They have come to realize that there are plenty of places worth discovering aside from the usual tourist spots. Today’s couples have open minds and adventure loving spirits. Regardless if you’re an outdoor person or not there are several honeymoon spots in Malaysia that you can go to. Let me give you the top ten honeymoon destinations.

1. Pulau Tioman, Pahang – Tioman Island has spectacular landscape. It is a volcanic area which was chosen as one of the best ten desert islands by Time magazine in 1970. It has white-sand beaches, rich flora and fauna in the jungle and of course several amazing waterfalls like the Mukut Waterfall which cascades down to a granite peak. The Nenek Si Mukut and Batu Sirau mountains also are exceptional. If you want to go trekking then there are numerous trails that lead from the main area called Tekek and northward to Salang and southward to Genting.

2. Redang Island, Terengganu – If you’re an avid fan of golf then this place is for you. It is a tropical paradise complete with an 18-hole golf course. This place has been awarded the “Best Tourist Attraction” prize twice, once in 1994 and in 1995. You can see the wrecks of H.M.S. Prince of Wales as well as H.M.S. Repulse, which are both World War II ships. Couples can lie under the sun on Pasir Panjang Beach. If you want to go snorkeling then you can try the islets of Pulau Pinang and Pulau Ekor Tebu.

3. Pulau Pangkor Laut, Perak – This place is just pure paradise. If you’re into diving then go to Coral Beach. Its beautiful coral reefs will satisfy your eyes. If you are a wind surfing enthusiast then go to Royal Bay. The place also does not disappoint in architecture and design. Most facilities there have Balinese and Malay origins but all were made with the couple’s relaxation and pampering in mind as the ultimate goal. A forty minute boat ride from the town of Lumut in Perak state will take you to the island of Pangkor Laut. If you’re one of the lucky few who have more than enough money then its best that you charter a plane and then take a fifteen minute boat ride.

4. Cameron Highlands, Pahang – This is the perfect place for couples who love the outdoors and for couples who are adventurous. Cameron Highlands is Malaysia’s number one hill resort. It is located between 4,900 to 5,900 meters above sea level on the Titiwangsa Range. It is complete with lots of romantic places which honeymooners can go to. You can walk through rose gardens and nurseries, eat fresh strawberries and even go bird watching. You can stay in lavishly designed Tudor cottages while admiring the beauty of nature right outside your room. Cameron Highlands is an hour’s drive away from Tapah.

5. Pulau Langkawi, Kedah – This island is a very famous place for lovers. The two most famous spots are the Dantai Bay which is located in the northwest of Langkawi as well as Tanjung Rhu also called Casuarina Bay is nestled by a promontory. Tanjung Rhu is twenty kilometers away from Danati Bay. Dantai Bay has two high priced resorts where special guests can go out of their balcony and see for themselves the crystal clear waters that lead to Thailand. Couples can walk hand in hand on Pulau Gasing and Pulsu Pasir. There are also mangrove swamps in the area where both you and your loved one can see eagles and even feed them by hand. Do not also forget to go to Kuah for your souvenirs and bargain shopping.

6. Genting Highlands, Pahang – Located on the misty Ulu Kali Mountains, the Genting Highlands greets clients with a Las Vegas/Disneyland type of entertainment. If you want to try your luck then drop by the casino and play. You can enjoy various, amazing rides on the outdoor theme park but don’t forget to save some money for shopping. After all honeymoons is the time to forget about your worries and just relax with your better half. During evening you can either go to the disco or you can watch an international stage show. You can also try horse riding at Awana Horse Ranch. Genting Highlands is only 45 minutes away from Kuala Lumpur.

7. Cherating Pahang – You will also share with your loved one the unforgettable sight of turtles coming to shore to lay their eggs from July to September. Club Mediterranee is the most popular hotel but there are many others that you can choose from. Cherating is just 30 km away from Kuantan, capital of Pahang State.

Borneo, Malaysia is the third largest island in the world known as the tourists’ haven for leisure and amusement through its breathtaking scenery and wildlife adventures that the island offers. You will find in Borneo some endangered and exotic creatures like orangutans, tarsiers, proboscis monkeys, and many others.

Malaysian Borneo or also known as East Malaysia has two states, Sarawak and Sabah. You can go here through the two key cities, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching. You will find here several beautiful parks and sanctuaries which are homes of many endangered species and various wildlife that rarely seen anywhere in the world.

Sabah Borneo

Come and experience Malaysia’s best nature of wildlife adventure with a ride on the Kinabatangan River. This enjoyable floating safari provides the opportunity to have a close encounter with kingfishers, hornbills, long-nosed proboscis monkeys, and pygmy elephants.

Another great place to visit in Sabah is the Tabin Wildlife Reserve. This main forest is home to Malaysia’s large animals like orangutans, rhinos, and elephants. If you love bird watching, you can find in the swamp lands and jungle some species and birds such as eagles, owls, and hornbills. You might as well take the chance to visit the mud volcano and immerse yourself in muddy pools during the day.

Experience close encounter with orangutans at Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary. You can stroll on the footpath through tall tropical trees to watch these fascinating endangered mammals. Sepilok is the right place to witness rare animals that you would not see anywhere else in the world.

If you love to venture underwater then you should not miss to visit one of the world’s top diving destination the Sipadan Island. Endless live scenes of various marine life that showcase everything from reef basking green turtles to schools of barracuda. This beautiful underwater world is filled with different coral formations and colorful scenes of angelfish, sea fans, anemones, triggerfish, and many more.

Witness and be amazed of the Hawksbill and Green turtles returning ashore to lay their eggs at Turtle Island Park. Know how these ancient creatures survived and the way how the locals conserve and save these rare turtles from extinction.

Feel the thrill being in the midst of the jungle and enjoy the forest trails at Danum Valley Conservation Area. Do trekking while bird watching, taking pictures, and observing wildlife.

Sarawak, Borneo

Do not miss to visit here the magnificent coastal reserve, the Bako National Park, just a few hours away from Kuching. Enjoy nature abundant of sand stone cliffs, mangrove swamps, and seaside forest loaded with bountiful living creatures like the flying lemurs, pit vipers, proboscis monkeys, and many others.

If you love to explore caves, go to Gunung Mulu National Park and explore the unique limestone structures covered by thick tropical forest. Witness bats in millions as they come out from the cave chambers at dusk. Trek through the midst of the jungle towards the mountains to see the stunning, dagger like, one-of-a-kind blade sharp Pinnacles.

Bats go out at night to hunt for insects from the large caves of Niah National Park. Jungle pathways follow through hill and lowland rainforest to showcase various wild animals like hornbills, flying lizards, monitor lizards, monkeys, and many more.

A hydroelectric dam formed a lake reservoir that has become sanctuary of wildlife situated in the midst of the jungle and they call it Batang Ai National Park. You will see here rare rainforest animals like hornbills, gibbons, and orangutans. You can go with an Iban guide and learn the tradition lifestyle of the Iban as you spend time in a longhouse.

The Beaches

The largest attraction of the island Pulau Redang is the beaches. You can find two beautiful beaches in this island: the Pasir Panjang which is referred by tourists as the Long Beach located on the eastern portion of the island and Teluk Dalam Kecil located around the cove up in the northeastern part of Redang just a short distance away from Berjaya Redang Beach Resort.

The Berjaya Redang Beach Resort is a five-star hotel that offers great accommodation to visitors and tourists. You can easily get to this place via shuttle buses from the airport. Aside from that, there is the Laguna Redang Island Resort equally accommodating for your unforgettable stay.

The Long Beach is an 800 meter stretch of white sand studded with resorts (Redang Pelangi Resort and Redang Reef Resort) and offers a panoramic view of the clear blue water.

Under the Sea / Marine Life

The Fisheries Act of 1985 has declared Redang Island including the other nine islands as a marine park. This has paved way for tourists and visitors to engage and experience the island’s marine life in manners rarely available.

See the amazing black-tip sharks, giant clams, and hawks bill turtles basking around the coral reefs. If you love snorkeling in the clear blue waters, you can enjoy hand feeding the fish. Another way to indulge the marine life is scuba diving. You can find many diving boats available cruising between the islands.

In your scuba diving you will discover other attractions other than the beautiful marine views underwater. You will also have the opportunity to see the two World War II shipwrecks, HMS Prince of Wales and the HMS Repulse, which sunk off the coast.

Image by SeniMAN57, dazstudios

Diving Spots

Sabah is the center of the best diving locations in Malaysia. You can also find other great diving destinations like Pulau Tenggol, Pulau Lang Tengah, Pulau Tioman, Kapalai, Mabul, Pulua Kapas, Pulau Redang, and Pulau Perhentian. The breathtaking marine life and coral here make scuba diving a memorable one. The waters surrounding Sabah varies in depth which makes marine attraction different from the sea of Peninsular Malaysia. Layang Layang or Pulau Sipadan is the usual choice by most divers.

Variety of Diving Experiences

There are varieties of great diving experiences that Malaysia has prepared for its visitors. Pulau Kapalai, Pulau Mabul, and Pulau Lankayan are best spots for muck diving where you can dive in corals and rubbles to watch coral dwellers. Turtle Roack and Pulau Talang Talang are the best for reef diving. You can also find many locations for wreck diving. During second World War, many ships and marine vessels have capsized in the waters of Malaysia and now have become a great spot for wreck diving.

Mabul

Another great location for scuba diving is Mabul, which is just 25 minutes away from Sipadan. This island is popularly known as one of the world’s best spots for muck diving. Rare marine life encounter is the usual experience that Mabul muck diving can offer. Mabul is also the most favorite among macro photographers.

Sipadan Island

Sipadan Island makes your scuba diving experience complete. It is a must visit scuba diving location for those who love diving. Sipadan is famous of its marine living creatures lurking on its clear blue waters. The presence of sea turtles, colorful reef fish, and hammerhead sharks have made Sipadan earned its own reputation. Divers usually head toward Sipadan’s great drop off where one can find great facilities and water conditions.

Layang Layang

Layang Layang is offers unforgettable diving experiences. You can enjoy wonderful wall diving at the coral atoll where hammerhead sharks bask around. Variety of sea creatures like manta rays, triggerfish, and turtles dwell on the reefs. You can enjoy scenic views of different corals. Be sure to visit this place during diving season between March and August.

Images by michaelsieters, divedownbelow, femkekoek

Along the eastern part of Malaysia you can find its largest state of Sarawak. It is situated on the northwest coast area of Borneo, the world’s third largest island. When wildlife adventurers come to Malaysia, Sarawak is their best option. You will find forests in this state as its valuable asset and the main theme for Sarawak National Parks such as Bako, Lambir Hills, Similajau, Talang Satang, Niah, and Gunung Mulu.

Bako National Park

From the provincial capital of Kuching, Bako can be easily reached in just 45 minutes away. It boasts as the best of all parks in Sarawak. You will have the closest opportunities to watch the wildlife and take photos. Visiting particularly at dawn or dusk is the best time to have full wildlife encounter. Trekkers can find great trails here as well. As the most popular parks in Sarawak, you will also find a variety of interesting activities.

Talang Satang National Park

Talang Satang is one of the first national park in Sarawak  that having unique marine landscape developed for turtle conservation. You will find here several marine wonders of its inhabitants. The islands of Pulau Talang-Talang Kecil, Pulau Satang Kecil, Pulau Satang Besar, Pulau Talang-Talang Besar comprised the park.

Lambir Hills National Park

You can reach Lambir by traveling 30 km from Miri town. This park possesses valuable assets for educational and recreational adventures. Experience the park’s beautiful waterfalls, high tree tower and the primary, secondary and tertiary trails.

Niah National Park

What make Niah National Park distinct are its archeological assets. This large cave is the home of human remains for 30,000 to 40,000 years. As a matter of fact, the Southeast Asia’s  oldest human remains were discovered here. The Painted Cave is also a featured unique attraction adorned by early human inhabitants. The Malaysian government has granted both caves the prestige being the National Historical Monuments.

Similajau National Park

The unique coastal region of Similajau is famous of its rich scenery. Its strategic location can be easily reached from the town of Bintulu. You will found several amazing tourist havens like Sebubong Pool, Golden Beach, Batu Anchau, View Point, Turtle Beach, Selunsur Rapid, Batu Mandi, and the trails.

Gunung Mulu National Park

Tourists are lured by the clear forest streams, rainforests, and the variety of wildlife that can be found in the most popular among Sarawak parks, the Gunung Mulu National Park. Its huge limestone caves pose marvelous attractions and the best in Gunung Mulu. The park features several caves such as the Deer Cave, the worlds largest cave passage; Clearwater Cave, the Southeast Asia’s longest cave; and Sarawak Chamber, the largest natural chamber in the world.

Image by duke88, canorus, Alan Cressler, Edgar Thissen, Manuel Beers

Strategically located on the eastern region, Sipadan Island has become a natural amusement among many visiting tourists. Even the famous Jacques Cousteau fumed regarding the variety of marine life found in Sipadan’s  surrounding waters.

You will find seemingly unlimited under water attractions while scuba diving in this Island. How would it feel watching live turtles basking around sea walls or chewing on sponges and algae? The abundant presence of macro life that populates the reefs is reeling. You can spend your priceless scuba diving moment by just gazing on these minute amazing creatures.

If you are bound for scuba diving in Malaysia, you would find Sipadan as the center of the best scuba diving locations. Here are some very popular diving locations found in Malaysia.

Barracuda Point Reef

As its name literally suggests, Barracuda Point is very popular for barracuda sightings. Some of the barracuda sighting experiences have surpassed the high expectations among reluctant divers. Many divers have shared their weird encounters of swirling whirlpool of blacktail barracuda or chevron so intense that they can’t see a thing through the formation. Many interesting sea creatures like parrot fish, turtles, and grey reef sharks are commonly spotted along this reef.

Coral Garden

If you wish to experience a cool and calm scuba diving, Coral Garden is the best location swarmed with marine life. While scuba diving, you can watch feeding turtles and be amused by the up close experience of macro life with unlimited possibilities. Coral Garden is the most favorite among avid photographers who would want to capture their underwater experiences in Malaysia.

The Drop Off

If you are fond of shore diving, the Drop Off is your best option. Among the great shore diving destinations, the Drop Off is considered as the best not only in Malaysia but in the entire world. The Drop Off is just a short walk from the main beach and through scuba diving you will discover the fascinating world of underwater fully studded with array of colorful coral and sponges hugging to the vertical wall.

You will certainly be amazed watching shrimps, crabs, and other macro life homing on alcoves and crevices. You don’t have to search further to experience wonders of underwater of Malaysia. The Drop Off is the best diving spot if you wish to have a close and personal encounter with live turtles, grey reef sharks, whitetip sharks as well as large schools of bumpheaded parrotfish, barracuda, and jacks.

If you want to have the best scuba diving experience, put Sipadan (or Pulau Sipadan), Malaysia on your top list of options. Don’t simply listen to hearsay, go to Malaysia and discover the underwater wonders yourself.

Image by Miguel Cortés, elecompte