Malaysia is a beautiful country with pristine beaches. There are many, so it is often difficult to find the right beach for the right trip. From upscale 5-star resorts to public sandy enclaves, the country offers a little bit for everyone. Here's Bikyanews.com's choices for top five beaches that you must go to while in the Southeast Asian country. Pasir Panjang Beach, Redang Island The water is extremely crystal clear. During the day, the beach is buzzing with a hive of beach activities. There are at least 3 or 4 beach volleyball courts stretching along the shoreline. Occasionally, you can also find the tourists and locals playing beach soccer or futsal. The mid-section of Pasir Panjang Beach is devoid of any coral growth, providing sun-worshippers with an excellent swimming area. You will be amazed by the color of the ocean that ranges from deep blue to light milky blue especially during a sunny day. It's also a great snorkeling area. Redang Beach The most expensive of the east coast islands, Redang is truly paradise. Very few Malaysians actually live on the island, so you pretty much have the whole place to yourself. Snorkeling is available off any beach; if you're lucky, you might even see some sea turtles. Redang is well known as a turtle sanctuary, they usually lay their eggs on Turtle Beach on the north of the island. Berjaya Air makes it very easy to get to Redang from KL's Subang airport (a 45-minute flight, and you're on the beach within five minutes of arriving). Tioman Island Part of Malaysia's protected marine park islands, Tioman is a snorkeling and divers paradise. The abundant coral reefs off the northern coast of the island are home to a huge variety of colorful tropical fish within easy reach of the shore. Tioman is quite close to Singapore, towards the south of Malaysia's east coast and sees quite a few tourists from both Singapore and Malaysia each year. You will find larger, more budget-friendly hotels all around this popular island. Berjaya Air offers quick and easy flights directly to Tioman or you can take the bus to the coast, and then a ferry to the island. Langkawi Malaysia's duty-free island, Langkawi is the most touristy and lively island on the west coast. Although the beaches aren't quite as beautiful as those on the east coast, there is a much wider variety of hotels, restaurants, and shops on this tourist hot spot. Langkawi beaches have the added advantage of being available all year round – no monsoon closures for this northern island. Pangkor Island Although not the most beautiful of Malaysian beaches, Pangkor is within an easy drive from KL – a great option for a weekend escape. There are several large hotels around Pangkor Island, but most expats opt for the Pangkor Beach Resort. If you're looking to splurge, Pangkor Laut is a privately owned island resort with stunning over-water bungalows, 5-star service, and door-to-door transportation included. An easy weekend get-away from the hustle and bustle of KL. BN
