Pulau Besar
Pulau Besar, in Pulau Besar, is one of the beaches and islands in Melaka in the Where2Go guide. Below are its address, opening hours, prices and directions, checked in October 2026. Hours and prices can change, so confirm before you go.
| Address | About 13 km off the coast; ferries from Anjung Batu Jetty, Umbai (about 30 minutes) or private boats from Umbai and Pernu (about 15 minutes) |
|---|---|
| Details | Daytime boats; check the last boat back Island free; boat fare charged |
| Good to know | Pilgrimage site Dress modestly Bring water |
| Area | Pulau Besar |
| Typical visit | About 4 h |
| Listed in | Melaka Beaches & Islands |
| Take me here | |
| Verified | Verified October 2026 |
About Pulau Besar
Pulau Besar is a wooded island of about 120 hectares, the largest in a small group off the Melaka coast. It is better known as a place of pilgrimage than as a beach resort: it holds the tomb of the Islamic preacher Sultan Al Ariffin Syeikh Ismail, who arrived in 1495, along with old graves, wells and rock formations wrapped in local legend, and a small museum run by the state museum corporation. Dress modestly and be respectful at the tombs.
There are sandy beaches, and Tourism Melaka lists kayaking, snorkelling, archery, wall climbing and island hopping (contact 019-259 1001). The island's two old resorts are abandoned, so facilities are limited. Three nearby islets, Nangka, Dodol and Undan, became part of the Melaka Marine Park in 2023; Tourism Melaka lists a conservation fee of RM30 for foreign adults and RM5 for Malaysians. Confirm the boat fare and the time of the last boat back before you go.