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Malaysia's Spectacular Shorelines: 5 Best Beaches You Must Visit
With over 4,800 km of stunning coastline, Malaysia is truly a beach lover's paradise.
This Southeast Asian nation boasts some of the most beautiful sandy shores on the planet, from secluded hideaways fringed by swaying palms to world-famous hotspots with every amenity you could dream of.
Here, we will look at five of these unmissable seaside gems that Malaysia has to offer.
1. Tanjung Rhu, Langkawi
This is frequently touted as Malaysia's best beach. Tanjung Rhu on the legendary island of Langkawi lives up to every bit of the hype.
Stretching for over 2km, Tanjung Rhu is a crescent-shaped paradise that dazzles with blissfully soft pale sands. If your idea of vacationing is casually reading a book under a casuarina tree, this is it. It is what really sets Tanjung Rhu apart and makes it a must-visit is the relative lack of crowds compared to some of Langkawi's busier beaches.
Only two resorts sit on this idyllic bay, giving it a more tranquil, remote-island vibe that feels worlds away from the stresses of everyday life.
Thailand is also a great beach destination to explore. You might want to check out some of Thailand’s stunning beaches and islands as well.
At low tide, make sure to come explore the fascinating rock pools and tiny islands that emerge from the shallow turquoise waters right offshore. These temporary sandbars and lagoons provide the perfect playground for adventurous visitors to hunt for small marine creatures, sculptural driftwood, and colorful seashells in the clear shallows.
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2. Pantai Cenang, Langkawi
Pantai Cenang makes it a perfect beach for families with children and those who want to laze in the calm, swimmable shallows. Cenang, in general, has an energetic, festive atmosphere and fantastic amenities that cater to travellers of all kinds.
Cenang's buzzing night markets and open-air seafood restaurants are rife with local sights, sounds, and flavors. You can browse colorful stalls selling handicrafts and street food delicacies and restaurants, or indulge in fresh-caught seafood feasts as you enjoy live music and entertainment with your toes still in the sand. While the beach itself is a major attraction, Pantai Cenang's central location makes it an ideal base for exploring other Langkawi highlights.
The Underwater World Langkawi, one of the largest aquariums in Malaysia, is located at the southern end of the beach. Nature lovers can take a short trip to the nearby Laman Padi Langkawi, a rice garden museum offering insights into the island's agricultural heritage.
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3. Perhentian Islands
For a true tropical paradise, it's hard to top the beauty of Malaysia's Perhentian Islands. This stunning duo of islands is all about warm, crystal-clear waters teeming with marine life.
You can use your snorkel or dive gear to explore the nearby reefs and underwater wonderlands just offshore. The surrounding coral reefs teem with marine life, making the Perhentians a paradise for underwater enthusiasts.
Popular snorkelling spots include Shark Point, where you can see blacktip reef sharks, and Turtle Bay, known for its sea turtles. Both islands offer hiking trails through dense tropical forests, providing opportunities to spot monitor lizards, monkeys, and various bird species.
Long Beach and Coral Bay boast silky alabaster sands and shallow bays with brilliant turquoise hues perfect for swimming.
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4. Redang Island
Part of the same archipelago as the Perhentians, Redang Island might just be the textbook definition of a dreamy tropical island paradise. This protected marine sanctuary sits about 45km off the Terengganu coast.
As a designated Marine Park, Redang has steered clear of overdevelopment, maintaining a beautifully pristine ambience that's perfect for nature lovers and divers. The island's main draw are the exceptionally beautiful beaches fringed by granite boulders, emerald jungle, and the crystalline South China Sea.
On the island's east coast, you'll find the dazzling stretch of white sand at Tejuk Dalam, offering a near-perfect crescent bay with water as blue as a Bombay sapphire. Mushroom-shaped rock formations dot the shoreline, forming scenic little grottos and inviting rock pools to explore at low tide.
Neighboring Teluk Karang Baharu has a similar postcard-worthy vibe, with pillowy soft sand and bright turquoise water ideal for swimming and snorkeling amongst the colorful reefs offshore.
Further north, Teluk Sari Terengganu Beach offers privacy and seclusion beneath the shaded cove of soaring sea cliffs and boulders blanketed in vines.
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5. Kemasik Beach, Terengganu
While the East Coast islands get most of the international acclaim, mainland Malaysia has some absolutely sublime beach getaways too that often fly under most visitors' radar. A perfect example is the breathtaking Kemasik Beach, located about 200km south of Terengganu. Also known as Little Malaysia, this pristine 7 km stretch ranks as one of the country's longest and most beautiful continuous beaches. The dazzling soft white sand almost seems to glow, fringed by emerald green hills draped in dense jungle.
What sets Kemasik apart is the incredible visibility and clarity of the shallow sea here - within just a short distance, you can see brilliantly vivid shades of turquoise, aquamarine, and sapphire as the water deepens into the distance. That gradual gradient also makes it one of the most swimmable and family-friendly beaches in the region.
With very little development beyond a few ultra-laidback beach huts and restaurants, what you'll find on Kemasik Beach is peace and serenity in abundance.
Soak up the tropical zen vibes as you stroll along the shore or laze on the sand under the swaying palms and casuarina trees.
If you're craving some adventure, try your hand at:
Join a boat tour to wind-sculpted offshore islands, or
Discover the nearby waterfalls and dramatic cliff-lined coves.
However you experience Kemasik Beach, you'll marvel at how this seaside gem remains one of Malaysia's most blissfully uncrowded and best-kept secrets.
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Malaysia's Top 5 Coastal Gems You Can't Miss
From the crystal-clear waters of the Perhentian Islands to the pristine shores of Langkawi, Malaysia's coastline offers a diverse array of stunning beaches to suit every traveler's taste.
With their unique charms, from powdery white sands to vibrant marine life and breathtaking sunsets, each of these coastal gems promises an unforgettable experience.
As you plan your Malaysian getaway, be sure to include at least one of these spectacular beaches in your itinerary.
