Monkey Beach
A secluded sandy cove with macaques in the forest.
Asiadetailfeed — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Shahrul Laili — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Shahrul Laili — CC BY-SA 4.0
Dense tropical forest running down to secluded sandy beaches on the island's north-western tip, counted among the smallest national parks in the world yet holding forest, beaches and a rare lake in that small area. Here you feel far from the city, even though George Town is less than an hour away. Most visitors head for Monkey Beach, a quiet sandy cove whose forest is home to macaques, and Kerachut Beach, with a sea-turtle conservation centre and an unusual lake where fresh and salt water lie in layers that do not mix. You reach them either on forest trails, an hour or more in heat and humidity, or by boat from the beach at the entrance. The entry fee for non-Malaysians is around RM 50 for adults, card only, and RM 10 for children, with visitors registering at the park headquarters, open until half past four with a lunch break. The boat to Monkey Beach costs around RM 100 return for the whole boat, not per person, and takes about ten people. The monkeys are bold and grab food and bags, so keep your hands empty. The trails need proper shoes and plenty of water, and early morning is best. The park is about forty minutes' drive from George Town, beyond the Batu Ferringhi beach strip.
A secluded sandy cove with macaques in the forest.
A sea-turtle conservation centre at Kerachut Beach.
Fresh and salt water in layers that do not mix.
Teluk Bahang, on the north-west tip of Penang Island
With children or in the heat, take the boat to Monkey Beach and split the cost with other visitors, since it is priced per boat. Walking is lovely for forest lovers but tiring and muddy after rain.