Malaysia by ferry

Q: How many islands are there in Malaysia?

There are approximately 6 islands in Malaysia.

Q: How many ferry ports are there in Malaysia?

Malaysia has a total of 18 ferry ports.

Q: What''s the largest ferry company in Malaysia?

The largest ferry company in Malaysia is Seven Seas with more than 1 ferry lines.

Q: Do I need to buy the tickets in advance for the ferry departures in Malaysia?

Given the increased number of travellers that are looking to travel on ferries around Malaysia during the high summer season, it is advisable to purchase your tickets before the date of the trip to save yourself a spot on the ferry itself.

Q: How early should I be at the ferry port?

Depends on whether you''re traveling with your car or as a pedestrian. If you''re traveling as a pedestrian, there are no real time limits unless otherwise stated on your ferry ticket. However, if you''re traveling with your car, it would be good to be at the ferry port as early as possible given the fact you need to be in the line to board the ferry.

Q: What happens if I miss my ferry?

Depends on the company you''re traveling with and their terms and conditions regarding the ferry journey, so we advise you to read the terms and conditions of the company in question to understand their terms and conditions regarding the cancellations and rebookings.

Q: How often do the ferries sail during the winter months in Malaysia?

The departures are somewhat reduced during the winter months, however, the timetable and the departures are going to be published on our website so you can always check them there directly.

Q: Can I bring my pets on board?

Depends on the carrier. However, the majority of companies does allow pets on board. Different rules apply for different animals, dogs should be brought on a leash, smaller pets need to be transported in the transport bags not to disturb the rest of the passengers.

Q: Can I bring my bicycle on board?

There are no issues with bringinrg the bicycles on board of the ferries given the spaciousness of the ferries. There might potentially be additional charges for the bicycle carriage, but the ferry company is the one to decide about the fees.

Q: Can foot passengers travel on car ferries in Malaysia?

The foot passengers can of course board the car ferries, all you need is a ticket.

Malaysia is a country with more than 6 islands and 18 ferry ports. Maritime transportation in Malaysia is very well developed and there are numerous lines taking you from the mainland to the islands and back. There are also various international departures to different countries, such as Thailand and Indonesia. Depending on the type of vessel that you are going to take to reach your destination, you may be able to take your car or motorbike with you, but keep in mind that you need to double check if the vessel in question is a car ferry or a passenger ferry to be sure.

Domestic Ferry Lines

There are 6 ferry lines operating inside Malaysia. The most popular domestic ferry lines are Kuala Besut - Perhentian Islands, Perhentian Islands - Kuala Besut and Redang Island - Merang that take more than 4 passengers between these destinations. Of course, the routes are operating even during the winter, but the departure schedule is slightly different. Also, keep in mind that if the weather is not adequate for sailing, there is always a possibility that the ferry departure might be canceled, so make sure you read the Terms and Conditions applied for the specific departure you are interested in. Here are some of the most popular ferry lines offered in Malaysia:

Travel Kuala Besut - Perhentian Islands

Travel Perhentian Islands - Kuala Besut

Travel Redang Island - Merang

Travel Merang - Redang Island

Travel Merang - Lang Tengah Island

Travel Lang Tengah Island - Merang

International Ferry Lines

Other than the domestic ferry lines, you can take a ferry from Malaysia to several other destinations in Thailand and Indonesia. Some of these lines do not sail daily, so make sure to check the operational intervals for each of these ferry lines. Most of the international departures start from the port of Merang. Below you can see the list of the most popular international lines for ferries from Malaysia that you can purchase your tickets for:

Travel Langkawi - Koh Lipe

Travel Johor Bahru - Batam

Ferry Companies

Malaysia has around 2 ferry companies operating departures to and from the surrounding islands. Seven Seas is the largest ferry operator offering more than 1 ferry lines, whereas the smallest ferry company is Pulau Perhentian Terminal and has 1 in their offer. The vessels vary in size and capacity, depending on the route they are sailing on, but the information regarding the type of vessel you will be boarding is going to be indicated on the ticket and on the search results when you browse through the departures. Some of the ferry companies operating in Malaysia can be found below, where you can click on them for more information and reviews:

Ferry Ports in Malaysia

Malaysia is home to approximately 18 ferry ports. The largest ferry port is the one situated in Kuala Besut. Of course, during the high summer season, it is advisable to get to the ferry port at least 45 minutes prior to the departure time of your ferry in order to avoid any delays in your travel time. The smallest ferry port is the one in Langkawi. Below you can see a list of the most important ports, and here you can find all ferry ports and terminals in Malaysia.

Kuala Besut

Johor

Mersing

Kedah

George Town

Lang Tengah Island

Merang

Perhentian Islands

Redang Island

Johor Bahru

Pasir Gudang

Taman Negara

Lumut

Kudat

Kuala Perlis

Victoria

Butterworth

Langkawi

Islands in Malaysia

Malaysia is home to more than 6 islands. The biggest island off the coast of Malaysia is Borneo, while the smallest one is Pulau Redang. Based on the ticket sales for the ferry lines to the islands of Malaysia, the most popular islands in terms of travellers are Borneo, Langkawi and Penang. For more details about each of the islands in Malaysia, you can click on them below for more information about that island; ferry timetables, ferry companies, places of interest and more!

Borneo

Langkawi

Penang

Labuan

Pulau Redang

Tioman

Transportation to the ferry ports

If you are traveling by a plane and arriving at one of the airports in Malaysia, you can reach the ferry port by bus, you can see more about that here. Or if you are wanting a private, door-to-door transfer, you can have a look at the options available here.

FAQ about ferries in Malaysia

How many islands are there in Malaysia?

How many ferry ports are there in Malaysia?

What''s the largest ferry company in Malaysia?

Do I need to buy the tickets in advance for the ferry departures in Malaysia?

How early should I be at the ferry port?

What happens if I miss my ferry?

How often do the ferries sail during the winter months in Malaysia?

Can I bring my pets on board?

Can I bring my bicycle on board?

Can foot passengers travel on car ferries in Malaysia?