Pulau Besar was once very popular with mystical stories and became a historical place in the state of Melaka. It was one of the locations where Islam was spread in the archipelago in the past. However, now the island has its own uniqueness and has become one of the tourist centres for the public. Pulau Besar is also known as an eco-expansion island located about 3 nautical miles from Bandar Hilir, Melaka and borders of the Sulawesi Islands and the Tebrau Strait. The Malacca Islands Development Council is a state government agency that has been appointed to coordinate development, programs and activities in the Pulau Besar area. Visitors can come to this island in the morning and return in the evening. For those who want to stay overnight here, there is a resort that can be rented, namely Putera Island Resort.
Activities in Pulau Besar
For those who want to vacation in Pulau Besar, it certainly won’t be boring because there are various activities that can be done while being here. Among the activities that can be done are island hopping, jungle trekking, kayaking, camping, picnicking, fishing, archery and visiting the surrounding areas.
Attractions in Pulau Besar, Melaka
Pulau Besar has its own attractions that can be visited by the public, including:
- Pulau Besar Museum
This museum stores various treasures and can be visited with a ticket price of RM 5 for adults and RM 3 for children.
- Gua Yunus
Gua Yunus was once a place of hermitage and was named after the saint of Allah SWT, Sheikh Yunus. He was the first individual to find this cave.
- Makam Sultanul Al – Arifin
Makam Sultanul Al – Arifin can be visited and is located near the mosque. The late Sultanul Al – Arifin was a traveller who was highly knowledgeable in the field of religion.
- Istana Bunian
This area was once a rather mysterious g village, but has become a resort, namely Marina Resort.
- Batu Tengkorak
Batu Tengkorak is located near the beach and Pandanusa Gold Club. It is shaped like a human skull which also has its own myth.
- Pulau Besar Jetty and Beach
The view at this jetty is very interesting because visitors can enjoy the beauty of sunrise and sunset here.
- Pokok Disula
The Pokok Disula looks like someone’s left hand hugging their partner under a tree and it is located at the golf club.
- Tasik Biawak
- Tasik Biawak is a man-made lake located on a golf course and is filled with large lizards that eat fish in the lake. In this lake there is also a stone shaped like a human skull.
- Batu Belah
This Batu Belah is 3 meters high, 35 cm wide and also has a depth of 1.5 meters. This stone was split by the warriors of Panglima Lidah Hitam, which shows the greatness of the knowledge he possesses.
- Keramat Ular
This Keramat Ular is said to be a saint of God who can transform into a python.
- Makam Nisan Satu
This Makam Nisan Satu is located near Batu Tengkorak which only has one tombstone, belonging to a young man aged 18-19 years.
- Perigi Nenek Musallimah
This Perigi Nenek Musallimah is named after an old grandmother who was a village shaman and midwife. The water from this well can be used as a flower bath and can also be used as a pelaris and can heal the body. Located next to Chalet 007 and in the IMM Training Centre area.
- Makam Syarifah Rodziah
This Makam Syarifah Rodziah is located near the entrance to the courtyard to the surau and the Makam Sultanul Aarifeen. She is said to be the guardian of a woman named Syarifah Habsah, the daughter of Sultanul Aarifeen As Sayyid Ismail. She is the biological sister of Syarifah Rodziah and her tomb is located in the city of Melaka.
- Batu Lesung
Batu Lesung is shaped like a stone mortar and is also known as Batu Putih.
- Sultanul Aarifeen’s Footprint
In addition to the tomb, there is also a right footprint that is said belong to Sultanul Al-Arifin, located in the D’Puteri Kurnia Resort area, while the left footprint is said to be on Pulau Serimbun.
- Perigi Dikaki Pulau
This well was once used by the Japanese army to behead Chinese people, and the heads were thrown into this well. It is not used until now.
- Batu Belayar
Batu Belayar is a medium-sized stone shaped like a horse’s head. Originally, this stone was in the sea, then floated on the seabed and finally got stuck on this island. This stone is also said to be the tying of ship ropes used by 7 siblings when anchoring in Pulau Besar. Now the stone is located near Pulau Besar Jetty.
- Keramat Masin Tawar
Keramat Masin Tawar is a water puddle resembling an old well and is located near the beach. The water will feel fresh during low tide and has its own benefits. This sacred place is guarded by a fairy princess named Puteri Nilam.
- Perigi Bunian
This Perigi Bunian is located near the beach and in the Marina Beach Resort area. It has a mysterious story that is difficult to explain. The water in this well is said to be the cleanest and clearest.
How to Get to Pulau Besar
Visitors can choose to take a ferry or a boat to get to Pulau Besar. If they want to take a ferry, visitors can go to Jeti Anjung. Meanwhile, for a boat trip, visitors can take a rented boat at Muara Sungai Umbai.
Jeti Anjung
Ferry services are available at a rate of RM 14 for adults, RM10 for children aged 5-12 years and RM3 for children under 5 years (round trip).
Muara Sungai Umbai
Visitors can also rent a speedboat at Muara Sungai Umbai for only RM 120 (round trip), maximum 10-25 people per boat.
