With a grand total of 878 islands and archipelagos, it’s no surprise that beautiful beaches are everywhere in Malaysia.
While Malaysia can sometimes fall by the wayside due to the beaches of nearby Thailand and Indonesia, the beaches in Malaysia can definitely keep up with their neighbours!
Whether you’re seeking an escape to quiet shores, or palm-fringed beaches with plenty to see and do, Malaysia has the ideal beach for you.
Here are the best beaches in Malaysia:
- Pasir Panjang, Redang – For upscale tropical island luxury
- Rawa Island, Mersing – For wildlife lovers
- Kapas Island, Terengganu – A picture-perfect paradise
- Pantai Cenang, Langkawi – For a family-friendly beach vacation
- Long Beach, Perhentian Kecil – For water-lovers seeking adventure
- Manukan Island, Sabah – For rustic beach life
- Mataking Island, Sabah – Stretches of white sand as far as the eye can see
- Coral Beach, Pangkor – Enjoy untouched beauty
- Sipadan Island – An underwater paradise for sea life lovers
- Juara Beach, Tioman – See the conservation of sea turtles
1. Pasir Panjang, Redang
For upscale tropical island luxury
Located in the seas off the northeastern state of Terengganu, Redang Island is one of the largest Malaysian islands, known for its pristine white sand and crystal clear water.
One of the most beautiful beaches in Malaysia can be found here. With colourful coral, soft white sand and beautiful water, Pasir Panjang is a Malaysia beach to put on your list!
Pasir Panjang is home to many upscale accommodations and a seemingly infinite palm-fringed coastline.
While monsoon rains keep the island pretty much closed between October and March, the all-inclusive resorts here are always full for the rest of the year.
2. Rawa Island, Mersing
For wildlife lovers
Named after the white doves (known locally as Rawa) that populate the tiny island in great numbers, Rawa Island is a haven for wildlife – both on land and in the sea!
Set off the northeast coast of mainland Malaysia’s state of Johor, Rawa can be easily reached from the coastal town of Mersing.
There are no proper roads on the island, so you will have to travel via footpaths. With tall, rugged cliffs on one side of the island and pristine sandy beaches meeting the azure sea on the other, Rawa Island really is a piece of paradise.
If you love wildlife and a bit of exploration, this could be the best Malaysia beach for you.
READ MORE: When is the best time to visit Malaysia?
3. Kapas Island, Terengganu
A picture-perfect paradise
Just off the coast from the town of Marang in Terengganu, Kapas Island is another one of Malaysia’s postcard-perfect paradise islands.
As one of the best beaches in Malaysia, expect palm trees swaying over fine, white sand, as the fresh sea breeze washes over you in a state of total relaxation.
The coral here is bright and vivid, so the island is a paradise for snorkelling and diving too, with a wide array of marine life.
As well as having great beaches, this tropical island in the South China Sea is also the main location for researching Amphidromus, a pretty species of the snail with colourful shells.
4. Pantai Cenang, Langkawi
For a family-friendly beach vacation
In Pantai Cenang, there’s something for everybody. If you want peace and solitude in your own personal corner of warm paradise, you can have it – but there’s also plenty of amenities for visitors who want to be entertained in between bouts of sunbathing.
Pantai Cenang has cafés and restaurants just a few steps away from the beach, as well as plenty of shops to rent water sports equipment, sun loungers right on the soft white sand, and lots of opportunities to catch a boat to island-hop or try parasailing.
If you’re looking for family-friendly Malaysia beaches, this might be the top pick for you – the nearby amenities plus the relatively calm waters make it a very family-friendly beach.
READ MORE: Check out the best staycation deals in Malaysia
5. Long Beach, Perhentian Kecil
For water-lovers seeking adventure
The Perhentian islands are likely Malaysia’s most famous destination for a tropical island getaway. The smaller of the two main islands, Perhentian Kecil, caters more towards backpackers, whilst neighbouring Perhentian Besar is full of expensive resorts for luxury holidayers.
Of the seven Perhentian islands, only these two are permanently inhabited. Scuba diving, snorkelling, and kayaking tours leave from here, as the uninhabited islands offer some of the best snorkelling experiences you will ever have.
The most beautiful beach in Perhentian Kecil is the aptly named Long Beach. With its fine white sand and a tide that stays out for quite a while, this beach offers ideal swimming conditions in the warm waters. It’s not all just splashing around, though: you could spot sea turtles, blue-spotted rays, and clownfish if you snorkel in the deep turquoise waters rich in marine life.
For more on-land exploration, take a walk down one of the trails that cut through the thick jungle, connecting the different stretches of beach around the island.
6. Manukan Island, Sabah
For rustic beach life
If you’re expecting high-end resorts and amenities, this is not the destination for you. The island’s facilities are quite limited, with just a few places to eat, and while there’s running water and electricity available, the connections aren’t always stable.
For those looking for rustic beach life, however, Manukan Island could be perfect for you—and the relatively untouched beauty of the area far outweighs the small inconveniences.
Manukan Island is surrounded by beautiful healthy coral reefs, creating the perfect environment for snorkelling and diving. The island lies within the boundaries of Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park, the first marine national park in Malaysia, so it’s famous for the amazing scuba diving and snorkelling opportunities just off its coast (as well as its beautiful beaches).
If you’ve had your beach relaxation fix, head away from the coastline to explore the island’s dense vegetation – there are a number of hiking trails criss-crossing through it.
READ MORE: Discover the best places to scuba dive in the world (Malaysia included)
7. Mataking Island, Sabah
Stretches of white sand as far as the eye can see
Another fantastic tropical island located just off the east coast of Sabah is Mataking Island. There’s a bonus island here too – it’s connected to another, much smaller island called Pulau Mataking Kecil via a sandbar, so the majority of this idyllic island is a collection of beach, beach and more beach.
The whole island is ringed by white sand, so you’re spoiled for choice on where to sit. This eastern island is also known for its amazing diving opportunities, with diverse and beautifully vibrant marine life.
8. Coral Beach, Pangkor
Enjoy untouched beauty
At Coral Beach, you will feel like you’re on your very own deserted island. As another paradise postcard location, Coral Beach is also a world-class diving and snorkelling destination. Explore the tropical fish underwater, or simply enjoy the day here soaking up the sun.
You won’t find any jet skis or loud music here, so if you need to get away from it all, come to Coral Beach for plenty of privacy and untouched beauty.
READ MORE: Explore the most beautiful beaches in the world
9. Sipadan Island
An underwater paradise for sea life lovers
Located in the Celebes Sea off the east coast of Sabah, Sipadan Island is a beautiful destination, both above sea level and underwater.
Surrounded by long stretches of picture-perfect golden beaches and home to one of the world’s most diverse marine habitats, Sipadan Island is one of the best beaches in Malaysia for you if you want to explore sea life.
With loggerhead turtles, manta rays, hammerhead and whale sharks all frequenting this near-magical location, this beach is an absolute must for those who love diving!
10. Juara Beach, Tioman
See the conservation of sea turtles
This relatively large tropical island is located off the east coast of the Malaysian state of Pahang.
Like many others in Malaysia, the beach is breathtaking, but Juara Beach is even more special: it’s known for the conservation of sea turtles, with the Juara Turtle Project managing a hatchery here.
Daydreaming about turquoise waters and soft sand in the sun? Time to start planning a holiday to one of these top 10 best beaches in Malaysia.
Check out our Malaysia Travel Guide for tips on everything you need
to know when planning your trip to Malaysia so you can make the
most of your time in this amazing country!
