – Australasian Flyway. The mudflats that surround the park are productive feeding grounds for these birds during low tide, whereas the mangroves provide a safe place for them to roost.

Pom Pom Island also known as “Pulau Pom Pom” is located in the Celebes Sea in Sabah. It is probably one of the most beautiful islands on the planet for both divers and non-divers.The marine biodiversity of Pom Pom Island is rich with many rare and uncommon species.

Sibu Island is an island group in Mersing District, Johor, Malaysia. It consists of several islands, namely Sibu Besar Island, Sibu Tengah Island, Sibu Kukus Island and Sibu Hujung Island. There are four main beaches on the eastern side of Sibu. Sibu Besar, the main island, is approximately 6 km long and 1 km wide, and for the most part covered by tropical vegetation. One of the popular tourist attraction in Malaysia.

One of three islands dedicated to green and hawksbill turtle conservation, and the only island which permits visitors to view turtles nesting and hatchlings being released. One of the rare places in the world where turtles arrive 365 days per year to nest.

Rawa Island is a coral island in Mersing District, Johor, Malaysia. Nearby islands include Harimau and Mensirip. "Rawa" is the local term for white doves, which are abundant on the island. One side of the island is a beach covered with white sand, while the other side has a rocky vertical cliff. The water is clear. There are many sea and land creatures in this island.

Redang Island is situated off the coast of Terengganu and it has been a popular destination for as long as one remembers when it comes to diving, snorkeling and enjoying the sandy beaches and clear waters. Redang Island, or Pulau Redang, is part of the protected marine areas, also known as Terengganu Marine Park, which is meant to conserve the ecosystem and biodiversity of flora and fauna of the island.

Formed by living corals growing on top of an extinct volcanic cone that took thousands of years to develop. Sipadan is located at the heart of the Indo-Pacific basin, the centre of one of the richest marine habitats in the world. More than 400 species of fish and hundreds of coral species have been classified in this ecosystem. Sipadan Island was at the top of Rodale's Scuba Diving Magazine Gold List for 'The Top Dive Destination in the World.