Penang National Park or Taman Negara Penang (Malay) may be Malaysia’s smallest national park at only 23 sq km but it is not without its treasures!
The forested park sits close to the coast and is teaming with tropical wildlife like monkeys, monitor lizards and many species of birds!
Either hike to reach the beautiful coast or take a scenic boat trip. We chose to do both and we’ll share more about that below.
Entrance Fee
It’s no longer free for all visitors to enter Penang National Park. It’s RM10 for locals, and RM50 for foreigners. And you still need to register at the entrance especially if you’re going in for a hike.
Registration is via a QR code that will direct you to a short Google form. The information they require is your departure date, IC number (if Malaysian), intended destination as well as activities, and number of people in your group.
However, there is a small fee for the canopy walkway – RM5 for adults and RM3 for children.
Note: Payment is in cash so make sure you have enough on you.
Hiking Trails
The park is open for most of the day when it is still bright. But always allocate more time than you think you will need to avoid having to rush through the park!
The earliest that you can start your hike is around 8am. If you start early and have great fitness as well as a tolerance to high heat and humidity, you may be able to see everything in one day.
There are three routes to go trekking in the park and they start from the entrance.
You can take the right fork to head to Monkey Beach and Muka Head Lighthouse. Or you can go left to see the turtle sanctuary at Pantai Keracut, Teluk Kampi, and further on to Bukit Batu Itam!
If you start early, have great fitness as well as a tolerance to high heat and humidity, you may be able to see everything in one day.
Route 1 – Penang National Park Office – Pantai Teluk Aling – Monkey Beach – Muka Head Lighthouse
Of the three trails, this is the easiest. As it is mostly flat and just follows the coastline with parts of the trek in the jungle until you get to Monkey Beach (Teluk Duyung).
If you continue the walk for 30 more minutes, it will take you to Muka Head Lighthouse at the other end of the beach.
When it comes to Muka Head Lighthouse, this is where your heart will definitely start working harder.
Expect to spend an hour (or less) to and from this trail which involves overgrown stairs and an incline almost all the way up to the lighthouse (240m above sea) where you can get partial views of the sea.
We’ve done the climb to Muka Head Lighthouse from Monkey Beach, and we would not recommend doing this trail solely for the views or the lighthouse, just do it for the exercise.
This also is not a loop trail, and you will be using the same route on the way back down to the beach. The way up is not easy for children or those who are unfit. There may also be fallen trunks to get over (or under). There are a total of 3 huts and when you have passed all 3, you are close to the top.
- Route 1 Distance: 5.2km
- Route 1 Duration: Approximately 2 hours
- Highest Elevation Change: 230m
Note: Duration to Monkey Beach is about 1-2 hours depending on your pace. This doesn’t include the trail up to Muka Head Lighthouse.
Route 2 – Penang National Park Office – Canopy Walkway – Meromictic Lake – Pantai Kerachut – Teluk Kampi
Note: Canopy Walkway is usually closed. Ask the staff at the entrance to the park or choose route 3 if you are planning to go to Kerachut Beach.
Well-marked but steeper than the other trail (to Monkey Beach), this shaded trail has an unavoidable uphill climb across the headland and down to Pantai Kerachut (Turtle Beach). The total duration is roughly an hour.
From Pantai Kerachut, you can make your way to another beach, Teluk Kampi. The starting point of this 45-minute trail is on the left of a campsite kitchen close to the pier. The trail will go around the meromictic lake. There will be a gruelling 15 minutes of uphill climbing during the trail to Teluk Kampi. But this lovely, secluded beach is worth the effort!
- Route 2 Distance: 6.4km
- Route 2 Duration: Approximately 2 hours, 10 minutes
- Highest Elevation Change: 170m
Tip: Duration to Pantai Kerachut is about 1 hour, 40 minutes
Route 3 – Penang National Park Office – Pasir Pandak – Meromictic Lake – Pantai Kerachut – Teluk Kampi – Bukit Batu Itam
Be prepared to hike for the better part of the day if you want to do this 11km loop trail!
Beginners are advised to try another trail as this one will take you to the highest point in the park.
The jungle trail starts the same as the Pantai Kerachut trail. At least for the first 30 minutes before it branches out and gets very steep! Thankfully, there are rest points along the way.
Look out for the vantage point for views of the surrounding hills and Teluk Bahang valley!
- Distance: 11km
- Duration: Approximately 4 hours
- Highest Elevation Change: 450m
Boat Trips
At the park entrance, there are plenty of boatmen offering boat rides to the following beaches:
- Monkey Beach (Teluk Duyung) – RM100
- Pantai Kerachut – RM200
- Teluk Kampi – RM220
Note:
- The prices listed here are just for reference
- Negotiating is normally expected
- The boats fit up to 12 people
- Price is by group and not boat (so if you want to split the cost with strangers, try to act like you’re from the same group)
- Sunset cruises are available
You should pre-arrange for a boat to pick you up at any of these beaches at a particular time, so you don’t have to hike back to the entrance. Furthermore, phone signal is limited on the beach.
If you are physically capable, you should attempt to hike at least one-way to appreciate the national park up close!
Note: It is possible to book a boat from the beaches back to the entrance of the park, but it can cost more.
Interesting/Popular Stops
1. Pantai Teluk Aling
You can stop at this quaint beach midway on the Monkey Beach trail.
The noticeable landmark here is the long pier that belongs to the Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS) who maintain the turtle sanctuary within the national park!
2. Monkey Beach (Teluk Duyung)
This small stretch of white sand at Monkey Beach attracts visitors during the weekends! There are no facilities like showers or toilets here. Only small food and drink stalls.
The water is shallow but we think it’d be a lot nicer without all the plastic trash on the beach.
Additionally, it is possible to camp here as there is a proper campsite by the beach albeit there is a restriction of the number of campers on the beach per day.
Note: Access to this beach is either by hiking or taking a boat from the park entrance.
3. Muka Head Lighthouse
At 227 meters above sea level, expect alright views from this lighthouse that requires an extra 30 or 45 minutes hike after the Monkey Beach trail!
You can climb up into the 14m tall lighthouse although you should note that the highest section is unsafe. We don’t think the views from the lighthouse are worth the climb though. If you want to visit this place, do it for the exercise.
Opening Hours: 9am to 3pm
4. Canopy Walkway
Note: This suspension bridge is often closed during and after big storms for repair and maintenance. Check with the staff at the national park entrance before you go for this route (Route 2 – see above).
For a fee of RM5 per adult (or RM3 for children), you can access a 210m-long canopy walkway at Sungai Tukun. It is 15 minutes’ walk from the main entrance.
This 20-minute trail via the canopy walkway cuts the time needed for the two main trails.
Opening hours for the canopy walk: 10am to 1pm and 2:30pm to 4pm (Closed on Friday)
5. Meromictic Lake
This is a bizarre lake that is made up of fresh water and sea water. The water doesn’t mix because of the different densities and temperatures between them.
Other such unusual lakes in the world like this one are Bababu Lake in the Philippines or Lake Fidler in Australia.
Sometimes, the lake at Pantai Kerachut is not visible (e.g. in February or between June and July). This is typically during dry seasons.
6. Pantai Kerachut
Also known as Turtle Beach, this beach is closest to the meromictic lake. And at one end of the beach is a small turtle sanctuary.
Sunsets are particularly lovely at this beach. There’s nothing to eat or drink at this beach so make sure to bring your own refreshments (especially if you plan on taking on the hike to get here!).
There is a shower at this beach. Though again, swimming here is at your own risk as there have been sightings of jellyfish.
7. Turtle Sanctuary
The Turtle Conservation Centre at Pantai Kerachut is where you can see two species of turtles, the green sea turtle and the Olive Ridley turtle.
Opening Hours: 8am to 5pm
8. Teluk Kampi
Further up from Pantai Keracut is a tough climb to Teluk Kampi and its wonderfully fine sand.
This quiet beach is one of Penang National Park’s best kept secrets!
Note: You can take a boat here from the entrance of the park too!
9. Bukit Batu Itam
Less people take this newer trail so you can expect it to be overgrown with forest undergrowth.
Descent can be treacherous due to some steeper portions of the trail! Especially the last leg as Bukit Batu Itam is the highest peak in the park!
Note: There is a small campsite at the summit.
What If You Just Have One Day To Explore The Park?
Want to see all the main highlights in Penang National Park but don’t have enough days? There is a way to see both trails (Monkey Beach and Pantai Keracut) in the same day if you take some time to plan ahead!
First, take the trail for about 1 to 1.5 hours to Pantai Keracut where you will pass the Meromictic Lake. After checking out the turtle sanctuary, you can take a 15-minute boat to Monkey Beach.
Take a 30-minute detour up to Muka Head Lighthouse if you have time to spare and want more exercise (don’t do it for the views alone, it’s not worth it).
And then, you can hike back to the main entrance from Monkey Beach, which is another 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on your personal level of fitness!
Whether you decide to take the boats or hike at Penang National Park, it’s best to go as early as possible. You might end up doing the hikes and these can take much longer if you’re not very fit or if the trails are muddy.
What We Think About This Park
Overall, the beaches are more beautiful (e.g., whiter sand) and less crowded than other beaches on the mainland. Although still not idyllic.
Besides this, there is a lot of opportunity to see lots of local flora and fauna – especially if you take up any of the hiking trails. These trails are great for cardio exercise and tend to be shaded too. We saw many different types of insects on the way up to Muka Lighthouse.
As long as you’re fit enough, you can see all the main highlights in a day.
There are some improvements that this park could do with though. It has been a very long time since the Canopy Walkway has been opened – it might be that there is no intention to fix it. During our visit, the trail to Pantai Kerachut was closed too.
We find that the park is poorly maintained (e.g., litter on the beach, debris on the trails, etc) despite the high entrance fees. The price difference for locals and foreigners is quite shocking – RM10 and RM50 per adult respectively.
Furthermore, the boatmen tend to take advantage of visitors by charging expensive fees too. A boat ride to Monkey Beach will cost RM100+.
Tips
- If you go swimming, beware of jellyfish. It is at your own risk too as there are no lifeguards!
- Bring more water than you think you’ll need – the jungle trails are extremely humid
- Mosquito repellent and sunscreen is necessary!
- Pack snacks but keep any food out of sight from monkeys
- Wear trainers or similar
- You can hire a guide or boat at the entrance of the park!
- A towel will come in handy for sitting on the beach
- Trails are not safe or suitable for children
- There are organized walks into the park if you require some local guidance. You can arrange for these at the entrance of the national park
- Outdoor parking is available (fees are RM4)
- Not necessary but if you need a navigation app for the trails, Maps.me is quite accurate
- Limited phone signal in the park – if you need to book a ride (including the boat service) to pick you up after you’re done, best do it at the entrance of the park while you still have signal
Camping
Visitors who have their own tents can register with the Penang National Park to camp (for free) at one of the designated campsites (at Pantai Kerachut and Teluk Kampi) within the park.
There are limited spots per day. Except for the designated campsites, the beach is off-limits for camping so nesting turtles can be left alone.
Contact number for the Penang National Park: +604-881 3530 or +604-881 3500
How To Get Here From George Town By Bus
Look out for Bus 101 that goes to Penang National Park from central George Town at Lubuh Chulia (Chulia Street).
- First Bus: 5:30am
- Last Bus: 12:00am
Alternatively, you can take either Rapid Penang 101 or 103 from KOMTAR in George Town. The last stop is conveniently just before the national park’s entrance.
A one-way trip takes roughly 45 minutes. Bus fees are cheap and usually under RM5 though you should carry exact change.
Getting back to George Town from Penang National Park, however, requires you to walk to a bus stop that is 15 minutes away.
PS: We think taking an e-hailing service would be a lot more convenient and comfortable though.
Related: Ways To Get Around Penang (With All Transport Options)
Conclusion
You just need one day (or two) to explore Penang National Park. Even though it is small for a national park, it’s bursting with wildlife!
And visitors have more than just tranquil beaches and jungle trails to discover at this park, including a rare meromictic lake!
PS: You can check out this Penang travel guide if need more help on your trip to Penang.
Things To Do In Penang
A visit to Penang National Park is one of few nature-related things to do in Penang! The rest are mostly in George Town and involve museums, clan houses, street art, and the like.