Beaches of Malaysia

Malaysia has a costline of 4,800 km and over two hundred islands. Beaches are one of Malaysia's natural assets. Soft- golden sand, secluded bays and spectacular tropical sunsets beckon enticingly. Beyond the shores, warm clear waters and teeming marine life have delighted underwater adventurers.

Many beach resorts offer facilities for water-sports. These include water-skiing, boating, cruising, snorkelling, scuba diving and trips to offshore islands. The best beaches are found along the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Powdery beaches fringed by casuarinas, lapped by glassy aquamarine waters that is superb for snorkelling, diving or just swimming.

Pulau Langkawi

Pulau Langkawi is the main island of a group of 104 islands off the coast of Kedah. It is known for its natural beauty as well as its many legends, the most well-known being of a beautiful lady, Mahsuri, who was accused of adultery, a crime she did not commit, and was executed.

The island abounds with scenic beaches. There is Pantai Tanjung Rhu, Pantai Kok, Pantai Teng, Pantai Cenang and Pantai Pasir Hitam (black sand beach). Among the activities you can enjoy are snorkelling, scuba diving, boating, water skiing, wind surfing and parasailing. The seas around the island teem with fish and fishing trips can be arranged through your hotel.

How to get there:

By Air:You can get to Pulau Langkawi on a direct flight by Malaysia Airlines from Kuala Lumpur and also from Penang. Direct flights from Singapore are also available.

By Rail:Rail services are also available from Kuala Lumpur to Alor Setar. Then take a taxi to Kuala Kedah to board the ferry to Pulau Langkawi.

By Road: The North- South Express- way makes driving pleasurable from Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Perlis, a journey which takes about 5 hours . From here board a ferry to the island. Regular ferry services are available from Kuala Kedah and Kuala Perlis on the mainland to Kuah, the main towns on Pulau Langkawi. The trip takes about an hour.

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Pulau Pangkor

Approximately 84 km south of Ipoh in Perak is the coastal town of Lumut - the jumping- off point to Pulau Pangkor. Lumut is the home base of the Royal Malaysian Navy but sun seekers go to Teluk Batik, located approximately 6 km from the town. This stretch of beach is the haunt for campers, picnickers and watersports enthusiasts.

But for most travellers to this coastal state, the ultimate destination is Pulau Pangkor, which has enchanting beaches on its western coastline. Among them are Teluk Belanga, Teluk Nipah and Pasir Bogak. There are also quiet coves and untrodden bays at Tortoise Bay, Teluk Nipah and Teluk Chempedak. The island is famous for fish-based resources and activities related to these can be seen around the island. There is a variety of attractive accommodation.

How to get there:

By Air:Pelangi Air offers direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Pangkor.

By Road: The road journey from Kuala Lumpur to Lumut takes approximately 2 hours. At Lumut, take a ferry to Pulau Pangkor, a half hour Journey.

By Rail: KTM Bhd (Malayan Railways) operates daily services from Kuala Lumpur to the north with a stopover at Ipoh. From Ipoh, taxis are available to Lumut. Then take 3 ferry to Pangkor.
For further information, please contact: Perak Tourist Information CentreState Economic Planning UnitJalan Dato' Sagor Jalan Dewan 30000 Ipoh, Perak Tel: 05-2532800Fax: 05-2418173

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Pulau Pangkor Laut

Pulau Pangkor Laut is a smaller island off Pulau Pangkor. It is privately-owned but accessible to those who like to experience the ultimate in luxury and tropical splendour in a world-class resort— Pangkor Laut Resort. The resort is located on Emerald Bay, voted one of the world's best beaches.

Tanjung Bidara

Tanjung Bidara is 35 km from Malacca town. The beach is ideal for swimming, watersking or canoeing. Chalets and motels are available.

Pantai Kundur

Pantai Kundur, a small fishing village, is approximately 17km from Malacca town. For a night with a difference, go night-fishing at a Kelong, a wooden house built on stilts over water.

Tanjung Keling

Tanjung Keling is about 10 km from Malacca town. It has a stretch of white sandy beach set within a coconut palm grove. There are a number of things to do here. Among them are picnicking, swimming and canoeing. North of the beach is the Tanjong Keling Mosque with its unique octagonal minaret and tiled steps. One kilometre away lies the grave of Hang Tuah, the legendary Malay warrior.

Pulau Besar

Pulau Besar is located 10 km off Malacca's coast. It is known for its sandy beaches and entrancing legends and sacred shrines.The island has an international class hotel and several chalets. Activities on the island includes snorkelling, swimming, fishing and jungle trekking.

How to get there:

A boat service (for a maximum of 12 persons) operates from Pengkalan Pernu to the island daily at RM4 per person for a return trip. For a faster mode of travel, catamarans are available from the town's jetty.For further information, please contact:Malacca Tourist Information Centre Jalan Kota,75000 Malacca.Tel: 06-2836538 Fax: 06-2849686

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Port Dickson

Port Dickson is one of the best known seaside resorts in Malaysia. It has good recreational facilities. Popular sea sports are windsurfing and watersports.

How to get there:

By bus:Take the Kuala Lumpur Seremban bus, then board the Seremban - Port Dickson bus.

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Desaru

Desaru, or the Village of Casuarinas is a 25km stretch of sandy beach fringed by casuarina trees. It lies on the south-east corner of Johor. A host of facilities for sea sports await the visitor—swimming, snorkelling, boating, canoeing, windsurfing, waterskiing and catamaran-sailing. A place visitors should not miss is the Tanjung Balau Fishermen's Museum.There are various artifacts that were employed by fishermen during their nature of work such as fishing traps, tackles and floats in the museum. Fishermen folklores are also displayed here. The museum is located at Tanjung Balau Fishing Village.
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Pulau Sibu

A refreshing hideaway, abounds with lush tropical vegetation and endless stretches of golden beaches.

How to get there:

To get to the islands, proceed to Tanjong Leman, south of Mersing, which is approximately 138 km from Johor Bahru. The journey by road takes approximately 2 hours. Tanjong Leman is the springboard to the islands. Many boats are available at the jetty to ferry visitors to these idyllic islands. There are also a number of islands which lie off Johor's coast. These include Pulau Besar, Pulau Tinggi, Pulau Rawa, Pulau Aur, Pulau Pemanggil and Pulau Tengah. These are surrounded by clear waters and have a bountiful marine life.

Teluk Chempedak

5 km from Kuantan, Pahang, the beach has a range of watersports facilities such as sailing, surfing, and waterskiing. A wide range of accommodation, from international standard hotels to beach chalets are available.

Cherating

Cherating is located about 74 km north of Kuantan. The sun-soaked golden beaches are excellent for a host of leisure activities such as windsurfing, swimming, snorkelling and parasailing. Among the beach's attractions is the rustic atmosphere in the kampungs whose friendly people usually play hosts to visitors.

How to get there:

Take a taxi or bus from Kuantan or Kuantan Airport. Kuantan is accessible by air and road from many points within the country as well as from Singapore.

Pulau Tioman

Pulau Tioman lies 60 km off the southeast coast of the peninsular. It is the fabled 'Bali Hai' island in the Hollywood musical 'South Pacific'. The island offers relaxation, adventure, fishing and water sports.

How to get there:

The boat ride from Mersing takes about 1 1/2 hours while from Singapore will be about 4 1/2 hours. Pulau Tioman is also served by Pelangi Air and Berjaya Air.

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Tanjung Jara

Tanjung Jara is a stretch of golden sandy beach embraced by the blue-green waters of the South China Sea. Located here is the Tanjung Jara Beach Resort which sprawls on 31 hectares of tropical setting. The hotel, styled after a Malay palace, won the prestigious Aga Khan award for the best architecture among hotels.

Recreational activities on the beach include windsurfing, sailing and speed boating. Tours to the neighbouring islands such as Pulau Tenggol and Pulau Kapas can be arranged.

How to get there:

There are regular bus services and many taxis plying the Kuala Terengganu - Dungun route.

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Pulau Perhentian

Pulau Perhentian lies 21 km off Besut in Terengganu. The sea journey takes about one and a half hour from Besut. Blessed with a long stretch of white sandy beach, Pulau Perhentian is the ultimate sun-n-surf paradise. The waters off the island are perfect for snorkelling, scuba-diving, wind surfing, sailing and deep-sea fishing. The island is developed with chalets and campsites.

How to get there:

From Kuala Terengganu, take a bus or taxi to the jumping-off point of Kuala Besut.It takes about an hour. From the Fisheries Complex at Kuala Besut, take a boat to Pulau Perhentian. The boat ride takes about 1 1/2 hours.

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Pulau Redang

Another enchanting island off the coast of Terengganu is Pulau Redang, the largest of a group of islands, that has until recently slumbered in idyll. The island is the site of a RM 345 million tourism development project which comprises an 18-hole golf course, 150 chalets, a horse ranch, sports complex and a tourism centre.The waters off Pulau Redang is known for its marine diversity and offers one of the best dive sites in the region.

How to get there:

Ferry service is available from the Kuala Terengganu jetty and it takes 45 minutes.

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Pulau Kapas

From Marang, hop in to a boat and head out about 6 km to this island renowned for its clear emerald waters and fantastic coral find. Perfect for boating, fishing and snorkelling, it just takes a 30minute boat ride to reach this dream of a hideaway.

How to get there:

To get to the islands, board a bus or taxi at Kuala Terengganu for the fishing village of Marang. It costs about RM 1 by bus and RM 10 by non-airconditioned taxi. Air-conditioned taxis chargeRM 15.