[MALAYSIA] PERAK - Getaway at Pangkor Island

08:00 Travel Bunny 0 Comments


Located off the coast of Perak, Malaysia, Pangkor Island (Pulau Pangkor) is a fascinating blend of rugged nature, rich colonial history, and a bustling local fishing culture. Unlike the more commercialized Langkawi or the monsoon-affected islands of the East Coast, Pangkor offers a year-round tropical escape that feels authentically Malaysian. 

Getting There: 

Take a ferry from Marina Island Jetty (15 mins) or Lumut Jetty (30 mins). Both ferries are about the same price. Check the ferry schedule in advance, as it might get sold out during peak season. Ferry tickets to Pangkor Island can be easily booked on Easybook from Lumut Jetty, with prices starting from RM 10 per adult. 

After a hearty hotel breakfast at The Orient Star Resort Lumut, we walked over to Lumut Jetty and hopped over to Pangkor Island by ferry.  

Getting Around

There are many bright pink vans park outside the Pangkor Jetty. Apparently, the only way to get around the island is to take one of these taxi-vans or rent a car. It cost RM100 to book a van for a 2-hour tour around the island including dropping us off at the resort. The direct fare from the jetty to resort in Pasir Bogak is approximately RM15 one-way.

What to See

1) Dutch Fort

Our first stop was this 300-year-old remnant of the Dutch colonial era. Once used to store tin ore, the roofless stone ruins now provide a beautiful backdrop for history buffs and photographers alike. Most visitors would spend about 15 minutes here, as the fort is quite small.

Dutch Fort
Hours: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

2) Fu Lin Kong Temple

Afterwards, we were brought to the colorful Fu Lin Kong Temple. Nestled at the foot of Pangkor Hill, this Taoist temple features a mini "Great Wall of China" and beautifully landscaped gardens. 

The smoke coming out from Golden Dragon pond added a layer of dramatic effect. You can make a wish here by tossing a coin. 

Visitors can also try feeding the fishes at a large pond in the temple compound.

If you climb to the upper levels of the temple grounds, you get a beautiful panoramic view of the village and the sea.

Fu Lin Kong Temple
Hours: 6:30 AM – 10:00 PM

3) Hai Seng Hin Fish Factory

Pangkor is famous for its dried seafood, especially the "Blue Eye" Anchovies (Ikan Bilis Mata Biru). They are prized for their quality, texture, and distinct look. As the name suggests, they have a tiny, shimmering blue dot where the eye is. We made sure to stock up on these anchovies at Hai Seng Hin Fish Factory (8:30 AM - 6:00 PM). 

4) Pantai Pasir Giam

Next, we headed to Pantai Pasir Giam. This beach is famous for a unique phenomenon: at low tide, a sandbar appears, allowing you to walk all the way from the mainland to Giam Island. The water here is clear, making it a popular spot for a quick dip or snorkeling. I bought a handmade soap made of fish scale collagen and also tried fish scale collagen pudding at a store near the beach.

5) Duty Free Shop

After a stroll at Pantai Pasir Giam, we hit the duty-free shops for some shopping time. Since Pangkor became a duty-free island in 2020, shopping for chocolates is a must. Many chocolate items are sold around RM25 per box.

Accomodation

Then we checked into Pangkor Sandy Beach Resort for the night. We had a simple lunch nearby the resort before the boys spent some time swimming in the pool. Later we moved to Pasir Bogak for some fun time until sunset. 

Pasir Bogak is the most developed beach on the island. The sunset view was unbeatable that day. We managed to witness the perfectly round and orange sun slowly setting into the sea that day.

Later, we had dinner at the nearby Wang Wang Seafood Restaurant (11:00 AM – 11:00 PM) for some fresh seafood and called it a night.  

Pangkor Sandy Beach Resort is located at Pasir Bogak, one of the best areas on the island to spot Pangkor’s most famous resident: the Oriental Pied Hornbill. The best time for bird watching at the resort is in the morning. We had our buffet breakfast at the resort’s cafe but unfortunately, we didn’t get to see one. According to the resort staff, the many crows nearby scare away the hornbill as they are fierce in fighting for food. So consider yourself lucky if you managed to see one.

We bid farewell to the island and headed back to the mainland around noon.

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