Pangkor Laut

With warm water and white-sand beaches stretching out to green hills filled with tropical birds and monkeys, it is easy to see why this Malaysian island is such a popular holiday destination. Pangkor Laut houses just one resort and the island’s main activity is relaxation.

Your accommodation on Pangkor Laut can be a spa hut sitting over the water, a secluded villa in the hills, a beach bungalow or a family-friendly garden villa. Booking in advance is highly recommended for stays between June to September when people from the Northern Hemisphere quickly snap up the 140 rooms.

Start the day with room service and enjoy breakfast with ocean views. For lunch or dinner, try fresh seafood at a table on the beach, enjoy a banquet in one of the restaurants or indulge in treats from the patisserie. End the day with sunset drinks in a bar.

If you want to see a bit more of the island, book a cruise, go for a rain forest walk or rent a kayak. To see tropical fish, take the shuttle bus to Emerald Bay and snorkel along the island’s west coast.

Pangkor Laut offers rejuvenation treatments inspired by health and relaxation practices from across Asia. Enjoy reflexology or an exfoliating rub, soak in a spa bath or try a facial with Malaysian herbal treatments made from rain forest plants. Those looking to relax the mind and exercise the body can join a yoga or tai chi class.

The island just off the coast of Perak is surrounded by the Malacca Straits between Malaysia and Sumatra. Here on Malaysia’s west coast the wet season is from April to May and again from October to November.

Getting to Pangkor Laut is not straightforward, but has been made easier with the resort’s optional private car transfer from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to the ferry in Lumut. This journey can take more than five hours in total. Those in a hurry can book a helicopter transfer to the island.