Dive Into Malaysia Travel

Looking for a beautiful island in Malaysia that will give you a local experience? Located off the west coast of Malaysia in the state of Perak, Pangkor Island often sits in the shadow of other more developed islands like Penang and Langkawi which are located nearby. However, Pangkor Island offers its own unique experience for visitors. It’s a great place to have a relaxing getaway with fabulous beaches. It’s a smaller island with a population of around 20,000 people which can only be accessed by ferry. This gives the island a feeling of isolation and community. But despite this relative isolation, I found Pangkor to be surprisingly lively with a local feeling missing on most Malaysian islands I have visited. This is where people live and work and not just come to lie on a beach (although the latter is very easy to do!). I really loved this local feel. Many people visit for the hornbills and stunning beaches, but there are more things you can add to your itinerary. In this episode, I’m discussing why you should visit Pangkor Island, what to do when you’re there and where to stay. There’s not all that much information about Pangkor Island out there, and I am excited to share my experiences with you. By the end of this episode, you’ll be all set for a visit to Pangkor Island. Read the show notes here: https://diveintomalaysia.com/episode22

Looking for a beach area close to Kuala Lumpur where you can have a great beach break? Or want a stopover location when flying into Kuala Lumpur International Airport? Port Dickson (or PD to locals) is a coastal resort town about 90 kilometres from Kuala Lumpur. It’s even closer to Kuala Lumpur International Airport. It has some great beaches and is the quickest and easiest beach place to reach from the inland city of Kuala Lumpur. Thanks to this, it is quite popular with locals, especially on weekends. It’s also quite easy to reach from Singapore. Port Dickson generally refers to a lovely stretch of coast as well as the town itself. Along here, there are many beaches, calm seas and plenty of nature to enjoy. It’s great for a beach break and is also a good alternative to a KL stopover if you are flying into KL and just have a night or two before flying elsewhere and would rather a beach and a pool to a big city. In this episode, I discuss why you should visit Port Dickson, what to do when you’re there and where to stay. It’s our favourite quick stopover place in Malaysia thanks primarily to its great resorts, and I think you could love it too. By the end of this episode, you’ll be all set for a visit to Port Dickson. Read the show notes here: https://diveintomalaysia.com/episode21

Planning your trip to Malaysia and want to know more about the types of accommodation you can book? Fantastic! But don't do it until you listen to this first! The fantastic news is that Malaysia’s accommodation is very affordable. It also has everything from dorm beds to brilliant 5 star hotels for a fraction of what you may pay for them elsewhere. You can also stay in the middle of the rainforest, on a private island, in an over water villa with your own private pool and much more. In this podcast, I run you through the different accommodation options you have in Malaysia as well as some of the amazing choices you may want to consider. By the end, you'll know what you need to do to pick the right accommodation for your amazing trip to Malaysia. Read the show notes here: https://diveintomalaysia.com/episode20

Wondering if it’s worth visiting Sarawak on your Malaysian adventure? Sarawak is the biggest of the two Malaysian states located on the island of Borneo or East Malaysia, as it’s known within Malaysia. It’s the place to go to discover the best parts of Borneo. This is the natural environment and wildlife as well as the indigenous culture with longhouse stays and cultural immersion being accessible to tourists. From the absolutely amazing UNESCO World Heritage listed Mulu National Park to the longhouses in the Kelabit Highlands to my favourite city in Malaysia, Kuching, there is so much to love about Sarawak. I hate that it took me so long to explore this state so don’t make the same mistake! A trip here is like nowhere else in Malaysia and you need to experience it to really appreciate it. In this episode, I’m discussing why you should visit Sarawak, how to get there, what to do once you’re there as well as how long to stay. By the end of this episode, you’ll be booking your trip to Sarawak! Read the show notes here: https://diveintomalaysia.com/episode19

Considering a day trip while you’re in Kuala Lumpur? While there are many things to do in Kuala Lumpur (or KL as its often referred), there are also many great things you can do around Kuala Lumpur on a day trip. Kuala Lumpur is centrally located in peninsular Malaysia which makes it easy to get to a lot of places. For example, you can go shopping and enjoy the theme parks at Genting Highlands. You can see the culturally significant sites of UNESCO listed Melaka. You can enjoy the thriving food scene in Ipoh. Or, you can escape the city and see the rural side of Malaysia in Cameron Highlands or trek in the jungle in Taman Negara. Malaysia is one of those places where there’s so much to see – and you can visit many places from KL. By the end of this episode, you’ll know all your options and can hopefully narrow down your list of where is best for you to visit. Read the show notes here: https://diveintomalaysia.com/episode18

Wondering if it’s worth visiting Taman Negara on your Malaysian adventure? A massive national park in the centre of Peninsular Malaysia, Taman Negara National Park is the perfect place to get outdoors and enjoy the natural attractions that Malaysia offers. From thick rainforest to deep caves, this park is a dream come true for outdoor enthusiasts. Taman Negara is calculated to be around 130 million years old and is home to one of the world’s oldest rainforests as well as the highest point in Peninsular Malaysia, Gunung Tahan. This is the place to head to see the natural beauty of Malaysia. And it’s not far from Kuala Lumpur! In fact, you can even visit here on a day trip, although I highly recommend you stay longer. In this episode, I’m discussing why (and when) you should visit Taman Negara, what to do when you’re there and where to stay as well as how to get there. By the end of this episode, you’ll be all set for a visit to Taman Negara. Read the show notes here: https://diveintomalaysia.com/episode17

Wondering if you should travel to Malaysia with kids? I’ve travelled to Malaysia many times with kids. The first time I travelled here with kids, my daughter was 1 and I was 20 weeks pregnant with my second child. Since then, I have travelled here with kids aged from 9 months old to nearly 13. Sometimes, my husband comes, sometimes he doesn’t. So it’s definitely possible to have great experiences travelling here as a single parent as well :) We also lived here when our first two kids were aged from 2 to 5 years old. So I feel I know a lot about travelling with kids in Malaysia and it’s all been very positive. From the fact that Malaysians generally love children and will make you feel especially welcome when you walk in with young kids to the love the kids have been shown by total strangers, it’s been the easiest place in the world that we have travelled with kids – and we’ve travelled to over 60 countries with our kids! But, of course, travelling here as a parent is just one element of exploring Malaysia with kids. What do kids think of it? What do they love? What is challenging? What would they recommend to other kids? In this special episode, I’m not just discussing travelling in Malaysia from a parent’s perspective, but I also have some special guests – my kids! So listen to this with your own kids and lets all talk about travelling in Malaysia. Read the show notes here: https://diveintomalaysia.com/episode16

Wondering if it’s worth visiting Sabah on your Malaysian adventure? Sabah is one of the two big Malaysian states located on the island of Borneo, or East Malaysia, as it’s also known. It is home to so many amazing natural attractions. It really should be on any bucket list! There is much more here than the famous Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre although you should definitely visit that! There are many more animals to look for including pygmy elephants, cloud leopards, sun bears, many types of monkeys, crocodiles, tarsiers and more. A trip to Sabah really is a trip about natural attractions from the wildlife to the rainforest to the absolutely stunning islands off the coast to the amazing underwater environments. But there are other things worth seeing and doing around here too and, in this episode, I’m discussing why you should visit Sabah, how to get there, what to do once you’re there as well as how long to stay. By the end of this episode, you’ll be all set for a visit to Sabah! Read the show notes here: https://diveintomalaysia.com/episode15

Do you need to plan your trip to Malaysia? Great! You are in the right place! It can feel overwhelming when you first start planning a big trip. There are so many things to do and you don’t know when you should do them. But don’t worry. It’s all quite straightforward if you take it step-by-step. In this podcast, I walk you through exactly how to plan a trip to Malaysia which is perfect for you. I talk about what steps you need to take, how far in advance you should take them as well as break down everything else you could possibly need to do for the perfect trip. By the end of this podcast, you'll know exactly what to do to get your trip planned and booked! Read the show notes here: https://diveintomalaysia.com/episode14

Wondering if it’s worth stopping in Penang on your Malaysian adventure? Located off the west coast of peninsular Malaysia, Penang is our favourite part of Malaysia and somewhere we used to call home. It’s home to a UNESCO listed World Heritage Site in George Town, beautiful beaches, some of the best food in the world and so much more! In the same day, you can be surrounded by jungle on a mountain, lying on a beach, exploring the cultural heritage of George Town and eating the best food of your life! There is so much to love about Penang. But there are other things worth seeing and doing around here too and, in this episode, I’m discussing why you should visit, what to do when you’re there and where to stay as well as how to get there. By the end of this episode, you’ll be all set for a visit to Penang. Read the show notes here: https://diveintomalaysia.com/episode13

Planning your trip to Malaysia and want to book accommodation, tours and attractions? Fantastic! But don't do it until you listen to this first! It can feel like there is a lot to book and plan when organising your trip to Malaysia, but it can all be quite straightforward with the right tools. In today's podcast, I share all my top tips and tricks for booking your Malaysia accommodation, tours and attractions including where to save 10% on top attractions and where to go online for the best accommodation deals. I also talk about things that are less easy to book and when you may have to go to a local travel agency. By the end of this podcast, you'll know exactly what to do to get your trip booked! Read the show notes here: https://diveintomalaysia.com/episode12

Wondering if it’s worth stopping in Johor Bahru (JB) on your way into or out of Malaysia? Located opposite Singapore, it’s often the first place people visit in Malaysia. And while i wouldn’t say JB is terribly exciting or a must-visit, if you are in the area, it’s worth checking out. In fact, JB can be a valid alternative to staying in Singapore. If you have Lego-mad kids, you may already be aware that this area is home to Legoland Malaysia, and it’s awesome. Definitely put JB on your list if Lego is something you or your family enjoys. But there are other things worth seeing and doing around here too and, in this episode, I’m discussing why you should visit, what to do when you’re here and where to stay as well as how to get here. This includes lot of information about crossing between Singapore and Malaysia. By the end of this episode, you’ll be all set for a visit to Johor Bahru. Read the show notes here: https://diveintomalaysia.com/episode11

Planning your trip and wondering how to get around Malaysia? Don’t worry, it’s straightforward. If you haven’t been to Malaysia before, or even if you have, it can seem complicated when you start planning your trip to work out how you can get from A to B when you have no idea what’s on offer and how well it works. The good news is that there are some great options in Malaysia. Everything is quite affordable, very good value, and you won’t have problems getting between most places. Whether you are travelling long distances and should take a flight, want the comfort and ease of a private taxi between towns or city or want to take the ultra-affordable and comfortable buses, I go through all your options. By the end of this podcast, you'll understand how to get around Malaysia and which methods suit you best. Read the show notes here: https://diveintomalaysia.com/episode10

Want to go somewhere completely different to the rest of Malaysia? Visit the Cameron Highlands. With its lush landscapes reminiscent of the English countryside, sweeping tea plantations, hiking trails, unforgettable tourist attractions and a touch of colonial nostalgia, Cameron Highlands is a great place to visit. It manages to entice a diverse range of travellers from young families to culture lovers to nature enthusiasts and travellers from all over the globe. It’s known for its cool hilltop climate, and it’s the perfect retreat if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city or the heat. In today's podcast, I’m discussing everything Cameron Highlands. This ranges from why you should visit to what to do and where to stay when you get here. By the end of this episode, you’ll be all set for a visit to Cameron Highlands. Read the show notes here: https://diveintomalaysia.com/episode9

Planning your trip and wondering when to visit Malaysia? We cover all the best times to visit Malaysia in today’s podcast. While my first response to when to visit Malaysia is RIGHT NOW! It’s also useful to take a moment to consider this because some regions, activities and attractions shouldn’t be visited at certain times or are much better to visit in certain months. This means there isn’t a flat answer to when to visit Malaysia as it’ll depend where you want to visit and what you want to do. However, the upside of this is that it’s always awesome somewhere in Malaysia. This means that any time you want to visit, you’ll find somewhere great to be. By the end of this podcast, you'll know the best times to visit Malaysia for the places, sights and attractions that interest you most. Read the show notes here: https://diveintomalaysia.com/episode8

Want to know more about some of Malaysia’s most gorgeous islands? Many tourists to Malaysia concentrate on the capital and the more famous west coast highlights of Melaka, Cameron Highlands, Penang and Langkawi, but there is also the east coast which is fabulous in its own right and quite different to the west coast. The islands found here really stand out. There are great beaches, untouched jungle, great marine life and more. If you’re a beach, nature, diver or tropical island lover, you’ll love these islands. They aren’t as popular as the west coast islands of Penang and Langkawi, but this isn’t because they aren’t awesome. They just aren’t as well known and are a little trickier to get to. In today's podcast, I fix this! You’ll know all about these islands and will be all set to visit them, especially the big ones - Tioman, Redang and Perhentian Islands. By the end of this podcast, you'll definitely have these islands on your bucket list. Read the show notes here: https://diveintomalaysia.com/episode7

Planning your trip to Malaysia and want to better understand the different regions of Malaysia, what they offer and what you have time to fit into your trip? Then you’re in the right place. In today's podcast, I detail all the different regions in Malaysia from Sabah to Penang, the highlights of each and what you have time for in your trip. By the end of this podcast, you'll know which regions you’ll want to consider for your next holiday. Read the show notes here: https://diveintomalaysia.com/episode6

Planning your first trip to Malaysia and wondering what you should do? Or maybe you’re planning your second, third or fourth trip and wondering if you’ve missed anything you shouldn’t have? Don’t worry, I have you covered! In today’s episode, we’re discussing your perfect first trip itinerary that we started in episode 4. This is the second week of the itinerary and we’re going into detail about stops in Penang and Langkawi. We discuss how long to spend in each place, where to stay, what to do, everything. Combined with the last episode, you’ll have a two-week itinerary which gives you a great overview of the main places to visit in peninsula Malaysia. By the end of this episode, you’ll have your perfect itinerary for your perfect trip to Malaysia. Read the show notes here: https://diveintomalaysia.com/episode5

Planning your first trip to Malaysia and wondering what you should do? Or maybe you’re planning your second, third or fourth trip and wondering if you’ve missed anything you shouldn’t have? Don’t worry, I have you covered! In today’s episode, we’re discussing your perfect first trip itinerary. We’re going into detail of the places you’ll go, how many days to spend at each place you should stop, where to stay, what to do, everything. This itinerary will give you a great overview of peninsula Malaysia with all the things you’ve probably pictured and heard about before. However, because there is so much to share in this itinerary, we’re doing this over two parts. This is the first one. By the end of this episode, you’ll have your perfect itinerary for your first week in Malaysia. Read the show notes here: https://diveintomalaysia.com/episode4

Heading to Malaysia? Fantastic! No doubt, you'll want to visit the capital, Kuala Lumpur. So what should you do there? Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia and, with over 1.8 million people, there is a lot to do here. It’s home to the iconic Petronas Towers and the just-being-finished second tallest building in the world, Merdeka 118. There are fascinating museums, mosques, colonial history, an amazing bird park, some of the best food you’ll ever eat and so much more. Since you’ll most probably visit Kuala Lumpur when you head to Malaysia, we talk all about it in this podcast episode. There is a lot to enjoy about Kuala Lumpur (or KL as its often referred). So much, in fact, that even though I have been there countless times, I feel I have still only scratched the surface. That’s why I am joined by Siddoz, a KL tour guide. He is going to share the best of KL with us. By the end of this episode, you’re going to be super excited to visit KL and have tons of ideas about what you want to do and eat. Read the show notes here: https://diveintomalaysia.com/episode3