Most of us, at some point in our lives, have thought about heading to a beautiful tropical island for a well-deserved vacation or getaway. Maldives or Seychelles is usually the first thing that comes to mind, the thought of spending time there just seems so irresistible. Then reality sets in and we realize that we’d have to fork over a fortune just to make that dream vacation a reality.
What if we told you that there’s an island just like Seychelles and it’s right here in our own backyard?
Breathtaking scenery, clear blue waters, stunning sunsets and almost zero crowds, that’s what Pulau Aur in Johor delivers in spades. Located 70km away from Mersing jetty, Pulau Aur is also the farthest island from mainland peninsular Malaysia. So far in fact, that it takes nearly 3 hours just to get here by boat!
If you’ve ever dreamed of being a castaway, this island is perfect for you. Being so far away from everything has its perks, the crowds are almost non-existent and you can practically have the whole island to yourself.
Pristine and picture-perfect, Pulau Aur is also a great place to disconnect and unwind. Just being here means going back to simpler times, there’s no internet connectivity and electricity is limited only during daytime. If serenity is your cup of tea, there are a few resorts you can consider staying on the island, namely Sebukang Bay Resort and Bluewater Holiday Resort.
Worried you might get bored on the island? Not to worry, as there’s a lot you can do on the island. There are two viewpoints you can hike to for sweeping views of the island, one in Pulau Aur and one in the neighbouring island of Pulau Dayang. There’s also lots of excellent snorkelling points near Pulau Lang and around Aur itself. And nothing beats lazing on the beach with a good book in hand!
Is Pulau Aur beginning to blip on your travel radar? Tag a friend who would love to go cuti here with you!
Location: Pulau Aur, Mersing, Johor (Google Maps)
