Pulau Babi Besar | Stunning Island Trip

Pulau Babi Besar

So Pulau Besar is in Melaka. As the name suggests, it's probably big, but Johor wasn't too happy about that. So what's the best way to one-up 'besar' in the typical Malaysian fashion? By naming one of their islands… "PULAU BABI BESAR!"

Credit: Tempat Menarik

Okay, for real — this island WAS called Babi Besar thanks to the wild boars that used to roam around freely. Now that there aren't any of them left, they renamed it to Pulau Besar. Which means we now have 2 Pulau Besars: one in Melaka, one in Johor. Less laughs, more confusion. Honestly, we're a bit sad they changed the name. But yeah, having the word "babi" in there isn't exactly ideal. Gotta stay halal, kan?

Interestingly enough, this island used to be a hideout for pirates. Then somewhere along the way, a resort was built and eventually abandoned. The wild boars left, and now there are more resorts! Oh, and despite being called Pulau Besar, it's actually pretty kecil — only about 4km in length. Lies and deceit! But ain't that what pirates do?

What To Do on Pulau Babi Besar

So what's there to do on this island? It's got a beach and REALLY clear waters — that means snorkelling, windsurfing and fishing are all on the table. And since there's a rainforest too, might as well go jungle trekking while you're at it. You can pretty much explore the entire island on foot. If that's too chill for you, try island hopping over to Pulau Harimau, which is nearby and well worth a visit.

Getting to Pulau Babi Besar

Credit: Stephmylifetravel

Pulau Babi Besar is in the Mersing District of Johor. You'll need to travel to the seaside town of Mersing first — there are direct buses from Kuala Lumpur that take about 4–5 hours to the jetty. Once you're there, a 30-minute boat ride to the island costs around RM55. As for accommodation, there are a few options on the island: Mirage Resort (the pricier one), Aseania Beach Resort, and D'Coconut Island.

Getting Yourself Prepared

Island trips need a bit of prep — here's what we'd recommend bringing along:

• A waterproof pouch for your phone — you'll want to snap photos near the water without the anxiety of dropping your device. Grab a decent dry bag or waterproof pouch before you go.
• Sun protection — rashguard or UV shirt, please. The equatorial sun at Mersing is no joke, especially out on the water.
• Stay hydrated — if you're doing the jungle trek, the TAHAN TrailBladder 2L Water Bladder is perfect. Hands-free hydration while you're navigating the forest trail, and it packs flat so it won't take up space in your bag.



• Camp or picnic on the beach? Bring the TAHAN Compact Outdoor Dining Set — lightweight, packable, and you won't have to eat your nasi lemak balancing a flimsy paper plate on your knees.

If you're planning a longer stay and thinking of doing more island camping around Malaysia, check out our Beginner Camping Checklist — it covers everything from shelter to sleep to food prep so you don't show up missing something obvious.

More gear for your trip? Browse the full range at TAHAN Outdoor and see what fits your adventure style.