Islands in Malaysia have the perfect ingredients to become tropical paradises: crystal clear waters, clean powdery sands, swaying palms, and sunny skies. Far from the maddening crowd, the islands offer opportunities to explore underwater havens or just to laze around.

Malaysia, your diving paradise is one of the leading dive destinations of the world with the richest marine environment in the Indo-Pacific Basin. The incredible bio-diversity of marine life coupled with beautiful islands with white sandy beaches and clear warm waters keep the divers coming back for more. From schooling hammerhead sharks, huge schools of barracudas and various turtles to the bizarre frogfish or ghost pipefish, there is always something to fascinate the diver. In Malaysia, the coral reef ecosystem is reported to support aquatic organism numbering more than 50 genera of coral and more than 200 species of fish. Each time a marine bio-diversity survey is conducted in the Malaysian tropical sea, the species list increases.

• Pangkor Island
• Langkawi Island
• Tioman Island
• Tiga Island (Pulau Tiga) ~ Survivor Series & Expedition Robinson
• Selingan Island (Turtle Island)
• Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park Island (Manukan, Sulug, Sapi, Gaya and Mamutik)
• Layang-Layang Island
• Sipadan Island
• Mabul & Kapalai Islands
• Perhentian Island
• Redang Island
• Sibu Island
• Kapas Island
• Labuan Island
• Cherating

PANGKOR ISLAND

Situated just off the west coast of Perak in Peninsular Malaysia is one of the most enchanting islands you'll ever come across. Pangkor has for centuries enthralled visitors with refuge of seamen who sailed through the Straits of Malacca. Pangkor's many idyllic bays made it perfect stopover. Pirates, adventurers, merchants and soldiers of fortune sought the peace and tranquility she had to offer. In stark contrast to Malaysia's fast-paced progress, Pangkor remains a haven for those seeking to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Get closer to nature as you trek through virgin jungles. Experience the warm and friendly hospitality of her people. Whichever you choose, Pangkor awaits you.

LANGKAWI ISLAND

Langkawi Island comprises a group of 99 tropical islands lying off the northwestern coast of Peninsular Malaysia, about 30 km from the mainland. The main island is popularly known as Langkawi Island. The islands are blessed with an intriguing heritage of fabulous myths and legends of ogres and gigantic birds, warriors and fairy princesses, battles and romance. As a natural paradise, the islands are perhaps unmatched anywhere else in Southeast Asia.

TIOMAN ISLAND

Tioman Island ~ ' Tropical Island of myths adventure and nature ' is the largest in a group of 64 volcanic islands, which is situated about 80 km northwest off Peninsular Malaysia's east coast. Tioman Island is truly one of the most beautiful islands in the region. Blessed with miles and miles of soft white sand, swaying palms, wild flowers growing in vivid profusion and cool waterfalls cascading down green slopes, Tioman Island is an adventure's paradise for quite retreats, trekking, sunbathing and sea sports.

TIGA PARK ISLAND (SURVIVOR SERIES & EXPEDITION ROBINSON)

This island situated off the west coast of Sabah. The islands are home to a variety of plant life. Many varieties of birds, bats and reptiles also make their home here. Trails winding through the undisturbed forest are great for exploring the islands' varied flora and fauna and coral reef around the islands contains various species of hard corals and brightly coloured fishes and other marine life. This island is well known for the filming of Survivor Series and Expedition Robinson and was highly rated in the USA, Britain, Canada and many other countries.

SELINGAN ISLAND (TURTLE ISLAND)

Selingan Island is the main nesting area for the green turtles and hawksbill turtles with both species laid their eggs on these shores throughout the year, particularly from July to October. The turtles come ashore to lay their eggs before returning to the sea, normally at night. The whole ritual of emerging from the sea, choosing a site, clearing the area and then laying about 40 - 90 eggs, followed by concealing the eggs with sand and returning to the sea, can take more than an hour.

TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN MARINE PARK ISLANDS

This unique marine park comprising five idyllic islands is only 20 minutes from Kota Kinabalu by speedboat, which is Manukan Island, Mamutik Island, Sulug Island, Sapi Island and Gaya Island. With stretches of white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters and diverse coral reefs, this is an ideal spot for beginner divers as well as snorkeling and picnicking.

LAYANG-LAYANG ISLAND

Layang-Layang Island is a diver's dream comes true, with an underwater wilderness that defies the imagination. Crystal clear waters let the eyes wander to infinity on this coral atoll where an immense variety of underwater life rises from the deep in rainbow colours. Boasting spectacular drop offs and awesome vistas, this island paradise has gained the status of an internationally renowned premier diving destination. A diving experience on Layang-Layang will linger in your memory forever, just like the world beneath the waves. This island attracts scuba divers and anglers with 1,500 to 1,800 meter drop all around the reef makes for some of the most spectacular dive sites.

The famous dive sites around the island are Gorgonian Forest, D' Wall, Dogtooth Lair and Valley.

SIPADAN ISLAND

Diving enthusiasts from all over the world, drawn to this oceanic gem with coral walls that plunge straight down for 600m onto the ocean bed. Hailed as Asia's best, its marine treasures prompted Jacques Cousteau to proclaim it "an untouched piece of art". Sipadan located off the southeast coast of Sabah. Its birth began millions of years ago as layers upon layers of coral formed an oceanic pillar and with the constant upheaval of earth's natural forces, thrust itself above the water level. It would take another 10,000 years and more before Sipadan would live out its destiny as one of the best dive destinations in the world. In 1988, Jacques Costeau made that now-chiseled-in-stone observation, "I have seen other places like Sipadan 45 years ago but now, no more, now we have found again an untouched piece of art". It cannot be denied that Sipadan has become into its own as an established "premier dive destination" of the 21st century.

The famous dive sites around the island are Barracuda Point, Hanging Garden, South Point & Turtle Cavern.

MABUL & KAPALAI ISLANDS

Mabul Island has a shallow reef profile with sandy bottom and patches of sea grass. The coral reefs look very picturesque and inviting. It is the diversity of macro animals inhabiting the coral rubble and sea grass sites that put Mabul and Kapalai Islands on the diving map. The famous diving sites around the island are Eel Garden, Ray Point and Mandarin Valley.

PERHENTIAN ISLAND

Pulau Perhentian, meaning 'Stopover Island' is not to be missed. Located off the coast of Terengganu, it comprises the islands of Perhentian Besar and Perhentian Kecil islands. Covered by virgin jungle, windswept palms, powdery white beaches and surrounded by sapphire blue waters, Perhentian Island is a sanctuary to fishermen, migratory birds and holidaymaker's. On the edge of the Redang Island Marine Park, Perhentian's coral fringed waters provide excellent underwater seascapes for snorkeling and scuba diving. A trip to these tropical islands is a must as well for those who enjoy windsurfing, sailing, canoeing and deep-sea fishing.

REDANG ISLAND

Redang Island is the largest of a group of islands dotting the South China Sea off the Terengganu coast. The island offers crystal clear waters and numerous dive sites for the enthusiast. Sheltered within the Redang Island Marine Park, the waters here abound with marine life. When the rays of the sun penetrate the sea, brilliant hues of coral, anemones and giant clams may be seen. The waters around Redang Island also contain two historical shipwrecks. The H.M.S. Prince of Wales and H.M.S. Repulse were sunk here at the start of World War II, setting the stage for the Japanese occupation of Malaysia. The paradise island is perfect for snorkeling, swimming, scuba diving, jungle trekking, boating, canoeing and an underwater haven's for snorkeller's as well.

SIBU ISLAND

A pleasant hideaway, it abounds with lush topical vegetation and endless stretches of golden beaches. Off shore, its waters contain fascinating coral reefs teeming with colourful marine life. Shipwrecks off its coast may also be found. Chinese junks and pirate vessels often exchanged cannon fire around this island, and the remains of these battles lie scattered around the seabed. This island is known for scuba diving, snorkeling, wind surfing, sailing, angling and trekking mangrove swamps.

KAPAS ISLAND

An island renowned for its clear waters, sandy white beaches and swaying palms, it is relatively isolated. Home to an infinite variety of hard and soft corals, the waters around the island abound with seashells, fish and turtles. The island's laid back atmosphere is ideal for relaxation but the more adventurous will find it also a haven for swimming, snorkeling, wind-surfing, kayaking, boating and fishing.

LABUAN ISLAND

This tropical duty-free island is located in the South China Sea, off the coast of Sabah. During the early years, Labuan experienced battles between the Allied and the Japanese Force, resulting in several war wrecks. It’s clear waters and a wealth of World War II and post-war shipwrecks has made it the region’s center for wreck diving. Two of the World War II wrecks here are the American Wreck and the Australian Wreck. Other wrecks include Cement Wreck and Blue Water Wreck, both from the 1980’s. 

CHERATING

One beach synonymous with Asia's first Club Mediterranean is Cherating. Located north of Kuantan, this world famous Club occupies only a small part of the beach. Among Cherating's attractions is the rustic atmosphere and warm hospitality of the village folk who usually play host to its visitors. To enjoy this friendly environment, you can arrange to stay at an inexperience village hut. A favourite sunbathing spot noted for its seclusion, it is also home to Green Turtles and the occasional Giant Leatherback turtle.