Beaches in Malaysia: A Guide To The Top Beaches

The beaches in Malaysia are a paradise on Earth because of their breathtaking coastline and tranquil coastal retreats. Malaysia is home to one of the most picturesque beach fronts in Southeast Asia, with something for everyone.

You can enjoy exciting encounters with marine life while diving in clear water, or go for relaxing hikes on lush coastal trails, and more. If you’re searching for beaches in Malaysia, this guide has a detailed overview of the top beaches and everything you need to make your experience memorable.

Let’s have a look at the most famous beaches in Malaysia:

Table of Content

1. Tanjung Rhu Beach
2. Juara Beach
3. Rawa Island
4. Batu Ferringhi
5. Turtle Beach
6. Kapas Island
7. Desaru Beach
8. Coral Beach
9. Sipadan
10. Mataking Island
FAQs

1. Tanjung Rhu Beach

Waves Crashing at Beaches in Malaysia

It is among the stunning beaches in Malaysia where you can experience seclusion and a peaceful ambiance. You can find soft and fluffy sand with clear waters at Tanjung Rhu Beach, which will make your beach trip memorable. This beach has limestone caves and mangrove surroundings, which provide a stunning escape from the usual crowds.

Google Rating: 4.5/5

Highlights:

Clean water and sandy shores
Untouched beauty with a peaceful retreat
Away from crowded city life
Features a sandbar that offers a unique sea walking experience

Location: Langkawi

Timings: 24/7

Entry Fee: Free

Ideal For:

Travelers want to have a peaceful environment
Families with children looking for calm waters
Couples looking for a serene ambiance

Activities:

Enjoy swimming in the clear water
Take beach walks along the shoreline
Rent kayaks to explore the nearby mangroves
Capture the stunning Andaman Sea views

Nearby Attractions: Langkawi Mangrove Tour

Nearby Places to Eat: Ikan-Ikan, Kelapa Grill

Nearby Hotels: Tanjung Rhu Resort, Red Coral Cottage

2. Juara Beach

Juara Beach View

You can find this beach on the most stunning island in Malaysia, which is a hidden gem for many tourists. It is among the famous beaches in Malaysia for spending days on a beautiful island and for more offbeat excursions. This location has a few lodging options on the Malaysian shoreline for a peaceful experience and an enjoyable swim.

Google Rating: 4.5/5

Highlights:

Known clean water and white sands
Offers a peaceful retreat
Provides a stunning environment for relaxation
Houses vibrant coral reefs

Location: Tioman Island, Pahang

Timings: 24/7

Entry Fee: Free

Ideal For:

Nature lovers looking for unspoiled natural beauty
Solo travelers looking to have some peaceful time
Adventure lovers for some great outdoor activities

Activities:

Enjoy snorkeling to explore the vibrant coral reefs
Taking stunning pictures of surrounding landscapes
Walking along the shoreline

Nearby Attractions: Juara Turtle Project, Asah Waterfall

Nearby Places to Eat: Mersing Seafood Restaurant, Tioman Cabana Beach Bistro

Nearby Hotels: Juara Beach Resort,Juara Bay Resort

3. Rawa Island

Rawa Island Beach

It is among the best beaches to visit in Malaysia to explore wildlife. The name comes from White Doves, which means Rawa in the local language. You can reach Rawa from the town on the coast of Mersing. At one end, you can experience tall cliffs with a rugged island. The beautiful sand on this beach and the blue sea make this island a slice of heaven.

Google Rating: 4/5

Highlights:

Clear waters for unwinding
Houses a diverse marine life
Facilities like water slides and a trampoline
Motorized water-sport-free environment

Location: Mersing

Timings: 24/7

Entry Fee: Free

Ideal For:

Families with amenities like water slides
Couples to enjoy the beautiful scenery
Eco-Tourism enthusiasts can explore sustainable appeals
Beach lovers can enjoy soft sands on this beach

Activities:

Enjoying snorkeling and exploring vibrant coral reefs
Enjoy beach sports like volleyball
Having nature walks to discover the island’s flora and fauna
Relaxing in the peaceful surroundings

Nearby Attractions: Sultan Iskandar Marine Park, Mersing Town

Nearby Places to Eat: Rawa Island Resort Restaurant, Mersing Seafood Restaurants

Nearby Hotels: Alang’s Rawa Resort, Rawa Island Resort

4. Batu Ferringhi

It is a resort town near Georgetown on Penang Island, which is among the top beaches in Malaysia lined with refreshing water sports. You can enjoy parasailing, Jet skiing, banana boating, and more at Batu Ferringhi. You can get a relaxing and rustic atmosphere with bright sand and large palm trees surrounding the coast.

Google Rating: 3.5/5

Highlights:

Lined-up luxury beachfront resorts
Scenic walking pathways
Beach offer panoramic view
Clean and safe swimming areas

Location: Penang Island

Timings: 24/7

Entry Fee: Free

Ideal For:

Excited adventure lovers
Beach lovers looking for peaceful environment
Swimmers looking for clean waters
Families to enjoy a beautiful day out

Activities:

Enjoying water sports like jet skiing and banana boating
Enjoy horse riding along the beach
Going to the Batu Ferringhi Night Market
Visiting nearby attractions like Penang Butterfly Farm

Nearby Attractions: Tropical Spice Garden, ESCAPE Penang

Nearby Places to Eat: Guan Guan Cafe, Bora Bora by Sunset

Nearby Hotels: Parkroyal Penang Resort, Bayview Beach Resort

5. Turtle Beach

Sunset at Turtle Beach

You can find this beach in the northern part of Perhentian Besar, which serves as a magnet for wildlife lovers. This is among the free beaches in Malaysia which is a nesting site for local turtles to lay their eggs. This is a location for the birth of the next generation of these magnificent creatures.

Google Rating: 4.3/5

Highlights:

Peaceful and less crowded
Offers a serene escape from the busy areas
Has historical significance
Spot for turtle sightings
Great location for nature lovers
Wide sandy shoreline

Location: Sentosa Island

Timings: 7 AM to 7 PM

Entry Fee: Free

Ideal For:

People looking to enjoy natural beauty of Singapore
History lovers interested in World War II
Families to have picnics and relaxing days out
Couples have a more tranquil environment

Activities:

Enjoy a peaceful beach day
Swim in the calm waters
Have a relaxing picnic in a quieter environment
Visit the historical spots of World War II
Turtle sightings

Nearby Attractions: Fort Siloso, Sentosa Luge & Skyride

Nearby Places to Eat: The Kitchen Table, The Tanjong Beach Club

Nearby Hotels: Capella Singapore, Amara Sanctuary Resort Sentosa

6. Kapas Island

Kapas Island Beach View

It is among the romantic beaches in Malaysia, with picture-perfect surroundings and home to incredible activities like snorkeling and diving. You can explore the palm trees on the fine white sand while the refreshing ocean breeze swathes you. This peaceful beach spot has a unique variety of marine creatures, like attractive snail species with beautiful shells.

Google Rating: 4.5/5

Highlights:

White sandy beaches
Clear waters and laid-back atmosphere
Perfect destination for a relaxing beach holiday
Peaceful and stunning environment
Snorkeling and diving opportunities

Location: Terengganu

Timings: 24/7

Entry Fee: Free

Ideal For:

People looking to relax in a natural environment
Have a stunning beach experience with lush greenery
Enjoying clear waters and rich marine life
Families for safe and peaceful atmosphere

Activities:

Scuba diving in the surrounding waters
Kayaking in the calm waters
Visiting nearby islands for additional outdoor activities
Enjoying the sun and beautiful surroundings

Nearby Attractions: Redang Island, Taman Negara National Park

Nearby Places to Eat: Kapas Island Resort Restaurant, Local Beach Cafes

Nearby Hotels: The Kapas Turtle Valley Resort, Pantai Rhu Resort

7. Desaru Beach

Desaru Beach View

You can have a relaxing trip to Desaru Beach in Malaysia, just ninety minutes from Singapore. This is among the most beautiful beaches in Malaysia, where you can find exclusive amenities to uplift your beach experience. You can explore top resorts, eateries, boutique stores, and other nearby attractions.

Google Rating: 4.3/5

Highlights:

Long stretch of sandy coastline and clean waters
Less crowded compared with a peaceful environment
Water sports and activities
Popular for fishing and stunning sunset Views

Location: Johor

Timings: 7 AM to 7 PM

Entry Fee: Free

Ideal For:

People who enjoy sunbathing and relaxing by the sea
People to enjoy calm waters and family-friendly activities
Enjoying various water sports

Activities:

Having leisurely walks or cycling
Take fishing trips
Enjoy beach volleyball and other sports

Nearby Attractions: Tanjung Balau Fishermen Museum, Desaru Fruit Farm

Nearby Places to Eat: Pantai Rhu Restaurant, Kampung Restaurant

Nearby Hotels: Tunamaya Beach & Spa Resort

8. Coral Beach

Coral Beach View

This is among the beautiful public beaches in Malaysia that lie along the western coast of this destination. You can explore the clear and emerald waters with soft sandy shores around this beach. You can have a peaceful beach trip here with your partner and friends, and you will surely be awed by its beauty.

Google Rating: 4.2/5

Highlights:

Great spot to appreciate nature
Less crowded beach with stunning ambiance
Excellent spot for snorkeling

Location: Pangkor

Timings: 7 AM to 7 PM

Entry Fee: Free

Ideal For:

Calm waters and quieter experience
Couples for a romantic retreat
Water sports activities

Activities:

Calm waters for swimming
Exploring marine life
Kayaking and Paddleboarding
Relaxing in the peaceful surroundings
Taking beach walks in the scenic setting

Nearby Attractions: Sentosa Nature Discovery, Palawan Beach

Nearby Places to Eat: The Kitchen Table, Trapizza

Nearby Hotels: The Fullerton Bay Hotel, Amara Sanctuary Resort Sentosa

9. Sipadan

Sunset View at Sipadan

This is a popular destination for diving and snorkeling, where you will be amazed by the unique variety of marine life in the ocean bed. This is among the pristine beaches in Malaysia, Sipadan, where you can explore amazing opportunities to make your trip memorable.

Google Rating: 4/5

Highlights:

One of the world’s top dive sites
Has diverse marine life and vibrant coral reefs
Houses marine species like turtles and reef sharks
A focus of significant conservation initiatives

Location: Celebes Sea

Timings: 24/7

Entry Fee: RM 30- RM 40

Ideal For:

Scuba divers for ultimate diving experience
People interested in exploring marine life
Visitors interested in marine conservation

Activities:

Scuba diving at some renowned dive sites like Turtle Cavern.
Snorkeling around islands like Mabul and Kapalai
Engage with local conservation programs

Nearby Attractions: Kapalai Island, Semporna Archipelago

Nearby Places to Eat: Local Eateries in Semporna and resort restaurants

Nearby Hotels: Sipadan Water Village, Sipadan Mabul Resort

Suggested Read: Malaysia Visa Extension for Indians

10. Mataking Island

Mataking Island Beach

This is among the public beaches in Malaysia where you can find white sands to an infinite extent. You can find this tropical island near the east coast in Sabah, which is connected to a small island called Pulau Mataking Kecil through a sand bar. The visitors can find many options to relax and explore vibrant marine life here.

Google Rating: 4.8/5

Highlights:

Beautiful white sandy beaches
Perfect spot for relaxation and sunbathing
Houses vibrant coral reefs
Hosts a turtle hatchery to witness baby turtles hatching

Location: Sabah

Timings: 24/7

Entry Fee: Free

Ideal For:

Those seeking serene beaches for relaxation.
Snorkelers eager to explore marine life
Visitors interested in educational experiences
Travelers looking to experience beautiful environments

Activities:

Enjoy diving and snorkeling
Observe baby turtles hatching
Visit nearby islands like Timba-Timba and Pom Pom

Nearby Attractions: Semporna Archipelago, Tun Sakaran Marine Park

Nearby Places to Eat: Mataking Reef Resort restaurant and local eateries

Nearby Hotels: Sipadan Water Village Resort, Seaventures Dive Resort

Suggested Read: Malaysia Visa Rejection for Indians

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FAQs

Which beaches are free in Malaysia?

Almost every beach. Some options for public beaches in Malaysia include Juara Beach for its family-friendly amenities and Desaru Beach for shallow waters. These beaches offer free access.

Can you swim on Malaysian beaches?

Yes, you can swim at various beaches in Malaysia with clear and calm waters. Some of the best beaches for swimming are Coral Beach and Rawa Island Beach.

Which beach is famous in Malaysia?

Tanjung Rhu and Turtle beaches in Malaysia are popular for their luxurious resorts and vibrant marine life.

Is Malaysia good for a beach holiday?

Yes. Beaches in Malaysia offer a relaxing time and watersports opportunities with stunning views. You can enjoy vibrant marine life and stunning white-sand beaches at this destination.

What are the best beaches in Malaysia for couples?

Some options for romantic beaches in Malaysia include Batu Ferringhi for an intimate experience and Mataking Island Beach for stunning views.

What are the famous beaches in Malaysia to visit with your family?

Some options for family beaches in Malaysia include Desaru Beach for family-friendly activities and Tanjung Rhu Beach for shallow waters.

Which are the best beach resorts in Malaysia?

Some options for luxury beach resorts in Malaysia include Sipadan Water Village Resort and The Fullerton Bay Hotel for their stunning beach location and top-notch amenities.

What is the best time to visit Malaysia?

You can visit Malaysia during the dry season, from March to October. This is when the weather is pleasant, with less rainfall and clear skies for visiting beaches in Malaysia.