Islands and Beaches
Cherating
The excellent wind conditions in Cherating make it the perfect site for windsurfing and kite-flying.
Hire a bicycle and explore the surroundings. Look out for small eateries by the roadside selling delicious and inexpensive local favourites and interesting stalls selling local souvenirs.Experience the rustic and laid-back atmosphere at the Cherating Village and take home a handicraft or batik souvenir.
Chendor Beach, which is located just a few minutes from Cherating, is a favourite spot for turtle watching. The turtle sanctuary here is where turtles come to lay eggs during the nesting period.
Nearer to Kuantan are the beaches of Teluk Chempedak and Balok. Sailing, windsurfing and water-skiing can be enjoyed when wind and sea conditions are favourable. Beserah, less than ten minutes from Kuantan, is a fishing village where, at certain times of the year, you will be able to see a fascinating sight of water buffaloes transporting the day's catch to the markets.
HOW TO GET THERE
By Road
Cherating is a 5-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur via the scenic route to the east coast. There are buses to Kuantan departing daily from Kuala Lumpur. From Kuantan, there are regular bus and taxi services to Cherating. Alternatively, take a bus from Kuala Lumpur to Dungun or Kemaman in Terengganu, which is north of Pahang, and disembark at Cherating.By Air
Malaysia Airlines operates daily flights to Kuantan. From the airport, Cherating is just 45 minutes away.
Aur Island
The rich pelagic action also attracts numerous sport fishermen, hoping to try their luck with the marlins or sailfish outside the marine park island. Many private yachts anchor at the calm waters between Pulau Aur and Pulau Dayang.
Rayner's Rock : Towards the north-eastern tip about 200 metres off Pulau Dayang is Rayner's Rock, a solitary large boulder breaking the surface about 4 metres high. Diving is good around the eastern portion with a mixture of both hard and soft corals providing shelter for a profusion of marine life. You can expect to encounter schooling yellowtails, rainbow-runners, and trevallies. Closer to the reef, there are usually groupers, damsels, butterfly fish, scorpion fish and lots of shells.
Pinnacles: This submerged reef is located towards the South Pulau Aur and Pulau Pinang. The top of the reef begins at about 12 metres and slopes in excess of 25 metres.
If diving in right conditions with slight currents, a large number of prelagics including jacks, fusiliers, barracudas and black tip sharks can be sighted. Among the hard corals and scattered soft corals are wrasses, puffer fish, damsels, lionfish, snappers and in between rocky crevices, lobsters.
HOW TO GET THERE
Pulau Aur is located 65km east of Mersing, off Johor's east coast. There are boats to the island from Mersing jetty or Sedili. The long boat journey takes about 4.5 hours, and most operators opt to depart in the late evening, traveling through the night to arrive the next morning on the island. If the seas are rough, the boat ride could take a little longer.Desaru
Other forms of recreation include learning to fly an ultra-light aircraft; go-karting; jungle trekking; horseback riding, archery and off-road adventures.
The annual sporting extravaganza Desaru International Triathlon attracts participants from throughout the region.
Just a few kilometres away, discover more about the lifestyle of local fishermen at Tanjung Balau Fishermen's Museum.
Some 10km south of Desaru is another excellent stretch of beach known as Teluk Ramunia.
Accommodations include hotels, budget chalets, dormitories and camp sites. Most notable is the luxurious Desaru Golf and Country Club resort, which has a 36-hole international standard golf course.
HOW TO GET THERE
By Road
Desaru is easily accessible via public transportation from Johor Bahru (the capital of Johor), Kota Tinggi or Tanjung Belungkor. Buses to Johor Bahru are available from Kuala Lumpur.By Sea
There is a ferry service from Changi Point in Singapore to Tanjung Belungkor, where transport to Desaru can be arranged.Perhentian Island
Pulau Perhentian, meaning 'stopover island', is not to be missed. Situated some 21km off the coast of Terengganu, it consists of the islands of Pulau Perhentian Besar and Pulau Perhentian Kecil.
Covered by virgin jungle, windswept palms, powdery white beaches and surrounded by sapphire blue waters, Pulau Perhentian is a sanctuary to fishermen, migratory birds and, of course, discerning holiday-makers.
Located just off the edge of the Pulau Redang Marine Park, Perhentian's coral-fringed waters have excellent underwater seascapes for snorkelling and scuba diving.
Arrangements can also be made for island cruises and boats can be hired to look for private small bays and secluded coves. A trip to these tropical islands is also a must for those who enjoy windsurfing, sailing, canoeing and deep-sea fishing.
Of the two islands, Pulau Perhentian Kecil is the more secluded and isolated with only minimum facilities. Pulau Perhentian Besar is more developed and therefore offers better facilities. Nevertheless, there are chalets, dormitories and campsites on both islands.
Getting There
From Kuala Terengganu, take a taxi or bus to the fishing port of Kuala Besut. Then board a boat at the Fisheries Complex for Pulau Perhentian. The boat ride to the island takes about an hour.Pangkor Island
Pangkor's main attractions are undoubtedly the wonderful offerings of its pristine beaches on the western coastline. Named after a legendary lovelorn princess, Golden Sands Beach, or Pantai Puteri Dewi, is one of the most popular beaches on the island. Located on the north-west of Pangkor, this 1.2 km stretch boasts warm turquoise water fringed with tall swaying coconut palms.
The beach here is ideal for sunbathing and recreational activities such as jet skiing, water skiing, parasailing, canoeing, catamaran sailing, windsurfing, scuba diving, and bird watching. Look out for hornbills that roam the area.
Tourism Malaysia Perak
Phone: 603-2615 8527
Fax: 603-2692 4554
Email: rohaiza@tourism.gov.my
GETTING THERE
By Sea
Pangkor is a 40-minute ferry ride from Lumut. There are departures every half hour.By Air
The private carrier Berjaya Air flies 5 times a week from the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport just outside Kuala Lumpur to Pangkor.MAJOR ATTRACTIONS
Across the Manjung Straits opposite Lumut is a bustling fishing village on Pulau Pangkor, the largest of nine islands in a small group of islands. The name Pangkor might have originated from the Thai word Pang Ko meaning 'beautiful island'. However, others believe it might have been named after Pang Kui, a legendary Chinese adventurer said to have lent his skills in seamanship to bands of pirates this island once sheltered. Pangkor, with its quaint mix of fishing settlements and resorts, is a fascinating holiday destination. It presents the visitor the rare chance to live near fishermen and observe their lifestyle, or to simply enjoy the fine beaches and resort amenities. The fishermen live in scattered settlements on the eastern side, facing the town of Lumut and Teluk Batik. Visitors get a chance to see some of them on the 40-minute ferry ride from Lumut as the ferry stops at the main settlements of Sungai Pinang Kecil and Sungai Pinang Besar before landing at Pangkor Town. Pangkor's two popular beach areas of Pasir Bogak and Teluk Nipah offer sun and sea enthusiasts activities like scuba diving, snorkelling, wind-surfing and fishing. While Pasir Bogak is quite developed, Teluk Nipah still retains its kampung, or village, atmosphere. The island has accommodations to suit every budget and visitors can hire vans and motorbikes for island sightseeing. Food is available in most locations around the island and there are some good seafood restaurants in Pangkor Town itself.Pangkor Beaches
Pasir Bogak
This narrow stretch of white sand is one of the most popular spots for tourists from the mainland and gets crowded during holiday seasons and weekends. There are shallow, crystal clear waters and areas of still unspoilt coral reefs for snorkelling enthusiasts.Teluk Ketapang
North of Pasir Bogak is Teluk Ketapang, or Turtle Bay, where the turtles make an annual pilgrimage to lay their eggs. The best months for turtle watching are between May and July.Teluk Nipah
Teluk Nipah further north has a wider beach and is less crowded. It is a beautiful strip of beach, and at a place known as Coral Bay, the water is a beautiful emerald green.Pantai Puteri Dewi
This beautiful beach paradise was named Pantai Puteri Dewi (Beach of Lovely Princess). Pangkor Island Beach Resort (formerly Pan Pacific Pangkor Island) has a prime location along this stretch of beach and offers elegant rooms and facilities, including a sports complex and a golf course. There are some wildlife to be found here, including monkeys, lizards and hornbills.Pangkor Laut
On the nearby island of Pulau Pangkor Kecil is the Pangkor Laut Resort, an international standard resort. The beach at Emerald Bay is touted as one of the best Malaysian beaches.Redang Island
This paradise island is perfect for snorkeling, swimming, scuba diving, jungle trekking, boating and canoeing. No fishing is allowed within a 3.2km radius of the island as Pulau Redang is gazetted as a marine park. The collection of corals and other aquatic life is also strictly prohibited.
The adjacent islands of Pulau Ekor Tebu, Pulau Ling, Pulau Pinang, Pulau Bidong, Pulau Lang Tengah and Pulau Lima are excellent snorkelling spots.
Visitors to Pulau Redang have a choice of accommodation ranging from budget chalets to international standard hotels. Guests staying at Berjaya Group's two hotel properties on the island can also enjoy playing at an 18-hole golf course.
The island offers crystal-clear waters and numerous dive sites. Sheltered within the Pulau Redang Marine Park, the waters here are rich in marine life.
At mid-day when sunrays penetrate the sea, brilliant hues of coral, anemones and clams can be seen.
This paradise island is perfect for snorkeling, swimming, scuba diving, jungle trekking, boating and canoeing. No fishing is allowed within a 3.2 km radius of the island as Pulau Redang is gazetted as a marine park.
The collection of corals and other aquatic life is also strictly prohibited.
GETTING THERE
Begin your island-hopping adventure by catching a boat at any of the jetties in Kuala Terengganu and Merang. Traveling time to Redang is one hour from Kuala Terengganu and 50 minutes from Merang.MAJOR ATTRACTIONS
Pulau Redang, located 45 km off the coast of Kuala Terengganu, is the largest of a group of islands dotting the South China Sea off the Terengganu coast. The island offers crystal clear waters and numerous dive sites for enthusiasts. Sheltered within the Pulau Redang Marine Park, the waters here are rich in marine life. At mid-day when sunrays penetrate the sea, brilliant hues of coral, anemones and clams can be seen.
Tioman Island
GETTING THERE
By Air
Berjaya Air have a 48-seaters aircraft service from Subang airport in Kulala lumpur.Depating once a day. Flight time is an hour.By Land/Sea
Get to Mersing from most points of the compass by bus. From KL, take a bus from Puduraya bus station; from Johor Bahru - Larkin Bus Terminal; On the KL-Mersing route, buses are operated by Transnasional. They leave Puduraya bus station three times per day, at 11.00 am, 10.30 pm and 11.00 pm. Travel time is approx. 6 hours. From Mersing, take a boat to Tekek village, Tioman. Ferries do not depart on a regular basis, but are dependent on tide levels. Sometimes you wil be transferred by a smaller boat to the waiting ferry, just outside the harbour. Departure times for other boats also vary, and even though you might be given a certain departure time it is common for the boats to wait in the harbour for 30 minutes or more to get as many passengers as possible. Be patient - you are on holiday! Travel times are approximate, and depend on sea conditions.MAJOR ATTRACTIONS
If beautiful crystal clear waters, powder soft sandy beaches and bright blue skies are not enough for you on Tioman Island, just look up and you will find undisturbed virgin jungles with strange species of wildlife are unique to the island. Trekking, hiking and rock climbing are fast becoming popular on this island, which is located about 36 nautical miles off the coast of Southeast Peninsular Malaysia. Although the island is known more for its beautiful marine life and magnificent dive spots, it is now making a name for itself as the perfect destination for the action-oriented visitor. Another worthy island nearby is Pulau Tulai, which is a perfect destination for snorkelling although it offers more of a ‘wade-into-the-shallow-end-and-float’ experience for novice divers. Of course, the more adventurous can venture further out where the sea is deeper and the fish and corals are aplenty. Other snorkelling sites worth checking out are Pulau Renggis and Monkey Bay, where corals are abundant. A trip to Tioman Island does not mean it is only about swimming in clear blue waters and soaking up in the sun. Don’t forget your trekking shoes and camping gear as this island has so much to offer to those seeking an adventure holiday. Although the island has 69km of beach interspersed along the coast, it is also made up of pure, verdant forest – a veritable playground for rock climbers, jungle trekkers and nature lovers. Indeed, more than 60 per cent of the land has been gazetted as a wildlife reserve protected under the National Parks and Wildlife Protection Department. The island’s tropical forest has intrigued researchers from all over the world and they have found species such as the tiny blind snake, which is earthworm-like, legless lizards and flying lizards, to name just a few. More common are the mouse deer, macaques, pythons, monitor lizards and flying foxes. In all, there are 22 amphibian, 32 lizard and 26 snake species on the island. A good place to start your visit here would be a stop at the Tioman Information Centre at Kampung Tekek, opposite the airport. One of the most popular jungle treks on the island must be the four-kilometre cross island trail that goes from Kampung Tekek to Kampung Juara and requires some serious leg work, depending on how fit you are. Further south of the island is Kampung Mukut, soon to be the centre of outdoor adventure in Tioman due to its rough terrain and surrounding beauty. Among the imposing features here are two outcrops of granite known as Nenek Semukut (Semukut Granny) – so-called because of its eerie resemblance to the profile of a human face – and a 690-metre freestanding granite spire, the highest in Peninsular Malaysia. There are also some relatively easy hiking routes in Kampung Mukut. One that is worth going up on is the Asah Waterfalls. During the 40-minute hike, you will see the twin peaks with their summit in the clouds as though they were watching over the people of the village. The village itself is incredibly pretty. The people here take pride in the upkeep of their villages and as you begin your journey towards Asah Waterfalls, you will walk pass well-trimmed gardens, beautifully landscaped paths and quaint wooden bridges – all of which are lovingly and collectively maintained by the villagers. The waterfall is at the convergence of seven different rivers that run through the interior of the island, and a dip in its cool invigorating waters would be just the thing to perk you up for the walk back to your chalet. For those who prefer a little night-time activity while in Kampung Mukut, night walks can be arranged to stake out nocturnal animals like mouse deer, porcupines, birds and certain species of snakes and insects.
Langkawi Island
Located at the northern tip of Peninsular Malaysia – where the Straits of Malacca meets the Andaman Sea and the Indian Ocean – this duty-free paradise also offers holidaymakers majestic views of mountains, lush greenery and unexplored swamps and caves. For those interested in history, Langkawi is famed for its intriguing heritage of fabulous myths and legends about ogres, gigantic birds, heroic warriors, princesses, epic battles and romance.