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 Beaches 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.
Unfortunately, Tanjung Bungah Beach is lacking in facilities. There are no public restrooms and litter is a common sight.
And you might not want to go swimming in the murky waters though as they are often host to jellyfish! This beach is thus, better for picnics or sunset strolls.
But the Penang Water Sports Centre is at this beach, with kayaking being a favorite activity among many!
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!
Hotel guests from the surrounding resorts (like Doubletree Resort by Hilton Penang) 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!
This beach is often quiet too and there are shady spots that are ideal for a picnic set up.
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!
Sadly, there’s not much else to do here! And if you choose to go for a dip, note that there are no changing rooms here. Furthermore, it is risky to swim during high tide.
Note: It may be difficult to find parking here as they have limited parking slots and you have to take stairs (that could be slippery) down to the beach.
Location: In Front Of Jalan Moonlight Bay, 11100 Batu Ferringhi, Penang Island
4. Batu Ferringhi Beach
Just 15 minutes’ drive from Georgetown, 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! Parasailing at sunset is something you can do here.
But because of its popularity, Batu Ferringhi Beach is often victim to litterbugs.
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)! Because of its more popular neighbors!
But 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 so beware if you plan on having a swim here.
There are some watersports you can try here. This is more applicable to guests of the nearby Angsana Hotel Teluk Bahang.
Note: There is a paid bathroom available at this beach. As well as changing facilities.
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!
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!
You don’t need a boat to get here if you’re willing to take on the hilly terrain. If you’re fit, it won’t take you long to reach this beach from the entrance of Penang National Park on foot.
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!
The Lazy Boys Cafe on this beach is convenient if you’d like to have a simple 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!
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!
- By Bus – The Rapid Penang Bus 101 goes between Penang Airport and Teluk Bahang. It also directly goes to the Penang National Park from George Town. However, it takes up to an hour to reach it.
If you’re a foreigner, it is expensive to visit Monkey Beach. We don’t think the price is worth it.
Especially since the entrance fee to Penang National Park is now RM50 per person (for foreigners). And this doesn’t include a boat ride to the beach.
There are clear signs of neglect on Monkey Beach (and the hiking trail from the entrance of the park) and that is a real disappointment when you are expecting a pristine beach!
8. Pantai Kerachut
You need to take 1 of 2 different trails through the Penang National Park to get to this beautiful beach!
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 before you reach the beautiful beach:
Note: You can’t see the saltwater/ freshwater effect of the lake in the dry season!
Where the turtle conservation centre is! It’s free if you’d like to make a short visit to the center!
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 (this does not include the entrance fees to Penang National Park). 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!
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!
The beach is lovely and there are toilets too.
10. Pantai Pasir Panjang (Long Sand Beach)
On the south-western corner of Penang Island, far from the reach of public transport:
Quiet and clean Pantai Pasir Panjang is an ideal picnic or camping spot with incredible sunsets!
As with many beaches in Penang though, swimming is at your own risk as there are plenty of jellyfish! Additionally, the currents at this beach are quite strong and the water is too deep for children.
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. And so, it’s possible to get here by bus via a 2.5-hour journey!
For picturesque white sand, fresh seafood and a quaint fishing scene as there are often colorful fishing boats floating on the water.
Location: Jalan Gertak Sanggul, Gertak Sanggul, 11000, Penang
12. Tanjung Asam Beach
Hidden from tourists, this pretty local hangout spot has some food stalls, toilets and changing facilities (for homestay guests).
However, strong waves and currents make it unsafe for swimming. Except in a cove closer to shore!
On public holidays, there will usually be more people!
Many like to come here for fishing opportunities.
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!
Fishing boats make excellent photography subjects! Other than the sunset and rocks!
You can lay out a picnic on the beach under the shade of casuarina trees. Try a bowl of mee udang from Pak Tam’s Mee Udang stall while you are here!
There is a small greenish lake not far from Teluk Bayu beach too. Be warned that driving to this beach is more advisable with a 4WD vehicle since there road is full of potholes.
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
- The guides can follow your itinerary; Or just keep it free-and-easy!
- No limit to the number of stops
Book tours with RayTheTour via WhatsApp!
Further reading:
- 4 Best Ways For Getting Around Penang (With All Penang Transport Options)
- How To Get From Penang Airport To Georgetown (4 Easy Ways)
- How To Get To Penang Island From Kuala Lumpur (KL)
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!
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