The 9 Best Beaches Near Kuala Lumpur for Quick Getaways
Fancy an island life experience without veering too far away from the capital’s shimmering city lights? Then you’re in luck, as a handful of Malaysia’s most beautiful beaches are quite near Kuala Lumpur.
So if you’re looking for a quick getaway from Kuala Lumpur, here are some of the best nearby beaches that you should include in your itinerary:
Port Dickson
— From: lexishibiscus
Port Dickson consists of several beautiful beaches, all of which are worth checking out if you’re looking to experience a serene vacation. Two of the most famous beaches it houses are the Blue Lagoon and Teluk Kemang Beach.
Blue Lagoon is perfect for snorkelling and swimming, as it features crystal-clear waters that house bustling marine life. It’s also a great spot to spend the night, as it features several restaurants along its shores where you can experience a scenic dinner with your loved ones.
Meanwhile, Teluk Kemang Beach is the better choice if you’re looking for a more livelier experience. It features pure white sand and gorgeous cerulean waters where you can enjoy swimming and a boatload of water sports.
Pro tip:
- If you’ve always wanted to get that natural tan, this is the best place to visit! The beaches here feature tons of sunshades and chaises, perfect for sunbathing.
- Taman Aman is another great beach in Port Dickson that offers cheap accommodation.
Morib Beach
— From: pbnfpineworks
If you only have time for a day trip, then look no further than Morib Beach! It’s about an hour’s drive from Kuala Lumpur but the differences in their views and overall vibes are day and night!
Morib Beach isn’t suitable for swimming, but this is made up for by the variety of things you can do along its shores. Some of the activities you can enjoy here include playing beach volleyball, flying kites, enjoying romantic picnics, riding rollerblades and more!
Furthermore, the place is a great sight to behold in person so be sure to bring your cameras to take tons of Instaworthy photos!
Pro tip:
- If you want to see more picturesque views, we advise exploring beyond the promenade section. For instance, you can stop by Pusat Latihan Awam to see even more majestic views!
Bagan Lalang Beach
— From: hangdhamin
Bagan Lalang Beach features one of the liveliest atmospheres you’ll ever see on a beach in Malaysia. It’s bustling with stores, restaurants and food stalls that are open until late midnight, making it the perfect beach for partygoers.
Aside from its lively state, this beach boasts a wide strip of sand that’s perfect for beachside activities. Of course, it wouldn’t be complete without featuring beautiful waters that are suitable for swimming and different kinds of water sports.
Pro tip:
- If you want to make your trip extra memorable, try visiting at around 5:00 PM, as this beach will give you the best seat in the house for sunset watching!
- You can also pack your lunch and set up a lovely picnic along its shores if you don’t want to spend money on food stalls and restaurants.
Batu Ferringhi Beach
— From: jangerrone
If you’re willing to go on a somewhat long road trip, we recommend checking out Batu Ferringhi Beach in Penang. It’s one of the busiest beaches on the island and for several good reasons!
For starters, it offers opportunities for a wide array of exciting water sports like jet skiing, banana boat riding and parasailing. These activities make up for the waters being unsuitable for swimming because of the abundance of jellyfish near the shores.
Aside from water activities, there are also some fun activities you can do by the beach’s shores, one of which is horseback riding. This activity is made so much better during the late afternoon, as you’ll feel like a cowboy riding into the sunset.
Pro tip:
- If you prefer a peaceful experience on the beach, we recommend visiting on weekdays to encounter fewer crowds.
- The waters of Batu Ferringhi Beach aren’t suitable for swimming. If you really want to splash around, you’re better off booking a stay at one of the fancy hotels along the shores that feature amazing swimming pools.
Pulau Jerejak
Pulau Jerejak is a 10-minute ferry ride away from Penang Island and we’ve got to say, it’s well worth the extra trip! One thing that this beach has that others don’t is its selection of quirky attractions that are perfect for taking creative photos for your Instagram accounts.
For instance, there’s a rainbow-coloured staircase that’s the literal embodiment of the song “Stairway to Heaven. Aside from that, you can also find benches, rows of flowers, swings and other exhibits/attractions that will keep you entertained during your time on the small island.
Pro tip:
- There are no accommodation options on the island itself. If you want to stay overnight, you can opt for the hotels located near the ferry on Penang Island like the Eastin Hotel.
Pantai Kerachut Beach
— From: inastrangetown
If you want to see some of Malaysia’s amazing wildlife while being treated to magnificent beach views, you must stop by Pantai Kerachut Beach. This is because this beach is located in Penang’s National Park, which is where majestic animals can be found living their best lives.
One of the most interesting animals to observe here is the sea turtle. There are tons of them on this island, which is why it’s also called “Turtle Beach”.
Aside from these species, you can also find a handful of other animals like mouse deer, crabs and monitor lizards—pretty cool!
Pro tip:
- Make sure to bring extra clothes if you’re planning on visiting this beach! This is because the only way to reach it is via a 90-minute uphill hike—don’t forget to stretch!
- If you want to see some of Malaysia’s best marine life, this is the best beach to go to! It offers several snorkelling and diving sites that will treat you to beautiful views.
Pangkor Island
— From: pangkorlautresort
Pangkor Island is one of the best places to visit if you want a break from the hustle and bustle of your daily life. Here, you’ll be taken away from civilisation and be placed in the middle of the sea that’s filled with majestic views as far as the eye can see.
But don’t worry, as you’ll still have access to essential facilities and amenities thanks to the various lodging options found on the island. Some of these resorts even offer massages to further alleviate all the accumulated stress in your body!
Lastly, you can also engage in various adrenaline-pumping water sports if you’re looking for something more exciting!
Pro tip:
- While you’re on the island, make sure to stop by some of its famous attractions to hit two birds with one stone. One of the most notable sights to see here is the 17th-century Dutch fort.
- If you want to get around the island efficiently, we recommend renting a scooter. They’re small and easy to maneuver, making them perfect for an island like this.
Tioman Island
— From: claassen.johannes
Tioman is another island we recommend you check out that’s relatively near Kuala Lumpur because of its unspoilt nature. It’s perfectly pristine, making it one of the best-looking beaches in the area.
Looks aside, this beach is worth visiting because of the wide array of activities you can do as well. Whether it be snorkelling, diving, parasailing or anything in between, you can expect this island to give you countless hours of fun.
Pro tip:
- Although this island is great to visit all year long, we recommend doing so between July and August. During these months, you’ll get to experience the best weather for swimming or any kind of water activity on the island.
Cherating Beach
— From: clubmedcherating
If you’re looking for the best beach resorts in Malaysia that are relatively near Kuala Lumpur, then a visit to Cherating Beach is called for. This beach houses some of the most lavish beachside resorts in the country and they don’t fall short of premium facilities and amenities.
Pro tip:
- Be on the lookout for some sand flies, as some tourists report seeing them on the beach from time to time.