13 Best Beaches In Penang To Find In 2020 Besides Batu Ferringhi (#8 Is A Hidden Gem!)

Is there a Penang beach that’s better than Batu Ferringhi beach? It may surprise you that Penang has several beaches!

The more popular beaches are 30 minutes’ away from Georgetown. And often have water sports and lots of activity on the weekends!

But if you’re looking for absolute quiet, the best beaches in Penang are the lesser known beaches. Or the ones that are further away from the urban areas!

Let’s see all the options!

Tanjung Bungah Beach
Penang Miami Beach
Moonlight Bay Beach
Batu Ferringhi Beach
Teluk Bahang Beach
Teluk Aling Beach
Penang Monkey Beach
Pantai Kerachut
Teluk Kampi
Pantai Pasir Panjang
Gertak Sanggul Beach
Tanjung Asam Beach
Sungai Batu Beach

13 Best Beach In Penang

1. Tanjung Bungah Beach

A former fishing village, the beach of this quiet suburb is less frequented than the beaches of its neighbor, Batu Ferringhi.

Parasailing At Tanjung Bungah Beach, Penang – photo credits to seeying27 (Instagram)

You might not want to go swimming in the murky waters though as they often host to jellyfish!

However, the Penang Water Sports Centre is here. With kayaking being one of the favorite activities!

Location: Medan Tanjong Bungah, Tanjung Tokong, 11200 Tanjung Bungah, Penang Island

2. Penang Miami Beach

Penang’s very own Miami beach shares the coastline with Moonlight Bay and further west, Batu Ferringhi beach!

Miami Beach In Penang – photo credits to adele2307 (Instagram)

Hotel guests from the surrounding resorts come here to sit at Miami Café and admire the sunset!

The sand close to the water is quite pebbly. But that doesn’t stop people from swimming!

Note: There is a public restroom with shower facilities!

Location: At Miami Cafe Beachfront

3. Moonlight Bay Beach

Tucked away from the main road, desolate Moonlight Bay Beach is good for a stroll and catching dramatic sunsets!

There are some big boulders here that add to the landscape too!

Moonlight Bay Beach At Penang – photo credits to nunukins (Instagram)

Sadly, there’s not much else to do here! Seeing that the water is not very clean!

Location: In Front Of Jalan Moonlight Bay, 11100 Batu Ferringhi, Penang Island

4. Batu Ferringhi Beach

Just 15 minutes’ drive from Georgetown, Penang:

Parasailing At Batu Ferringhi Beach, Penang

Luxury hotels like Hard Rock Hotel and Shangri La’s Rasa Sayang also draw tourists to this beach that is renowned for its selection of water sports!

Batu Feringgi, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia – photo credits to penang_my (Instagram)

If you don’t feel like getting in the water, just lay a blanket out on the soft sand!

Note: It’s not uncommon to see jellyfish here!

5. Teluk Bahang Beach

Visitors keen on visiting Penang National Park might well miss out on Teluk Bahang Beach (or Bay of Embers)!

Teluk Bahang Beach In Penang – photo credits to crazyraisinbuns (Instagram)

Rustic fishing boats and surrounding greenery give this beach a laidback feel!

And again, even though it looks tempting, there are usually jellyfish in the water!

Location: 531, Jalan Tanjung Bungah, Kampung Keling, 11050 Tanjung Bungah, Penang Island

6. Teluk Aling Beach

If luck is with you (and if you have a pair of powerful binoculars), you may be able to spot some of the 30 to 40 dolphins that occasionally swim in these waters!

Pantai Teluk Aling At Penang National Park – photo credits to mey_almi (Instagram)

The obvious landmark on this beach is the pier that goes out to the water. Teluk Aling is part of Penang National Park. And you will pass it on your way to the next beach on this list!

Note: Local research center, CEMACS under USM (Universiti Sains Malayisa) is at this beach too.

Location: At Centre for Marine and Coastal studies (CEMACS)

7. Penang Monkey Beach

Most visitors to Penang National Park will make it a point to stop at Monkey Beach!

Stunning Monkey Beach In Penang National Park, Teluk Bahang – photo credits to matka_unelmia (Instagram)

Food stalls on this beach are convenient if you’d like to have a picnic on the beach! Mind the monkeys who are not afraid to check your bags for food!

Muka Lighthouse is just a short hike from this beach if you want to stretch out your legs! Or get a higher view!

Water Sports At Monkey Beach In Penang National Park – photo credits to coolmingchu (Instagram)

There’s a couple of ways to get to Monkey Beach:

By boat – take one of the boat services at the entrance of the park
Hiking – The jungle trail (starting from then park entrance) to Monkey Beach lasts for 1.5 to 2 hours one way. To get back, there’s the option of taking a boat from Monkey Beach!

8. Pantai Kerachut

You need to take 1 of 2 different trails through the Penang National Park to get to this beach!

Beautiful Day At Pantai Keracut Of Penang National Park – photo credits to vronerl_aus_muc (Instagram)

The direct route is a beginner-friendly 1.5 hour hike (one-way) from the entrance.

After a difficult start involving some scrambling, there will be a bridge over the meromictic lake!

Meromictic Lake Near Kerachut Beach In Penang

Note: You can’t see the saltwater/ freshwater effect of the lake in the dry season!

Before you reach the beautiful beach! Where the turtle conservation centre is!

Turtle Hatchery Pantai Kerachut – photo credits to justine.plz (Instagram)

Note: Don’t jump into the water for a swim. Jellyfish are usually floating about.

Alternatively, you can take a 15-min boat to Pantai Kerachut from the entrance of the park.

It should cost RM100 per boat one-way. The boat takes 10 people max. The return trip costs double.

9. Teluk Kampi

Because it sees fewer visitors than the other beaches in the park, this long bay is refuge for turtles that come ashore between February and April to lay their eggs!

Teluk Kampi Beach In Penang – photo credits to nikjes9 (Instagram)

This is the other trail you can take to Pantai Kerachut! It’s an additional 50 minutes’ hike from Pantai Kerachut.

Unfortunately the narrow and steep trail is not very well marked. Anyways, the boats can go here too!

10. Pantai Pasir Panjang (Long Sand Beach)

On the south-western corner of Penang Island, far from the reach of public transport:

Pantai Pasir Panjang is an ideal picnic or camping spot! With incredible sunsets!

Pantai Pasir Panjang Balik Pulau – One Of Penang’s Beaches – photo credits to xtonja (Instagram)

As with many beaches in Penang though, swimming is at your own risk as there are plenty of jellyfish! There are no public washroom facilities either!

Location: Pulau Betong, 11000, Penang Island

11. Gertak Sanggul Beach

As Gertak Sanggul is the final stop for Rapid Penang Bus 308, it’s possible to get here by bus! Via a 2.5-hour journey!

Sunrise At Gertak Sanggul Beach, Penang – photo credits to raymundyeoh (Instagram)

For picturesque white sand, fresh seafood and a quaint fishing scene!

Location: Jalan Gertak Sanggul, Gertak Sanggul, 11000, Penang

12. Tanjung Asam Beach

Hidden from tourists, this pretty local hangout spot has toilet and changing facilities.

Tanjung Asam Beach At Teluk Kumbar, Penang – photo credits to roshanania (Instagram)

Strong waves and currents make it unsafe for swimming. Except in a cove closer to shore!

On public holidays, there will be more people!

Location: Near Tripple S Café, Jalan Gertak Sanggul, 11910 Teluk Kumbar, Penang Island

13. Sungai Batu Beach

South of Penang Island, Sungai Batu or Teluk Bayu is truly a hidden gem in a village setting!

Sungai Batu Beach In Penang – photo credits to mfaiznordin (Instagram)

Fishing boats make excellent photography subjects! Other than the sunset and rocks!

Picnic on beach under the shade of casuarinas! Try a bowl of mee udang from Pak Tam’s Mee Udang stall!

Note: This beach has limited facilities.

Location: Near Pak Tam Mee Udang, Pantai Teluk Bayu, Jalan Sungai Batu, 11920 Bayan Lepas, Penang

Getting To Penang Beaches

See Penang’s beaches and more through a private tour service like RayTheTour! With MPV or van transport included!

Other reasons to book a tour:

Hotel/ airport pick up and drop off before and after the tour
Experienced local guides
We’ll follow your itinerary; Or just keep it free-and-easy!
No limit to the number of stops

You can book our tours via WhatsApp or Facebook!

Conclusion

Penang beaches are calling! Check out Tanjung Bungah or Batu Ferringhi for some water sports!

Or make a day trip of Penang National Park to enjoy its remote beaches like Pantai Kerachut!

And if watching the waves and sunset is all you need, then any of the south beaches on Penang Island will do the trick!