Wild and Diverse: Malaysia's Best Nature Spots
Malaysia, one of my favourite countries, is an absolute gem for nature and wildlife. Consisting of Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo, the country has so many incredible things to offer – it’s any nature lover’s dream.
As I’ve only been lucky enough to explore the nature of Peninsular Malaysia so far, here I’ll share the best nature spots on the peninsula to help inspire your next adventure.
Contents
Perhentian Islands
What Is It?
A pair of breathtaking, jungle-covered islands, named Perhentian Besar and Perhentian Kecil, surrounded by protected marine life. They’re known for having some of the clearest, most vibrant turquoise waters in all of Southeast Asia. From experience, I can confirm this is true!
Where Is It?
The islands sit around 20km off the northeastern coast of Peninsular Malaysia in the South China Sea. They’re accessed from the small mainland jetty town of Kuala Besut by a 30 minute speedboat.
What to Do There
The islands are quiet and highly protected so there’s no crazy events or trips going on here. You can enjoy snorkelling and diving trips in the gorgeous waters with mesmerising marine life and bright coral reefs. Alternatively, explore the islands by their jungle trails which give you access to secluded beaches around the island.
Things to Note
The islands completely close for tourists from November to February due to their severe monsoon season so visiting is limited to March through to October. The islands run mostly on cash but has no ATMs so it’s essential to pull out cash on the mainland before heading out. The island requires you to pay a Marine Park Conservation Fee.
Looking for more about the Perhentian Islands?
Langkawi
What Is It?
An archipelago of islands with the impressive assignment of the UNESCO Global Geopark title. It’s known for its beautiful beaches, duty-free shopping, ancient rainforests and the Langkawi Sky Bridge.
Where Is It?
Langkawi is located off the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia in the Andaman Sea, just south of the Thai border. It can be accessed from many places, including Thai islands like the popular Koh Lipe and Koh Lanta. The main island also has an airport to fly directly into or boats run to mainland Malaysia regularly.
What to Do There
Enjoy a boat tour of the ancient mangroves surrounded by macaques and eagles above. Take the Langkawi SkyCab up to the peak of Gunung Machinchang to enjoy the wide landscape views and the Langkawi Sky Bridge. Head over to the nearby Telaga Tujuh (Seven Wells Waterfall) and hike to the natural freshwater pools sitting inside the jungle canopy. Enjoy adventure activities like high rope courses, ATV mountain jungle tours, jet skiing, parasailing, kayaking and so much more.
Things to Note
Even if you’re heading over to Langkawi for the incredible nature it has to offer, don’t miss the shopping. The entire island is duty-free so if you’re looking to pick up chocolates, cosmetics and alcohol then it’s the perfect place.
Penang National Park
What Is It?
The smallest national park in Malaysia but packed with incredible biodiversity. It offers a wonderful, unique mix of dense coastal rainforest, a rare meromictic lake and beautiful beaches.
Where Is It?
The national park is located on the northwestern edge of Penang Island. It’s easily accessible from the popular Georgetown via local bus for around RM4 (£0.70 / $0.96) or you can take a Grab for approximately RM40 (£7.30 / $9.63).
What to Do There
Hike the jungle trails to Monkey Beach or in the other direction to Turtle Beach which hosts a small, local sea turtle conservation hatchery. Enjoy the beaches and hike back through the jungle or pre-arrange a boat ride back to the entrance for views of the national park from the water.
Things to Note
You must register at the main office before heading into the park. There’s a conservation fee, payable at the main office by card only – RM50 (£9.10/ $12) for foreigners, RM20 (£3.65 / $4.80) for students and RM10 (£1.80 / $2.40) for Malays. The boat rides will be payable by cash only.
Taman Negara
What Is It?
At an estimated 130 million years old, Taman Negara is one of the oldest primary rainforests in the world. It’s huge and home to a completely untamed ecosystem.
Where Is It?
The rainforest is located right in the middle of Peninsular Malaysia, spread across three states. The most common base for visiting is the small village of Kuala Tahan as it sits directly across the river from the park entrance.
What to Do There
My two recommendations are the night jungle walk and the day trek with village visit and river rapid shooting. Night safaris, overnight treks and multi-day treks are also available. The rainforest is also home to the world’s longest canopy walkway.
Things to Note
The park fees are incredibly affordable for what you get access to. It’s RM1 (£0.18 / $0.25) for entry and RM5 (£0.90 / £1.20) for a camera. You can access parts of the park without a guide but I’d highly recommend heading out with a guided group, the longer trails are not the easiest to navigate independently and the guides are experts.
Do be aware that Orang Asil, the village stop during day treks, is home to semi-nomadic indigenous groups and while they are legit, very interesting and educational, it’s become touristy with “local souvenirs” and donation boxes.
Tasik Cermin (Mirror Lake)
What Is It?
An outstanding, hidden reservoir surrounded entirely by towering limestone karst mountains. The water sits so still that it creates a glass-like reflection of the rugged cliffs above.
Where Is It?
The lake sits just on the outskirts of Ipoh, Perak. Accessed by an affordable Grab ride from anywhere in Ipoh itself.
What to Do There
Stroll through the 90-meter-long historic miner’s tunnel that runs straight through the mountain and opens up into the impressive, hidden lake. There’s a wooden viewing platform to enjoy the views from or head out on a boat ride which will take you through water caves.
Things to Note
Tickets are well-priced at RM10 (£1.80 / $2.40) for foreigners and RM4 (£0.75 / $0.95) for Malays, with discounted children and senior tickets. The boat ride tickets are standard at RM25 (£4.55 / $6) for adults and RM18 (£3.30 / $4.30) for children.
Swimming is strictly forbidden to preserve the delicate ecosystem. The best time to visit is before 10am to avoid crowds and capture the best lighting for those “mirror” photos.
Tioman Island
What Is It?
A rugged, volcanic island covered in dense, mountainous rainforest. Considered to be more untamed and traditional than the already quiet Perhentian Islands.
Where Is It?
The beautiful island is located off the southeastern coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It’s accessible from the mainland town of Mersing via a two-hour ferry ride.
What to Do There
Enjoy snorkelling and diving to witness the incredible underwater world of marine biodiversity. Hike through the jungle to refreshing waterfalls. Head over to the eastern side of the island to visit the Juara Turtle Project – a conservation centre focused on supporting endangered sea turtles. Rent kayaks and stand-up paddle boards or jump on a boat tour to explore the secluded coves and beaches of the island.
Things to Note
Tioman is a duty-free zone so like Langkawi, you can enjoy duty-free shopping. Similar to the Perhentian Islands, the island is covered in dense jungle so the only way to get around is by limited trails or water-taxis. The island requires you to pay a Marine Park Conservation Fee.
Cameron Highlands
What Is It?
A fun mountain station, originally developed by the British during colonisation as a cool-weather escape. The highlands are a combination of endless rolling lush green hills, misty cloud forest and rugged backcountry hiking trails.
Where Is It?
Located along the Titiwangsa Mountain Range in the state of Pahang around 1500 meters above sea level, it’s accessible from many tourist spots across Malaysia. The main town for tourism is Tanah Rata, a 4-hour bus journey from Kuala Lumpur.
What to Do There
The most popular thing to do is jump in a 4×4 jeep for a day tour of the highlights. This will likely include stops at the BOH Tea Centre, the unique mossy forest, strawberry farms, and more. The highlands are also home to some wild jungle trails ready for you to enjoy.
Things to Note
The high altitude means that it’s much cooler than the rest of Malaysia so make sure you have a jumper or jacket with you. As a popular domestic getaway, it’s best to avoid the busy weekends or public holidays if possible. Some of the hiking trails are not the easiest to navigate and some have had recent property developments running through the trails so check with your accommodation or at the forestry department for advice on which trail to choose.
Bonus: Malaysian Borneo (Sabah & Sarawak)
What Is It?
Borneo is the third-largest island in the world, divided among three countries: Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei. It’s wild and raw, perfect for world-class expeditions, huge cave systems and incredible mountains.
Where Is It?
Just across the South China Sea from Peninsular Malaysia, you’ll find Malaysian Borneo. Easily accessed via a short domestic flight from Kuala Lumpur into Kota Kinabalu (Sabah) or Kuching (Sarawak).
What to Do There
Sabah offers the incredible wildlife safaris to spot wild orangutans, elephants, proboscis monkeys and so much more. In Sabah you can also enjoy trekking Malaysia’s highest peak, Mount Kinabalu, and diving to one of the world’s best diving spots, Sipadan Island. Head to Sarawak to explore Gunung Mulu National Park, an impressive jaggiest karst landscape home to the largest (by surface area) cave chamber on Earth.
Things to Note
Malaysian Borneo is absolutely incredible, however, it does require more time, money and logistical planning than the peninsula. Despite it being the same country, the states have separate immigration controls so keep your passport on-hand.
Wild and Diverse
Peninsular Malaysia is a wild blend between so many diverse natural beauties. From stunning beaches to deep-jungle expeditions, you can experience so much in such a short space of time.
If you’re considering heading to Southeast Asia and Malaysia’s incredible nature has caught your eye then check out my post about why you should add Malaysia to your Southeast Asia itinerary.
Hi, I'm Kelly!
Welcome to The Untold Journeys, a travel blog with a focus on raw, authentic travels and finding those exciting hidden gems.
I’m here to share my experiences and stories to give you everything you need to explore the world and head on your own adventures.
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