Malaysian island paradise

Malaysia's best beaches

30 Mar 2015 | From Wei Yi of Malaysia

POSTCROSSING FRIEND

Gentle sea breeze, crystal clear blue water washes against powdery white beaches are a common feature of tropical island paradise in Malaysia.

Malaysia is hot and humid all year and blessed with some of the most beautiful beaches on the planet. With almost 900 scattered islands, and a vast 5,000km coastline on both sides of the Malaysian Peninsula and along Sarawak and Sabah, Malaysia has a vastly varied shoreline, from the palm shaded nature-rich islands of Sabah and Sarawak off Borneo, to the vibrant and stylish coastal resort towns facing the South China Sea and the Straits of Malacca on its Peninsula.

Malaysia is one of the world’s most visited countries, and its stunning beaches are a big part of that appeal. Your biggest problem might be choosing where to start. Here are the 10 best islands for a Malaysia holiday according to CNN: Perhentians, a hippie hideaway; Tioman, an island for flashpackers; Langkawi, best for luxury; Penang, best for food and heritage; Labuan, an isle of bankers; Layang-Layang, isolation guaranteed; Sipadan, for hard-core divers; Redang, for a "Summer Holiday"; Rawa, for a weekend break; and Pangkor, most loved by locals.