The Best 9 Islands To Visit For Solo Female Travel In Malaysia

A melting pot of cultures, traditions, and natural beauty – Malaysia has always been one of the top countries to visit by solo female travelers. However, is Malaysia really safe is a question that has been quite debatable due to the common tourist scams in the mainland and certain more serious issues with the tourists in the non-touristy parts of the country.  Nonetheless, solo female travel in Malaysia has never really stopped and female travelers still love to travel through the highlands to the islands and beyond in Malaysia.

What to do in Malaysia and which islands to visit can get a little overwhelming. For the purpose of this article, I have collaborated with nine solo female travelers to share their experiences on the best islands which can be visited for solo female travel in Malaysia.

The Perhentian Islands by Hannah of Adventure Travel Family

The Perhentian Islands have historically been voted the most beautiful islands in the world, and for good reason. From Kota Bahru airport, a one-hour taxi to Kuala Besut and a 45-minute boat ride will land you on Perhentian Kecil island (the smaller island of the two) fringed with white sand and bright blue, wildlife-rich waters. I managed to arrive on a national holiday to find that all of the accommodation was booked up and subsequently broke my only pair of flip-flops, but helpful locals gave me an (albeit flimsy and mosquito attracting!) tent to put up in their garden and this made me feel very safe when I could have been in a vulnerable situation. 

Scuba diving and snorkeling off Coral Bay are the main activities on the island, other than sunbathing and sampling delicious local food or hanging out with other backpackers at the evening beach parties. There is also a lovely outdoor cinema/restaurant at Ombak’s Resort. Obviously the usual rules apply- don’t flash your cash or leave your drink alone, and don’t walk back to your accommodation alone in the dark while traveling solo in Malaysia – but this is the advice I would give to any solo female traveler anywhere in the world!”

Manukan Island by Marya of BeauTraveler

Manukan Island in Sabah is one of the popular islands that can be reached from Kota Kinabalu in Borneo. The access to get there is quite easy, as all the boat departures start in one place: Jesselton Point. The island is the biggest one compared to its surrounding islands. However, if you start early in the morning, you may as well take a packaged island-hopping tour to visit some other islands like Gaya and Sapi island.

I went to Manukan Island by myself as I traveled solo when I had my last Borneo trip. As probably most people traveling solo around the beach, my only concern is how to keep my stuff safe. What do I do with my bag when I want to enjoy the most out of the island? Fortunately, there’s a locker rent not so far from the beach that costs only 10 MYR (around $2.3 USD). Once you put all your belongings in the locker, you can leave your locker key at the front desk and get around the island with no worries.

Apart from having a picnic around the beach and snorkeling, there are some other activities that you can do around the island. With some additional fees, you can choose activities from renting a banana boat, jetski, or even parasailing there. It is a great addition to add in your solo travel in Malaysia itinerary.

Gaya Island by Penny of GlobeTrove

Gaya island is located off the coast of Malaysian Borneo. This tiny little island is part of the Tunku Abdul Rehman Park which is a protected reserve that encompasses a number of islands. Unlike many of the other islands, Gaya island is quieter and is a highly recommended thing to do if you are visiting Kota Kinabalu. If you love the idea of staying in overwater bungalows with crystal clear water, then this is definitely the place that you should be looking at.

Tucked away from civilization, Gaya island is as safe as it gets. There are a variety of water-based activities that you can indulge in. From snorkeling and kayaking to scuba diving, there is no end to the fun. You could also choose to kick back and relax with a book specially if you’re on a trip of solo female travel in Malaysia.

MERC, an organization that helps conserve the reef is also located on the island and is certainly worth a visit. They talk about all the things that you can do to safeguard the reef and it sure is enlightening. Gaya island was one of the prettiest islands that I have visited in Malaysia.

Redang Island by Fiona from Passport and Piano

Redang island is on the east side of Malaysia, and the easiest way to get there is to fly to Kuala Terengganu and catch a ferry from the Shahbandar Jetty in town.  You can also reach Redang from the Merang, Jetty which is about 40 minutes from Kuala Terengganu.  You can get a taxi using the Grab App, which is similar to Uber. 

Crystal clear waters surround the island, and there’s plenty of fantastic dive and snorkeling spots. As its more of a luxury destination it’s not as busy as many of the other islands. There are several high-end resorts to stay at, and you’ll feel safe if you chose to visit Redang by yourself. There is only one road on the island and restaurants are limited, so most hotels offer packages and day trips. 

The Taaras beach resort is the best place to stay. It has 24-hour security and several onsite restaurants. They have a reef that you can swim out to from their private beach, and an activities team if you wish to book dive trips or nature walks. There’s also a turtle research laboratory and releasing one of the turtle hatchlings back into the sea is one of the most exciting and memorable things to do there. 

Langkawi by Ming Lee of Flyerism

Thinking about what to do in Malaysia? In my humble opinion, Langkawi is one of the safest islands in Malaysia for solo female travelers with common sense. Langkawi has a lower crime rate than other cities in Malaysia. The locals are friendly and honest, but not overly hospitable. Besides, Langkawi spared severe natural disasters such as typhoons and earthquakes.

However, you should watch out for the wild monkeys and dangerous jellyfish at the beaches. Jellyfish is a growing concern in the region so your best bet is to get a stinger suit if you intend to swim in the oceans.

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The number one option for getting to Langkawi is by plane. There are daily direct flights available to Langkawi from Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, Singapore, Bangkok, Phuket, and Hatyai. Alternatively, you can travel to Langkawi by ferry from Penang, Kuala Kedah, Kuala Perlis, or Koh Lipeh.

Even though Langkawi is a small island, there is so much to do. Some of the highly recommended activities for first-timers are: visiting eagle square, riding the cable car, island hopping, snorkeling, explore the mangroves. 

Must Read: 5 Top-Rated Adventurous Langkawi Island Tours

Dinawan Island by Jodie of Alajode 

Dinawan Island is a teeny tiny slice of paradise off the coast of Sabah, Borneo. It’s nothing but picture-perfect white-sand beaches and coconut, making the perfect place to unwind. It’s also a great spot for snorkeling and stand-up paddleboarding. Or, if you’re feeling more adventurous, you can also try parasailing or a banana boat ride – perfect activities to during solo female travel in Malaysia!

Dinawan Island is a private island, meaning the only way to visit is on an organized trip. That also means it’s about as safe as it comes, and I was able to completely relax as a solo female traveler. I felt totally fine leaving my stuff on the sunbed while I went for a dip in the sea or went to get a drink because there’s no one else around. 

Trips to run daily from Kota Kinabalu and take a maximum of around 50 people. You’ll arrive in the morning and leave the jetty at some point in the afternoon, depending on the tide and sea conditions. If you’re staying in the city and have a spare day – or need some downtime! – make sure you add a day on Dinawan Island to your Kota Kinabalu itinerary.   

Kapas Island by Katherine of Tara Lets Anywhere

Kapas Island is a local island in Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia. Its name translates to “cotton island” which refers to its fine beaches.

I went solo on a weekend vacation to Kapas Island and I would recommend it to fellow solo female travelers as well. It’s a laidback and relatively less crowded destination even on weekends. During my stay, I was free to keep to myself so I can relax but it was also easy to chat or ask for help from Malaysians on the island. Truly, Malaysians are one of the friendliest people I’ve met.

There are a few things to do in Kapas Island. You can chill in a hammock or swim, snorkel around the surrounding water, dive, or walk the length of the island so you can visit its 5-6 beaches which are all connected by bridges. You can also rent a boat to take a short trip to another nearby island.

To get here, from Kuala Lumpur take a local flight or an overnight bus to Kuala Terengganu. Then take a taxi to Marang Jetty. From the jetty, there are scheduled boat trips to Kapas Island.

Mabul Island by Wendy of The Nomadic Vegan

Mabul, a palm-tree covered island off the coast of Sabah, is famous for diving and snorkeling, not only on Mabul Island itself but also on the nearby island of Sipadan. Sipadan has some of the best diving in the world, but Mabul is also great if you like macro diving, also known as “muck diving”.

If you’ve been following the news about piracy in Southeast Asia, you might be surprised to see Mabul on a list of places that are safe to visit. It’s true that a few years ago there were several incidents of pirates based in the southern Philippines kidnapping foreign tourists on the east coast of Sabah.

However, security has been increased on Mabul and neighboring islands, and no such incidents have happened recently. Those that did occur targeted wealthy Asian tourists staying in luxury resorts, so if you’re at a more budget-friendly resort you shouldn’t have anything to worry about even if you’re on a trip of solo female travel in Malaysia.

Mabul is actually a very quiet and peaceful island with friendly locals. While most tourists never leave their resorts, I encourage you to at least visit the local village to taste some traditional Malaysian food. To reach Mabul, take a boat from Semporna, which takes 30 minutes by speed boat or 1.5 hours if you take the slow boat.

Penang by Jennifer of Passions & Places

Penang is one of the most popular travel destinations in Malaysia, and it’s a safe and comfortable place for solo female travelers to explore. The main city of George Town has the biggest selection of accommodation and it is easy to get around on foot or by public bus or Grab. The area around the UNESCO site is densely populated with hotels and restaurants, so women staying there won’t have to worry about being in an isolated area.

Simply wandering around is the best way to experience George Town and take in the city’s famed street art and interesting architecture. Some of the highlights include Love Lane, Armenian Street, and the Clan Jetties. Penang Hill and Penang National Park are two of the top sites on the island and make great day trips from George Town. So does Batu Ferringhi, a town on the north coast that has some of the island’s best beaches.

You can fly directly into Penang’s airport, or reach the island via a short ferry ride or one of the two bridges that connected it to Butterworth on the mainland.

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Also Read: The Reasons Which Made Me Dislike Kuala Lumpur + A 2-day KL Itinerary

I hope these recommendations by some avid solo travelers have inspired you to explore Malaysia beyond its mainland and see the real beauty of Asia hidden in lush green mountains surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Andaman Sea. So, leave all the fears behind and plan your solo female travel in Malaysia trip, right now!

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