There are a number of quiet islands and beaches in Malaysia that are often overlooked. From secluded coves to dramatic coral reefs, these 9 secret beaches & islands are perfect for a relaxing getaway, and they are all underrated & hidden gems!
Pulau Hujung is a small uninhabited island located within close proximity to Pulau Besar and Pulau Tengah. The only way to reach this island is through a Johor Island Hopping Tour or with a private boat.
It has white sandy beaches and crystal clear water. So clear that your boat will look as if it’s levitating above the water. Untouched by any human civilization, you can pretend that you are Robinson Crusoe for an hour or two (sans the cannibals, of course).
When we talk about Terengganu, the island that comes to our mind is almost always Pulau Redang. However, in Terengganu, there is a secret island called Pulau Tenggol that not many people know about. There are only 3 accommodations on this island and they are Tenggol Coral Beach Resort, Tenggol Island Beach Resort and Tenggol Resort.
Unexpectedly, it is also one of the best islands for scuba diving. Because there aren't many people visiting this island, the corals are all in healthy and pristine condition. March to October would be the best time to dive here, with visibility being the best in October.
This island has a marine park, which is dense with marine life, all thanks to the artificial reef in the design of the Coat of arms of Johor. This unique reef was the idea of Sultan Ibrahim Ismail ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar of Johor. Pulau Mensirip is an uninhabited island that makes a perfect one-day trip for scuba diving, but there is a catch. It is a private island owned by the Sultan of Johor, and one needs to apply for permission to visit the island.
However, no worries as you can easily get special permission from resorts at the nearby islands or Mersing Jetty. There is also an 📮underwater post box, but not sure if the postmen will dive in to retrieve the 📩letters there, so post at your own risk!
Another privately owned island by the sultan of Johor, Pulau Harimau’s biggest attractions is the caverns and beautiful view from the lighthouse on top of the hill. The clear and dazzling water with high clarity is perfect for 🤿snorkelling and scuba diving.
Even the act of simply dipping and swimming around makes a refreshing experience, especially around the cavern. You can visit this uninhabited island through an island hopping tour around Johor.
With only 1 resort on the island, Tengah Island is one of the most luxurious private islands in Malaysia. The Batu Batu Resort serves as the only accommodation on the island for visitors. On this island, it’s all about enjoying and giving back to nature. You can join their conservation effort by volunteering with the TIC programmes or even adopting a turtle nest! Moreover, if you go during the end of October, you can find turtles coming up to the shore to lay 🥚eggs.
The island is not crowded, and if you come during the monsoon season, you can almost have the entire island to yourself! Besides scuba diving and snorkelling, you can also hike around the island. At night you can sit on the balcony and enjoy ⭐stargazing.
P.s: Make sure to bring insect repellent as there might be sand flies and other insects.
A nice secluded beach for a relaxing and uninterrupted me-time. Pelindung Beach is also a perfect spot to catch the 🌅sunrise and 🏄♂️surf.
If you are craving more vitamin D, come in the PM when the sunshine is not blocked by the tall trees and the sea breeze is the strongest.
A ⭐5-star beach with fine white sand and a beautiful skyline, Kalampunian Beach is a hidden gem in Kudat, Sabah. One interesting thing about this beach is the fishes swimming in the shallow water.
The awesome scenery, especially during sunset, makes it the perfect spot for 📸Instagram-frenzy people out there. This beach is not popular among tourists, so you can almost enjoy the entire beach yourself.
Located within 7 mins walking distance from Kalampunian Beach, this beach is simply stunning with its fine white sandy beach and crystal clear water. The strong sea wind makes it perfect for a stroll, especially on a 🥵hot day.
There are also small huts here for those who want to enjoy a picnic session with family and friends.
In Manjung, Perak, there is a 6km long beach called Pantai Pasir Panjang, making it the longest beach in the Manjung district. The shady trees and undisturbed fine sandy beach provide an ideal place for turtles to come and lay their eggs. Snapping turtles and loggerhead turtles are among the species of turtles that lay their 🥚eggs here.
The strong 🌊waves throughout the year and deep sea make it unsuitable for 🏊♂️swimming. So most visitors can come here to enjoy the view, picnic, visit the turtle sanctuary, collect 🐚seashells or play with 🪁kites. You can even see 🦀baby crabs making holes in the sand. Some people even come here to 🐟fish!
So has your inner Jack Sparrow awakened? If you are feeling adventurous, remember to explore these 9 secret beaches and islands in Malaysia because they are underrated and hidden gems waiting for an explorer like you to discover!
