This list highlights only singular resorts on private islands; therefore, please do not ask me why Japamala or Taaras are not included. Again, private island resorts mean only one resort is on the island.

Several of them are dive resorts that offer a luxurious experience for diving couples and honeymooners. The list is below and in no particular order.

The list starts randomly with one of the most famous resorts, the Pangkor Laut Resort, followed by other beautiful resorts all over Malaysia.

Units here boast Signature Sea Villas, which stand elegantly on stilts above playful waves, while the Garden and Hill Villas place you within a few steps of nature’s abundance on this beautiful island.

World-class luxurious amenities and facilities await honeymooners or couples seeking a romantic retreat operated by Malaysia’s YTL group.

World-renowned celebrities and superstars have also stayed here, and you can imagine the level of service offered.

To get here: The only way is by road from Kuala Lumpur, which takes about three hours, and then a private boat transfer to the resort.

Your only neighbour is the Rebak Island Marina, where yachting travellers dock their beautiful yachts and boats while travelling through Malaysia.

Vivanta Rebak Island Resort offers seven types of rooming ranging from superior to luxury suites, while the restaurant offers a fantastic spread of local and international cuisines.

A sunken pool bar for those who love to laze by the swimming pool is available, and the romantic evening beach dinners also offer stunning seafood barbecues under the moonlight. At the same time, there is also a beach hut bar serving various cocktails and spirits.

Room service is 24 hours, and there are multiple activities for guests to explore, like jungle trekking, swimming, or taking a sunset cruise.

Rebak Island Resort also offers special packages for weddings, honeymooners and even private functions or events. For those wanting a little more, the resort offers a boat shuttle service to Langkawi, where you can explore the tourist attractions and nightlife.

To get here, You need to book via the resort or travel agent, and the private jetty is a mere ten minutes away from the Langkawi International Airport.

Gem Island Resort in Terengganu. Photo from EatPlayLovebyJasl.

Off the Terengganu coast on the east coast of Malaysia and on Gemia Island is the beautiful Gem Island Resort and  Spa, branded as your ultimate private island getaway.

This property offers 45 seafront villas, a restaurant and sea activities like diving and snorkelling. The island is also part of a marine conservation park here. 

Gem Island Resort also offers a wedding package where you can rent the entire island and hold your wedding from RM40,000 to USD$10,500.

Gem Island Resort is located on Pulau Gemia, next to Pulau Kapas, and it takes about a 15-20 minute boat ride from Marang Town Jetty in Terengganu.

To get here: From Kuala Lumpur, a drive here will take around five to six hours, and alternatively, you can fly from KL to Kuala Terengganu and take a taxi to Marang Jetty.

Rawa Island Beach.

Halfway to Tioman Island is the Rawa Island Resort, located on an idyllic tropical island called Pulau Rawa, which is situated within the Sultan Iskandar Marine Park archipelago.

The Rawa Island Resort offers 77 rooms, each individually designed to blend in with the natural landscape. You can choose beachfront chalets, family villas, or garden villas.

The restaurant offers fantastic local and international cuisines, which are buffet style, while there are activities like hiking up the only hill here for a beautiful island view.

Snorkelling, scuba diving, and kayaking are offered for those who want these activities. This island is also known to be booked entirely for private weddings or even functions.

To get here: Pulau Rawa Island is accessible by a twenty-minute boat ride from Mersing, Johor and needs to be specially booked through the Rawa Island Office. No other commercial boats or ferries will take you here. 

Mataking Island Resort in Sabah is perfect for weddings.

One of the best-kept secrets for private resorts in Malaysia is the Reef Dive Resort at Mataking Island, which is only 40 40-minute boat ride from Semporna, East Coast of Sabah in Malaysia.

This stand-alone resort makes you think you are in the Maldives, with stunning natural beauty and perfect for anyone seeking a quiet and romantic holiday on an island. 

For those wanting a private beach or island wedding, you can also book the entire resort for your special occasion. Apart from walking to Mataking Kecil Island when the tide is down, an outdoor jacuzzi plus the unique local spa are also highlights.

This place is also one of the top dive spots in Sabah, where you can find an underwater post box on one of the shipwrecks.

To get here: You must book via the resort or any travel agent in Sabah. You can also read my Mataking Island review from my previous trip here.

Kapalai Resort in Sabah. Image from ReefRainforest.

Another world-class resort on a stand-alone island in Sabah is the Sipadan Kapalai Resort, located on Kapalai Island, 30 to 40 minutes by boat from Semporna in East Coast Sabah.

This beautiful sandbank island is about ten minutes from the world-famous Mabul Island and attracts many visitors, especially divers.

Kapalai Island Resort, as most people call it, is built entirely on wood and stilts; therefore, you will be in for a surprise as the place’s natural beauty is absolutely stunning.

A man-made beach deck is also one of the highlights, while when the tide is down, guests can take the stairs to the natural sand back beach here.

The resort attracts newlyweds, honeymooners and even curious couples, as the uniqueness of this place is much to experience.

If you are a diver, Kapalai is also one of the best places to dive in Sabah and diving on Sipadan Island is also offered.

To get here: You need to book from the various travel agents around Sabah, or you can also book through the main website as below.

The beautiful Lankayan Island Resort off Sandakan, Sabah.

One of Malaysia’s most simple yet beautiful island resorts is the Lankayan Island Resort, which sits two hours away from the mainland and from the city of Sandakan in East Coast Sabah, Borneo.

The Lankayan Island Resort offers 23 sea-facing wooden chalets or villas that are beautifully designed for those seeking a perfect getaway.

A long wooden jetty connects a floating circular restaurant out in the open sea, and walking there is an adventure on its own as you feel like you are in a live aquarium with all sorts of coral fish and turtles being easily spotted around the walkway.

Facilities on the island are straightforward and include snorkelling, diving, kayaking, and just doing nothing but relaxing here, which is what the doctor ordered for those in need of relaxation and away from any hustle and bustle.

The restaurant offers buffet-style fresh seafood cooked in Asian and International styles. Overall, this isolated resort offers a simple yet fantastic getaway.

To get here: You need to book via the resort operator or tour agent or visit the resort website as below.

Layang Layang Island Resort

Layang Layang Island aerial view.

The most isolated resort in Malaysia is the Avillion Layang Layang Resort, which is 300 kilometres from Sabah in the South China Sea.

Known as one of Malaysia’s most intriguing dive locations, Layang Layang Island is actually a creation of the Malaysian Navy, which reclaimed land from the sea to state the nation’s sovereignty over the Spratlys Islands.

Layang-Layang is ranked as one of the top 10 dive sites in the world due to its remarkable array of marine life, where you can see hammerhead sharks, manta rays, dolphins, barracuda, and turtles.

The Avillion Resort Layang Layang, designed and built along the concept of a traditional longhouse, offers guests four types of rooms ranging from standard to suites.

As this island is well known for scuba diving, prices start from USD$2000+ per person for a 7-night stay here, excluding all flights to the island, but you are sure of one of the best escapes in the world. This is truly a romantic divers paradise waiting to be discovered.

To get here: You can only book accommodations through the main website or specialized tour agents in Sabah.

Website: http://www.avillionlayanglayang.com/

Batu Batu Resort on Tengah Island, seen from the air

There are, in fact, some other single-island resorts in Malaysia, but they are mostly less than three stars and have yet to make this list.

The main focus was on a romantic getaway for visitors to Malaysia and anyone planning a honeymoon, anniversary or wedding.

Since this writing, many other new island resorts have opened, and I will probably come up with an updated list soon.

For the island and beach lovers, you can also check out my other article on the best beaches in Malaysia, which I have visited over the last few years.

Conclusion

My objective is an individual mission to promote Malaysia’s beautiful destinations and attractions to the locals and the world.

I hope you enjoy this article, and if you know of any other private island resorts in Malaysia, please let me know here. Meanwhile, one of the properties above could be the one you visit for your next romantic escape.