exploremalaysia
The Pleasures of Pangkor
AT ONCE WELL-KNOWN AND ROUTINELY OVERLOOKED, THIS SMALL ISLAND OFF THE WEST
COAST OF PENINSULAR MALAYSIA HOLDS A TREASURE TROVE OF SURPRISES AND DELIGHTS.
ESCAPE THE CITY AND ENJOY A LAID-BACK AND PLEASURABLE ESCAPE TO PANGKOR ISLAND.
O
ne of the great benefits of living in
Malaysia is the proximity of scores of
islands and seaside resorts coupled with
year-round sun and warmth. Indeed,
there seems to be no shortage of tropical
islands with blue waters and golden
sands in this part of the world. Off the
coast of Perak lie a number of such
islands, possessing perhaps some of the best beaches in the area.
Among them are the islands of Pangkor and the much smaller,
privately owned Pangkor Laut, an island that is home to just one
exclusive resort (pictured, opposite).
In stark contrast to the fast pace of big city life, Pangkor remains
a haven for those seeking to escape the hustle and bustle.
Located about 90km southwest of lpoh and easily accessible
by ferry from Lumut (~RM10 per person), Pangkor Island is
not large – only about 18 sq km in size – and is home to some
25,000 people, many of whom are fishermen. The island is a
well-regarded tourist destination with locals due to its relative
proximity to the mainland and reasonable prices for both food
and accommodations. So while Pangkor is well-known to locals,
it remains somewhat off the radar for many foreign visitors. That
may change somewhat, however, as Pangkor is set to receive
duty-free status as of January 1, 2020. (The status is unfortunately
not expected to include alcohol, tobacco, and vehicles, however.)
Though the island is pleasant year-round as it’s shielded from the
monsoon by the nearby mainland, May to September is generally
considered the best time to visit Pangkor.
Popular beaches include Nipah Beach and Coral Beach, both
situated on Nipah Bay on the northwestern coast, while the nearby
islands of Pelandok, Giam, and Mentagor are famed snorkeling
spots surrounded by corals, tropical fishes, and sea cucumbers.
Watersports are a good choice with various areas around the
island proving to be sought-after spots for jet skiing, kayaking,
canoeing, and kite surfing. Pangkor also caters to the adventurous:
an uphill four-hour jungle trek across the island provides the
perfect challenge for those who wish to explore nature at its finest.
BEAUTIFUL BEACHES
Several beaches are in the running for most popular seaside
resort, but Pasir Bogak wins this competition quite easily. Boasting
crystal-clear waters, it offers hours of sun-kissed fun along a vast
coral reef. Easily accessible by road from Pangkor town itself, this
crescent-shaped beach offers a host of facilities and activities