Pulau Besar (Melaka)
- Durasi
- Day trip (5-7 hours); overnight options are extremely limited since the resorts closed
- Jam Buka
- Beach unrestricted; ferry schedule governs access — departures from Jeti Anjung Batu at 8:00 / 12:00 / 17:00, returns from the island at 8:15 / 12:15 / 17:15 daily.
- Harga Tiket
- MYR FREE (beach); ferry RM15 return · Anak-anak Ferry concession rates not published; beach free
- Cocok untuk
- Culture seekers · Pilgrimage travellers · Day trippers · Photographers
Melaka's largest island (about 1.3-1.7 km2 across sources), a 15-minute ferry from Jeti Anjung Batu, best known today as a pilgrimage island of keramat shrines rather than a resort: its 1990s-2000s resort era collapsed — Marina Resort lies abandoned and Putera Island Resort has long been closed — and the island is now a candidate geosite in Melaka's Aspiring UNESCO Global Geopark bid (2024-2026). Not to be confused with Johor's Pulau Besar off Mersing.
Sorotan & Pengalaman
A Pilgrimage Island of Keramat
Pulau Besar's draw is spiritual: the tomb of Syeikh Ismail Sultanul Ariffin — born in Baghdad in 1464, arrived on the island in 1495 and buried here at 58 — anchors a circuit of keramat sites including the Batu Belah split rock, Gua Yunos and Tasik Biawak. (A commonly repeated claim that Sultan Alauddin Riayat Shah is buried here is disproved: his tomb lies at Pagoh on the mainland.) Visitors should dress modestly around the shrines.
The Resort Boom That Wasn't
In the 1990s-2000s the island was groomed as a resort destination — a golf course and hotels including Marina Resort and Putera Island Resort were built, and controversy over relocating seven graves shadowed the development. The resorts have since failed: Marina Resort sits abandoned (corroborated by multiple sources) and Putera Island Resort has been long closed (four independent sources against one blogger's reopening claim; status treated as closed). The island got mains power via a submarine cable only in 2015.
Geopark Bid and Island Basics
Since 2024 the island has been a candidate geosite in Melaka's Aspiring UNESCO Global Geopark programme. The island spans roughly 1.3-1.7 km2 depending on the source and sits in Mukim Pernu, Melaka Tengah — 15 minutes by ferry from Jeti Anjung Batu. The last return ferry leaves at 17:15; missing it means staying the night.
- From Jeti Anjung Batu (Melaka Tengah): passenger ferry RM15 adult return, about 15 minutes; three sailings each way daily. At low tide, boarding switches to beach loading.RM15 adult return
- Charter speedboat RM120 per boat for up to 8 passengers, on demand outside the scheduled ferry times.RM120 per boat (up to 8 pax)
Bandingkan tarif resmi dan platform perjalanan utama
Tanya Jawab Praktis
How do I get to Pulau Besar (Melaka)?
Ferry from Jeti Anjung Batu, Melaka Tengah — RM15 adult return, about 15 minutes, three sailings daily each way (out 8:00/12:00/17:00, back 8:15/12:15/17:15). A speedboat charter is RM120 for up to 8 people.
Is this the same Pulau Besar near Mersing, Johor?
No — that is a different island reached from Mersing Jetty. This Pulau Besar (五屿岛) is Melaka's island, reached from Anjung Batu. They share the same name but lie about 200 km apart.
Can I stay overnight on the island?
Effectively no: Marina Resort is abandoned and Putera Island Resort has long been closed. Plan a day trip and catch the last 17:15 return ferry.
What should I be careful about as a visitor?
The island is an active pilgrimage site with Muslim shrines: dress modestly, skip swimwear near the keramat sites, and do not bring pork products. At low tide ferry boarding may shift to the beach.
Is there an entrance fee?
No island entry fee could be verified; the ferry fare (RM15 return) is the core cost. The small island museum charges RM5 adult / RM3 child.