Pangkor Island, Perak

Pangkor Island is one of the most beautiful islands in the northern region of Malaysia, attracting tourists from all over the world.

One can drive or take a bus to Lumut town, and later board a ferry to the island. A more convenient way of travelling is by air and the only operating airline is Berjaya Air that flies to Pangkor Island five times a week. One of the most beautiful beaches on Pangkor Island is Pasir Bogak Beach, located about 30 minutes away from the airport offering a lot of activities for tourists.

Of all the resorts that are located along the Pasir Bogak Beach, Coral Bay Resort offers comfort and convenience to tourists with its 142 rooms and 70 apartment units for bigger groups. Fully equipped with recreational facilities, including a freeform swimming pool, water slide, open-air Jacuzzi, sauna, sports and fitness centre, water and tele-match facilities and beach games, Coral Bay Resort promises tourists a fun and enjoyable time throughout their stay.

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For gastronomic indulgence, The Moonlight Coffee House, The Pool, The Abyss, The Mamak Stalls and Poolside Terrace are the places to savour local and international delights.

Nature Awaits

At Pasir Bogak beach, the activities do not only involve the beach, but also the hills that surround this area, where tourists can challenge themselves to go for jungle trekking. However, it is advisable to hire a tourist guide to avoid getting lost in the jungle or injured. This activity is suitable for everyone because the trail is not that challenging and as a reward, tourists will be able to see the splendid view of the sun shining down on Pangkor Island.

Other than exploring the greenery along the trek, tourists can enjoy the breezy beach with loads of activities and one of the most exciting is the beach games. This activity is more suitable for a big group of at least 10 persons so that teams can be formed. The beach games include Rolling Ball, Giant Slippers, 360 Pangkor, Tug of War and more that can be arranged with the management of Coral Bay Resort prior to the visit.

Another fun activity that cannot be found anywhere else in Malaysia is hunting for sea cockroaches, a species of molluscs that run very fast and live in the sand at the seashore with a colour similar to the sand. Due to its unique characteristics, it is very challenging to catch this creature. However, it is a fun activity nonetheless because it requires a lot of patience, skills, and speed to catch it. Expect a lot of tumbles and falls and misses when trying to catch it, but all is done for fun.

Treasures From the Sea

When in Pangkor, the sea is the playpen and one of the most famous activities here is snorkelling. Pangkor may not have the most beautiful corals compared to the other islands in Malaysia, but the variety of fish population creates a colourful atmosphere in the water. After snorkelling, tourists can enjoy becoming fishermen by fishing at a few spots around this island but the catch very much depends on luck.

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It doesn’t really matter how big the catch is, but it is more the excitement of pulling the fish into the boat. Visitors will definitely be thrilled by the experience of catching fish. There are also water sports that can be enjoyed here, for example, banana boat and jet ski, where they can experience the ride of their lifetime being thrown off the banana boat and get their adrenaline pumped up when riding the jet ski.

One special activity that is done by locals in Pangkor is beach-netting, which is normally done at night on the beach using a long net measuring up to 80 feet long. This activity requires at least three persons, where two persons will be on the beach to handle the net and one will be on the boat to spread the net that will be pulled from both ends to land the catch. It looks quite simple, but this activity requires a lot of strength because the net is heavy when pulled together. Various sea creatures such as fish, squid, crab and jellyfish can be caught this way.

Rich in History

Other than natural attractions, the small town on Pangkor Island also possesses other charms. Tan Boon Chin’s coffee shop in Pangkor town, for instance, has been running its business even before the commercialisation of Pangkor island and the menu here is not only drinks but also packed nasi lemak, half-boiled eggs and toasted bread. But the speciality of Tan Boon Chin’s coffee shop or known by locals as Chin’s coffee shop is the rich taste of its coffee brewed traditionally and its recipe is passed on to later generations.

Hai Seng Hin fish factory is also among the pioneering entrepreneurs of Pangkor island. This fish factory produces all sorts of processed seafood products, including fish satay, dried squid, grilled squid, prawn crackers and others that are marketed nationwide.

Pangkor Island may not have a line of history as long as Melaka’s, but in 1650, the Dutch arrived in Pangkor and the locals were forced to agree with the construction of the Dutch Fort after they were attacked by the Dutch. Dutch Fort was then built as a warehouse to keep all the collected tin ore away from the locals but after some time, the locals rebelled and attacked it. Since then, it was never put to use and has become a tourist attraction on Pangkor Island.

Pangkor Island has a lot to offer if the tourists really explore the whole island. It has a beach, sea, greenery and priceless history for tourists to discover and enjoy. Pangkor island is just as charming as always and the people are just as lovely and warm.

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Adam Aldine

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