Pangkor: Malaysia’s Quiet, Tropical Paradise
After spending a couple of days in the crowds of Kuala Lumpur, we packed our backpacks and headed to the quiet shores of Pangkor. You won't find this island on most travel itineraries. If Malaysia as a whole is "off the beaten path", we've blazed a whole new trail to get here. When I visited in early May we were close to the only tourists at Pantai Pasir Giam. We spent our visit soaking in the beautiful blue water, watching the fishing boats bob in the waves offshore, eating fresh fruits and watching toucans fly overhead.
Why Visit Pangkor?
While places like Langkawi and the Perhentians are beautiful, Pangkor invites you to slow down. If you enjoy slow travel, journaling, having your morning coffee in the company of some curious hornbills, and simplicity, then this might be the perfect place for you. The signal isn't great, but the people are.
- Nearest city: Lumut
- Ferry cost: RM 10
- Monsoon season: November-February
- Where to stay: Teluk Nipah (budget) Pangkor Laut (splurge)
Where to Stay
We opted to stay at Pantai Pasir Giam, a beach just south of Coral Beach - not the resort with the same name, but the beach up the west coast of the island. This white sand beach was the perfect place to relax for a couple of days.
There are tons of options for accommodation down the road which you can find through bookings.com and other similar sites. We opted to rent a tent and stay at Campsite Kampung Penyu, right on the sand! If you're feeling up to roughing it in a gorgeous place, it was a great time. According to the reviews, they have upped their game since I was there and now offer meals, activities, and well-maintained facilities.
If that's not your speed, there are tons of guest houses and hotels in the area just a little off the main strip!
Hungry?
Being a place that isn't all that touristy, a lot of the food stops don't look like much, but that doesn't mean they aren't worth checking out. Our favourite snacks during the days were bags of fresh fruit from local carts. Tropical fruit in a tropical place is on a level of its own.
In the evening, I recommend walking along the sand and finding one of the restaurants with tables set up along the shore. A personal favourite was Daddy’s Café. The name doesn't necessarily inspire confidence, but the food was incredible. Grab a table, a beverage — whether it be beer or fresh fruit juice — listen to the waves and indulge in some fresh seafood. You will not leave disappointed.
Lin Je Kong Temple
A small temple built above the water, it is tranquil and beautiful. Situated at the north end of Pantai Pasir Giam, visitors can wander or just sit and enjoy the view of the water free of charge.
Rent a Scooter and See the Island
If you fancy a little adventure, consider renting a scooter and taking yourself on a tour of the island. There is a single main road that loops around the perimeter of the island. The entire drive only takes about 30 minutes without stops. Take the loop counter-clockwise for the best views and the “easiest” time. The north end of the island does have a steep elevation change, be safe and take it slow as the road has a lot of sharp twists and turns here.
I’d love to pretend that I was more than capable of completing the drive on my own, but I ended up seeing the island on the back of a police officer’s bike… after I crashed my own.
22 years old and peak “I’m invincible” era, I apparently forgot I had (a) never driven a scooter/motorcycle/anything of the sort and (b) had never driven on the left side of the road. And it went about as well as you might expect. Rather than driving directly into a woman coming straight at me on her own bike, I opted to sacrifice myself (channelling my inner Ronald Weasley), and smashed straight into the carts lining the street. By some small miracle, I manage to walk away relatively unscathed. The police officer took pity on me, negotiated the costs of repairs down on my behalf and took me on a ride around the island so I didn’t miss out on the views!
Best part? I was wearing my GoPro! So for your viewing pleasure, you can find my traumatic experience here.
A quiet street on the island
