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Penang's Famed Beaches
Penang's northern shoreline is famous for its beautiful beaches
of golden sand and deep blue seas. The Tanjung Bungah, Batu Ferringhi
and Teluk Bahang beaches offer expansive stretches of glittering
sand interspersed with secluded coves within the shelter of gigantic
rocks. It is along this famous coastline that resorts of international
standard have sprouted up, offering a host of water-based recreational
facilities.
If you crave for privacy, head for Teluk Duyung, Monkey Beach, Pantai
Keracut and Pantai Mas accessible via the trails in the Pantai Acheh
Forest Reserve from Teluk Bahang. The Pasir Panjang Beach at the
southwestern tip of the island is a good clean stretch for swimming
and can be reached after a 25-minute hike over hilly land from Betong.
Batu Ferringhi Beach (Northern Coast of Penang Island)
A little further along the coast towards Georgetown, Batu
Ferringhi (Foreigner's Rock) is a resort strip lined with big hotels,
tourist shops, restaurants and car and motorcycle rental offices.
They are also plenty of moneychangers to welcome you.
The beach itself is quite good, thought not up there with Malaysia's
best and the water is not of the tropically clear variety you might
expect. The beach is kept clean, even on weekends when hordes of
day-trippers visit.
Batu Ferringhi has the drawbacks of a large resort, it can be crowded
and much of the greenery has been replaced by concrete, but also
the advantages (plenty of restaurants, watering holes and recreation
facilities). It has quite a lively resort feel, and there is a good
night markets on the main road selling trinkets. The big hotels
offer good deals at times and cheaper accommodation is available
if you want a few days by the beach.
Tanjung Bungah Beaches
The closest beach to George Town is Tanjung Bungah beach. The shoreline
here is packed with lush greenery and dotted with large boulders.
You can also sunbathe in the shadow of the overhanging cliffs.
The ocean view at Tanjung Bungah beach is said to be one of the
best on the island! Even better yet, visitors do not need to forgo
luxury while visiting Tanjung Bungah? beach as there are many world-class
resorts and hotels here.
Teluk Bahang Beach
Beautiful sunsets grace the beach of Teluk Bahang--Bay of Embers--where
the rustic kampung (village) charms is exemplified by an intact
fishing village rumbling with life. Chickens, dogs, cats and children
frolic around and under the stilted attap houses and a jetty stretches
some distance into the sea to welcome home the fishermen and their
day's catch. A rare quixotic scene comes alive at the twinkle of
an eye, otherwise found only in the best canvasses of Penang's thriving
arts trade. At the distal end this idyllic beach, the paradisiacal
Mutiara Beach Resort takes physical domicile.
http://www.tourismpenang.gov.my |
