Pulau Besar (Melaka) Destination Guide

OVERVIEW
Located approximately three nautical miles off Pengkalan Pernu in Umbai, 10 km south of Malacca town, is Pulau Besar. Covering an area of 133 hectares, it is the largest of eight islands off the coast of Malacca. Believed to be the location of Malaysia's earliest civilisation, it abounds with legends of mermaids and princesses, as well as sacred graves and shrines.

Its unspoilt beauty makes it a tranquil haven for those in search of fresh air and white sandy beaches. There is an international class hotel and several beach chalets, an 18-hole international golf course, a yacht club and a host of water sport facilities for fishing, parasailing, windsurfing, water-skiing and Snorkeling.

The island is an equally inviting spot for island hopping, swimming, camping, picnicking and jungle trekking.

ATTRACTION
SHRINE OF SULTAN ARIFFIN
According to legend Sultan Ariffin of Baghdad stopped over at Pulau Besar on his way home, whilst spreading the Islamic faith in Acheh from 1416-1420. On his way home, he disembarked on the island and fell ill there. Soon he passed away and was buried on the island. His tomb, measuring some thirty feet long is considered the oldest ever built in Melaka. Back then, it was beleieved that the size of the tomb was determined by the age of the deceased. If he was 30 years old at the time of his death, then his tomb would be five cubic long. If he was 60 the tomb would be ten cubic or thirty feet long.

GUA YUNUS
The mysterious cave where a wise man called Yunus used as part of his training in self-discipline and silat practices.

TELAGA AIR TAWAR (FRESH WATER WELL)
It is a unique fresh water well exceedingly close to the sea. Legend has it that when the tide is high the water in the well would be saline but during low tide the water would be fresh.

TELAGA TEMPAYAN (WISHING WELL)
Legend has it that this well could make your wishes come true if you dipped your hand in the well and made the wish.

SHRINE OF SEVEN PRINCESSES
The tomb belonging to seven princesses from India who while on a visited to Pulau Besar were struck down by an epidemic. The princesses were buried on the island and their graves marked with the shrine.

BATU BELAH (SPLITTING ROCK)
The famous rock at the golf course, where more then a century ago Panglima Lidah Hitam demonstrated his power by using his tongue to crack the rock into two.

SHRINE OF SHARIFAH RODZIAH
Sharifah Rodziah was a pious woman and a devout Muslim. She was said to be the 'guru' to Malay queen legend, Siti Zubaidah. Sharifah Rodziah played a prominent role in the spread of Islam in the region.

GETTING TO PULAU BESAR

Syarikat Kenderaan Aziz bus line operates regular services to Umbai from the Jalan Tun Ali Terminal in Malacca town. From the Pengkalan Pernu jetty, a speedboat then transports you to the island; the journey takes 15 minutes. A 45-minute boat service is also available from the Shahbandar jetty and the jetty behind the State Tourist Information Centre in Malacca town.

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