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.
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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 6 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:
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:
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.
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?
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