An All-In Guide to Pulau Pangkor: Perak’s Most Popular Island Destination

Besides shopping, eating, and sightseeing, Malaysia is also famous for island hopping. Whether it be Langkawi or the islands off the Johor coast, many travellers have claimed that their Malaysian tropical getaways have closely resembled the beaches of Maldives. Today, let us introduce you to a more underrated island that deserves just as much recognition — Pulau Pangkor. 

Pulau Pangkor is an island located two hours away from Ipoh in Perak, Malaysia. It’s a perfect vacation spot and alternative for those who don’t want to travel far from the city. If that sounds perfect for you, here’s an all-in 2022 Pulau Pangkor guide on the best things to do in Pulau Pangkor! 

Also read: Pulau Ubin Travel Guide: What to See, Eat, & Do on Your Next Day Trip!

How to get there

To get to Pulau Pangkor, you have to travel to the town of Lumut, a coastal town in Perak. From there, you can get on a ferry that departs from the town jetty every hour. The entire journey takes less than 20 minutes, and tickets cost less than RM10 (~S$3). 

Where to stay

Arguably the best choice when it comes to accommodation in Pulau Pangkor is the Pangkor Laut Resort. At this ambient resort, guests will be able to find their little slice of paradise in their private villas and spa villages. During your stay, you can also enjoy a number of high-class facilities, including a refined dining experience and other recreational acitivies. 

Alternatively, you could also try Anjungan Beach Resort, Marina Island Pangkor Resort & Hotel, Pangkor Sandy Beach Resort, and AVI Pangkor Beach Resort. 

Top things to do in Pulau Pangkor

1. Chase after sunsets at Coral Beach

Over the years, the beaches of Pulau Pangkor have been at the forefront of Perak travel. The views are often incredible during the day, but at sunset, they turn into unforgettable works of art. Coral Beach is one of the most popular spots to go sunset-watching, and you can soak in the vibrant skies while lazing on the sandy shores or from a nearby restaurant. 

Also read: 8 Secret Beaches in Asia You Probably Didn’t Know About

2. Sign up for a cruise tour of Pangkor Island

A guided tour of the whole island is a must-try for first-timers in Pulau Pangkor! At Nipah Bay, you can go on a boat trip that will take you around the shoreline. The tour usually lasts 30 minutes, and you can spot some of the island’s wildlife from your vantage point.

Alternatively, you can go kayaking and go on a self-guided tour of the island. The shallow waters of Nipah Bay make it very ideal for this activity, and you can paddle over to Coral Beach before exploring the more secluded coves. If you’re interested, you can rent a kayak from local renters on the beach. 

Also read: 10 Places for Water Sports in Singapore: Kayaking, Stand-Up Paddling, and More!

3. Go snorkelling and scuba diving at Pulau Sembilan

Snorkelling and scuba diving are one of the top things to do in Pulau Pangkor. If either of these activities interests you, you can go to Pulau Sembilan. This archipelago of nine uninhabited islands at the south of Pangkor is home to colourful coral reef colonies and barracudas. 

Also read: 13 Things to Do in Kuta, Bali for a Memorable Time

4. Trek through Bukit Pangkor

For a chance to immerse yourself in Pangkor’s natural beauty, head on over to Bukit Pangkor. There are established trails in the rainforest leading up to Tortoise Hill, the island’s highest peak. On top of that, you can also make the trek to Segadas Hill to find a secluded white sand beach. Regardless of which path you take, you’ll catch yourself falling in love with the views and the fresh air.  

5. Travel back in time at Dutch Fort

Also known as “Kota Belanda” in Malay, the Dutch Fort is another one of the top attractions in Pulau Pangkor. The historical landmark was originally built during the 17th century by the Dutch to store tin ore. Today, the fort stands as a testament to Malaysia’s colonial history — you can learn more about this on your visit by checking out the information boards spread throughout the attraction. 

Also read: 15 Famous Buildings in Malaysia: Where to See Architectural Attractions

6. Visit Pangkor’s largest Taoist temple

Fu Lin Kong Temple is the island’s largest Taoist temple. The most famous attractions would be the orange pagodas on the hill and the miniature replica of the Great Wall of China. Afterwards, you can continue your journey into Chinatown where you can admire the traditional Chinese decorations lining the street. Better yet, if you’re still in town, you can eat dinner at any of the family-owned restaurants for amazing Chinese food. 

Also read: 10 Things to Do in Binondo, Manila — the Oldest Chinatown in the World

7. Shop for souvenirs in Pangkor Town

After a day or two of surrounding yourself in nature, you can consider heading to Pangkor Town to do a little shopping! There are many shops that sell many things you can take home as souvenirs: Snacks, clothes, dried fish products, and keychains. 

8. Feed the hornbills at Sunset View Chalet

Hornbills are a unique bird species native to Malaysia, and lucky for you, you can get up close and personal withthem on the island! At 6:30pm every night, you’ll get the chance to see them fly down from the jungles to Sunset View Chalet. If you don’t want to miss out on a chance to feed them, you can head down to the chalet around 6pm or a little later. 

9. Have a fancy dinner at Fisherman’s Cove

Fisherman’s Cove at Pangkor Laut Resort is arguably one of the best ways to end your trip on a high note. The elevated dining experience allows you to dine under the stars with a gourmet seafood menu. In fact, you may even have a wine sommelier recommending wines to pair with your course. As the night goes on, you can sip on a mocktail and reminisce about the past few days of your vacation.

That’s all folks! We hope you enjoy your trip to Pulau Pangkor. Don’t mind us, we’re going to go check ferry schedules right now. 

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Featured image credit: sietriel via Canva Pro