Besar Island (Pulau Besar)

Pulau Besar is located about 3 nautical miles off Pengkalan Pernu at Umbai, 10km south of Melaka town. Those in search of fresh air, sandy beaches and tranquillity will be entranced by the unspoilt natural beauty of the island. It also abounds with intriguing legends and sacred graves and shrines. There is an island resort with beach chalets, a yacht club and a host of sea - based sporting facilities. The island is ideal for swimming, fishing, snorkelling, camping and picnicking. Pulau Besar is the largest of eight islands off the coast of Malacca, Pulau Besar covers an area of approximately 133 hectares and is said to resemble the shape of a pregnant woman. In fact, the island has long been associated with intriguing legends and myths.

The most famous of these has it that several hundred years ago, a beautiful and kind-hearted princess of the Sultanate of Malacca fell in love with a fisherman from Sumatra. When the fisherman had to return to Sumatra, he promised the princess that he would return to marry her.

A few months later, misfortune was to befall the happy couple when the boat the fisherman was on, capsized on its way to Malacca after being caught in a raging storm. The young fisherman was to go down with the ship.

All this time, the princess had been waiting patiently for the fisherman's return. She was soon to discover that she was pregnant. Hearing no news and in total desperation, she threw herself into the sea. Legend has it that her body miraculously floated to the site of her lover's capsized ship and remained there. This is said to account for the shape of the island of Pulau Besar.

Another legend is about the shrine of the seven princesses The seven maidens were said to have been on their way to Pulau Besar from India in order to deepen their mysticism. Alas, their ship was also to sink along the way. The graves of the seven princesses were buried on the island and can still be seen until today.

There is a cave called "Yunos Cave". It is believed that in ancient times, warriors came to the cave to learn the art of mysticism. It was also used for the training of the art of 'silat', a form of martial arts.

And then there is the famous Batu Belah or Split Rock. When looking at the rock, you should bear in mind the story behind it. It tells the tale of a young apprentice who did not obey the teachings of his master who told him never to misuse his power. He choose not to heed this advice. Before he could repent, his master took out his sword and sliced the rock he was sitting on. The apprentice was to fall between the cracks, after which the rock was to mysteriously rejoin, trapping the apprentice forever.


How to get there

There are regular bus services to Umbai from the Jalan Tun Ali Terminal in Malacca town. From the Pengkalan Pernu jetty, a boat then transports you to the island. The journey to Pulau Besar from Umbai by speed boat takes 15 minutes. A 45 minutes boat service is available from the Shahbandar jetty in Malacca town as well as the jetty behind the State Tourist Information Centre.