Believe it or not, this Island exist but as part of Australia. The population is about 3000 people live in various areas called the “Settlements.” The main ethnic population in the island is Chinese (70%) and the Europeans make about 20% and the Malay people make about another 10% of the population. The majority of the people practice Buddhism, followed closely by Islam and Christianity. This Island is relatively close to the Sunda Islands of Indonesia. This Island is perfect for birdwatchers and nature lovers since about more than half the Island is a national park.

Cocos Islands

Yes, yet another Island owned by Australia in the Indian Ocean but these Islands are significantly lower with about 1000 people living on these Islands. Majority of the people are either European or Cocos Malay with English as the major language spoken and Sunni Muslims making up 80% of the population. This island also uses the Australian Dollars are its official currency and is a close neighbor of the Christmas Island. The total number of Islands in the Cocos chain is about 27 Islands with only 2 Island inhabited. Europeans on one Island and the native malays on the other Island.

Comoros

The Union des Isles Comoros or the Comoros Island Union lies above the Madagascar Island near the entrance of the Mozambique channel. Even though Comoros gained independence in 1974, the people chose to stay with the French until 2004, where conflict led to the creation of 3 capitals with its own presidents and government systems. Currently about 700,000 people live on these 3 volcanic islands with Arabic and French as the major languages spoken. The religion composition of the Island is 98% Sunni Muslim and 2% Catholics. The main capital is Moroni and even through the civil strife is over, much of the country remains poor and is only a minor exporter in agricultural products.

Maldives

This island nation composed of over 1200 mini Island chains (202 Inhabited) is Asia's smallest nation and remains as one of the poorest nations in the world. About 400,000 people live in Maldives with South Indians as the largest ethnic group along with Arabs and Sinhalese. The major language is English with a dialect of Arabic and majority of people are Sunni Muslims. Maldives is working closely with its largest neighbors - India and Sri Lanka. At one point, Indian troops were deployed in these Islands to stop a coup against the government. The Islands are marred by violence and they have has only 1 president since 1978 because political parties are banned and only 1 candidate runs for the “elections.” Thus Abdul Gayoom is still the president of the Maldives with little to no progress with regards to political freedom or human rights issues.

Mayotte

Mayotte still remains are a territory of France with 200,000 people living in the largest two Islands. The main language is still Swahili dialects and French with 97% of the people as Muslims. The ethnic group is made up of a mixture of Bantu, Arab and African populations.

Reunion

The Island of Reunion is a volcanic Island with over 800,000 people living under the French rule. However, recently there has been talk of the need for independence but this country relies heavily on French foreign aid for survival. The unemployment rate is extremely high and the country if poverty stricken. Creole and French remains the major language with Roman Catholics as 86% of the population. The country uses the Euro for its currency needs and has a wide variety of ethnic groups including French, Indian, Pakistani, African and Chinese.

Seychelles

This is a Island chain that has four large islands, 36 small islands and a variety of other small islands. Overall, 14 islands are inhabited by people and there are 82,000 people in these Islands. The government is a republic style government with Creole and English as the most spoken languages, Roman Catholics make up 82% of the population and the ethnic groups is as variant as the island of Reunion. The currency used here is called the Seychelles Rupee. Both Britain and France has ties to this nation historically.

The beauty of Pulau Rawa is characterized by its unique white coral sand, and hence it is also known as coral island. There are tall palm trees around the island. Pulau Rawa has many caves for exploration and offshore coral reefs rich with marine life. It is a heaven for fishing, skin-diving, scuba diving, shell collecting and underwater photography.

Pulau Besar is a developed island resort equipped with chalets and restaurants. The main attractions are the glistening beaches, spectacular coral reefs and crystal blue waters.

Pulau Sibu is regarded as a tropical paradise. It has clean white beaches and clear blue waters rich in marine creatures. One can enjoy snorkeling, scuba diving, windsurfing, fishing and boating.

Each year, giant leather back turtles come ashore to lay eggs at Pulau Tengah. The island has spacious and cottages for your comfortable stay. Besides that, it has abundant marine life and rare species of fish and coral.

Pulau Tinggi has long coastline and white sandy beaches dotted with caves. It is still untouched by the development and thus becoming a large uninhabited island. It is also an ideal photographic heaven as the seas around it are teeming with coral, fish and reefs.

Pulau Pemanggil, an irresistible magical island, has sandy white beaches, hilly terrain and abundant marine life. The island is furnished with chalets and long houses for visitors wishing to stay here.

Pulau Aur, off the east coast of Johor, is another attraction of Johor. It is well known for its beautiful marine life. It is a favorable diving spot for the locals as well as the foreigners. It is also a beautiful island with secluded lagoons and offshore pools perfect for bathing and a host of water sports. Long houses available on the island provide accommodation to the tourists.

The island, located about 35 nautical miles from the Mersing jetty, is part of an island cluster that includes Dayang Island, Lang Island and Pinang Island. It takes between two to five hours from Mersing to reach the island by boat.