Pangkor, with its charming mix of fishing settlements and resorts, is a fascinating and convenient holiday destination. It presents the visitor with a rare chance to live near fishermen and observe their lifestyle and also to simply enjoy the fine beaches and resort amenities.
The fishermen live in scattered settlements on the eastern side, facing the town of Lumut and Teluk Batik. Visitors get a chance to see some of them on the 40-minute ferry ride from Lumut as the ferry stops at the main settlements of Sungai Pinang Kecil and Sungai Pinang Besar before landing at Pangkor Town.
Pangkor's two popular beach areas of Pasir Bogak and Teluk Nipah offer sun and sea enthusiasts activities like scuba-diving, snorkelling, wind-surfing and fishing. While Pasir Bogak is quite developed, Teluk Nipah still retains its kampung or village atmosphere. Teluk Ketapang or Turtle Bay still receives turtles on their egg-laying pilgrimages. Some of the resorts on the island also have excellent golf courses on their property.
Key Tips
Leave your resort in the evening and head into the main fishing settlement of Pangkor to treat yourself to some of the best seafood you'll ever have.
How to get there
By Road Take the North-South Expressway heading north towards Perak. Exit at the Bidor toll plaza. The rest of the journey will be on trunk roads. Follow signboards stating “Pelabuhan Lumut” or “Lumut Naval Base”. You will then need to follow signboards to “Teluk Intan”, “Sitiawan” and “Pulau Pangkor”.
By Sea Pangkor is a 40-minute ferry ride from Lumut. There are departures every half hour.
By Air The private carrier Berjaya Air flies 5 times a week from the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport just outside Kuala Lumpur to Pangkor.
States In Malaysia