Do you know that there are many Maldives-like islands off the East coast of Johor? Not only they have beautiful beaches filled with coconut trees but also crystal clear waters off the shore. Here are 8 Johor islands (with resorts) that you must visit at least once in your life time!
1. Pulau Besar
Pulau Besar is one of the nearest islands from the mainland at just about 25 minutes speed boat ride from Mersing Jetty. Pulau Besar is originally named Pulau Babi Besar and is the largest island among its sister islands of Pulau Babi (there’s Pulau Babi Besar, Pulau Babi Tengah and Pulau Babi Hujung).
Many locals flock to Pulau Besar for its soft white sandy beaches and clear blue sea waters. The resorts on the island are tugged behind a concrete pathway which separates the beach and the resorts. Among the more popular resorts here are Aseania Beach Resort, Bayu Lestari Island Resort, D’coconut Island Resort and Mirage Island Resort.
Most of the island packages here includes boat transfer, accommodation and meals with the option of adding on island acitivities such as snorkeling and jungle trekking. At the moment, there is no dive base here so unfortunately, diving acitvities are not available.
2. Pulau Tengah
Pulau Tengah, originally named Pulau Babi Tengah, is the middle island of the Pulau Babi island group. Pulau Tengah is a privately owned island with only one private resort – Batu Batu Resort. The beach here is similar to Pulau Besar and it is one of the most sought after private islands for couples going for their local honeymoon.
Staying at a private resort guarantees the best privacy for you and your loved ones, but it also comes with an expensive price tag. A 3D2N package here would cost more than a thousand ringgit per person. So far Pulau Tengah is the only Johor island that I have not set my foot on. Hopefully I can visit here one day.
3. Pulau Rawa
Pulau Rawa is no stranger to most locals and maybe Singaporeans. Pulau Rawa is a small heart-shaped island just behind Pulau Besar, famous for its soft white sandy beach, crystal clear waters and of course, the legendary Rawa Slide!
There are only two resorts on Pulau Rawa – Alang’s Rawa Resort and Rawa Island Resort. Alang’s Rawa Resort comprises several A-frame and Santorini-style chalets. Rooms at Alang’s Rawa Resort are without aircon and water heater. On the other hand, Rawa Island Resort, the more pricier option has rooms with aircon and water heater. Due to the island’s popularity and limited number of rooms available, package prices at Pulau Rawa are on the pricier side, starting from over RM700 per person for a 3D2N stay.
One of the best things about having a vacation at Pulau Rawa is that there are lots of island activities you can do here without going off shore. For example, there is this easy 20-minute hike to the peak of the island which promises a breathtaking view. You can also take an evening stroll along the island walk path which skirts around the island (best to do it during sunset). Furthermore, there are also lots of beautiful corals just a few metres off the shore.
4. Pulau Sibu
Pulau Sibu is a lesser known island located at just 15 minutes speed boat ride from Tanjung Leman Jetty. Yup it is a different jetty at about 1 hour drive due South from Mersing. Pulau Sibu is known for its golden brown beaches, beautiful sea waters and serene tranquility due to lesser tourists.
Some of the more popular resorts here include Sari Pacifica Sibu Resort, Sea Gypsy Village and Rimba Resort. All of these resorts are located on different bays so you will get to enjoy your vacation like being on a private beach. Among all the resorts on Pulau Sibu, only Sari Pacifica Resort has rooms with aircon and water heater as well as a beautiful seafront swimming pool.
Some of the typical island activities that you can do here include signing up for a snorkeling trip, jungle trekking or a kampung walk to the main village on the island. There is this path behind Sari Pacifica Resort that leads you to the main village where there are local schools, shops and basic infrastructure that serve the local villagers.
5. Pulau Tinggi
Located at about 30 minutes speed boat ride from Tanjung Leman Jetty, Pulau Tinggi is arguably the most easily recognizable island in Johor due to its unique trapezoidal shape – like a pyramid floating on the ocean.
The other unorthodox thing about Pulau Tinggi is that the beaches on different bays have different colours. For instance, the beach at TAd Marine Resort is snowy white whereas the beach over at Shaz Resort is light golden brown. Nevertheless, the sea water here is crystal clear all around.
Apart from snorkeling trip, you can also sign up for a jungle trekking excursion to the Pulau Tinggi waterfall. Sometimes during the weekends, there will be day trippers who hop on to Pulau Tinggi for this waterfall trek as well.
6. Pulau Pemanggil
Now let’s move on to the islands which are further away from the mainland. Pulau Pemanggil, famous among the fishing community is located at about 1.5 hours speed boat ride from Mersing Jetty. The beaches here are nothing too extraordinary, but the rocky cliff views and beautiful marine life are among the unique attractions of Pulau Pemanggil.
One of the more actively run resorts here is Lanting Beach Resort which is built on top of the cliff side. It takes some effort to make your way up to the resort from the beach. Facilities here are basic, rooms are without aircon and water heater. So it might not suit everyone.
My favourite memory here was the snorkeling trip to Nemo and Shipwreck Points as well as the catching the sunrise near the rocks. It’s one of the most beautiful sunrise spots that I can remember.
7. Pulau Aur
Pulau Aur is the furthest island away from Johor and Peninsular Malaysia. From Mersing Jetty, it takes about 2 hours speed boat ride to reach Pulau Aur. The environment at Pulau Aur is rustic and organic with untouched beaches and beautiful virgin coral reefs. Being so far away from the mainland, internet connectivity is very limited so you are like temporarily cut off from the world here.
There are several chalet-resorts on Pulau Aur such as Sebukang Bay Resort, Bluewater Resort and Giligan Lodge, all of which are located on different beaches. Facilities are basic which means you will get to experience authentic island village life.
One of the must do things on Pulau Aur is definitely the snorkeling trips. You will see some of the most untouched and beautiful coral reefs here around Pulau Aur. Also, there is this hiking excursion to Pulau Dayang (just next to Pulau Aur) that you must try. The view up there is absolutely breathtaking.
8. Pulau Dayang
Pulau Dayang is a small island just next to Pulau Aur. At the moment there is no speed boat to Pulau Dayang. So to come here, you will have to take the speed ferry which is a bit slower. The journey from Mersing Jetty is about 3.5 hours. Pulau Dayang is arguably the most beautiful Johor island thanks to its turquoise blue sea waters and powdery white sandy beach.
There is only one active resort on Pulau Dayang named Dayang Island Resort. The resort is owned by a Singaporean. Hence, their holiday packages are charged in Singapore Dollars. Facilities here are pretty basic, but with aircon rooms. It is like a private island where you have the entire beach for yourself.
Make sure you don’t miss the snorkeling trips and hiking excursion to the peak of Pulau Dayang which promises one of the best hiking views that you will ever see. You’ll have to be there and see it for yourself to fully appreciate the “king of the world” experience when you are at the peak.
There you have it – my humble summary and brief introduction of the 8 best Johor islands that you must visit. Of course there are many more uninhabited islands scattering around the Johor Sultan Iskandar Marine Park such as Pulau Hujung, Pulau Harimau, Pulau Gual, Pulau Mensirip, Pulau Seribuat, Pulau Lima and so on. Some of which you could hop on by joining an Johor Island Hopping Day Trip Tour!
Having been to these islands myself, some even multiple times, I still can’t get enough of our beautiful Johor islands. Hopefully more people will know about them and appreciate the beauty of Malaysia – truly a melting pot of amazing nature, food and culture.
