A luxurious break away from the hustle and bustle of city life is something everyone needs now and then. What better way to de-stress than to dig our toes into warm fine sand and take a dip in cool blue waters?
Of course, some of the top places to visit for the ultimate island experience would have to be Bora Bora, Maldives and Hawaii. Unfortunately, not everyone of us can afford to travel all the way there. In fact, the airfare itself costs a bomb already, what more the price of those resorts there.
Well, Malaysia isn’t a beautiful country for no reason. We’ve got so many amazing islands to check out too!
So here are 10 resorts located on 10 different islands that you should visit.
1. Rawa Island Resort
Image via Rawa Island Resort
Rawa Island is one precious gem as it is dubbed one of the best islands in the world! It is made out of a coral island located in the Mersing District, Johore, and it is owned by Johore royal family. What?! No wonder the island is so pretty!
The island is famous for diving and snorkelling as the water is crystal clear. And there are lots of colourful and rare corals too due to the fact that the ocean is an unpolluted sea water.
For people who are fans of snorkelling and diving, this is a must go beach!
Image via TripAdvisor
Price: From RM610/night
Address: Jalan Abu Bakar, Mersing, Johor
How to get there: Drive from your home Mersing then park your car at the hotel’s Mersing Front Office. The hotel will arrange for a transport with third party operators to and from Mersing. Another easier alternative is a 20-minute speedboat ride from mainland to the island.
2. The Taaras Beach & Spa Resort
Image via Redang Island
Redang Island is a well known island in Kuala Nerus District, Terengganu. Every Malaysians must have heard of it before as it is one of the largest islands off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia.
It is famous for its crystal clear sea water and white sandy beaches, which is perfect for snorkelling, diving and also a relaxing stroll by the beach. This particular resort is perfect as it faces directly towards the beautiful beach.
Image via Pinterest
Price: From RM702/night
Address: Beach Brasserie, Kampong Ulu Redang, Terengganu, Malaysia
How to get there: You can travel to the resort via the hotel’s private boat transfer or other public ferry services. For the hotel’s private boat transfer, you can take either the TAARAS 10-Seater Boat or the ANSA 30-Seater Boat which costs RM5 per person.
If you prefer public ferry, you will depart from Shahbandar Jetty to Village Jetty. For the private boat and ferry schedules, do refer to the official website.
3. Gem Island Resort & Spa
Image via Monsoon Cup
Gem Island Resort & Spa is built on a private island known as Pulau Gemia. It is one of the few privately owned islands in Malaysia that still has its superb natural beauty still intact.
The island itself is located in a Marine Conservation Park with crystal clear waters, a spectacular underwater seascape of corals, and gorgeous marine life as some of its natural wonders. It is also popular for its clear ocean water!
Image via Booking.com
Price: From RM475/night
Address: Lot 2804, Pulia Gemia, Mukim Risula,, Dearah Marang, 21600 Gemia Island, Terengganu
How to get there: The island can be reached by driving along the East coast road to Kuala Terengganu or by taking a swift flight. You can choose from by Air Asia, Malaysia Airlines, Firefly and Malindo Air.
Then, from the airport, a 30-40 minutes drive by road to Marang Jetty and then another 15 minutes boat ride to the private island resort.
4. BuBu Villa
Image via Booking.com
BuBu Villa is located at Perhentian Island in the region of Terengganu, just 35km from Redang Island. The resort is specifically located at the Long Beach on Pulau Perhentian Kecil, which is one of the largest island among all Perhentian islands.
According to a CNN survey of travellers, Long Beach Perhentian was rated the 13th best beach in the world! The clear blue waters of the South China Sea is what makes their snorkelling and diving famous because you can easily see the seafloor.
Image via Booking.com
Price: From RM400/night
Address: Long Beach, Perhentian Island, Terengganu, Malaysia.
How to get there: All you need to do is to make your way to Kuala Besut, a small port on Malaysia’s East Coast either by car, plane or express bus. Once you reach the jetty, you can hop onto the resort’s boat and you will arrive at Perhentian Island within roughly 35 minutes. For information on the boat schedule, you can refer to the website.
5. Japamala Resorts – By Samadhi
Image via Hotel.com.au
Japamala Resort is located at Pulau Tioman, Pahang. The island is home to butterflies, lizards and monkeys. Pulau Tioman and its archipelago forms a large marine park, which also forms a turquoise sea full of exotic aquatic life, colourful underwater gardens, coral-festooned walls and pinnacles.
With it’s clear waters, the island is very suitable for snorkelling and diving. If you are not a fan of these water sports, the resort also provides other activities such as jungle trekking and boat excursions.
Image via www.japamalaresorts.com
Price: From RM800/night
Address: Kampung Lanting, 86800 Pulau Tioman, Pahang Darul Makmur
How to get there: The resort offers land service and private car transfers between Mersing Jetty, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. From Mersing, hop on board to Japamala’s private speedboat for a 45-minute crossing to Tioman Island. To enter Tioman Island, a Marine Conservation Fee of RM30 nett will be appled to each person.
6. Mabul Water Bungalows
Image via Dive the World
Mabul Water Bungalows is situated at Mabul Island, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. It is no ordinary beach resort as it is a floating dive-resort overlooking the world-famous Sipadan Island. The resort is famous for diving as the island beautiful and is surrounded by colourful corals.
Besides, the resort also has lots of diving spots around, so there will not be any cases of overcrowding.
Image via Tripadvisor
Price: From RM4,206/night
Address: Mabul Island, 88100, Semporna, Sabah
How to get there: You can take a flight to Kota Kinabalu and then take another flight for 40 minutes to Tawau. From Tawau, the resort will transfer you to Semporna which will take about 90 minutes. From Semporna, you will take the resort speed boat to Mabul Island. The boat ride will take another 45 minutes.
It’s a long trip just to get to the resort but it will be worth it!
7. Pom Pom Island Resort
Image via Sipadan.com
Pom Pom Island Resort is located at Semporna, Borneo’s coast. The island has a very rich tropical vegetation and is surrounded by white sandy beaches and turquoise coloured waters of the Celebes Sea. The rich minerals causes the sea to be clear and sparkly where you can easily see the bottom of the sea.
There are lots of activities you can do when you stay in this resort such as witnessing turtle eggs hatching and the baby turtles being released to the sea, diving and snorkelling.
Image via Find Great Hotel Room Deals
Price: From RM1,000/night
Address: Jalan Causeway, Semporna, 91307 Pulau Sipadan
How to get there: Similarly to getting to Mabul Island, you need to fly to Kota Kinabalu then fly for another 40 minutes to Tawau. From Tawau, the resort will transfer you to Semporna which will take about 90 minutes. From Semporna, you will take the resort speed boat to Pom Pom Island. The boat ride will take another 45 minutes.
8. Vivanta by Taj
Image via Langkawi Travel Guide
Vivanta by Taj is located on Rebak Island which is right next to Langkawi. This beach is a holiday spot that is incredibly romantic and private since it has a secluded isle. It is very suitable for couples, especially honeymoon newlyweds.
The beach is a host to a gorgeous marina, hence there’s not much to see or do on these shores besides lounging in the sun and soaking in the surf. So, if you are a hopeless romantic kind of person and wish to spend it with your partner, this resort is most perfect.
Image via TripAdvisor
Price: From RM631/night
Address: 07000 Langkawi, Kedah
How to get there: At the Langkawi International Airport, a hotel vehicle will pick you up. It’s a 20-minute drive to Port Langkasuka where there is a jetty to board onto one of the resort’s speedboats to get to Rebak island. In case you need to wait, you will be given a bottled water and newspaper.
9. Meritus Pelangi Beach Resort And Spa
Image via Meritus Hotels & Resorts
The is resort built on Langkawi Island along an unspoiled beach and is also home to a lush rain forest and ancient caves, providing an unforgettable vacation for travellers who crave a retreat to a beautiful seaside location.
As a guest at the resort, you will definitely not be bored as there are tons of activities held there; from waterfall hikes, archipelago cruises to safari excursions. If you love to challenge yourself, just try out all these activities and you will definitely be thrilled!
Image via Blu Water Studio
Price: From RM650/night
Address: Pantai Cenang, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah
How to get there: There are 3 ways to the resort. First is by airport transfer service which takes about 20 minutes from the Langkawi International Airport and it’s RM40 per way. Secondly, the resort van can pick you up from the Kuah Jetty which costs RM30 per way. Lastly, you can also drive yourself there by using a rented car.
10. Kapalai Resort
Image via SIPADAN.COM
Kapalai Dive Resort is a luxury water village built on stilts over the sandbanks of the Ligitan reefs and it is located just a few minutes away from Sipadan and Mabul islands.
This resort is popular for honeymoons and weddings so if you want to experience the romantic feeling with your other half, this is the best choice!
It is also the one of world’s best diving sites for tiny underwater sea creatures located just under the resort. You can easily catch a sight of flamboyant cuttlefish, mandarin fish, blue ring octopuses and many more.
Image via Sabah Booking
Price: From RM1,010/night
Address: Kapalai, Pulau Sipadan, Malaysia
How to get there: You can take a plane to fly to Tawau, then there will be airport officials who will transfer you to Semporna and then a boat ride straight to Kapalai Dive Resort.
Maldives, Bora Bora and Hawaii may be beautiful and fascinating, but the cost of travelling to those places is way too expensive for some of us. Why not visit these amazing local islands that are just as amazing too.
