8 best Malaysia islands to visit

With beautiful islands scattered across its west coast, east coast, and Borneo, Malaysia is a dream destination for beach bums, divers, luxury-lovers and adventurous travelers alike. To help you decide which to include in your own Malaysia itinerary, here we share detail on the best Malaysia islands.

What are the best islands to visit in Malaysia?

Spanning laid-back, luxurious tropical escapes, lively places to party, remote forested treasures, and single-resort, dreamy dive destinations, each Malaysia island offers its own unique atmosphere, landscapes and experiences. 

East Coast islands (e.g. the Perhentia Islands, Redang and Tioman) are known for their excellent diving and snorkeling conditions, and best visited from March to October to avoid the November to February northeast monsoon, which brings heavy rain to the area.

Meanwhile, West Coast islands (among them Langkawi and Pangkor) offer year-round beach breaks with more developed infrastructure, and cultural experiences. 

Over in Borneo, Sabah islands like Sipadan and Lankayan offer world-class marine biodiversity and wildlife experiences.

How to choose the best Malaysia island

1. Langkawi, Kedah

Best for: convenient luxury, families and first-timers 

Blending sandy beaches, lush rainforests, waterfalls, and duty-free shopping, Langkawi is Malaysia’s most accessible island escape, and one of the country’s few true year-round destinations.

Offering opportunities to take a cable car up to Sky Bridge, kayak through the Kilim Geoforest mangroves, and explore Pantai Cenang’s cafés and markets, its infrastructure suits families, couples, and first-time visitors, with luxury resorts like The Datai beloved by loved-up honeymooners. 

2. Perhentian Islands, Terengganu

Best for: backpackers, budget-conscious couples and snorkelers 

With no cars and a relaxed vibe, Perhentian Kecil and Perhentian Besar are perfect for unplugging. As it happens, visiting the Perhentians is also among the best things to do on first-time visits to Southeast Asia.

As a pair, they offer idyllic white-sand beaches and crystal waters that are perfect for snorkeling and diving — you can snorkel with turtles and reef sharks right off the beach. 

But they are somewhat different, which makes hopping between the islands a must if you want to max out your time in the area.

While Kecil is lively and more budget-friendly, Besar is far quieter, and more suited to families and couples. 

As for when to visit, March to October is the time to come to these idyllic islands — most places will be closed during the November-February monsoon.

3. Tioman Island, Pahang

Best for: jungle lovers, surfers and quiet stays

Large and rugged, the island of Tioman in the south of the Malay peninsula is known for blending a laidback vibe with opportunities for high-octane adventure. Think jungle treks, waterfall walks, excellent dive sites, and a laid-back pace. 

That’s certainly the case around peaceful Juara beach, with its golden sand backed by nature lodges and a wildlife-rich jungle. It’s also home to an excellent turtle conservation project, where travelers can volunteer or learn about conservation. If that wasn't enough, it's a good place to surf.

Meanwhile, Salang draws divers to its warm, clear waters.

As a whole, the island’s accommodation ranges from hostels to fancier boutique lodges. 

4. Redang Island, Terengganu

Best for: divers and honeymooners 

Famous for its powdery beaches and rich coral reefs, Redang is a pristine marine park island. More upscale than the Perhentians, it boasts luxurious beachfront resorts catered towards couples and families. 

At the same time, a few basic chalets are on hand for budget travelers and divers who aren't fussed about finding fancy accommodation, given that they're likely to be out at sea for most of their stay!

Boasting calm, clear waters that are ideal for newbie divers, and home to some of the best beaches in Malayisa — don’t miss Pasir Panjang (Long Beach)  — Redang is ideal for picture-perfect island getaways.

5. Pangkor Island, Perak

Best for: budget travelers and families 

A popular destination for families and budget travelers, Pangkor Island off the West Coast blends local fishing village life with casual beach resorts.

As a bonus, temples and Dutch forts are on hand for forays into island history 

Teluk Nipah beach is an island highlight. Far from flashy, it’s full of charm and great for snorkeling, sunset views and beachside dining.

Meanwhile, to the north of Teluk Nipah, Coral Beach is a crescent-shaped beauty, with calm, clear waters and a fair few budget guesthouses to choose from.

6. Sipadan Island, Sabah

Best for: experienced divers 

Sipadan is a diver’s dream — a marine sanctuary with some of the world’s most spectacular underwater biodiversity. 

While you can’t stay on the island, nearby Mabul and Kapalai offer overwater resorts and access to dive Sipadan’s legendary sites. 

With limited daily permits, it’s exclusive, and diving is the main draw, so non-divers may find it too remote.

If marine-life and wildlife are on your mind, discover the best Borneo tours for wildlife and nature.

 7. Lankayan Island, Sabah

Best for: wildlife lovers and honeymooners 

Located in the Sulu Sea, north of Sandakan, the tiny private island of Lankayan is home to a single eco-resort. As result, it offers the ultimate escape from modern life.

At the same time, it’s esteemed for its turtle conservation, and guests often get to witness hatchings and releases.

Meanwhile, the calm, clear waters offer macro diving experiences and seasonal whale shark sightings. 

8. Rawa Island, Johor

Best for: families and calm getaways

Beautiful and compact, Rawa island is accessible by a 20-minute speedboat ride from Mersing, Johor.

Known for its white sand, clear water, and bright blue slides into the sea, it has just two main resorts and no cars, and you can snorkel right off the beach.

As such, it’s a favorite for families seeking a fun beach getaway close to Singapore.