Pangkor Island, Malaysia 🌅🌴🛶🏖️ A Low-Key Island Escape
Malaysia’s Pangkor island—where hornbills outnumber humans and pink taxis dominate the roads like some tropical fever dream. Once a hideaway for pirates (yes, actual pirates), this island now offers an eclectic mix of history, beaches, and local quirks that make it delightfully different.
Okay, so I’m not usually one for crowded tourist traps. Give me a quiet beach, some good food, a chance to chill, and I’m a happy bunny. That’s exactly what I found on Pangkor island. It’s not the biggest island, and it’s definitely not the most famous, but that’s part of its appeal. It’s the kind of place where you can actually relax and feel like you’ve discovered a little slice of paradise.
If you find the idea of sharing your towel with inquisitive sandflies appealing, and you enjoy copious amounts of sunshine and the occasional water-based activity, then by all means venture forth.
Highlights
- Getting to Pangkor Island
- Ferries & Pink Vans
- Sandy Beach Resort
- Pangkor Laut Resort
- What to Do in Pangkor
- Ipoh & the Lost World 🎢🌋🌳🐍
- Cameron Highlands
- Book the Sandy Beach Resort
- Things We Carry on the Train
- Malaysia West Coast ⛴️ Itinerary
Getting to Pangkor Island
From Penang, Kuala Lumpur, or Ipoh, you ask? Let’s just say it involves buses. Lots of them.
- From Penang, you’ll be on a coach that snakes its way south, eventually depositing you in Lumut.
- From Kuala Lumpur, it’s a similar affair, though perhaps with fewer scenic detours past palm oil plantations that stretch to the horizon.
- Ipoh, being closer, offers a slightly less arduous prelude.
Well, at least we made it this far…
“Reserve your bus tickets” they say. And indeed, you should.
Unless you enjoy the thrill of standing in a queue behind twenty families all attempting to communicate in various dialects whilst simultaneously negotiating luggage that appears to defy the laws of physics. Better to get that sorted in advance.
Just a suggestion, mind.
Ferries and Pink Vans
Having successfully navigated the terrestrial portion of this journey, the next hurdle presents itself in the form of the ferry.
Getting to Pangkor island is pretty straightforward. You take a ferry from Lumut, a coastal town on the mainland.
Now, the ferry service between Lumut and Pangkor Jetty is rather frequent. Every 45 minutes between 7:00 AM and 8:00 PM. The journey itself takes just 30 minutes. It costs a wholly reasonable RM 10 per person each way, which, for the privilege of not having to swim, seems fair enough.
The ferry ride itself is kind of fun – you get some nice views of the coastline and other smaller islands.
First Impressions: Laid-Back & Local
When we arrived at Pangkor town, we immediately felt the difference in pace. It’s a small, easy-to-navigate town with a local feel.
No crazy traffic jams, no pushy vendors, just friendly people going about their daily lives.
Upon disembarking at Pangkor Jetty, you are immediately greeted by a spectacle of vibrant, if slightly faded, pink and yellow taxi vans. They lurk, like benevolent, oversized tropical insects, awaiting their human cargo.
Pangkor’s Pink Taxis
There is no Grab taxi service on Pangkor island – both a blessing and a curse. A blessing, because it means no awkward small talk with drivers attempting to upsell you on a ‘special’ island tour; a curse, because it means you’re utterly reliant on these fixed-price, pink behemoths.
Still, the prices are, thankfully, quite reasonable.
For instance, a quick jaunt from the jetty to Sandy Beach bay will set you back RM 15. Coral Beach, a slightly more ambitious excursion, is a princely RM 20.
Small mercies, eh?
The Sandy Beach Resort
Sandy Beach Resort’s online advertisements painted a rather grand picture. You might even say a decidedly grand picture.
The reality, however, was rather more… compact.
We entered with visions of sprawling grounds and expansive vistas, only to find ourselves in a space that, whilst perfectly functional, is akin to a well-organised biscuit tin. The rooms, though, were clean, fully equipped, and certainly did the job. No complaints there.
Many of the rooms are arranged around the central pool area. During the day, it was a cacophony of gleeful splashing and shrieks of families enjoying themselves. Early evening saw a similar scene, a watery ballet of parents attempting to retrieve various small, chlorinated humans.
However, tranquility descends after 8 PM, and the pool remains open until 10 PM.
Pangkor Sandy Beach Resort
The Sandy Beach Resort also boasts its own restaurant, which, to its credit, serves perfectly palatable food at prices that won’t induce a minor panic attack.
A tin of Tiger beer, for instance, costs a mere RM 10. Their buffet breakfast, too, was a commendable affair, offering enough variety to satisfy even the most discerning of morning appetites.
Beyond the hotel gates, a selection of other eateries and supermarkets await.
One particular establishment that caught our attention, primarily due to its rather straightforward nomenclature, was the Fong Leong Chinese Restaurant. It presents itself as an entirely unpretentious establishment, serving up the sort of hearty Chinese fare that could soothe even the most travel-weary soul.
Five of us enjoyed a small feast here for a mere RM 236.
Fong Leong Restaurant, Pangkor
Pangkor Laut Resort (how the other half lives)
For those with a rather more… generous travel budget, there exists the Pangkor Laut Resort.
This establishment, a proud member of the ‘Small Luxury Hotels of the World’ fraternity, is located on its own private island.
Yes, a private island. One can almost hear the faint cha-ching of credit card machines from across the strait.
It offers accommodation by the sea or with views of tropical gardens, two outdoor swimming pools, and an array of dining/drinking options that, one presumes, go beyond the humble tin of Tiger beer.
Whilst we, regrettably, did not partake in its opulence, one can certainly appreciate the allure of such an exclusive enclave, far from the madding crowds and the faint scent of durian.
Pangkor Laut Resort
What to do in Pangkor
Pangkor, whilst undeniably a beach destination, does offer a few diversions for those who tire of baking under the tropical sun.
Beyond the Beach (mostly)
Coral Beach is, without doubt, one of the more popular spots.
Its name suggests an underwater kaleidoscope, and whilst it delivers a very basic snorkeling experience, don’t expect to discover a lost Atlantean city beneath the waves.
From here, you can arrange a short boat trip to Guam island – no, not that Guam, thankfully. This one is smaller, less strategically important, and rather more amenable to a spot of casual exploration.
Having been presented with the opportunity to paddle small, brightly coloured plastic kayaks around its perimeter, we embraced the challenge with a certain amount of theatrical zeal. What ensued was less a serene glide and more a valiant struggle against an entirely fictitious current. The views, I suppose, were adequate, featuring a collection of rocks and huge groups of local tourists in life jackets.
The sheer effort, however, certainly provided a good excuse for an extra scoop of ice cream later.
The ‘Team’ kayaking off Pangkor island
Jungle Trails? Apparently, they exist. Two or three, to be precise, starting from the west coast and heading inland. We didn’t personally partake – preferring to conserve energy for more pressing matters, such as deciding what to have for dinner 😋. However, I’m told they shouldn’t take longer than a couple of hours, which, for those with an insatiable desire to commune with nature sounds perfectly adequate.
One can only imagine the thrilling discoveries awaiting, perhaps a particularly stubborn tree or an unusually noisy cicada.
Finally, for the historically inclined, there’s the Dutch Fort.
Situated a mere 1.5 kilometres south of the main jetty, it’s easily reachable on foot. Now, a word of caution: if you’re expecting a grand, imposing fortress straight out of a swashbuckling pirate film, you will be sorely disappointed.
What remains is, frankly, not a great deal.
A few moss-covered walls, a couple of informational plaques that explain its rather brief and uninspired history, and the lingering sense that the Dutch, whilst keen on spices, weren’t particularly adept at building structures that stood the test of time.
It’ll take you an hour, perhaps, if you read every single word on every plaque and perform a thoughtful circuit of the remnants. Any longer, and you’re either terminally interested in colonial architecture or you’re lost.
Food, Glorious Food: A Taste of Malaysian Flavors
One of the best things about traveling in Malaysia is the food, and Pangkor island doesn’t disappoint. From the local warungs (small restaurants) to the slightly fancier seafood restaurants, there’s something for everyone. We indulged in all sorts of deliciousness – nasi lemak, char kway teow, satay… you name it.
And of course, the fresh seafood is amazing. Don’t be afraid to try the local specialities – you might just discover your new favorite dish.
Island Life: A Slower Pace
One of the things we appreciated most about Pangkor was the relaxed pace of life. It’s a place where you can truly unwind and escape the hustle and bustle of the city. People are friendly and welcoming, and there’s a real sense of community.
It’s the kind of place where you can just slow down, enjoy the simple things, and appreciate the beauty of nature.
A Few Practical Tips
- Getting there: Take a ferry from Lumut. Ferries run regularly, so you shouldn’t have any trouble getting to the island.
- Getting around: Renting a scooter is the best way to explore the island. Just be careful on the roads, as some of them can be a bit narrow and winding.
- Currency: Malaysian Ringgit (Doh!)
- Language: Malay is the official language, but English is widely spoken.
- Weather: Tropical climate, so expect hot and humid weather. It’s a good idea to pack light clothing, sunscreen, and insect repellent.
Pangkor’s colorful ferry
A Low-Key Island Getaway
Pangkor island isn’t about fancy resorts or wild nightlife. It’s about quiet beaches, delicious food, friendly locals, and a chance to truly relax. It’s the kind of place where you can disconnect from the world and reconnect with yourself.
It’s not quite the postcard-perfect paradise some might imagine, but it offers an agreeable escape from the mundane. Expect sun, sand, a few curious monkeys, and the satisfying feeling of having navigated a reasonably complex travel itinerary. And who could ask for more than that?
Whether it’s contemplating the mysteries of ancient Dutch forts or savoring excellent ikan bakar, Pangkor isn’t here to win beauty contests—it’s here to be wonderfully, unapologetically itself.
If you like Pangkor Island 🌅🌴🛶🏖️ take a look at our other Tropical Travel Plans. You may also like:
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