Top 10 most popular beaches to visit in Malaysia
There are many beautiful beaches with individual characteristics that tourists could visit in Malaysia; Some are popular among locals, and many of them topped the world’s list for best beaches. From the recent CNN’s Best 100 Beaches listing, 3 of the Malaysian beaches are in the top 50. For National Geographic Traveler, Langkawi is their pick of one of the world’s Top 10 Beaches. Need we say more?
Benefit from the tropical weather with year round sunshine and the geographical location as peninsular with seas bordering 3 sides, Malaysia features numerous long sandy beaches across the nation. For a travel blogger residing in this beautiful country for a long time, I could consider myself an insider who can justify liberally to list down here 10 most popular beaches to visit in Malaysia that found across both the West and East coast of West Peninsula, as well as the East Malaysian state of Sabah and Sarawak.
1) Pulau Perhentian
Pulau Perhentian or the Perhentian Islands are located 21 KM off the northeastern coast of West Malaysia in the state of Terengganu. The two main islands are Perhentian Besar and Perhentian Kecil. It is famous for the clear turquoise water surrounding, powdery white beaches, unspoilt jungle and windswept palms, which is a sanctuary for fishermen, migratory birds and of course, discerning holiday- makers.
2) Pulau Redang
Redang Island, locally known as Pulau Redang or just “Redang”, is one of the largest islands off the east coast of Malaysia. It is one of nine islands, which form a marine park, and which offer snorkeling and diving opportunities. Being so close to Pulau Perhentian, Redang has the same attractive beach and sea, with an opportunity to snorkel or dive for underwater corals and living.
3) Tanjung Rhu, Langkawi
Located just beyond Pantai Pasir Hitam, Tanjung Rhu has one of Langkawi’s best shorelines after Pantai Canang with crystal clear water and superbly fine sand. The area is absolutely secluded and the atmosphere is serene and peaceful. Bordered by intermittent limestone crags, Tanjung Rhu is gorgeously breathtaking and the air here is crisp, clean and cool.
4) Batu Ferringhi, Penang
One of Penang’s top 10 most popular destinations, Batu Feringghi consists of a long stretch of soft, white sandy beach along a winding road named Jalan Batu Feringghi, filled with a host of accommodation and dining options. Once being compared with Kuta in Bali and Patong in Phuket, Batu Ferringhi is famous for its night market and a range of water sports activities such as parasailing and windsurfing. The only Hard Rock Hotel in Malaysia is also here!
5) Pangkor Island
Pangkor Island is a popular local resort and can get very crowded at weekends and on public holidays. Being off the shore of Lumut town in the state of Perak, Pangkor Island has some of the west coast’s prettiest and most tranquil beaches, authentic Malaysian fishing villages that have changed little in 50 years, and some great local food (especially the seafood). For tourists’ interest, Ipoh and the Kelly’s Castle is not far away!
6) Port Dickson
Port Dickson is famous for the flat and long beach and nice seafood with countless resorts, water chalets and restaurants dotted the shore line. Situated about 90 km from Kuala Lumpur in the state of Negeri Sembilan, it takes just over an hour by car to travel from Kuala Lumpur and make it the long time favourite as a weekend getaway destination for locals.
7) Pulau Tioman
Tioman Island (Pulau Tioman in Malay) is a small island located 32 km off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia in the state of Pahang. The densely forested island is sparsely inhabited, and is surrounded by numerous coral reefs, making it a popular scuba diving spot in West Malaysia. There are also a lot of resorts and chalets around the island which has duty free status. Its beaches were depicted in the 1958 movie, South Pacific as Bali Hai. In the 1970s, TIME Magazine selected Tioman as one of the world’s most beautiful islands.
8) Cherating Beach
Cherating is a beach town in Pahang, Malaysia, located about 47 km north of Kuantan. It is the location of Asia’s first Club Mediterranee (“Club Med”). Cherating also houses a cultural village and a turtle sanctuary. One of the highlight of this beach and the reason why visitors flock in is when turtles lay their eggs between July and August each year.
9) Desaru Beach
Desaru is a coastal resort area in Southeastern Johor,Peninsular Malaysia. The small town of Bandar Penawar, about 2 km inland, serves as the area’s transport hub. Today, it’s strictly a local affair with the occasional Singaporeans thrown in: there are no chic boutiques, fancy restaurants or hip nightlife spots, but the long 22 kilometers of beach and a few resorts scattered around the area is sufficient to make up your relaxing holidays.
10) Tanjung Aru Beach
Located 6 kilometres from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Tanjung Aru is the closest beach to the city centre. As its name implies, Aru means Casuarinas trees are growing on the sand, and this is where one might get a ringside seat to the greatest sunset on earth every evening. Foodstalls serving local food and drinks are open till late at night. The Tanjung Aru beach is also home to Shangri-la’s Tanjung Aru Resort and the Kinabalu Yacht Club.
If you are planning a trip to Malaysia, read also the top places to visit in Malaysia, the top attractions of visiting Malaysia and also the top travel secrets in Kuala Lumpur. Year 2014 would be another Visit Malaysia Year and it could be the best time to travel to this country and experience yourself the true Asia! – Travel Feeder
NOTE1- About images featured: 4 of the above photos were taken by other members of Flickr, 2 of them are extracted from Tourism Malaysia website, and another 4 of them are by me.
NOTE2- External Reference: Wikipedia, Tourism Malaysia
About The Author
Cecil Lee
The author is an avid traveler and photography hobbyist who loves to share with others his travel and photo-taking experience in many popular tourist destinations around Europe, Asia and Australasia. Read the exciting stories with many photos captured on his journeys.
