Print this article if you're a tour operator, accommodation provider or touristAn Introduction
Although Malaysia offers a spectacle of adventurous, cultural and natural sites, the beaches off the eastern coast of Peninsular Malaysia are no doubt amongst the most spectacular in Asia. Within comfortable travelling distance from the capital of Kuala Lumpur, the east coast offers long stretches of pristine white sandy beaches and turquoise waters in which to plunge into and discover the untainted underworld of the eastern Malaysian coast.
There are numerous magnificent beaches and resorts, but here are amongst the five best beaches and resorts you may like to try out on your next holiday to Malaysia.
Redang Island
Redang is the first of the list, and most expensive of the east coast islands, but it really is a unique spot for those in quest of paradise on earth. The island is hardly inhabited, apart from those who work at the gorgeous island resorts, which is why it still maintains much of its pristine qualities.
Snorkelling is a must if you are not a scuba diver, as you do not need to dive deep to see the multi-coloured underwater species teeming in the crystal clear waters, including turtles, manta rays and other larger marine life specimens. Turtle Beach, located on the northern tip of the island is where these rare animals lay their eggs and is a protected area, offering a rare spectacle of nature’s beauty.
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The crystal clear emerald waters of the South China Sea wash the sandy enclaves of the Berjaya Redang Beach Resort (pictured), MalaysiaExplorer.net's top-pick accommodation for its unrivalled beauty, lucious palm trees, stunning beach and first-class facilities. Also find a host of activities and pursuits nearby including a world class dive school for underwater explorers of all ability levels! |
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Tioman Island
Tioman Island is one of Malaysia’s protected marine park islands and is a haven for those who enjoy exploring the underwater world. The north coast offers a vast area of coral reef barrier, where an incredible number of tropical fish can be admired by a quick swim from the shore.
The island is located just off the coast of south east Malaysia, and can be easily reached from both Singapore and the Malaysian mainland. You can fly to the island with Berjaya Air’s regular flights or arrive to the island by the ferry service from mainland Malaysia.
Tioman is also noteworthy for it's distinctive resort cabins built into the island's cliff-faces. This provides an extra-special and quaint experience for guests!
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Hidden yet sprawling private beauty. Japamala Resort (pictured) on Tioman Island features authentic and rugged lodges built into beachside cliff-faces. But don't let the rustic charm fool you - luxury awaits with pools, decks, dining and more. All guests are indulged with private beach and impeccable service, recognized with a MalaysiaExplorer.net top-pick recommendation. |
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The Perhentian Islands
The Perhentian Islands are smaller islands north of Redang, which offer a truly unique site of untainted beaches and wildlife species. There are budget options for accommodation, such as beach huts with magnificent locations right on the shore and plenty of snorkelling and scuba diving activities and centres, should you wish to try out the thrilling experience of scuba diving.
On the west coast of Malaysia tourism is more developed but there are still many splendid beaches and plenty of water activities to enjoy right here.
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Pangkor Island
This island is the closest to the capital and can be easily reached by car. There are several beaches you can explore on the island, as well as numerous large resorts for all budgets. The Pangkor Beach Resort is the ideal place for a relaxing and exclusive weekend on the beach, but if you really want to lavish on style and luxury then you should head for Pangkor Laut, a private island resort that offers a breathtaking location, scattered with magnificent on-the-water bungalows and first class service.
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A view across MalaysiaExplorer.net's top-pick resort: the idyllic, old-world charm of Pangkor Laut Beach Resort (pictured) |
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Borneo and it's pristine beaches
Borneo is an island located across the South China Sea that shares its borders between Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei. This pristine location offers the perfect escapade for nature lovers and marine life enthusiasts. The Similajau National Park, situated on the west of the island, boasts the splendid beaches of Turtle Beach and Golden Beach, both turtle nesting sanctuaries. This nature reserve also includes a wide variety of tropical wildlife both on land and underwater, with the backdrop of verdant jungle vegetation gurgling with streams and waterfalls.
Sarawak and its Nature Parks are also the ideal locations to jungle trek and spot bird life and other wildlife, or simply laze on the pristine beaches.
If you are a serious scuba diver, then head for Sipadan on the east side of Borneo, which is no doubt the best diving site in Malaysia. This island is a Protected Environmental Reserve and there is a limit of the number of divers that can access the protected area each day. This renders a diving experience in Sipadan truly amazing. On your dives you can be sure to spot hawksbill turtles, greenbacks, manta rays, barracudas and you may even be lucky to see whale sharks and hammerheads.
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Photo Credits: jlastras, Adam Fletcher, Jason Cartwright and cgreb
