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Where it's at
With a sun-drenched tropical climate, extensive coastline
and numerous islands dotted around the peninsular, it is unsurprising
that Malaysia's beaches are famous across the world. White
powdered stretches, smooth-pebbled expanses and more unusual
black volcanic sand lead onto the South China Sea and
Andaman Sea, while lush tropical forests are never too
far from the water's edge, home to a multitude of flora and
fauna waiting to be discovered.
The most famous beaches now often belong to resorts that
are out of reach of many budget travellers. Still, there are
plenty of smaller, lesser-known beaches that offer equally
beautiful vistas to the larger resorts.
Perhentian Islands (the 'Stopover Islands')
These two islands - Perhentian Besar and Perhentian
Kecil - are located twelve miles off the mainland, from
Kuala Besut. Azure water and soft sanded beaches are a
haven for budget travellers, with Long Beach on Perhentian
Kecil being the most popular. Booking in advance is advisable
in high season.
Perhentian Besar is the larger island and has slightly more
sophisticated accommodation and tranquil beaches to Perhentian
Kecil. Northern Beach is regarded as being the best,
but is dominated by the large, expensive Perhentian Island
resort. Around the headland of this beach is the government
rest house, which allows people to camp on its stretch of
beach.
This is a much-favoured location for scuba diving,
as the west coast is often too polluted or has too much sediment.
Turtles are the main attraction, but there are also
parrotfish, triggerfish, butterfly fish, stingrays
and a multitude of other marine life. Forest walking and lazing
around are the main activities on land. Both islands close
down during the monsoon from late November to mid March.
It is very difficult to get alcohol in the Perhentians, which
lie off the dry state of Terengganu. If you cannot
go without, take your own. It is also a bit of a problem changing
money - only the larger hotels will cash travellers' cheques,
at a bad exchange rate.
Other reputed beaches in Malaysia include:
Pulau Langkawi
This west coast island in the very north of Malaysia is popular
with both tourists and locals alike for spectacular beaches
and its status as a duty-free island. The main town of Kuah
is excellent for stocking up on cigarettes, alcohol and other
goods, which are often cheaper than in the airport.
Pantai Cenang in the south west is one of the most
popular beaches, where most of the cheaper accommodation is
based. The beach is less than a mile long, with a sandbank
that appears at low tide from which you can inspect the local
sea life, including tiny transparent crabs that traipse the
sea's edge at night. Tanjung Rhu is another stunning
stretch.
A few beaches on Langkawi have black sand, not through
dirt, but as a result of the volcanic activity that used to
occur on the island.
Excursions available include an informative and interesting
ecotourism tour through the mangrove swamps and along the
coastline, and a trip down to the island of Pulau Payar.
This is a marine park that allows diving, snorkelling and
glass-bottom-boat trips. December to May is the recommended
time to visit, although in July or August visitors are greeted
by the incredible sight of huge numbers of baby sharks entering
the shallow bay to feed. It may be wise to steer clear of
the water itself at this time, as the babies can still cause
a bit of harm with a scratch!
Pulau Tioman
Stunning golden beaches, thick tropical jungles teeming with
wildlife and sparkling water have made Tioman Island
a very popular beach resort. There are some signs of over-development,
but the kampungs retain a rustic feel.
Beach bums delight in the small, postcard-perfect beaches;
nature lovers can explore the lush undergrowth and bathe in
waterfalls; golfers can take advantage of excellent courses
in an exotic location; and scuba divers can explore a wealth
of sea life in crystal clear waters. The Berjaya Tioman
resort provides modern conveniences in this tropical location,
while at the other end of the scale try Kampung Juara
to get away from it all, which has very basic accommodation
but a truly beautiful beach.
Turtle Beach & Golden Beach
Both these beaches require permits to visit and are somewhat
off the beaten track, but are well worth the effort to get
to. Situated in Similajau National Park in Sarawak,
all that needs to be said is that both these beaches completely
live up to their names. The park itself covers twenty miles
of gorgeous beaches and cliffs with a host of tropical wildlife
and fauna to encounter and some beautiful waterfalls and jungle
streams to enjoy. April to September is the optimum time to
visit the area.
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