Want to know all the best things to do in Pangkor Island, Malaysia? We have you covered! Below, you will find our guide to the best attractions to plan your ultimate trip.
Located in the state of Perak, Pangkor Island often sits in the shadow of other more developed islands like Penang and Langkawi. However, Pangkor Island offers visitors plenty of activities. It’s also just a great place to take a relaxing getaway.
Pangkor Island has a relatively small population and can only be accessed from the mainland by ferry. This gives the island a wonderful sense of community.
Despite this relative isolation, I found Pangkor Island to be surprisingly lively with a local feeling missing on most Malaysian islands I have visited. This is where people live and work and not just come to lie on beaches (although the latter is very easy to do!). I really loved this local feel.
Many people visit for the hornbills and stunning beaches, but there are many more things you can add to your Pangkor Island itinerary.
Below, you will find exactly what to do in Pangkor, as well as the best place to stay for the ultimate holiday!! There is also a handy attraction map of the best places to visit in Pangkor Island.
Do you prefer listening to reading? Find our podcast episode all about Pangkor Island here.
Travelling to Malaysia? Click here to download your free Malaysia Trip Planning checklist. We’ll help you get ready for your trip!
Have any questions? Join our Malaysia Travel Planning Facebook group here now! It’s the perfect place to ask any questions and to be inspired.
Contents
Top 16 Things To Do In Pangkor Island
Here are the best things to do. Read through and select the ones that fit your interests and timeframe.
Visit The Dutch Fort Ruins
The first attraction we visited on Pangkor Island was the Dutch Fort Ruins, also known as Kota Belanda.
Originally established by the Dutch in 1670 to store and protect tin supplies from Perak, the fort was destroyed in 1690 and later rebuilt. Around 60 soldiers were stationed here during the 1740s.
What you see today is a partial reconstruction of the historic fort, restored in 1973.
It doesn’t take long to explore, and the surrounding area is scenic, with a nicely maintained garden, a nearby beach and a few souvenir stalls.
Address: Pangkor Island, Perak 32300
See The Batu Bersurat (Sacred Rock)
The Batu Bersurat, or sacred rock, is just a couple of hundred metres from the Dutch Fort.
The sacred rock is located close to the Dutch Fort Ruins in Kampung Teluk Gedung and is of significance because of the graffiti etched into the stone. Many people say one of the inscriptions in the rock appears to be a tiger eating a child which has spawned its own legends. However, it is more likely that this is an inscription of the Dutch coat of arms left by soldiers stationed nearby.
Other inscriptions can be found on the rock too. It is a unique attraction and is under a roof to protect it from degrading in the weather.
Address: Pangkor Island, Perak 32300
Appreciate The Floating Mosque
A little further down the road from the sacred rock is Masjid Al-Badr Seribu Selawat otherwise known as Masjid Terapung, a “floating” mosque which looks stunning over the water.
During non-prayer times, anyone who is suitably dressed can visit.
Go Jungle Trekking At Bukit Pangkor
Bukit Pangkor is the highest point on the island, and jungle trekking there is one of the many Pulau Pangkor activities. But you’ll want to be prepared for it!
Much of Pangkor’s interior is covered in beautiful forest, but the terrain can be difficult to traverse. The trek to Bukit Pangkor is partly paved and partly jungle terrain. You’ll find stone markings along the way every few hundred metres. The path to Bukit Pangkor can be quite steep but there are resting spots along the way. From the top there are a few different paths you can take.
Going back can be the more challenging part. I recommend following the same path back. Many paths are challenging, leeches are common and it’s easy to get lost.
Watch The Hornbills At Sunset View Chalet
The hornbill is a brilliantly-beaked bird native to this area, and one of the things to do in Pangkor at night is feed them. Pangkor Island is filled with hornbills.
If you want to see these marvellous birds in person then head to Sunset View Chalet at sunset. Located near Teluk Nipah Beach on the west of the island, Sunset View Chalet hosts daily feeding events at sunset where you can see the hornbill, watch them feed and even offer them food yourself.
Address: Lot 4461, Teluk Nipah, Pangkor Island
Watch The Waves At Pangkor Island Beaches
An essential stop on your Pangkor Island itinerary is visiting one or more beaches.
If you’re looking for one of Pangkor’s more developed beaches, Pasir Bogak Beach is a great choice. This beach has the advantage of being situated near many resorts and restaurants.
It’s a lovely white sand beach located on the western side of the island at the southern end of the main road. You can easily hire equipment for kayaking, jet skiing or more or sort out a boat tour. Options to do this are sprinkled regularly along the beach.
It’s a beautiful beach to swim at and it’s easy to find your own spot to enjoy. I will add that I found the small waves a little too strong at the first spot I tried near the main entrance to the beach but after walking about 80 metres, I tried again and the water was perfect.
There are also trees on parts of the beach so it’s easy to have some shade. The main entrance has some snack and drink options. I had an ABC ice treat here that I enjoyed on the beach. So good!
I spent a lot of time enjoying this beach.
Another option is Teluk Nipah. This is another relatively developed option with nearby resorts, food stalls and water activities on offer. This is to the north of Pasir Bogak and while it is prettier, in my opinion, it was also much, much busier when I visited.
What I did really like about Teluk Nipah is that restaurants lined the beach with the main road cutting right alongside them. This led to a very busy main road, but it did mean you could easily eat dinner while watching the sunset.
Just north of Teluk Nipah is Coral Beach, another beautiful spot for swimming, relaxing and watching the sunset. You can walk there from the Teluk Nipah area and continue towards Lin Je Kong Temple at the northern end of the beach.
Other options include Teluk Ketapang, Pasir Giam Beach and Teluk Belanga, each with their own unique beauty and attractions.
Admire The Sunset At Coral Beach
Sunset is a beautiful time on Pangkor Island and Coral Beach is among the best viewing spots. Clean and lovely, this beach has white sand and turquoise water.
It also has the advantage of being westward facing, so you can easily watch the sun go down.
Explore Pangkor Island’s Chinatown
One of the interesting places in Pangkor Island is the vibrant and colourful Chinatown.
You can sample traditional Chinese fare at one of the restaurants and just spend a short while exploring the streets and traditional shops. It has quite a lively atmosphere.
This is also where you’ll find the SPK Jetty.
Address: Sungai Pinang Kecil (SPK), Pangkor Island, Perak 32300
Visit The Unique Chinatown Mosque
This unique mosque is right by Chinatown. Masjid Sungai Pinang Kecil is beautifully decorated with a mix of Chinese oriental design and Islamic features.
Non-Muslims can visit outside of prayer times. There are items you can borrow to wear.
Walk Into The Gardens Of Foo Lin Kong Temple
Whilst visiting Chinatown, stop at the nearby Taoist Foo Lin Kong Temple. This is really the highlight of the area.
The gardens are what make Foo Lin Kong Temple particularly interesting. You’ll find a turtle pond, the rock of fate, and a mini replica of the Great Wall.
The inside of the temple is also worth seeing as it is embellished with Buddha statues and Taoist relics.
This is my personal pick of the best Pangkor attraction to visit. It’s quite a sight.
Check Out Kali Amman Temple/Sri Pathira Kaliamman Temple
Located on the east of the island, Sri Pathirakaliamman Temple is Malaysia’s only sea-facing Indian temple and the only Hindu temple on Pangkor Island.
This temple is famous for its festivals. It’s also ornately decorated and brings in a number of visitors. I recommend that you visit early.
Address: 48, Jalan Besar, Sungai Pinang Besar, Pulau Pangkor, Perak 32300
Go Kayaking
Pangkor Island is an excellent spot for water activities due to both its wonderful beaches and uncrowded atmosphere. I recommend kayaking.
Nipah Bay is the place to go if you want to hire a kayak. The water here is gentle and relatively shallow which also makes it a more enjoyable experience for beginners, and you are free to explore at will. Pasir Bogak is another good choice.
Many companies here offer equipment for hire with varying prices. You can also find jet skis, canoes and snorkelling gear available for hire.
Discover An Underwater Paradise On A Snorkelling Trip
Snorkelling is another popular activity on Pangkor Island, with Turtle Bay and Coral Bay among the spots worth considering.
One of the top spots where you can snorkel is Nipah Bay. It’s easy to hire equipment and the water is clear with many beautiful things to see.
Cruise The Island By Boat
Boats leave from Nipah Bay and can take you on a coastal tour in 30 minutes. There are longer options as well including day cruises.
Wander Along SPK And Pangkor Town
Sungai Pinang Besar and Sungai Pinang Kecil (SPK) are two fishing villages on the island’s east coast. Both have narrow streets lined with local shops and restaurants, and fishing remains an important part of the local economy.
A little further south is Pangkor Town, the island’s business centre and the arrival point for the main passenger ferries.
It’s worth taking a walk around and getting a sense of the community that calls this island home.
Take A Pangkor Pink Taxi Tour Around The Island
You might experience this Pulau Pangkor tourist attraction without even trying. If you take a taxi, you’ll get to ride in one of the iconic pink taxis.
If you’re looking to do a Pangkor day trip or even just a couple of hours around the island then a pink taxi ride can also be a good option.
You can hire a taxi to take you on a tour of the island which takes around 2 to 4 hours (depending on how much you want to see). Costs start at RM80 – if you keep reading this article, the prices can be found in the taxi board photo below.
You can visit most of the land-based attractions on this list within a couple of hours. It’s a great way to see more of the island. The taxis have 12 seats so this is also great if you’re a family or in a group.
Map: Pangkor Island Attractions
Best Place To Stay In Pangkor Island
Pangkor Island may be small but there are some lovely resorts where you can stay. Most of these resorts are located near beaches like Pasir Bogak and Teluk Nipah, but really there are resorts dotted all around the island.
You can also find accommodation in the towns of Sungai Pinang Besar and Sungai Pinang Kecil, and the smaller Pangkor Laut Island.
Below are our top places to stay in Pangkor Island at every budget – including a cheap, mid-range and more expensive option.
BEST – Pangkor Laut Resort Review
For an even more exotic getaway, stay at Pangkor Laut Resort. This resort is located on the tiny island of Pangkor Laut and features stunning views of Emerald Bay, wonderful spa facilities, an infinity pool and several onsite restaurants.
Choose from a selection of rooms and villas. Each room has a minibar, safe, included WiFi and a private bathroom with a large bathtub.
This is a pricey option but this resort offers a level of luxury that makes it well worth it. It’s definitely one of my favourite places in all of Malaysia.
Click here for the latest prices or read our full review here.
MID-RANGE – AVI Pangkor Beach Resort Review
AVI Pangkor Beach Resort has the benefit of being located on Pasir Bogak beach, one of the most popular beaches on the island.
This is a pleasant resort to stay at. Rooms include both standard and larger deluxe options. They are well equipped with a workstation, private bathroom, balcony, free WiFi and daily housekeeping.
There’s also a nice restaurant on-site and a pool. The resort is opposite the beach and other nearby eateries, and the Dutch Fort Ruins and Sacred Rock are just a short drive away.
Click here for the latest prices or click here to read our full review.
BUDGET – Joe Fisherman Inn Review
For a budget option, Joe Fisherman Inn has a lot to offer guests. This accommodation is located close to both Coral Beach and Teluk Nipah Beach, and each is within walking distance.
One of the best parts of this hotel is the flexibility with rooms. There are plenty of sleeping options with some rooms sleeping up to 10 persons. Rooms are comforting and include wood panelling, a seating area and a TV.
There are also two pools outside and a buffet breakfast is served daily.
Click here for the latest prices.
Click here to see all our recommendations for the best hotel in Pangkor Island.
How To Get To Pangkor Island
You reach Pangkor Island by taking a ferry. This is the only way to get there. You can take a ferry from either Lumut Jetty or Marina Island. It takes about 35-40 minutes from Lumut or 10 minutes from Marina Island.
To see all the latest timetables and ferry prices, click here.
The easiest way to get to the Pangkor Island ferry from all over Peninsular Malaysia is by long-distance taxi. You can also take public buses from many places to Lumut Jetty.
Click here to check out bus timetables to Lumut.
You can also read our full guides to getting to Pangkor Island from Kuala Lumpur here and for getting to Pangkor Island from anywhere else here. These guides have full instructions and photos of what to do.
Getting Around Pangkor Island
There is no public transport on Pangkor Island so it’s all about the pink taxis. These will be waiting when you get off a ferry and there are taxi stops in main areas where you can easily get one.
In general, it’s not easy to walk around the streets in Pangkor Island. They tend to be narrow and most don’t have footpaths. So even if attractions look walkable on a map, it’s generally going to be hard to do that in reality. You are better off getting a taxi.
For visiting attractions in different parts of the island, you’ll need to use these taxis. You can see the fares above which are set prices and on signs at their stops. The bottom one is for the round island tour which is the most cost-effective and easiest way to visit many attractions.
Pangkor Island With Kids
Families looking for a relaxing getaway will adore Pangkor Island. This is a safe, easy place to visit with brilliant beaches and a family-friendly atmosphere.
Kayaking can be a fabulous activity with kids thanks to the calm waters around Pangkor Island. You can often find other kids’ activities on Pangkor Island beaches like jumping castles and snorkelling.
A few days spent here makes for a wonderfully relaxing family vacation.
Final Words
We hope you have enjoyed our list of the things to do on Pangkor Island. This is just our list – there is so much more of the island waiting to be explored! Whatever you decide to do here, a few days (or more) will be days well spent.
We really loved exploring Pangkor and also just hanging out and soaking it all in. The local, lively atmosphere is just what I love and it quickly became a favourite.
Give it a go as well!
You can find all the best hotels in Pangkor Island here and exactly how to get to Pangkor Island here or check out our full travel guide to Pangkor Island here. You can also find our podcast episode on Pangkor Island here.
Planning a trip to Malaysia? Have any questions? Join our Malaysia Travel Planning Facebook group here now! It’s the perfect place to ask any questions and to be inspired!
