Looking for a dreamy island escape without dusting off your passport? Just off the coast of Johor lies a string of sun-kissed gems, each more enchanting than the last. Picture turquoise waters lapping at powdery white shores, coral reefs teeming with life, and secret sea caves waiting to be explored.
The best part? These idyllic islands are accessible from Johor Bahru, making them perfect for spontaneous getaways or a little romance in the tropics.If you’re chasing sunsets, scuba tanks, or simply a hammock and a good book, these 10 islands in Johor promise to live up to your expectations.
1. Pulau Rawa
Tucked off the coast of Mersing, Rawa Island is a little slice of barefoot luxury just 3 to 4 hours from Johor Bahru. Often dubbed the “Malaysian Maldives,” this small coral island is all about white powdery beaches, luminous turquoise waters, and a vibe that whispers exclusivity. Privately owned by the Johor royal family, Rawa keeps things intimate with just a handful of laid-back resorts like Rawa Island Resort and Alang’s Rawa.
Days here are spent paddling a kayak through glassy waters, trekking through lush jungle to panoramic viewpoints, or snorkelling alongside technicolour reef fish that glide just offshore. With its calm, shallow shores and serene atmosphere, it’s as perfect for families as it is for lovers of sun-dappled simplicity.
How to get there:
Drive/Bus from Johor Bahru to Mersing Jetty: ~2.5 – 3 hours by car or 4 – 5 hours by bus.
- By car: Take the North–South Expressway (NSE), exit at Ayer Hitam, then continue eastward via Route 50 toward Mersing.
- By bus: Take a direct bus from Larkin Sentral to Mersing Bus Terminal, then grab a cab (5 – 10 minutes) to the jetty.
Ferry/Boat to Rawa:
- Rawa Island Resort arranges private speedboats (20 – 30 minutes) from Mersing Jetty. Advance booking is required.
- Ferry times depend on the tide, so check with your resort before travelling.
2. Pulau Besar (Pulau Babi Besar)
Just a short boat ride from Mersing, Pulau Besar — once known as Pulau Babi Besar — offers a generous dose of island charm that lives up to its name. “Besar” means “big” in Malay, and everything here feels just a little larger than life: wide sandy beaches, spacious resorts, and an endless horizon of crystal-clear blue. The island’s long stretches of powdery white sand and gently swaying palms make it a postcard brought to life.
Beneath the waves, a nearby marine park teems with vibrant marine life, making it a hit with snorkelers and curious first-time divers. Less posh than Rawa and more polished than rustic Sibu, Pulau Besar strikes a sweet balance that is ideal for groups, families, or anyone dipping their toes into the island life for the first time.
How to get there:
Drive/Bus to Mersing Jetty: ~2.5 – 3 hours.
Boat to Pulau Besar:
- Speedboats arranged by the resorts (~30 minutes).
- Boats only operate during high tide.
3. Pulau Sibu
Tucked just under 4 hours from Johor Bahru, Pulau Sibu is a quiet whisper of paradise near Mersing. A cluster of islands that includes Sibu Besar and Sibu Tengah, it feels like stepping into a snapshot before filters existed. With no motor vehicles allowed and only a handful of low-key resorts, the island gently nudges you to slow down.
The water is shallow, warm, and begging for a lazy paddle or a snorkel among coral gardens. Resorts like Sea Gypsy Village and Rimba Resort keep things refreshingly rustic, all while championing marine conservation. And if you time your visit with the tides, the shoreline becomes a live exhibit of starfish, sea cucumbers, and coral fish shimmering in the shallows like nature’s jewelry.
How to get there:
Drive to Tanjung Leman Jetty: ~2.5 – 3 hours from Johor Bahru.
Speedboat to Sibu Island:
- Most resorts arrange transfers (20–30 minutes).
- There is no public ferry; you must book your stay before arriving as boat schedules are synced with check-in/out.
4. Pulau Aur
Floating about 70km off the coast of Mersing, Pulau Aur feels like the edge of the map among other islands in Johor in the best possible way. Remote, raw, and wrapped in crystal-clear waters, it’s the kind of place seasoned divers daydream about. Part of the Johor Marine Park, Pulau Aur is home to blacktip reef sharks, sea turtles, bumphead parrotfish, and kaleidoscopic coral gardens that look like they’ve been plucked straight from a nature documentary.
The island itself is blissfully underdeveloped, with only a smattering of humble dive lodges and barefoot resorts. No beach bars, no crowds, just the soundtrack of waves and the occasional splash of fins.
How to get there:
Drive to Mersing Jetty: ~3 hours.
Boat to Aur Island:
- Speedboats arranged by resorts or dive shops, taking 3 to 4 hours (depending on sea conditions).
- Not accessible via public ferry; only private charters or dive trip packages. Departures are limited and usually early morning.
5. Pulau Tengah
Pulau Tengah is a private island retreat just a breezy 20-minute boat ride from Mersing where luxury tiptoes gently alongside nature. Once a Vietnamese refugee camp in the 1970s, today it’s home to just one hideaway: Batu Batu Resort. Picture powdery white sand, lush jungle trails, and coral reefs so close you could snorkel to them before breakfast.
It’s a dreamy escape for families, honeymooners, and eco-conscious wanderers. The resort champions sustainability with reef protection programs, solar power, and turtle conservation efforts that actually make a difference. Spend your days kayaking, wandering forest trails, or visiting baby turtles at the hatchery.
How to get there:
Drive to Mersing Jetty: ~2.5 – 3 hours.
Boat to Tengah Island:
- ~20-minute boat ride via resort-arranged transfers only.
- As it’s private, only guests of Batu Batu Resort can visit. No public boats available.
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6. Pulau Tinggi
Pulau Tinggi sits quietly, often overshadowed by its flashier island cousins — but that’s exactly its charm. Larger than Rawa or Sibu, Pulau Tinggi is all wild edges and earthy allure, with dense rainforests, cascading waterfalls, and a rugged silhouette that’s earned it the nickname “General’s Hat Island.” It’s a dream for the low-key adventurer who loves trekking up to the misty 600-metre summit, meandering through jungle trails, or diving into coral-laced waters that feel like your own private aquarium.
How to get there:
Drive to Tanjung Leman Jetty: Same route as Pulau Sibu.
Speedboat to Pulau Tinggi:
- ~30 – 45 minutes, arranged by your resort.
- No public ferries; private resort transfers are the only option.
7. Pulau Tioman
A little farther afield about 5 hours by road and ferry from Johor Bahru, Pulau Tioman is the kind of escape that rewards the journey. Tucked within the Rompin district and accessible via Tanjung Leman or Mersing jetty, this island is a legend among divers and beach lovers alike. As part of the protected Tioman Marine Park, the island is a living postcard of tropical fish, reef sharks, sea turtles, and vibrant coral gardens.
You can stay in laid-back villages like Salang, Tekek, or Juara, where the vibe is effortlessly easy. Hike through rainforest trails, spot cheeky monkeys, or simply stretch out under the sun with nowhere to be. Tioman doesn’t rush you — and honestly, why would you want it to?
How to get there:
Drive/Bus from JB to Mersing Jetty: ~3 hours by car, 4–5 hours by bus (same as Rawa).
Ferry to Tioman:
- Bluewater Express operates daily ferries (~1.5–2 hours), stopping at various villages like Tekek, Salang, and Juara.
- Tickets can be booked online or at the terminal.
8. Pulau Dayang
Nestled beside Pulau Aur within the Johor Marine Park, Pulau Dayang may be small, but it packs a punch beneath the surface. Known among diving and sport fishing circles for its deep blue pelagics, dramatic coral drop-offs, and crystal-clear visibility, this island is less about crowds and more about the call of the sea.
Once home to a couple of modest dive lodges like Dayang Blue Resort, the island now caters to a more niche, seasonal crowd — usually arriving via multi-day dive trips from Johor Bahru or Singapore. It’s not the kind of place you stumble upon; it’s the kind you seek out. For serious divers and fishing enthusiasts looking to escape the usual itinerary, Pulau Dayang offers that rare, remote magic that feels like a secret passed between friends.
How to get there:
Drive to Mersing Jetty: ~3 hours.
Boat to Pulau Dayang:
- ~3 to 4 hours by private speedboat or as part of a dive group package.
- Check resort availability or join dive tours (they often include Aur, Dayang & Harimau). No walk-in access.
9. Pulau Harimau
Pulau Harimau — Malay for “tiger” — may sound fierce, but this tiny, uninhabited gem near Pulau Aur is more siren than beast. Known for its dramatic sea cave hiding a secret saltwater pool, it’s one of the islands in Johor that looks like it was made for Instagram, then left untouched just enough to stay magical. Steep cliffs, crystal-clear waters, and that hidden mini-lagoon make it a favourite stop for island-hoppers and snorkelers based on nearby Pulau Aur or Dayang. There are no resorts, no cafes, not even a hammock in sight — just raw, wild beauty made for day trips and quick dips.
How to get there:
Drive to Mersing Jetty: ~3 hours.
Boat to Pulau Aur or Dayang, then island-hop to Pulau Harimau: No direct trips — you must stay on Pulau Aur or Dayang and arrange a half-day boat excursion.
10. Pulau Pemanggil
In case it’s not already obvious from the name, Pulau Pemanggil is the kind of island that feels steeped in both nature and myth. Less polished than Tioman or Rawa, it draws a different kind of traveller — those in search of marlins and barracudas, jungle trails, and a bit of supernatural whispered in the wind. At its heart rises Batu Buau, a towering boulder said to hold spiritual significance, watching over the island like a quiet guardian.
The waters are clear, the snorkelling serene, and the vibe refreshingly uncommercial with only a handful of fishing lodges and rustic spots like Lanting Beach Resort. For seekers of nature, culture, and a touch of island mysticism, it’s an unforgettable escape off the beaten path.
How to get there:
Drive to Mersing Jetty: ~3 hours.
Speedboat to Pulau Pemanggil:
- Speedboat arranged by resorts (~1.5 – 2 hours ride).
- Boats only leave during good weather, and trips are usually tied to fishing or diving packages.
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