Beaches Of Terennganu - The Longest Beaches In Malaysia
Beaches Of Terennganu - The Longest Beaches In Malaysia
Beachcombers and sun worshippers alike will find the Terengganu coastline to be one never-ending mega playground.
With the longest sandy coastline in the country, Terengganu, an east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, offers an amazing collection of beaches that reveals both secluded palm-fringes coves and popular beachfronts.
All the beaches are easily accessible via the picturesque coastal highway.
Teluk Air Tawar
Shaded by willowy trees, this scenic beach is ideal for picnicking on the golden sand. Pulau Perhentian can be clearly seen from here. The beach is very well-taken care of with facilities for recreational activities for the families in the evenings and weekends
The beach of Teluk Air Tawar is located to west of the island of Pulau Tenggol. All passenger boats departing from Kuala Dungun will disembark off the beach.
By car:
From Kuala Lumpur, take the East Coast Highway heading towards Kuala Terengganu. From Kuala Terengganu, head towards Kota Bharu. The beach is located in Kuala Besut near the border of Terengganu and Kelantan.
If you are from Kota Bharu, head towards Kuala Terengganu and when you reach Jerteh in Besut, take the exit to Kuala Besut. You'll find the beach before you reach the Kuala Besut Jetty.
By Bus:
Buy a bus ticket at Hentian Putra Bus Station, Kuala Lumpur to Besut, Terengganu.
Local bus: Take a bus running between Kemaman-Chukai-Dungun
By air
There are flights to Kuala Terengganu by Malaysia Airlines. From the airport, grab a taxi to Besut.
Rantau Abang Beach
At 22km north of Kuala Dungun and 80km south of Kuala Terengganu, it is probably the most talked about tourist spot in Terengganu. There was a time when a great number of giant leatherback turtles came to Rantau Abang to lay their eggs between May and August. (Peak egg laying months are June and July).
Rantau Abang beaches are well-known for its turtles. In fact, the state of Terengganu's penchant to associate itself with turtles started here in Rantau Abang. Nonetheless, this beautiful beach makes up for it. The water is crystal clear and enticing enough for a swim. You could also climb the giant boulder rock, admiring its geological formation of different sedimentary layers throughout millions of years. Also it provides an amazing bird's eye view of the beach.
For more information on the leatherbacks, there is a Turtle Information Centre managed by the Department of Fisheries at Rantau Abang. The rangers have been patrolling the beaches to ensure safety for the turtles when they come onto shore to lay their eggs. The centre is open every day except Friday and public holidays.
By Car:
From Kuantan, drive north for about 2 hours, passing through the oil town of Kerteh, Paka and Dungun. From Dungun town, head further north for another 5 minutes. You should be passing over the Dungun river bridge. After the bridge, passing by the exit to Teluk Bidara recreational beach, you will see a curve on the road and giant rock boulders which marks the beginning of Rantau Abang beaches on your right.
By Bus:
Buy a bus ticket at Hentian Putra Bus Station, Kuala Lumpur to Dungun, Terengganu.
By Air
There are flights Kuala Terengganu by Malaysia Airlines. From the airport, grab a taxi to Rantau Abang.
Tanjung Jara Beach
Tanjung Jara embraced by the blue-green waters of the South China Sea, this is one of the more striking beaches. Long, wide stretches of golden sands sloping gently into the greenish blue waters are prominent.
Apart from its breathtaking sunsets, its openness to the powerful waves from the South China Sea creates fascinating sand dunes. Steady winds and reasonably dramatic surf provide an exciting and diverse array of water activities, such as wind surfing, boating and sailing, while the wide, open waters permit kayaking, snorkeling, deep-sea fishing and diving.
Located here is the Tanjung Jara Beach Resort. Styled after a Malay palace, but with all the modern amenities one could wish for, the resort is the recipient of the prestigious Aga Khan award for the best hotel architecture. Seven-time Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher took a well-deserved break there after a disastrous season opener in Melbourne. Guests get a taste of the Malay way of life from the wooden chalets and herb garden to traditional spa treatments.
It even caters for "turtle watch" at night between May and September when the turtles visit the beach to lay eggs. The visitors can just tell the reception, that they want to be called, if they have spotted a turtle coming on the beach and they will phone them at night in their room. A little van will take them to the right place on the beach. From here one can even catch a boat to visit some of the fabulous islands off the coast, in particular Pulau Tenggol.
By Car:
If you are driving from Kuala Lumpur, head east towards Kuantan. Use the Karak Highway all the way to Kuantan. The journey should take about three to 3½ hours. Once you arrive in Kuantan, head north-east on highway 3 (coastal road) and you will get to Dungun.
From Kota Baharu, head South down highway 3 - coastal highway all the way to Chukai.
By Bus:
Buy a bus ticket at Hentian Putra Bus Station, Kuala Lumpur to Dungun, Terengganu.
Local bus: Take a bus from Dungun Bus Station to Tanjung Jara.
By Air:
There are flights Kuala Terengganu by Malaysia Airlines. From the airport, grab a taxi to Tanjung Jara. Or you could arrange with the resort for a limousine pick-up.
Batu Buruk Beach
Pantai Batu Buruk Kuala Terengganu is undoubtedly the most famous beach in Terengganu, with white sandy beaches and swaying casuarinas lining up behind the shore, like a loyal friend to the waves. During windy days, playing kite on the beach is a good idea but swimming can be dangerous here.
Even if you're not shopping, come along to the Batu Buruk Friday market in Kuala Terengganu to soak in the lively atmosphere.
Fancy doing some shopping while enjoying fresh air and beautiful scenery at the same time?. You can, but only if you're at the Batu Buruk Friday market in Kuala Terengganu.
The shine of clear golden sands against the cool blue sea forms a nice backdrop for the popular market, which was started less than two years ago. It operates from 3pm to 7pm.
There are plenty of non-water-based sports activities conducted here. Kite flying is the most popular activity organised on the beach apart from regular beach soccer in the evening. Others play volleyball, sepak takraw, beach soccer, netball and other games at the beach. For younger children, there is a playground nearby where they can have have fun on the see-saws, ladders or play hide-and-seek.
Pantai Batu Buruk is located just outside downtown Kuala Terengganu. There are plenty of road signs that will point you to this beach, especially if you are driving northbound from Pahang and Kuala Lumpur.
By Bus
Batu Buruk and the surrounding beaches are easily reached from Kuala Terengganu by bus (Marang / Dungun), mini bus ( No.14 / 13) beca and taxi or even on foot for the more intrepid visitor.
Kijal Beach
Besides traditional fishing activities, Kijal is known as a vacation place with tranquil and beautiful scenic view of its mile long beach with coconut tree and pine tree waving in the powerfull breeze from the South China Sea. Kijal is quite famous to tourist who wish to main seclude by anyone where u can rent a room at the many budget inn here. Sadly all the inn are over booked from year on to year on. Finding one empty room here can be count as a blessing.
Pantai Kijal are the most famous place for Golfing and Spa which is run by a 5-Star resort called Awana Kijal Golf, Beach & Spa Resort. They green are quite popular among the many pro golfers in Malaysia to try they 18-hole championship golf course. Besides golfing there is more things that can be done here at Pantai Kijal and if you are tired, you can just go lay lazily at the Spa there for hour and hour.
By Car:
From Kota Baharu, head South down highway 3 - coastal highway, passing Marang town. From Kuantan, take the East Coast Highway heading towards Kuala Terengganu. When you reach the border of the state of Terengganu, you'll pass through the town of Kemaman. Drive on towards the town of Kijal.From Kijal village, on the old trunk road (past some houses & food stalls), there is a small sign that reads Destinasi Pelancongan Pantai Penunjuk Kijal. Turn left here, past a Malay cemetary, keep along this road & you'll find the beach easily.
By Bus:
Buy a bus ticket at Hentian Putra Bus Station, Kuala Lumpur to Kijal, Terengganu.
Do book your accommodations first. You can stay in Kijal or Kerteh, and take a taxi to the beach. Please DO NOT ask your bus driver to drop you off at Kijal Beach. It's not easy to get around if you don't have a car. We recommend that you stay in Kijal or Kerteh (nearest towns) and either take a taxi or rent a car to the beach.
For your information, Kijal Beach is located between Kijal town and Kerteh town.
Local bus: Take a bus running between Kemaman-Chukai-Dungun
By Air
There are flights Kuantan by Malaysia Airlines. From the airport, grab a taxi to Chukai. or you could wait for the local bus leaving from the main bus terminals.
Paka Beach
Paka Beach which is about 16km north of Kertih is a secluded wide stretch of golden sands sloping gently into the sea, with small clusters of tall-swaying palms.
The glorious and awe-inspiring daily sunrise can be observed from here or, better still, from the Sungai Paka Bridge near the river mouth. The unfolding of nature's grandeur over fishing villages and coconut groves is best captured as dawn begins to break, with the sky emblazoned in a multitude of fiery red, orange and yellow, lasting no more than ten minutes.
If without the beach, Paka is a typical quite and dead fishing village with wooden kampong houses, jetty and fishing boats. Passing by the petroleum processing plants in the night time is a amazing experience. The huge refinery plant brightly lighted appears in a suddenly in a bare land, like a star city appear in the middle of the sky.
To reach Paka from Kuala Lumpur, take the New East Coast Highway heading towards Kuantan, Pahang. Then head north towards Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu.
As you drive along the road, you will see a large gateway portal that says you've entered the state of Terengganu. Drive until you reach Kemaman town.
In Kemaman, the highway will suddenly turn to the right. Follow the sign heading towards Kuala Terengganu. Around 15km or so north of Kerteh, you'll reach Paka.
By Bus:
Go to the Hentian Putra Bus Station in Kuala Lumpur. Buy a bus ticket to Paka, Terengganu. We recommend that you buy tickets from the bigger and well-known bus companies such as Transnasional, Mara-Liner or Mutiara Express. The bus ride will be between 4 1/2 hours to 6 hours, depending on weather and traffic conditions.
Refrain from taking cheaper bus tickets from bus companies that I did not recommend or you'll end up with an 8-hour trip on a not-so-comfortable bus that breaks down half-way across Pahang.
Please remind the bus driver that you're getting off at Paka.
If you are still confused, just ask the local when you reach Paka as it's the only seaside resort there.
Take the small road that leads to Paka Residence Resort. Behind the Resort is Paka Beach.
Try not to sleep on the bus, after you've reached the Terengganu borders, or you'll drive pass by Paka and end up in Dungun. If you do miss Paka, take the bus all the way to Dungun. Then you can rent a taxi or another bus back to Paka.
Do not forget to get your bags or luggage from the bus luggage compartment when you get off.
By Air:
You'll be boarding a flight from KLIA (Kuala Lumpur International Airport) to Kuantan, Pahang.
When you reach Kuantan Airport, you can take a taxi to Paka (it'll cost you around US$20 or RM80). The journey will take around 2-3 hours.
Or take a bus from Kuantan to Paka (see the bus trip explanation from above).
More Info :
Tourism Terengganu
