The Top Five Malaysian Island Destinations in 2018

Malaysia is one of a small number of countries to be called “mega-diverse,” meaning that it is home to a significant number of species that can be found nowhere else on the planet. As a result, it should come as no surprise to learn that the country encompasses a wide range of environments, thus offering interested individuals a wide range of natural attractions. However, it is important to note that Malaysia is home to even more cultural attractions, meaning that much more value for those who choose the country for their next vacation spot.

Here are 5 of the best islands in Malaysia to visit:

Langkawi

Once upon a time, a woman named Mahsuri is said to have cursed Langkawi to have seven generations of bad luck because she was executed on the basis of nothing than rumor spread by someone who was jealous of her. Soon enough, Langkawi was invaded by the Siamese, who proceeded to enslave a significant number of its population before forcing the rest to flee in spite of spirited resistance, As a result, Langkawi turned into a backwater until an initiative in the 1980s to turn it into a tourist destination, which was helped by the belief that the curse had lifted with the birth of Mahsuri’s seventh-generation descendant. Nowadays, it is home to an excellent selection of resorts that provide their visitors with convenient access to the beaches as well as other natural sites of interest.

Layang-Layang

Layang-Layang is the name of a coral reef in the Spratly Islands, which are contested by Malaysia and a number of other countries because of their strategic location in the South China Sea. With that said, tourists should be more interested in the fact that it is home to a resort, which has been built in the semblance of the community homes of Borneo’s native population. As a result, those who are interested in seeing a spectacular collection of marine life should give some serious thought to heading on over to Layang-Layang, particularly if they are not enthused about choosing between resorts and want the choice to be made for them.

Penang

Penang is home to more than 700,000 people, which is enough to make it one of the biggest cities that can be found in the region. Due to this, it should come as no surprise to learn that the city is an economic center, encompassing not just service and manufacturing sectors but also a financial center as well. Moreover, Penang is home to a booming tourist scene, which is something that has remained true for centuries. There are a number of reasons that people choose to visit, with examples ranging from its shopping opportunities and its rich cultural heritage to the Penang cuisine that combines influences from Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures to produce something one of a kind.

Sipadan

Technically, people can’t actually stay on the island of Sipadan because there are strict rules and regulations in place to protect its natural environments from harmful influences. However, those who choose this particular place out of all the other possibilities offered by Malaysia will be rewarded with some of the best scuba diving that can be found in not just that particular region but the rest of the world as well. Simply put, Sipadan boasts a remarkable selection of marine life in a beautiful underwater setting, with examples ranging from barracuda and sea turtles to manta rays and whale sharks.

Tioman

Tioman’s beauty was once recognized by Time magazine back in the 1970s. Now as then, its reputation is international in scope, which is why tourists continue to make their way to the island on a regular basis. In part, this is because while other tourist destinations have lost much of their natural beauty because of human influence, Tioman has managed to hold on to its. For proof, look no further than the huge monitor lizards that can be found wandering the island in their search for food, which can be a selling point for some tourists and the exact opposite for others. Besides this, Tioman offers other natural attractions that range from beaches to both coral reefs and inland rainforests.