I'll let you in on a secret...

Thailand is not the only country in southeast Asia with stunning beaches. Malaysia has dozens of tiny islands on both the east and west coasts that rival the beauty of southern Thailand. Plus, the beaches in Malaysia have the added advantage of being relatively unknown (read: cheaper, less crowded, more unspoilt).

Photo credit: Nicolas Lannuzel on Flickr.

One important fact to keep in mind when planning a trip to any Malaysian beach is the monsoon season -- do not visit the east coast of Malaysia between November and March, unless you like rain. Lots of rain. That one caveat aside, here are my top picks for a beach-hopping Malaysian adventure.

For more information about Malaysia tours & things to do in Malaysia, check out our Things to Do in Malaysia Blog and our Suggested Itineraries in Malaysia blog post

Photo credit: Nicolas Lannuzel on Flickr.

Redang. The most expensive of the east coast islands, Redang is truly paradise. Very few Malaysians actually live on the island, so you pretty much have the whole place to yourself. Snorkeling is available off any beach; if you're lucky, you might even see some sea turtles. Redang is well known as a turtle sanctuary, they usually lay their eggs on Turtle Beach on the north of the island. Berjaya Air makes it very easy to get to Redang from KL's Subang airport (a 45-minute flight, and you're on the beach within five minutes of arriving).

Photo credit: Nguyen Thnh Lam via Flickr.

Perhentian Islands. A selection of smaller islands just north of Redang, the Perhentians are very popular with budget travelers. The beaches are totally unspoilt, with a wide variety of beach huts right on the shore, for just the right price. A favorite for diving and snorkeling, the Perhentians are a great place to earn your scuba diving certificate.

Read more: A Backpacker's Paradise: the Perhentian Islands

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Viator: Insider's Guide to Malaysia's Best Beaches