mabul island

Just half an hour from the coast of Malaysian Borneo, Mabul is a small, oval shaped island covered in tall palm trees, fringed with soft white sand and surrounded by the turquoise water of the Celebes Sea. You can easily walk around it in half an hour.
The pathway around the island cuts through a local Bajau village and gives one an intimate glimpse into a traditional lifestyle that is entirely dependent on the sea.

Most people that set foot here, however, have only one thing in mind and that is scuba diving. Mabul has not only become famous for its proximity to Sipadan, but also has a reputation as one of the best “muck” diving sites there is.

The abundance of large underwater animals and the unique topography in Sipadan offers an adrenalin-filled diving experience, and as there are no accommodation facilities on Sipadan, many divers choose Mabul as their base to explore it. Mabul, however, offers something entirely different, yet equally fascinating. The fairly shallow waters and low visibility, has earned it the muck diving label, but it is the abundance of tiny, exotic creatures that brings divers, armed with macro lens cameras, down here time and time again. Scuba diving in Mabul

sibu island

Sibu Island Johor, Malaysia
The Sibu Archipielago lies only 30 minutes from the east coast of peninsular Malaysia. The scenic cluster of islands is made up of Pulau Sibu Besar, Pulau Sibu Tengah, Pulau Sibu Hujung, Pulau Kukus and Pulau Tinggi, “Pulau” being the Malay word for island. The archipelago is rich in natural beauty and sea turtles crawl ashore here in July to lay their eggs. It is hard to think that this peaceful area was once the site of a Vietnamese refugee camp.

Most of these islands continue to be uninhabited but, luckily, on Pulau Sibu Besar, various resorts have opened their doors, providing a tropical escape for those needing a break from city life.
On Sibu Island, there are the numerous outdoor activities, fishing trips being particularly popular. Scuba diving is also a good option as this area was designated a Marine Park in 1993 for the conservation of the marine life in the surrounding water. The lush tropical vegetation of Sibu is perfect for a bit of jungle trekking. While you won’t need serious equipment to brave the 15-20minute walks that take you from one resort to another, a good insect repellent is a must.

The panoramic sea views, the coral reefs and the white sandy beaches make Sibu a special place, where the only risk is to fall in love with the idyllic island life. Have a peaceful, private holiday, enjoy some sea sports or just relax in paradise. Selamat Datang!

Map of Sibu Island

kapalai island

Home

Atop the Ligitan reef, a narrow sandbar appears at low tide, only just rising above the waves of the Celebes Sea – Kapalai Island. As the sandy ridge tapers down into deeper water, the shallow sand bed creates a cloud of turquoise in an azure sea, crowned with the wooden village of the Sipadan-Kapalai resort. The entire Sipadan-Kapalai Resort is built on stilts on the sand and in the shallow water. From afar, it seems to be floating in the middle of the sea. There is an abundance of marine life just below its wooden walkways, a hint at the treasures to be discovered in the depths beyond. These undersea wonders are the true attraction of Kapalai, apart from the panoramic sea views and the unmatchable seclusion. Without even getting wet, you can spot unusual creatures like lionfish and needlefish in the clear water around your chalet, and diving in Kapalai means entering a macroworld paradise. Kapalai is located off the coast of Semporna, a small fishing town in Malaysian Borneo (how to get there). It is within minutes of Sipadan Island, a legend in diving circles, and its equally famous neighbour, Mabul Island.

tinggi island

Among the most pristine and untouched regions of Tinggi Island is Pasir Panjang (Long Beach), which is nestled in a long stretch of golden sands. According to the legend, Hang Tuah (a Malay hero) stopped here before he continued his journey. The island got its name from the Malay word for tall, "Tinggi".

The island has fresh water, fruits, rattan, timber and a well sheltered harbour. The boat ride to Tinggi Island takes approximately 40 minutes. The crystal clear water and the lush forest make you forget all about your stressful day-to-day life. Don't miss the sunset view from Tinggi Island. An island nearby, 'Berlima' is a very suitable place for swimming and snorkelling. 'Berlima' simply means five, which represents five small islands. Other snorkelling destinations are Sibu Kukus and Mentinggi Island.

Tinggi Island is a fisherman's paradise. Other activity on Tinggi Island includes jungle trekking allowing you to step into the virgin jungle. It is a suitable place for honeymooners, away from the noise and pollution of cities and better developed resorts. Simply put ... peaceful, relaxing and cool.

langkawi island

The whisper of legend can be heard everywhere in Langkawi: in the majestic trees of the 450-million year old rainforest; in the misty caves and hilltops; in the lapping waters of waterfalls, deep lakes and rivers; in the villages of fishermen and rice farmers; and in the turquoise ocean where it meets the white sands of the many beaches. Be captivated by Langkawi’s legends.

Pulau Langkawi (Langkawi Island) is the main of the 99 islands that make up this enchanting archipelago at the north-western tip of Malaysia and just south of Thai waters. There is something here for everyone, from the budget-conscious traveller to those in search of the ultimate in luxury and seclusion. Families or honeymooning couples will feel just as welcome as business guests and meeting groups. Find accommodation to suit your needs.

Excellent infrastructure makes a visit to Langkawi a breeze, without diminishing the laid-back rural charm or the breathtaking natural wonders that are its hallmark. There are countless things to see and do on the island, but those in need of a break could easily spend days here just soaking up the sun and the natural beauty. What do you want to do?

kapas island

Kapas Island answers to all your hopes for an idyllic tropical island – swaying palm trees, untouched jungle, turquoise water gently lapping at the beach and colourful coral reefs just off the shore. This picturesque getaway is less than 5 km from the mainland and is reached within 15 minutes by speedboat from the coastal fishing village of Marang. Its accessibility from the mainland makes it popular with locals for daytrips and the fairly good availability of budget accommodation means that it is also popular with backpackers.

The resorts on Kapas Island are mostly spread out over three beaches on the western shore, facing the mainland. Accommodation here ranges from dorm rooms to moderately priced air-conditioned chalets. More luxurious accommodation is available on Gemia Island, a small islet just a few hundred metres northwest of Kapas. Pulau Kapas means Cotton Island in Malay and this peculiar name is attributed to the pure white beaches that are the trademark of this island. The name comes as no surprise once you have walked along these beaches: the sand is soft and white and slopes gently into the crystal clear water.

Another reason why Kapas Island is popular is because of the excellent snorkelling in the waters surrounding the island. There is an abundance of corals and other marine life, visibility is good and the water is shallow and calm. Because the coral is mainly around the rocky edges of the island, you can still go swimming off the beautiful beaches, even at low tide. Kapas Island may be easy to reach, but it is much harder to leave this island after being immersed in its beauty.

besar island

Besar Island

Another popular myth from the island that is popular with the locals is about a couple that transformed into mermaids. The story goes that once, the pregnant wife of a local fisherman had a craving for a seaweed that can only be found in the waters of Mersing. After dining on the seaweed, she was transformed into a mermaid and her heartbroken husband decided to join her by dining on the very same seaweed that she took. Even to this day, the locals claim that they can still see the couple swimming around the island together. During low tide, one can see small nibble marks on the island rocks that are said to be the mark of the mermaids.

Rising some 2,000 feet above the sea level, this is one of the largest islands off the coast of Mersing and is surrounded by 15 other islands. Several long streches of finest beaches with fine, soft white sand fringe the island carefully hidden from the outside world.It is irresistible to those who seek tranquility amidst charm of a village setting. The island houses many exotic coral reefs and underwater flora as well as numerous chalets and restaurants. Besar island is accesible by boat from Mersing town (approximately 30 minutes).

IIn the Mersing waters, there are at least 15 other small islands scattered around the area. Each island is unique in its own way. All the while, tourists have only been accustomed to the popularity of Pulau Tioman in Pahang and Pulau Pemanggil in Johor which actually are situated within the same area.

redang island

Redang Island boasts with white sandy beaches lined with palm trees, crystal clear waters and spectacular coral reefs. It’s everything that you hoped a tropical island would be and this idyllic place is less than an hour from the east coast of peninsular Malaysia.

Most of the resorts on Redang Island are lined up along Pasir Panjang (Long Beach), arguably one of the best stretches of beach in all of Malaysia. A handful of other resorts are tucked away in private beach coves, the most impressive being Teluk Dalam (Deep Bay) where the Berjaya Beach Resort is located.

With excellent visibility and spectacular, easily accessible coral reefs, it is no wonder that Redang is hailed as a scuba diving and snorkelling paradise. Even right in front of the most popular beach, the rocks are home to various species of coral, reef sharks (harmless to humans) and moray eels. Redang and the surrounding islets were gazetted as a marine park in the early 90’s and human activity in the area is strictly controlled in order to protect the marine ecosystems.

Under the protected status, Redang has experienced a tourism boom and is a very popular weekend destination. Apart from the impressive diving, picturesque beaches (and beach parties), another thing that has contributed to Redang’s popularity in recent years is the hit Chinese comedy Summer Holiday that was shot on location here.

Redang Island has everything that you need for a fun island holiday – great beaches, warm tropical waters and plenty to do during the day and night time.