Pangkor Malaysia travel and tourist guide
Pangkor is blessed with miles of pristine beach
Pulau Pangkor is a lovely little island midway up the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and only three hours by bus from Butterworth. It is an eternally sleepy place with the main town and a smattering of fishing villages on the west coast and some lovely beaches and tourist resorts occupying the west side.
The island gets pretty busy with weekenders from the big city, although during the week you are likely to have as much solitude as you desire. Even on weekends, though, Pangkor Island never becomes overly busy as with some of the other better known islands off the Peninsula.
Below is a brief introduction to Pulau Pangkor but for a thorough guide click here or visit 1stopMalaysia.
Visiting Pangkor from Penang
Fishing is still the major occupation of locals on Pulau Pangkor and so the island has a refreshingly unhurried appeal. Pangkor Town is good to shop for essentials as goods are normally cheaper than the beach resorts, and there are a few good restaurants and food courts as well.
There is a main loop road stretching right around the coastline as well as a secondary avenue bisecting the island through the middle from Pangkor Town midway up the east coast to Pasir Bogak midway up the west.
Pasir Bogak may be the closest tourist area to the jetty in Pangkor Town but the beach has seen better days. Most visitors choose to travel a few kilometres further north to the pristine white sand and inviting clear water of Coral Beach in Teluk Nipah. Accommodation options here are abundant with lots of hotels and restaurants to sample plus watersports vendors and fantastic snorkelling. There are also a few large resorts located along this coast which have access to their own private stretch of beach.
What to see in Pangkor
Woman selling hammocks on beach
Most visitors to Pulau Pangkor are perfectly content simply to lounge on the sand and soak up some rays. However, there are a few attractions for those who want to escape the burning sun for a while and immerse themselves in Malaysian culture. A Dutch fort dating from the 17th century is a remnant of colonial interest from the low counties, and there are a few temples of note plus a mini Great Wall of China and some old tombs. More on Pangkor attractions.
As with most holiday resorts on the coast, there are countless opportunities for manner of watersports in Pulau Pangkor including snorkelling, fishing, sailing or jet skiing. Trekking through the thick Malay jungle is rewarding for those who love the great outdoors and there are fabulous views from the highest peak at the centre of the island. Hornbill birds can be spotted nesting off the coast as well as primates in the forested areas. Golf enthusiasts have the chance to swing a club on the island with a compact three-hole golf course which boasts three separate tea off spots for each hole. There are a pair of top class 18-hole courses very close to the mainland port of Lumut. More on Pangkor activities.
Pangkor hospitality guide
Pulau Pangkor has a wide variety of restaurants from simple eateries on the sand to plush offerings in the five star resorts which serve the best international cuisine. Wonderfully fresh seafood is available in abundance and a platter full of fish, crab, squid or lobster will only cost a few dollars. Grilled satays and burgers are on offer at small shacks and stalls by the water and are great for a cheap midday energy boost. And although there is no nightlife scene to speak of, a few of the larger restaurants have no problem serving beers into the wee hours if they are busy enough. More on Pangkor restaurants and bars.
Pulau Pangkor boasts some high-end hotels and resorts which would rival anywhere in the world. Pangkor Laut Resort occupies it’s own private island and is the ultimate in luxury accommodation. Some Pangkor hotels make do with just an exclusive stretch of sand, whilst there are some bargain guesthouses and chalet options which exude charm without stretching the purse strings too far. Backpackers can find some basic options which are fine for travellers on a budget, and there are even places to pitch a tent and camp out under the stars. More on Pangkor hotels.
Getting to Pulau Pangkor
Pangkor is merely 40 minutes by ferry from the port of Lumut on the mainland or there is a high-speed catamaran which gets there in half the time. Services run from early morning until late evening and the jetty is a few minutes stroll north of the bus station. Hiring a motorbike (RM35) or pushbike (RM15) is the best way to navigate the island although you can paddle around in a kayak if the spirit of adventure strikes. Pink minibus taxis are also easy to find and cost from RM5 for short journeys. More on Pangkor transportation.
For more on Pulau Pangkor visit 1stopMalaysia.
