Pangkor – Holiday Like A Local On Malaysia’s Paradise Island

Pangkor – Malaysia’s Paradise Island

Just off Malaysia’s west coast lies the sleepy fishing island (Pulau in Malay) of Pangkor. Not only is this small island known for its fishing, but also as a tourist hotspot for the locals thanks to its white sandy beaches, lush jungle scenery and magnificent sunsets. 

Getting To Pangkor 

Getting to Pangkor from mainland Malaysia is actually a pretty straightforward process.

First we caught a bus from Kuala Lumpur to Lumut; a coastal town just across the sea from Pangkor.

From the Lumut bus stop we walked about 5 minutes to a small port – just follow the locals and other tourists!

Once at the port we purchased a ferry ticket for RM20 each (return) over to Pangkor. Make sure you keep your ticket as you’ll need it to get back to the mainland!

Then once we arrived in Pangkor we took one of the pink tuk tuks/taxis to our accommodation.

Booking Bus Tickets

Malaysian busses/coach services are brilliant. You can book everything online at websites like BusOnlineTicket in advance, or purchase a ticket once you arrive at the bus stop. Not only are the coaches regular, cheap, clean, fitted with air con and (we found) always on time, but they cross so many different routes that you can pretty much visit the entire country safely and in comfort.

Whether you depart from an ultra modern bus terminal (like Kuala Lumpur) or a smaller stop like Lumut you’ll always find places to eat, toilets and helpful English speaking staff.

Securing Ferry Tickets

In terms of the ferry, this was the only one we took in Malaysia but it was also great. It can, like the buses, also be booked in advance but we’d honestly recommend getting it when you arrive in Lumut. 

The ferry runs throughout the day, 7 days a week (there is no reduced service on a Sunday here!). We noticed that there were more departures at the in-person kiosk than online so if you arrive early you can catch one pretty quickly rather than having to wait around for something you’ve pre booked.

The journey between ports in Lumut and Pangkor takes approximately 30 minutes – quick and painless. The ride is pretty steady so while I took a travel sickness tablet just to be on the safe side, I probably could have gotten away without it. 

The type of boat/ferry you take seems to depend on availability on the day. On the way out to Pangkor we were on an open ferry with hardly any passengers on it and we could roam about the place with no allocated seats given. The way back was completely different, however. The ferry was packed with people and loaded up with luggage. We were also allocated seats on this one, so as you can tell it’s a pretty mixed bag when it comes to ferry services. All part of the fun!

 

What To Do In Pangkor

Pangkor island is pretty much as laid back as an island can get, but still has enough on offer to keep visitors entertained throughout their stay. 

From simply hanging out and relaxing at the beach/poolside, right the way through to island hopping and participating in a range of water-based activities (snorkelling, kayaking, jet skiing etc.), there will be something for everyone to enjoy. 

The island also has hiking opportunities, temples to explore and a colonial past you can learn more about by visiting historical ruins. 

And, with the island being duty free as of 2020, you can also stock up on sweets, perfumes and other souvenirs before you leave!

Getting Around The Island

The great thing about Pangkor is that getting around the island is quick, easy and pretty inexpensive. Hail a hot pink mini bus – the island’s version of a taxi cab – and you can get to anywhere you need to be for very little money at all. We got cabs to the other side of the island for RM18, which is about £3.40. 

You can also hire a motorbike during your stay which I believe is also a pretty inexpensive way to see the island while going at your own pace too. However, I will say we have met a couple of people who have been on the receiving end of a few bumps and scrapes thanks to their motorbike escapades. Be careful out there! 

Hornbill & Macaque Spotting

Pangkor is a great place to observe the national bird of Malaysia, the hornbill. These large majestic birds are incredibly characterful and can be found all around the island. While we did not partake ourselves, there is apparently a place where you can feed wild hornbills on the island. 

Keep an eye out for macaques too – we spotted groups of them moving around the island in villages and crossing roads. I would just be sure to give them some space and not try to feed them or get too close, particularly when you see mothers with their babies. 

Catch The Sunset

Head over to the west side of the island to Coral Beach to watch the sun slip slowly behind the sea and leave a golden glow on the horizon.

Despite being the perfect place to watch an epic sunset, it’s also one of the most laid-back and quiet spots to do so. 

If you fancy some dinner and drinks with your views, the Nipah Deli beach bar is the one to visit. Their outdoor seating is literally on the beach, so you can sip and soak up those views! 

Where To Stay 

We stayed at Pangkor Nature View House and it made the experience that much more relaxed and comfortable. I would highly recommend it!

The staff are absolutely lovely, the room is spacious and has a great shower. There’s a superb pool, great aircon and lovely gardens. You’re in the heart of the jungle but also just a 5 minute walk from the beach.

Read my in-depth review of this unique stay accommodation here. 

What To Wear

It’s important to be respectful of the religions and cultures of any country you visit and this certainly applies to Malaysia, a majority Muslim country. I would therefore suggest that anyone visiting Pangkor adheres to a more modest dress code. 

A midi dress or light linen shirt with some shorts or leggings would work well, fr example, when walking through town. At the hotel pool a swimsuit is fine, but not when you’re out and about. 

From what I observed of the few western visitors on the island, it was a real mixed bag when it came to what they chose to wear. I would just say that, personally, I would have felt uncomfortable wearing anything overly skimpy or revealing. 

Holiday Like A Local

In Pangkor – and this is something I have found to be the case around much of Malaysia actually – myself and Adam were among only a very small handful of westerners on the island, with the rest of the visitors being Malaysian. 

From my understanding this island is visited mostly by locals and is the more affordable of Malaysia’s islands to visit, compared to Langkawi or the Perhentian islands, for example, which tend to see a lot more western tourists. Mass tourism has clearly not claimed this little slice of paradise just yet! 

Visiting Pangkor allowed us to see how Malaysians holiday and enjoy their down-time with friends and family. It felt like a really authentic travel experience. 

Until next time,

Lica xoxo