Islands and beaches have always been a favourite travel destination among Malaysians. This is no surprise since we live in a region where we get the sun, sea and sand right at our fingertips.

Because who doesn’t love our hot, hotter and hottest weather?
But which beach destinations exactly do travellers from Malaysia frequent the most?

Hotels.com, the popular online accommodation booking website recently revealed the top 10 list for the most-searched beaches by Malaysians.

And because Malaysians love our Cuti-cuti Malaysia, Langkawi leads the pack for the second year in a row!

Some of Langkawi's best known resorts are tucked away within the lush rainforest.
From the rich history that stretches beyond the time of Mahsuri, to the award-winning hotels, to the duty-free shopping that no man or woman can say no to, Langkawi has continued to maintain its strong appeal as a family destination.

Following closely behind Langkawi is yet another Cuti-cuti Malaysia beach destination. We’re sure you can guess it by now, it’s none other than Port Dickson.

Lexis Hibiscus Port Dickson in the perfect shape of our national flower.
Just an hour’s drive from Kuala Lumpur, Port Dickson is another favourite among travellers from Malaysia thanks to its wide variety of resorts and villas.

Moving away from Malaysia’s borders, travellers here also seem to have a soft spot for our neighbouring countries, namely Thailand.

Thai beaches like Phuket, Krabi, Pattaya and Koh Samui are popular beachside towns that make the perfect weekend getaway.

Patong Beach looks good as new.
Young Malaysians often visit the lively Patong Beach and bright lights of Bangla Street in Phuket.

Phuket, together with Krabi and Koh Samui in Southern Thailand also happen to be popular halal destinations among Malaysian travellers.

Chaweng Beach is Koh Samui's busiest beach where you can find the best surfing and shopping spots.
The abundance of halal restaurants and Muslim-friendly hotels and facilities, including halal dining, female-only spa and alcohol-free villas have turned the Thai beaches into must-visit destinations.

Last but not least, you cannot have a list of popular beaches without mentioning Bali.

Bali's Jimbaran Beach offers peace and tranquility as the perfect antidote to all the stress in life.
The Indonesian island’s vibrant nightlife, rich culture, top-notch resorts and private villas continue to attract Malaysian tourists without fail, namely towns like Ubud, Seminyak and Legian which are at the centre of Balinese culture.

Based on the trend of Malaysian tourists, December tends to be one of the busiest travel periods in the year mostly because of the school holiday season.

Hotels.com also found that Malaysians were very much interested in travelling overseas, which was clearly seen in the surge in search volumes for beaches like Krabi and Bali.

For a better idea of the most-searched beach destination among Malaysian travellers, here’s the full list:
  1. Langkawi
  2. Port Dickson
  3. Phuket
  4. Krabi
  5. Bali
  6. Pattaya
  7. Pangkor
  8. Koh Samui
  9. Cherating
  10. Boracay

So, what is your personal favourite island or beach?