Malaysia is a country with pristine nature. Its appeal lies in the intersection of contrasts. Ordinary markets coexist with large supermarkets, and towering skyscrapers coexist with wild and untouched beaches. Millions of tourists visit Malaysia to witness this continental-island country with their own eyes. Despite the long journey here, every tourist can relax and rejuvenate after the road. What can you expect from the beaches in this country, how to choose the right option for your vacation, and where to see unique fauna and flora? We will cover everything in order in our article.
1. Long Beach is located in the Perhentian Islands archipelago, in the waters of the Gulf of Thailand. The season on this beach lasts from mid-April to September, with an average air temperature of +30°C during this time. The water warms up to +26°C. During the season, it is calm here, with no waves or gusty winds. The Perhentian Islands themselves are a protected area, densely covered with jungles and surrounded by rocky plateaus. Therefore, collecting shells, corals, and fishing are prohibited here. If you want to go diving or snorkelling, you need to inquire about permission and price from the locals. The depth of the bay near the shore is shallow, and the water entry is gentle and convenient, making the beach suitable for families with children. You can see the first fish and corals just 40 metres from the shore.
This beach has well-developed infrastructure. People come here to relax on the white sand and those who enjoy active entertainment. In the Perhentian Islands archipelago, there are several interesting beaches located in bays. If you have time, we recommend visiting them as well. Along Long Beach, there are tents and small shops. You can rent an umbrella right on the beach for approximately $2-3.
2. On the same archipelago, there is the deserted Turtle Beach. It is an almost wild but incredibly beautiful place. The beach got its name thanks to the turtles that lay their eggs here during certain times of the year. However, you will not be able to witness this event due to the tide timing. Only by diving underwater, I believe you will have the chance to encounter the island inhabitants. The beach lacks developed infrastructure, which is why most consider it deserted.
Turtle Beach is located on the northern part of Perhentian Besar Island. It consists of two bays separated by a rocky strip. When the tide is low, you can easily walk between the bays. The length of Turtle Beach is only 350 metres. The advantage of this place is that there are relatively few tourists, meaning you can take beautiful and unique photos. You can reach this beach by renting kayaks or boats from Perhentian Island Resort and Coral View Island Resort.
3. The beach of Taaras Hotel is located in the Redang Island area. The island itself is considered one of the most beautiful due to its picturesque views. People come to Redang to relax and enjoy beautiful sunsets and deep-sea diving near the reefs. The beach season here lasts from April to October. It is recommended to visit during this time because it will be quiet, sunny, and without any waves. Meanwhile, on the west coast of the Malay Peninsula, heavy rains and turbulent waves occur.
Access to the beach is only available to residents of The Taaras Beach & Spa Resort, as there are no other hotels or houses for tourists in the vicinity. You can reach Redang Island from Singapore. Regarding the hotel itself: if you arrive during a period when there are fewer people, be prepared for the fact that restaurants will operate based on a menu. The buffet is only available in the morning. Alcohol is expensive here since Malaysia is a Muslim country and does not encourage the consumption of such beverages.
Let us return to the beach. The waters of the Gulf of Siam change depending on the time of day. For example, before noon, you can dive right from the shore, but after 3-4 pm, you will have to walk about 50 metres before the water reaches your knees. That is why you often come across tourists with children here. A new attraction has been introduced on Redang Island – swimming with turtles. Local boatmen feed them pieces of squid during this activity.
4. Simpan Beach is also located on Redang Island. It consists of two adjacent beaches with white sand. The division of the beach is arbitrary, and you will understand why when you arrive. On one side, turtles lay their eggs, while on the other side, you can sunbathe and enjoy the sea breeze. On this side, you can also observe corals. Simpan is considered a wild and untouched beach. You will not find cafes to enjoy a good meal or buy souvenirs for friends here. However, you can see turtle nesting sites and coral reefs on the seabed. Simpan Beach is considered the best snorkelling spot in Malaysia and a dream destination for any diver. You can visit this beach after settling in one of the hotels on Redang Island.
5. Panuba Beach can be found on Tioman Island. This beach entices tourists with its natural beauty and a tranquil atmosphere precisely because it attracts fewer travellers. This factor contributes to its pristine appearance. Tioman is an ideal place for a beach vacation. The seawater on the beach is quite transparent, allowing you to see the beautiful sandy bottom. If you make an effort, you can find corals on this beach.
At Panuba Beach, you can rent diving equipment along with a guide. The only hotel in the coastal area is the Panuba Resort, established in 1989. Tioman Island is quite large, with a length of 20 km and a width of 12 km, and the entire territory is considered a protected area. There is no parking space on the beach since you can only reach it by boat. However, if you are travelling by car, you can leave it near the pier on Tioman Island. Car rental in Malaysia is well-developed, so you can choose any car that you like.
6. We stay on Tioman Island, but now we smoothly move to Juara Beach. If describing this beach, only as a sandy coastline stretching about 2 kilometres, lying at the foot of high forested hills. Juara is a quiet and deserted beach with fine white sand. Here, there are many palm trees, rocks, and exotic animals, and at the beginning of winter and summer, you can see tiny turtles. The sea has a gentle and very long entrance.
There is very little infrastructure on this beach. If you are a secluded tourist who does not like crowds, this place is just for you. There are no specific months for relaxation since you can enjoy the beaches in Malaysia all year round. There are no drastic temperature changes here, so families with children come here. Juara is perfect for snorkelling, scuba diving, and regular swimming.
7. Admirers of underwater beauty can confidently set their course for Coral Beach on Pangkor Island. Here, there is a diverse underwater life and beautiful coral reefs. You can reach it from the centre of the island in 20 minutes. Pangkor Island itself is located 200 kilometres away from Kuala Lumpur and has an area of 8 kilometres. Perhaps due to its remoteness, the beaches on the island are clean and quite secluded.
Prepare everything necessary for diving, as on Coral Island, you can see luminescent mollusks underwater, which feed on plankton and build reefs. Exotic algae, sea cucumbers, and various fish also inhabit this area. The weather on the island remains calm throughout the year. The average temperature during the day is around 30°C, and at night, it drops to about 20°C. There are cafes on the beach where every tourist can enjoy refreshing drinks, savour fresh seafood, and rent sun loungers. Many of them are located directly on stilts in the sea. We recommend staying until the evening to witness stunning sunsets. Tourists often come specifically for this reason, which is why picnics with overnight stays are so popular on Coral Beach.
8. Tanjung Rhu is the most beautiful beach on Langkawi Island. In Malaysia, this island is considered one of the most popular. Tanjung Rhu has a long and wide coastline with white and soft sand. The water here is very clean and calm, and there are few tourists — everything you need for a peaceful vacation. The local climate is divided into high, medium, and low seasons. It is best to visit during the high season, from November to March.
Tanjung Rhu is also called the Casuarina Beach because it is surrounded by limestone cliffs, remotely resembling the mountains in the province of Krabi. Imagine coming here and getting almost 2 kilometres of deserted beach. There are cafes along the coast where you can enjoy delicious drinks and cool down a bit. Access to the beach is free. Tanjung Rhu is divided into two parts: one is occupied by hotel guests, and the other is free for tourists. Unlike the beaches mentioned earlier, this one does not offer jet skis and other active water sports.
9. Cenang Beach is located on the western part of Langkawi Island. It is a bustling place with well-developed infrastructure. Cenang Beach is wide in size and stretches for 2 kilometres in length. The water is very clean and transparent, and the beach itself is covered in fine white sand. However, the sand is not loose but well-packed, so your feet will not sink when walking along the shore. But lying down and sunbathing on such a beach might be slightly inconvenient. The water entry is gradual, and the sea is shallow and calm, making it safe to relax with children. There is not much shade on Cenang Beach since the greenery grows far from the water’s edge, and after noon, the sun shines from the sea side. Along the beach, there are plenty of activities available, such as diving, parasailing, boat rides, and an ample number of hotels. Renting a beach chair costs around $2, and flying with a parasail over the sea costs about $26.
South of Chenang lies Tengah Beach, which is separated from it by just a rocky cape. It is precisely because of this cape that the road to Tengah leads through a highway where the Oceanarium and shopping centres are located. The beach spans approximately 1 kilometer. Palm trees, tropical trees, and conifers grow along the shore. We recommend visiting during the season from April to October. This is the time when there are no jellyfish in the sea.
It is a sparsely populated beautiful beach with well-developed infrastructure. Here, you can find accommodation at moderate prices, and the residents are mostly young people. As for entertainment, water scooters, banana boat rides, and parasailing are offered here. In the middle of Tengah, there is a small rock with freely roaming crabs and turtles. Due to the proximity of Langkawi Airport, aeroplanes often fly overhead, so be prepared to take beautiful photos and videos.
How to find the time to visit all the beaches in Malaysia
Malaysia is a country of islands, temples, and white sandy beaches. Not many people consider it as a holiday destination. More often, people travel to Indonesia and Thailand. But that is a mistake. Malaysia is famous for its beautiful beaches, crystal-clear waters, and diverse fauna and flora. If you have decided to spend your vacation in this country, you surely want to explore every corner of Malaysia to the fullest. In this article, we will discuss how you can manage to visit all the beaches in the country.
- Planning the itinerary
Start with a travel plan. Malaysia has over 8,000 kilometres of coastline, which means numerous beaches. To be able to visit all or at least the majority of them, you need to create a detailed travel plan. Write down the places you want to visit the most and prioritise them. Make sure to indicate the beach’s location to create an optimal route. And do not forget to consider the distances between the beaches; it will save you a significant amount of time on transportation.
- Choosing the best time to visit
Malaysia is located in the equatorial climate zone. Therefore, there are no significant temperature fluctuations throughout the year. In most regions of the country, summer is always hot and humid, while winter is dry. The average annual temperature ranges from 25 to 28 °C (77 to 82 °F). To enjoy swimming on the beaches, it is best to visit from March to October when the water is warm, and the sun shines brightly. This period in Malaysia is the dry season, so you will not have to hide from the rain.
- Renting a car
The most convenient way to get around Malaysia is by car. It allows you to quickly reach your destination, deviate from the planned route, and move comfortably around the island. Cars in Malaysia can be rented on the website of LocalCarRent. It is a very convenient platform where you can book a car online, choose the dates of your reservation, and upon arrival in the country, enjoy your time comfortably. If you are already in Malaysia, you can also rent a car on-site through the same company. It is convenient and cheaper than figuring out how to get to the island’s iconic places using public transportation.
- Stopping at beaches
A journey along the beaches of Malaysia implies making stops at each of them. It is not about the number of places visited, but about spending quality time. When stopping at a beach, observe its nature, take advantage of water activities, or simply swim in the sea. Remember the rules of behaviour on beaches, clean up after yourself, and do not harm the local flora. The same applies to preserving the integrity of various structures on the island.
- Booking accommodation in advance
It will take time to visit all the beaches in Malaysia. Think in advance about where you will be staying. In Malaysia, there are a variety of accommodation options: hotels, campsites, villas, and even seaside cottages. Keep in mind that you can travel from one side of the island to the other in a day. Therefore, your accommodation should be where you witness the sunset. Early booking allows you to have peace of mind throughout the journey and not waste precious time searching for accommodation on-site.
- Trying local cuisine
Malaysian cuisine encompasses the country’s multicultural composition and ancient traditions. During your vacation, be sure to try local dishes such as Nasi Lemak, Ais Kacang, Tandoori Chicken, Char Kway Teow, and the national fish soup Laksa. Depending on the island’s region, the cuisine may vary slightly. We recommend that you try something from the national cuisine while in different parts of Malaysia. This way, you can better acquaint yourself with the country and its local customs.
