MY · Johor · 2.44°N 103.98°E

pulau besar

Sandy beaches, short snorkelling outings and an island break close to Mersing.

Best time
March to October. During the north-east monsoon, roughly November to February, the sea gets rough, boats are cut back and most resorts close.
How long
2–3 days
Getting there
Drive about 4–4.5 hours from KL to Mersing via the North–South Expressway and Kluang, then about 30–45 minutes by boat. Resorts arrange the transfer, and boat times follow the tide.
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MY · Johorpulau besar2.44°N 103.98°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Sandy beaches, short snorkelling outings and an island break close to Mersing.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingPulau BesarMY, Johor
KLpulau besar
≈ 266 km from KL, as the crow flies
Besar Island, Mersing, Johor, Malaysia

Photo: Chongkian · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

Johor's Pulau Besar, the one off Mersing rather than Melaka's, is a small island in the marine park with powdery white sand, a handful of resorts and six small kampungs. It's a weekend of swimming, snorkelling and doing very little under the coconut palms.

Makan

  1. Resort mealsMost meals come from your resort's kitchen: rice with fish, curry and vegetables.Map ↗
  2. Seafood barbecueSome resorts grill fish and squid on the beach in the evening.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. The beachesPowdery white sand and clear, shallow water for swimming when the sea is calm.Map ↗
  2. SnorkellingBoat trips to the reefs around the island and its neighbours in the marine park.Map ↗
  3. The kampungsWalk to the small villages along the shore for a look at island life.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Book your boat transfer when you book your room; there are few public boats.
  • Older maps and some bookings still call it Pulau Babi Besar.
  • A marine park fee is collected at the Mersing jetty, and taking coral or shells is not allowed.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.