Situated just 10 kilometres off shore on the West Coast of Sabah, the volcanic island of Pulau Tiga offers good walking trails as well as several excellent snorkelling spots.

This picturesque spot became famous when it was used as the site for the first location for the hit reality television series Survivor. Consequently, Pulaua Tiga is often referred to as Survivor Island.

There are two main resorts located on Pulau Tiga and those with a taste for luxury will be able to treat themselves to a little pampering surrounded by sun, sea, sand and tropical beauty. While many people come here to relax and unwind, those with energy to spare will be able to take part in water sports such as sailing, kayaking and scuba diving.

Pulau Tiga is famous for its naturally therapeutic volcanic mud. Those who want to get back to nature and get up close and personal with the island’s wildlife can stay on the island’s campsite.

Pulau Tiga is located 120 kilometres from the city of Kota Kinabalu and visitors can catch a bus from the Segama overhead bridge, which is located next to the Post Office. A one-way trip costs approximately RM18.00, while a taxi ride from the taxi stand next to the Merdeka Field should cost around RM180.00 each way.

Tioman Island lies off the eastern coast of Peninsula Malaysia in the South China Sea and is the largest of a series of volcanic islands that can be found in this part of the world. This is an area of intense natural beauty as it boasts beautiful beaches, breathtaking marine life including whale sharks and turtles, virtually unpopulated jungle highlands, crystal-clear streams, and the dramatic peaks of Batu Sirau and Nenek Semukut.

While sand beaches can be found all around the edges of the island, the centre is filled with thick, almost impenetrable jungle, which is ideal for those who are interested in trekking and hiking. Keen rock climbers will also find plenty to do as the edges of the island are shaped by smooth, straight cliffs.

Tioman Island is popular with all sorts of holiday makers, from families with small children, to honeymooners, scuba divers, backpackers, adventurers and even people who are looking for a little luxury. Most of the best places to stay here are clustered around the villages that can be found dotted along Tioman Island’s coastline. There are also a few small resorts built around private beach coves.

June to August is the most popular period to visit Tioman Island in as there are plenty of days filled with sunshine and scorchingly hot temperatures during these months. However, the island is virtually deserted during the monsoon season, which lasts from November to January.

Getting to Tioman Island is simple as there is a regular ferry service from the nearby port of Mersing. The island also has its own airport.

Situated just off the mainland of Malaysia to the very north, the pretty island of Penang – known as Pulau Pinang in Malay – is a great place to spend a few days. Bordered by Thailand to the north, many people head straight to Penang after taking the train through Thailand and across the border.

There are many reasons to visit Penang. With its beautiful beaches, Kek Lok Si – perhaps the largest and finest Buddhist temple in Asia – and spectacular scenery, it is easy to see why the island has earnt the nickname Pearl of the Orient.

Don’t miss Kek Lok Si, the terrific pagoda-style temple situated atop Penang Hill. Not only is this a great place to relax and meditate, but the views from the top are spectacular as well. Another good place to visit is the Botanical Garden. This 30-hectare garden was created in 1884 and features a sparkling waterfall as well as beautiful wild Rhesus monkeys.

Also known as Foreigner’s Rock, Batu Ferringhi is a picturesque beach resort. Take a break from temple hopping and trekking through the jungle to simply lie back on the sand a soak up the sun for a while. The Penang Butterfly Farm is located nearby at Teluk Bahang. The butterfly farm is set in picturesque tropical gardens and has thousands of species of butterflies and insects.

As you walk through Penang’s Indian area, you are greeted by the scent of dozens of stalls and small shops cooking up spicy biriyanis, masalas, daal and dosas whilst meat marinated in tandori spices roasts on spits and in ovens.

If you fancy a treat, take a spin in the Revolving Restaurant on 25A Lebuh Farquhar. It takes an hour for the restaurant to make a complete revolution, allowing you to enjoy spectacular views of Penang.

Some of the best and cheapest accommodation can be found in Georgetown, especially on Lebuh Chulia, where there are several guesthouses offering rooms from RM 200 per night.

Malaysia Truly Asia

Holding its own among Asia’s best know destinations, Malaysia encompasses the best of the region’s outstanding characteristics, without the hassle or concerns of its neighbours. From the stunning beaches in Langkawi to the history on Penang and Sophistication of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia offers its 20 million annual visitors a completely satisfying experience.

On this site we cover the entire Peninsula and Borneo, including Melaka, the Cameroon Highlands, the islands of Perhentian and Redang, as well as Kinabalu, and the jungles and beaches of East Malaysia. Written by an old hand on Southeast Asia, this blog will soon be upgraded to a full travel site with hundreds of pictures and pages to help you plan your trip to Malaysia.

Whether you’re into diving, hiking, history, shopping, beaching, culture, backpacking or simply soaking up the atmosphere of this organised and mutli-cultural country, there’s something for you on this site. We’ve got the tourism on Malaysia covered.

The best way to see Malaysia is under your own steam with a rental car. This allows you to get around easily to the various rural areas of beauty. It’s best book online in advance using an online car hire comparator that lists the best deals from car hire companies in Malaysia