Langkawi: Best for luxury

Don't worry, Langkawi has the same stunning beaches as the rest of these islands. We just thought you might be tired of looking at white sand.

Located hard by the border with Thailand, Langkawi is part of the Malaysian state of Kedah, not Perlis which is in fact directly adjacent.

Famously, the Malaysia island was believed to have been cursed in 1819, when a woman named Mahsuri, was put to death for alleged adultery. Before she died, she uttered the words, “There shall be no peace and prosperity on this island for a period of seven generations.”

Two years later Langkawi fell to the invading Thais, with much of its population subsequently dying from starvation. The island was then indeed barren for a long time, before Prime Minister Mahatir Mohamed –- the colossus of Malaysian politics who also built Kuala Lumpur's Petronas Towers and the Sepang F1 circuit -– decided to turn it into a resort island in 1986.

He declared it a duty-free island, and ever since then Langkawi's growth has been nothing short of spectacular, with high-profile resorts dotting its sandy shores to make it a Malaysia holiday star.

The best way to take it all in is on the 2,200-meter-long cable car, which rises some 710 meters above sea level. Interestingly, Mahsuri's husband and son moved to Phuket after the Thai invasion, and it was on that island that her seventh generation descendant was born – in the year 1986. Coincidence?

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Layang-Layang: Isolation guaranteed

Would you call this an island? Layang-Layang's isolation makes it one of Asia's best diving experiences.

Little more than a coral reef with a runway, the tiny island of Layang-Layang is located some 300 kilometers northwest of the Sabah capital of Kota Kinabalu (KK), the state to which it belongs.

A creation of the Malaysian Navy, which reclaimed land from the sea in order to state the nation’s sovereignty over the Spratlys, that South China Sea island group also claimed whole or in part by China, Taiwan, Vietnam and the Philippines.

Surrounded by pristine waters that drop to 2,000 meters, Layang-Layang is often ranked as one of the top 10 dive sites in the world due to its remarkable array of marine life.

Due to the Navy's presence, the coral reef has been spared the explosive damage caused by dynamite fishing and other destructive practices, leading to underwater visibility of more than 40 meters.

Particularly of note are the schools of scalloped hammerhead sharks, which can sometimes number in the hundreds, though you can also expect to see manta rays, dolphins, barracuda and turtles.

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Sipadan: For hard-core divers

In his 1989 film "Borneo: The Ghost of the Sea Turtle," famed underwater explorer Jacques Cousteau said, "I have seen other places like Sipadan, 45 years ago, but now no more. Now we have found an untouched piece of art."

At the end of 2002, following a long dispute with Indonesia, the International Court of Justice ruled that the island of Sipadan was Malaysian.

The country, and the state of Sabah which it is part of, have reason to be relieved. Sipadan is often rated as the world’s best dive site, with a location in the centre of the planet’s most bio-diverse marine habitat. 

In order to protect the fragile ecosystem of this Malaysia holiday destination, in 2004 the government ordered all of the dive resorts off the island, banned night dives and set a limit of 120 divers per day. 

The move worked, as the surrounding waters continue to teem with life. It's home to 3,000 species of fish, hundreds of species of coral, an abundance of rays and sharks and large populations of green and hawksbill turtles –- so much so there is a famous turtle tomb, an underwater labyrinth that has drowned many of the unfortunate sea creatures.

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Pangkor: Loved by locals

Tiny Pulau Pangkor lies off Perak on the west coast of peninsular Malaysia.

Despite measuring just eight square kilometres, Pulau Pangkor (pulau is the Malay word for island) is one of the most popular beach getaways in Malaysia -- among locals, that is.

Pangkor is one of the country's most accessible islands, yet it is overwhelmingly the preserve of Malaysians, who head there every long weekend for a little rest and relaxation.

There is little in terms of nightlife but instead you'll find uncrowded sandy beaches, a huge variety of amazing local cuisine and friendly people.

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Perhentians: Hippie hideaway

While many backpacker haunts have become gentrified over time, the Perhentians have managed to retain their low-key vibe.

Shrouded in mystery, steeped in history, rich in marine life and a known paradise to many beach bums, the Perhentian Islands comprise two unspoiled islands, namely Pulau Perhentian Kecil (Small Perhentian Island) and Pulau Perhentian Besar (Big Perhentian Island). "Perhentian" is derived from the Bahasa Malaysia language, in which "henti" means "stop." For centuries, this idyllic spot has been a convenient stopover for fishermen from the states of Terengganu and Kelantan for rest and to take shelter during a storm.

Untouched corals and lizards

Located at the northeastern coast of peninsular Malaysia, roughly 21 kilometers off shore from the remote town of Kuala Besut, this island is a popular tourist spot for those wanting to work on their tan and to experience the spectacular dive sites. Nestled within a rocky jungle, one may chance upon monitor lizards, hornbills, rare insects and of course, an amazing marine life with untouched corals. 

Due to the monsoon, the Perhentian Islands along with all East Coast islands are closed and most sea activities are limited during the off season. The best time to visit the islands is between the months of March and October. Otherwise, one may find plenty to do at this remote island. For starters, you can treat yourself to a hair braid, done up efficiently by the locals. Then you can go for a cool dip in the clear blue sea or if you’re a dive fanatic, you can quickly rent the dive equipment, book a fast boat and off you go, to see the underwater world of the many dive sites situated around the islands. However, if you’re one of those who prefers to read a book, relax and just clear your mind of the hectic schedule you’ve had before coming to this island, you can enjoy a peaceful massage right by the beach. 

One resort worth mentioning is The Coral View Island Resort, where simple and traditional-styled rooms complement the entire resort. Reasonably priced, strategically located and built between natural vegetation, this resort is ideal for divers, couples and families alike. 

Seafood spectacular

And of course, when night falls and if you’re not keen for a night dive, you can fill your stomach with the fresh seafood available daily. With the real catch of the day, you know you’re not being tricked into eating a stale fish, crab, prawn, squid or rock lobster. Opt between pan-fried, grilled or barbecued, you will be spoilt for choice, even with the range of sauces offered to complement your perfect meal. If you are interested, hang around the restaurants about 5 p.m. to watch the fishermen bring in their catches. It is during this special hour that you are able to watch the restaurant owners choose their preferred fish and clean them right at the beach itself. Don’t be surprised if you’re given a fish scaler to help them out. If fish isn’t your thing, politely decline, otherwise giving them a hand or two to scale the fishes can be a real fun-fishy experience. 

Syncing with Mother Nature

The Perhentian Islands are a perfect getaway if you’ve been searching for paradise and have yet to find it. A stopover here for a week may not even be sufficient. If you do decide to visit, all you have to do is: bask in the beaming sun, bury your feet in the soft sands, splash a handful of the salty sea water onto your face, allow the clear breeze to sweep through your tresses and above all, be in sync with and appreciate Mother Nature over and over again.

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Redang Island: For a "Summer Holiday"

If you get tired of white beaches, Redang has plenty of wildlife, including monkeys, deer and monitor lizards.

The Redang archipelago actually consists of nine islands, namely Lima, Paku Besar, Paku Kecil, Kerengga Besar, Kerengga Kecil, Ekor Tebu, Ling, Pinang and Redang itself.

Together, they form a marine park situated 45 kilometers off the east Peninsular Malaysia state of Terengganu.

Unlike its close cousins, the backpacker-filled Perhentian islands to the north, Redang is very much an upmarket destination, with mostly resort accommodation on offer.

Accordingly, the island also has its own airport, served by Berjaya Air, which since 2004 has flown daily to Kuala Lumpur’s Subang Airport and Singapore’s Changi.

With excellently preserved coral, the main attractions of Redang are snorkeling, diving and the crystal clear waters.

You’ll need to stick close to the shoreline regardless, as the interior is mostly impassable, apart from a road that connects the airport with the coast.

In 2000, the Malaysian island was the setting for Hong Kong movie "Summer Holiday," which featured Cantopop star Sammi Cheng and Taiwanese heartthrob Richie Ren. The success of the film led to a sudden influx of tourists.

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