Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Chop, Small wave, Medium wave
Water hazards: None
Water quality: Cloudy
Infos: Good waves here during the Northeast monsoon in December to January.
Beach type & size: Sand - Big
Infos: Wide, clean beach.
Identified hazards: None
Beachgoer: None
Wind type: Frontal
Wind specificities: Unblocked winds from the sea during the NE monsoon (December to March).
Best months: January, February, March, December
Access description: by Car - A very short drive from Kuantan town.
Specific rules: None
View spot
Level: Intermediate, Expert
Type: Island
Water type: Shallow, Chop, Small wave
Water quality: Crystal clear
Infos: Crystal blue and green. The tide is minimal. In NE Monsoon some waves and chop (November to March).
Beach type & size: Sand - Small
Infos: The beach is tropical and white sand. Although very small, so launching can be tricky, as there are palm trees everywhere. As Perhentian is one of the main touristic attraction, watch out for tourist and kite safe. Many haven't seen a kite yet, so they are very curious. It is easier and safer to launch with low tide as the beach is bigger.
Identified hazards: Trees, Bystanders
Weather specificities: Weather is tropical, so always 35+ C. Very warm water so no need for a wetsuit.
Wind type: Trade
Wind specificities: Only working in NE monsoon, so mainly from December till March. Winds generally picks up to the 10-15 knot range, so bring your bigger kite. In this period it is always onshore, so be careful for trees and people. In SW monsoon you have offshore wind. Always watch out for sudden appearing squalls.
Best months: January, February, March, December
Access description: by Boat - Airplane to Kuala Trengganu or Kota Bahru, then taxi to Kuala Besut (1h) where you take the boat to the island Perhentian Kecil (1/2h).
Specific rules: None
Nightlife: Some bars, easy lifestyle, very relaxed.
Accommodations: Shower, Toilet, Food, Parking
View spot
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Shallow, Flat, Chop, Small wave, Medium wave
Water hazards: None
Water quality: Crystal clear
Infos: In dry season it is very flat and crystal blue. Tides are present though of no significance (you just have to walk more). In raining season (December to March) you can get 6 feet waves (left ones) nicely and well structured coming in.
Beach type & size: Sand - Tidal
Infos: Beach with high tide is not too big, but enough, with low tide, very big. White sand, clean beaches and not too many people.
Identified hazards: None
Beachgoer: None
Weather specificities: Weather: always 30+C. The water is hot, so no wetsuits needed.
Wind type: Trade
Wind specificities: Wind is not too strong, but with big kites you can kite almost all year. Normally expect winds between 8-14 knots. In rainy season wind goes up to 25 knots. Works in many directions on the point. The season in fact is all year with big gear. Best period is June to September and December to March.
Best months: January, February, March, June, July, August, September, December
Access description: by Car - Via Kuala Lumpur, Kuantan and then Cherating. Get there by car or taxi.
Specific rules: None
Accommodations: Food, Parking
View spot
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Shallow, Chop, Small wave
Water quality: Clean
Infos: Choppy to small waves with good wind. Shallow water for more than 200 meters. Tide is present, but not a factor.
Beach type & size: Sand - Medium
Infos: Unpopulated long stretch of beach in a straight coast. Plenty of space to launch. Beach is wide enough for launching even with high tide, some trees to pay attention to during high tide, but in general comfortable launches/recoveries. On Sundays people stroll down the beach and curiosity could be a factor, but they are absolutely friendly. Big bay, about 9 km across.
Identified hazards: Bystanders
Beachgoer: None
Weather specificities: Great weather all year around with temperature ranging from 29-32C during the day and lows in the 24-25C. A rash guard could be useful for sun protection and long rides.
Wind type: Trade
Wind specificities: NE Monsoon (November to April): wind sideonshore 12-25 kts. SW monsoon (May to October): wind not reliable, occasionally good days in July to August with 12-15 kts. Sudden afternoon showers could bring strong wind gusts, just recover back to the beach as you see the black clouds approaching.
Best months: January, February, March, November, December
Access description: by Car - One hour 30 minutes drive from Johor Bahru (southern tip Malaysia in front of Singapore). From Singapore/Johor Bahru take Jalan Tebrau and continue north to Kota Tinggi, 40 km after turn right to Tanjun Lehman (ferry Terminal for Sibu Island) after approx. 25 km turn left following the Sibu Island Resort signs. About 2 hours if you drive from Singapore.
Specific rules: None
Extra: No rules and restriction, just common sense.
Nightlife: Drive south to Johoe Bahru.
Accommodations: Food, Parking
View spot
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Shallow, Chop, Small wave
Water hazards: Mole
Water quality: Clean
Infos: Choppy to small waves with good wind. Shallow water for more than 200 meters. Tide is present, but not a factor.
Beach type & size: Sand - Tidal
Infos: The beach is kilometers long and unpopulated in a gulf which also makes it very safe in case you loose your gear (you will always drift ashore). Plenty of space to launch. Beach is wide enough for launching even with high tide, some trees to pay attention to, but in general comfortable launches/recoveries. The beach just south of the jetty and is a very long stretch all ridable.
Identified hazards: Trees
Beachgoer: None
Weather specificities: Great weather all year around with temperature ranging from 29-32C during the day and lows in the 24-25C. A rash guard could be useful for sun protection and long rides.
Wind type: Frontal
Wind specificities: 10 to 25 kts during monsoon season (November to March). Winds are sideonshore from the left. Kiting great for beginners to advanced with good wind up to 20 knots from 9am to 2pm. After that high probability of rain, after which, the wind dies. Sideonshore winds in 2 season: SW season (April to October (weak and not constant), NE season pretty reliable, consistency 13-20 kts specially between 10am and 3pm.
Best months: January, February, March, November, December
Access description: by Car - One hour fifteen minutes drive from Johor Bahru (southern tip Malaysia in front of Singapore). From Singapore/Johor Bahru take Jalan Tebrau and continue north to Kota Tinggi, 15 km after turn right to Sedili L (milestone 273 to Kuantan) and after approx 25 km you will come to a road intersection with traffic lights. Turn right. The bay is now immediately on your left. A good launching spot is at the Jason Bay Resort located approx. 2km down with the entrance on your left. About 2 hours if you drive from Singapore.
Specific rules: None
Extra: On Sundays watch out for locals bathing nearby and being very curious.
Nightlife: No nightlife, unless you drive to Johor Bahru (80 km).
Accommodations: Rooms
View spot
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Chop
Water hazards: None
Water quality: Clean
Beach type & size: Sand - Big
Identified hazards: None
Beachgoer: None
Wind type: Trade
Best months: January, February, March, April, November, December
Access description: by Car -
Specific rules: None
Accommodations: Rooms, Food, Parking
View spot
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Shallow, Small wave, Medium wave
Water hazards: Rocks
Water quality: Cloudy
Infos: Shallow bay with deeper water further out. Watch our for a large rock at the south end of the beach, which will be barely submerged during high tide.
Beach type & size: Sand - Tidal
Infos: Large flat beach. Very wide at low tide.
Identified hazards: None
Wind type: Frontal
Wind specificities: Almost perfect (45 degree) sideonshore winds during the Northeast monsoon (December to March).
Best months: January, February, March, December
Access description: by Car - Next to the Le Cemara resort.
Specific rules: Zones
Extra: The Le Cemara resort does not want you to walk through their property to get to the beach, unless you are staying there. That means that there will be a bit of a hike to reach a good spot on the beach.
Nightlife: There are some tourist resorts in the area, but don't expect much nightlife in the traditional sense of the word.
Accommodations: Rooms, Food
View spot
Level: Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Chop, Small wave, Medium wave
Water hazards: Swimmers, Rocks
Water quality: Cloudy
Infos: Big rocks at the south end of the beach - stay away. During the Northeast monsoon (December to March), which is really the only time when you can windsurf or kitesurf at this location, there will be fairly big waves (by Malaysia standards) breaking about 100 meters from shore. Expect a lot of whitewash.
Beach type & size: Sand - Medium
Infos: This is a popular beach with locals, so watch our for curious bystanders. There may be surfers at the south end of the bay - be courteous and stay away from them.
Identified hazards: Bystanders
Wind type: Frontal
Wind specificities: This beach only works during the Northeast monsoon season (December to March).
Best months: January, February, March, December
Access description: by Car - A gravel/sand road leads to the center of the beach.
Specific rules: None
Nightlife: There are some tourist resorts in Desaru to the south.
Accommodations: None
View spot
Level: Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Chop, Small wave, Medium wave
Water hazards: Rocks
Water quality: Cloudy
Beach type & size: Sand - Tidal
Infos: Beautiful, unspoiled bay. Makes it easy to forget that you are close to a city.
Beachgoer: None
Wind type: Frontal
Wind specificities: Unblocked winds during the NE monsoon December to March.
Best months: January, February, March, December
Specific rules: None
Accommodations: None
View spot
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Flat, Chop, Small wave, Medium wave
Water hazards: Reefs
Water quality: Cloudy
Infos: Some tide, but not relevant. In the NE Monsoon (October to March) there are sometimes heavy breaking waves, water can be choppy and the swell is quite daunting. Beginners can find conditions difficult during the NE Monsoon. In the SE (April to September) small chop and waves at most times however it is suitable for beginner windsurfers and kitesurfers.
Beach type & size: Sand - Big
Infos: Very wide beach, no worries when launching. Sandy beach, very hard sand.
Identified hazards: None
Beachgoer: None
Weather specificities: Daily temperature is between 26-35C. Water temperature about 28C. During the NE monsoon (November to March) the weather is sometimes cloudy and overcast. Shorties may sometimes be required when overcast and windy due to the wind chill factor. During the SE Monsoon(April to October) the air temperature is hotter and the weather is generally calmer and hotter with more sunshine and clear days as compared to NE monsoon.
Wind type: Trade
Wind specificities: Two main seasons: NE Monsoon (windy from December to March), wind speed occasionally 15-20 knots (most of the time averaging 12 knots), SW season has lighter winds. Bring big kites (12 to 17 sq meter bows) and you will have a good time. Inter-monsoon period is from April to June where the wind shifts from NE to SE averaging 5 knots. During the SE Monsoon kiting season in July to September, the wind strength averages about 10 knots. 16 or 17 sq meter kites are required.
Best months: January, February, March, November, December
Access description: by Car - To get to Balok Beach from Kuantan town, head north and travel for about 8km. If arriving at Kuantan airport, the distance to Balok Beach is about 25 km.
Specific rules: None
Extra: The sea is relatively safe because the wind direction is normally cross onshore, so no matter what happens you will end up downwind washed up at the beach. You will perhaps require to hitch a bike ride from a local to where you started from.
Accommodations: Rescue, Food, Parking
View spot
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Chop, Small wave, Medium wave
Water hazards: None
Water quality: Cloudy
Infos: Somewhat cleaner than the more famous Balok Beach to the south. Waves can be very big here.
Beach type & size: Sand - Medium
Identified hazards: None
Beachgoer: None
Wind type: Frontal
Wind specificities: Unlike the well-known Balok Beach to the south, this beach is not shielded by headland. As a result, the wind can be a bit stronger here.
Best months: January, February, March, December
Access description: by Car -
Specific rules: None
Nightlife: Kuantan is nearby, but remember that we are talking about Malaysia here.
Accommodations: Parking
View spot
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Chop, Small wave
Water hazards: Rocks
Water quality: Cloudy
Infos: The water can be choppy here.
Beach type & size: Sand - Medium
Infos: This is a very long, beautiful, mostly deserted beach stretching from Tanjung Punggai in the north to Tanjung Sepang in the south.
Identified hazards: None
Beachgoer: None
Wind type: Frontal
Wind specificities: During the Northeast monsoon season, the winds along this beach will be more sideshore compared with the beaches further north.
Best months: January, February, March, December
Access description: by Car - There are a number of places where you can access the beach from the main road (road 90).
Specific rules: Zones
Extra: There is a small military camp at the cliff at the south end of the beach. Avoid venturing too close.
Nightlife: None whatsoever. This is a rural, very rustic part of (muslim) Malaysia. There are a couple of very low-key budget resorts in the area, but no nightlife. Some would say that the absence of crowds and nightlife is part of the attraction of this area.
Accommodations: None
View spot