Hammock Beach Break on Pulau Pangkor

Pulau Pangkor Island Break

Pulau Pangkor on the west coast of Malaysia is a favourite with locals. Pangkor is a relaxed, friendly little island and the perfect place to chill out for a couple of days during (or at the end of) your trip. Try to avoid the busy weekends and local holiday periods when the island gets swamped. Pangkor’s pretty small, so we like to hire moped to get round the island in search of deserted beaches and sleepy Malaysian fishing villages for a fantastically cheap lunch of freshly caught fish.

On your Pulau Pangkor island break you’ll be staying in a lovely resort on the quiet Teluk Belanga. There’s a wide beach outside your door and beautiful tropical rainforest right behind the resort. Nearby Teluk Nipah has some great little shops and restaurants. For a unique experience we can recommend our ‘special stay’, a small, pretty lodge run by an English artist hidden away in the middle of the rainforest. It’s one of those places that give your Malaysia trip just that little bit extra. If you want to spend a few days relaxing on Pangkor you can go for the basic, comfortable local accommodation or something with that extra bit of exclusivity, there's something for everyone!

Duration:	4 days / 3 nights Departure Sundays - Wednesdays	Accommodation:	Double/twin room in charming and well-maintained resort with pool Accommodation cateogry 4
Price:	from $339 per person - based on 2 people sharing Upgrade option from $359 - based on 2 people sharing	Includes:	3 nights accommodation with breakfast, boat transfers
Transport:	boat	Excludes:	other meals

Day 1

Boats to Pulau Pangkor depart every 15 minutes from Lumut, approximately 5 hours drive from Kuala Lumpur or the Cameron Highlands. The crossing takes 20 minutes and the price is included in the module price. You’ll receive the boat tickets along with the travel information which will be given to you by our local representative. The first thing you’ll notice when you arrive on Pangkor is the shocking pink taxis. For approximately $6 you can take a taxi to Teluk Nipah, the prettiest beach on Pangkor on the other side of the island. Agree on a price with the driver before you get in, they don’t have taxi meters on Pangkor.

In Teluk Nipah you’ll be staying in either our basic, comfortable guest house, our large beach hotel or the exclusive jungle lodge. In the evening you could have dinner at your accommodation, or go for a stroll along the (small) boulevard and grab a very satisfying bite to eat in one of the local restaurants for little more than $10.

Day 2 and 3

The next two days of your Pulau Pangkor beach break are free for you to do as you please. Spend the day lazing in the sun or reading a book in the shade, or if you’re feeling a bit more energetic, one of the small diving schools will be happy to shuttle you to the ‘coral island’ 30m off Pangkor. It’s fun, but don’t expect too much. For a real diving trip you can head out further to sea. If you want to stick to dry land, you can hire a bike or moped to explore the island. It takes no more than 40 minutes to drive all the way around the island. Then there’s always the pink taxis for a trip to the Dutch fort, the Foo Lin Kong temple, or one of the Malaysian fishing villages for a dirt cheap, delicious fresh fish lunch.

For some real outdoor activity, you can go hiking from Pasir Bogak Beach just south of Teluk Nipah (short taxi ride). Sturdy shoes are recommended. The trail is clearly marked and you can climb to Tortoise Hill for an amazing view across Turtle Bay. The trail ends in Sungai Pinang Town on the other side of the island where you’ll find some small, cheap restaurants. Try the steamed carp at restaurant Wah Mooi. As you can see there’s plenty to keep you occupied on Pangkor, though maybe all you’re looking for is a nice spot in the shade and a good book…

Day 4

From your hotel you'll be transferred to the jetty where you'll board the boat for the 40-minute crossing back to Lumut. If want to enjoy the sun and sand of Pangkor for a bit longer, we can always extend your stay with few extra days. This Pulau Pangkor beach break module ends in Lumut.

Next you might want to head to the cooler climes of the Cameron Highlands and stay among the rolling tea plantations with our Time for Tea module, or explore Malaysia culture and sample the culinary delights of Penang in Rickshaw Ride to the Temples of Penang.

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Accommodation images

Upgrade option: Pulau Pangkor

Give your island break on Pulau Pangkor something extra special with our Special Stay, in which you’ll be staying in a spectacular and stylishly decorated lodge in the heart of the rainforest run by Mohan, a friendly and extremely welcoming English artist. The lodge is tucked away in the heart of the jungle and the pool is set against a backdrop of tropical rainforest and the 8 rooms divided over 2 houses are decorated in mixed colonial / Malaysian style. Your stay here is all-inclusive so in the evening you’ll be treated to the most amazing meals cooked up by Bivanni the cook. With this Special Stay package you’ll be guaranteed a unique and unforgettable experience on Pangkor, so just let us know if you’d like us to book it for you.

Travel tips

Taxi in Lumut
For a reliable taxi driver who knows Lumut like the back of his hand, try Radin Ruslan. His number is 0135985758.

Round trip Pulau Pangkor
For a round trip past all the sights on the island, it’s best to take a taxi. The trip takes about 2 hours and it shouldn’t cost you more than $15. Taxis will also be happy to shuttle you to whatever beach you like. For the trip back just find the nearest food stall, most taxis stop off here. There are also organised boat trips around the island and for around $80 you can rent a speedboat at the Coral Bay Resort or Sea View resort. A moped is also a great way to explore the island on your own. Scroll down for information about hiring mopeds or bikes.

Restaurants
Most of the restaurants on Pangkor are part of the resorts; the three restaurants of Pangkor Laut Resort have excellent reviews if you’re looking for something a bit more exclusive. For simple, good cheap food you’ll have plenty of choice at the many food stalls in Pangkor Town, or in the smaller villages. Try the satay at one of the roadside stalls, and of course the fresh fish…

Pulau Pangkor island break - Pangkor temple

(Motor)bike hire
The road around Pangkor is no more than 13 miles long, so (providing you’ve got your motorbike license) motorbike is a great way to explore the island. One-day hire should cost you around £6, but you’ll need to pay your own petrol. 1 litre should get your round the whole island. Bicycles are available for hire at most hotels and in Pangkor Town for around $10 per day. Check the breaks, gears and tyres before you set off though and when you’re on the road look out for crossing dogs and monitor lizards.

Diving
The waters around Pulau Pangkor aren’t great for diving but there are some good diving spots around some of the nearby islands. Sembilan Divers organises diving trips from Lumut for both experienced and novice divers. The best months for diving are October-November and January-February. For more information ask at your resort reception.

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