The first time I entered the turquoise waters of Langkawi by boat, it felt like time had stopped. The engine went silent, the sun sparkled on the water’s surface, and I thought to myself: “Is this place real?”
Malaysia has over 877 islands — a number that, according to sharifstudy. only partially appears on official maps. Some of them still have no infrastructure, yet each feels like an independent, mysterious world.
The islands of Malaysia aren’t just beautiful — they are strange, deeply strange, and truly extraordinary! From colorful sands to seas that glow at night, this country is far more than a simple tourist destination.
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Mabul Island: Living in Water Villas with a View of the Ocean Floor
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In Mabul, the houses aren’t built on land — they stand on stilts in the heart of the ocean. When you look out the window of your room, you see neon-colored fish swimming beneath your feet!
According to Marine Conservation Society, this island is one of the top 5 diving spots in the world, attracting thousands of divers annually who come to see the giant green turtles. In my opinion, this place looks more like a scene from Avatar than real life.
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Tioman Island: Where Legends Come Alive
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Tioman is an island that, according to locals, was once the resting place of a sea dragon! A story that may sound like fantasy — until you enter its rainforest, and then it starts to feel totally believable.
According to Lonely Planet, Tioman is among the top 10 islands in Asia for nature lovers and hikers — not just because of its beaches, but because of its lush rainforests and hidden waterfalls. I once saw a waterfall on a hiking trail whose water wasn’t just crystal clear — it was strangely colder than the surrounding air, even under the midday sun!
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Sipadan Island: The Only Island in Malaysia Built on a Living Coral Volcano
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This incredible island, located in the Celebes Sea, is built on a summit of living coral! That means you’re walking on a “biological volcano.”
According to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, Sipadan is one of the few places in the world where only 120 people per day are allowed to enter, to protect its fragile ecosystem. When I put on my diving mask and went underwater, it felt like entering a galaxy — thousands of colorful fish, reef sharks, and massive turtles beneath your feet.
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Rawa Island: Malaysia’s Hidden Maldives
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Many don’t know that there’s an island in Malaysia with powdery white sands, turquoise waters, and resorts built directly over the sea. Rawa is truly one of the most breathtaking places in Southeast Asia, yet very few people know about it.
Even TripAdvisor lists the island with a 4.9-star rating, but strangely, it’s still absent from most tourist brochures. Maybe that’s because the region’s billionaires prefer to keep this paradise for themselves…
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Perhentian Island: Where the Ocean Glows at Night!
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One of the strangest experiences of my life was seeing a nighttime lagoon where every movement of my hand triggered glowing blue lights in the water. This phenomenon is caused by bioluminescent plankton, which on certain nights, transform the entire coastline into glowing neon blue.
Perhentian isn’t just for diving or sunbathing. If you're into unique experiences like nighttime boat rides through glowing waters, this is like a sci-fi movie — except it’s completely real!
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Kapas Island: Where Time Comes to a Halt
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On this island, there are no cars, no roads, and not even an ATM. Just sand, coconut trees, the sound of waves, and a few simple huts. For me, Kapas was the place where I could truly shut out the noise of the world and just be with myself.
According to experiences published by Sharif Study, Kapas is a popular choice for many expats and digital nomads who are in search of true peace. A place with no distractions — only silence and nature.
Conclusion? Not Really — Because Malaysia’s Islands Never End...
The truth is, when you enter the world of the islands of Malaysia, it’s like stepping into a land that’s still partially undiscovered. Every island has its own story. Some have legends, some remain uninhabited, and some come alive only at night.
From swimming with peaceful sharks in Sipadan to witnessing bioluminescent waters in Perhentian, the islands of Malaysia aren’t something you can feel through photos or blogs — you have to go, see, and believe.
Because every time you return from one of these islands, it feels like a piece of your heart stayed behind.
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