5. Langkawi
An archipelago made up of 104 islands (including five that are only visible during low tide), Langkawi is essentially divided into two sections: the northern, more secluded islands, and the southern islands, which receive most of the international tourism.
There’s something for everybody here-peace and solitude for those who just want their tiny corner of warm paradise, and lots of attractions for visitors who want to be entertained in between bouts of sun-worshipping.
Pantai Cenang, the most famous beach on the islands, is also the best developed-it has cafés and restaurants, plenty of shops to rent water sports equipment, sun loungers right on the soft white sand, and plenty of opportunities to catch a boat to island-hop or try parasailing.
Pantai Tengah, right next to Pantai Cenang, has all-inclusive resorts and spas just steps from the crystal blue waters, while Datai Bay beach has a background of forests with plenty of trails for exploring.
A number of dinner and sunset cruises also leave from the beach, and visitors can arrange snorkeling on the popular Payar Island, a protected marine park famous for its multi-hued corals and rich marine life.
6. Tioman Island
The entire surface of Tioman Island is a nature preserve surrounded by some of the whitest beaches in Malaysia. Although sparsely inhabited, the island receives lots of tourists who come here to snorkel and scuba dive-partly because Tioman is a duty-free area, so local prices are much lower than in other popular islands in Malaysia.
A densely forested island with spectacular coral reefs, Tioman also attracts surfers and nature lovers, who come here to see protected species and try jungle trekking.
Tioman suffered a mass coral bleaching in 2010 that affected or killed sections of its coral, but the protected status of the island has helped the coastline recover, and the remaining coral is still in good health today.
The best time to visit the island is March to October, as the monsoon rains hit the island hard during the rest of the year, and many hotels close for the season.
