Hidden Shores: 9 Islands That Deserve More Love
Wave after wave
Nothing beats the calm and charm of these underrated islands in Malaysia waiting to be explored.
Planning your next island escape? You don’t need a passport when some of our best-kept secrets are just a boat ride away. While the crowds rush to Langkawi or scramble for Redang ferry tickets, these quieter islands offer crystal-clear waters, chill vibes, and plenty of room to stretch out like a starfish. With National Day falling on a Sunday this year, you have the perfect reason to plan a quick long weekend getaway (just apply for that Monday off, we won’t tell). Think seafood feasts, hammock naps, and no Slack notifications in sight. Some of these islands have no resorts or chalets, just pristine nature and the kind of off-grid calm you didn’t know you needed. Here are nine stunning yet lesser-known islands in Malaysia to explore, one for each state with a coastline.
PULAU BIDONG, TERENGGANU
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Pulau Bidong carries layers of beauty and history just 45 minutes off the coast of Merang. Once a Vietnamese refugee camp in the late 1970s, the island now welcomes curious travellers seeking untouched beaches and a peek into the past. Divers come for the coral gardens and underwater relics, including submerged statues and remnants from its refugee era. To reach it, take a boat from Merang Jetty, where local operators often include Bidong in island-hopping tours. Few realise that the island also hides a hilltop viewpoint overlooking the turquoise sea and nearby islets. The blend of heritage and nature makes this island feel unlike any other in Terengganu.
PULAU RAWA, JOHOR
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Skip Desaru for once and sail out to this private paradise off the Mersing coast. Owned by the Johor royal family, Pulau Rawa stuns with white sand, clear blue water, and an iconic slide straight into the sea. Drive or bus to Mersing Jetty, then take a 30-minute boat ride arranged by your resort. While most visitors stay at Rawa Island Resort, what many don’t realise is that the island has a surprising amount of coral life just off its main beach — no snorkel tour needed. And yes, you’ll probably spot peacocks strutting around like they own the place. It’s the kind of place that makes you forget your phone even exists.
PULAU JERUMUK, KEDAH
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Pulau Jemuruk sits at the mouth of Sungai Kubang Badak just off northern Langkawi, yet few realise it’s a geological time capsule. Geologists discovered fossils of trilobites in its fine-grained sandstone—these creatures date back between 550 and 500 million years, making Jemuruk one of the oldest land formations in Langkawi’s Machinchang Formation. Visitors reach it via a short boat ride from Telok Sabong or Teluk Ewa jetty, often arranged through local tour guides. The island’s layer-cake rock strata and trace fossils, such as Dictyodora spp. record ancient seabed paths of long-extinct marine animals. While locals collect oysters and snails from its shores for livelihoods, they also recognise the need to protect its fossil beds from damage. This tiny island offers more than sea views; it’s a window into Earth’s early marine history and a quietly stunning Langkawi secret.
PULAU RENGGIS, PAHANG
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Just off Tekek Village on Tioman Island, Pulau Renggis stands out as one of the best local dive and snorkelling spots. A quick boat ride from Tekek or Paya drops you in clear waters with thriving corals and marine life like parrotfish, butterflyfish, wrasse, and the occasional juvenile blacktip reef shark. Divemasters often bring snorkellers close to resting green turtles and colourful anemonefish darting between coral branches. The reefs here support over 70 species of fish in shallow zones, making every swim full of discovery. Currents are usually mild, and visibility stays good most of the year, except during the monsoon season when waters can turn hazardous. If you time your visit right, this uncrowded gem delivers an unforgettable marine experience without the tourist frenzy.
PULAU SATANG BESAR, SARAWAK
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Pulau Satang Besar in Sarawak offers golden shores and calm blue waters for nature lovers seeking a peaceful snorkelling retreat. Protected under Talang-Satang National Park, the island becomes a vital nesting site for green and hawksbill turtles between May and September. To reach it, travellers must head to Santubong or Telaga Air before boarding a 30 to 45 minute boat across the South China Sea. Underwater, soft corals, feather stars, and sea fans flourish alongside schools of reef fish. Meanwhile, park rangers manage a small hatchery where they collect turtle eggs and guide visitors through ongoing conservation work. With a bit of luck, visitors may even spot baby turtles making their first crawl toward the sea at sunset.
PULAU UDAN, MELAKA
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This little pair of islets about 25 km off Melaka’s Umbai coast is finally getting attention—but it’s still far from a full tourist freeway. Boat rides from Pernu or Anjung Batu Jetty take just 20 to 30 minutes, delivering snorkellers to calm, noticeably clear waters that host some of the most vibrant reefs on the west coast. Experts have counted over 80 species of coral, 67 types of reef fish, and 77 marine creatures, and the island now operates as Melaka’s first Marine Protected Area with daily visitor caps to safeguard biodiversity. An 1880-built octagonal lighthouse stands proudly on the larger islet, offering a rare slice of colonial history against a seascape backdrop. During low tide, a tombolo connects the two islets, inviting curious walkers to roam between rock gardens and coral flats. Snorkelling and light diving here feels exclusive, with just you, the reef, and minimal crowds.
PULAU BETONG, PENANG
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Just off the coast of Balik Pulau lies Pulau Betong, a quiet duo of uninhabited islets rarely mentioned in tourist guides. From the sky, the larger isle forms a heart-like silhouette while the smaller one resembles an opal-shaped teardrop, giving the cluster an oddly romantic charm. The islets are reachable via chartered boat from Sungai Burung or Kuala Sungai Pinang, usually arranged through local fishermen. While there are no sandy beaches to sprawl on, the rocky coastlines offer tide pools and snorkelling spots brimming with sea urchins, crabs, and darting juvenile fish. Locals sometimes kayak or fish in the waters surrounding the islets, but otherwise, it’s blissfully undisturbed. Its remote location and unusual shape make it a curious little marvel of Penang’s coast.
PULAU LANGKAYAN, SABAH
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Located north of Sandakan, this small island forms part of the Sugud Islands Marine Conservation Area. To get there, board a 90-minute speedboat from the Sandakan Yacht Club. Between March and May, whale sharks often appear near the island, drawing in eager divers. Later in the year, green and hawksbill turtles return to nest along the island’s quiet shores. You might even spot hatchlings making their first journey to sea under the stars. With only one eco-resort available, the island stays blissfully uncrowded and deeply serene.
PULAU GIAM, PERAK
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Pulau Giam sits just off Teluk Nipah and becomes accessible via a sandy land bridge when low tide reveals a 400m “sea split.” That event draws crowds from Pangkor during Chinese New Year, but the islet remains much quieter for the rest of the year. A short boat or kayak ride brings you over through shallow waters dotted with sea cucumbers and hermit crabs. Snorkellers may find reefs rocky and less vibrant than expected, so leather shoes are a smart idea. Vegetation covers most of the island, giving it a peaceful, jungle-like feel despite being so close to busy beaches. It makes for a fun low-key excursion or a quick beach stroll without the Pangkor tourist throng.
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