For several years now, the white beaches of Malaysia have been attracting millions of tourists to this continental island country like a magnet. Surrounded by the Strait of Malacca, the Andaman and South China Seas, the state differs from its neighbors in its unspoilt nature, cleanliness and beautiful landscapes. Which islands have the best beaches in Malaysia and when to fly to catch the warmest rays of the sun? For more information, see this article.
Long Beach, Perhentians
Located in the Gulf of Thailand, Perhentiana Archipelago is 19 km from the coast of Malacca. Perhentian Islands are a protected area, densely covered with jungle and surrounded by rocky plateaus. For beautiful views, tourists and locals have to pay for the refusal of fishing, collecting shells and corals, as these activities are prohibited.
The Perhentian season starts in April and lasts until the end of September. The average air temperature at this time reaches +30°C, water – +26°C.
The best beach in the whole archipelago is located on Perhentian Kechil Island. It has a well-developed infrastructure, clean white sand and a large selection of entertainment options. Here you can relax in one of the inexpensive restaurants, rent a boat for a walk on the sea or go diving and snorkeling. The beach is equipped with umbrellas and sun beds (for a fee), there are several grocery stores.
The depth of the bay near the shore is small, the descent into the water is gentle and convenient, so the beach is well suited for families with children. 40 meters from the shore you can see the first fish and corals.
A tip! Most people are on the beach in the early morning – at 8 o’clock they gather for snorkeling. If you want to relax in silence, get a better night’s sleep and come to the sea at 9-10 am.
Cons: a lot of boats near the shore, a popular place for sightseeing groups.
Turtle Beach, Perhentians
One of the most unusual beaches in Malaysia is located on Perhentian Besar Island. It has clear turquoise water, fine white sand and many palm trees, but its main feature is that it is a “maternity hospital” for turtles-hundreds of small and cute reptiles are born here every year. It is almost impossible to see these animals on the shore (during egg laying, one part of the beach is closed, usually in January and July), but they, like hundreds of small fish, will not mind getting to know you in depth.
Turtle Beach Malaysia is a great place for photos, as there are few people resting here. The period from 12 to 16 days, when the sun makes the sea unusually azure – is the best time for those who want to supplement the family album with a picture like from the Bounty advertisement.
Important! You can only get to the beach by boat for 10 ringgit per person, so: 1) do not forget to agree with the owner of the ship about the time of departure home; 2) please note that after 19:00 the fare is doubled.
Disadvantages: isolation of the beach, lack of cafes, shops and other benefits of civilization.
Taaras, Redang Island
Fans of beautiful sunsets, deep-sea dives and mysterious reefs come to Redang to relax. It is better to come in the period from the beginning of May to the middle of September, to avoid meeting with rain clouds and winds.
The best beach of Redang is the largest island of the archipelago with the same name, 7 km long and 6 km wide. Soft bottom, pleasant white sand, convenient access to the water, developed infrastructure – not all the advantages of Taaras. Only residents of The Taaras Beach&Spa Resort have access to the beach, as there are no other hotels or houses for tourists in the area.
The water level varies throughout the day: before lunch, you can dive directly from the shore, and after 15-16 hours you will have to walk about 50 meters before the sea gets your knees wet (great for those who came to relax with children). The beach is equipped with sun loungers and umbrellas, the hotel has a bar with good drinks and several restaurants. There is a market with cheap fruit and cafes nearby, but according to travelers, the quality of food there corresponds to the price level.
Cons: inconvenient location.
Simpan, Redang Island
Another unusual beach in Malaysia with white sand. It is conventionally divided into two parts: one is intended for turtles, the other for travelers. Simpan is a wild beach, untouched by the human hand. There are no cafes, shops, sun beds and other things, but there are beautiful coral reefs at the bottom, crystal clear calm sea water and inviting coolness of the dense jungle. Best snorkeling spot in all of Malaysia.
Tip: when relaxing on the beach, do not leave food unattended. Even if there are no city thieves or a bunch of tourists, but cute monkeys and other jungle residents will always be happy to eat something new.
Disadvantages: isolated beach without infrastructure.
For more information about Redang Island and its beaches, visit this page.
Panuba Beach, Tioman Island
Tioman is an ideal place for a beach holiday, one of the ten most beautiful corners of the world and the best island in Malaysia with white beaches Tioman is located 56 km from the coast of the country. Only a few hundred indigenous people live here, serving thousands of tourists every month. Tioman is quite large (20 km long and 12 km wide), and its entire territory is considered a protected area.
You can have a good rest on Tioman during the dry season – from May to September. In the rest of the year, it rains almost continuously and blows a strong wind.
Life hack! If you want to buy alcohol or cigarettes at the lowest price in Malaysia, Tioman is the best place to do it. Here, unlike in the continental part of the country, these goods are not subject to duties.
The small beach of Panuba, only 150 meters long, with crystal clear water and fine white sand belongs to the Panuba Inn Resort of the same name. Due to its slightly remote location, Panuba is not considered very popular, so here you can enjoy a paradise holiday under the cry of birds, and not tourists and annoying sellers.
On the ground floor of the hotel complex there is a good restaurant, where hungry travelers are always welcome. The beach, although small, is equipped with sun loungers, there are no shops or souvenir shops. There are a lot of fish in the water at any depth – Panuba is great for snork.
Important! Compared to other beaches in Malaysia, it has the coldest water – +24°C with an average temperature of +27°C in the South China Sea.
Cons: can only be reached by boat for an additional fee, small beach.
Juara, Tioman Island
The best place for travelers who want to spend the whole day relaxing in peace and quiet. Juara is the second largest settlement on the island, but not very well known among vacationers. The beach is surrounded by dense jungle and mountains surrounded by greenery. There are a lot of palm trees, rocks and exotic animals, in the beginning of winter and summer you can see small turtles. The beach is covered with white sand, but not very clean. There are several dozen sun beds, and ferries regularly sail by.
Disadvantages: lack of infrastructure, pollution.
For more information about Tioman holidays, how to get to the island of Malaysia, and what to do, see this article.
Coral beach in Pangkor
Remote 200 km from the Malaysian capital, the 8 km2 island of Pangkor is often an unattainable dream. Perhaps that is why it is home to the cleanest white beaches in the country, where you can relax away from the daily hustle and bustle. Most of Pangkor is covered with impenetrable jungle, and the only people are a few hundred locals who inhabit fishing villages.
The weather on the island is calm throughout the year. Traditionally, there are two seasons on Pangkor – dry and wet, but in practice, even during the rainy season, the sky is rarely divided by precipitation. The average temperature during the day is +30°C, at night-from +20°C.
Coral Beach is one of the best places to relax on the beach in Malaysia. Clear turquoise water, perfectly white sand, clean coast, free sun beds, palm trees, gentle entrance… have you already highlighted it on the map or continue the description of its advantages? On the territory of the beach there is a cafe with chic fresh juices, an interesting monastery with Disney cartoon characters, hammocks, swings and other entertainment for travelers of all ages. The best place to discover rhinoceros birds.
A tip! If you want to relax on the Coral Beach, come here on weekdays. On weekends, local residents with children gather here and excursion groups come.
Cons: in some places, the bottom is covered with seashells and corals.
Tanjung Ru, Langkawi Island
Langkawi Island, one of the most popular resorts in Malaysia.
The local climate is divided into three parts:
- High season is the best time for a beach holiday. Lasts from November to March;
- Average – April-August. Falling prices, short-term infrequent rains;
- Low – September and October. During this period, the gray sky becomes especially generous for all kinds of precipitation.
Two kilometers of pure white sand on Tanjung Ru, cool shade under tall palm trees, clear water and gorgeous views around – what else does an unpretentious tourist need? Tanjung Ru is considered a quiet place where you can relax from the city noise, as many travelers do not find the strength to reach this beach.
Tanjung Ru is divided into two parts: on the one hand, guests of local hotels have a rest, on the other – other tourists. Unfortunately, because of this separation, half of the beach remains unmade and does not have a developed infrastructure. Cafes, shops, restaurants and spas are located in the gated area of Tanjung Ru, close to sun beds and umbrellas. Not the best place to stay with children.
Disadvantages: several times a month, the undercurrent increases so much that swimming is prohibited; only the paid part of the beach is well cared for.
A detailed description with photos of the 10 best beaches in Langkawi is presented in this article.
Chenang
Langkawi’s first largest beach is very popular with tourists. It is never sparsely populated, but this is why so many cafes, restaurants and shops have been built on Chenang. The water is very clean and clear, but the beach itself, covered with fine white sand, is often polluted in high season. The entrance to the sea is gentle, there are almost no waves, the depth increases gradually – you can safely relax with children. There is a lot of entertainment: diving, parachuting, boat trips.
Cons: a large number of people, often cars drive directly along the beach.
Tengah
A sparsely populated beautiful beach on the same island of Langkawi with coarse white sand and one of the few places in Malaysia where you can jump on the waves. In the middle of Tengakh there is a small rock with free-roaming crabs and turtles. In the mornings and evenings, there are strong tides that bring jellyfish and algae, so the most suitable time to relax is from 11 and until sunset.
Disadvantages: there is no infrastructure.
Now you know which beaches in Malaysia are considered the best and where you can relax with young children. Take beautiful swimsuits, masks and don’t forget sunscreen. Have a good trip!
