4 Best Islands in Penang For Nature and Adventure Lovers Alike
The last time my family and I visited Penang, we didn’t have much time, so we only got a chance to stop by Penang Hill and George Town. Don’t get me wrong, those are two of the best places to check out in the state, but I was craving something a bit more adventurous.
Since then, I’ve been bent on planning the best getaway in Penang because there are just so many islands to explore! These islands feature some of the most beautiful beaches in Malaysia, hiking trails and pristine marine life waiting to be witnessed.
After weeks of research, I’ve created the perfect list for island hopping in Penang—and I’m here to share it with you! Whether you’re into swimming, scuba diving, hiking or just pure exploration, you’ll find much appreciation for these islands in Penang:
Pulau Jerejak
Things to do: Jungle trekking, kayaking, picture taking
Location
Jerejak Island offers one of the best varieties of activities and sights in Penang. For starters, it offers a beautiful beach with several photo opportunities for Insta addicts like the rainbow ferry that will greet you upon arrival.
The island also offers fun activities that will immerse you in natural beauty like kayaking, which allows you to explore the island’s beautiful waters. You can also ride bicycles and go hiking to witness its lush greenery up close posing a bit of a challenge.
Come nighttime, you have to check out the LED park at Jerejak Island Resort where natural beauty is perfectly mixed in with bright and colourful hues. These lights are hung from various trees, stripped onto pavement edges and installed around blooming flowers!
Pro tip:
Go back to the beach at sunset to take even more stunning photos at the attractions like the giant swing set and the Stairway to Heaven.
Pulau Aman
Media credit: ulou86
Things to do: Fresh seafood feasts, fishing, trekking
Location
Pulau Aman is perfect for those seeking to experience a quiet and remote life away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The island isn’t commercialised, and the main civilisation there is the traditional fishing village, where you can witness the authentic day-in-the-lives of locals.
With that being said, you can expect the island to feature some of the best (and cheapest) seafood in Penang. You can wander around and stumble upon a restaurant like Warung Kak Timah, where you can get massive prawns in noodle soup at dirt-cheap prices.
If you’re more of an outdoorsman, you can try conquering the several trekking trails scattered across the island. They’re all beginner trails beautiful you want to experience the most challenge, you can try to climb the 112-meter-high Bukit Pulau Aman.
Pro tip:
The only way to get to Pulau Aman is by riding the ferry from Batu Musang Jetty at Batu Kawan, Penang. It’s only a 5 to 10-minute boat ride and they’re departing schedule goes as follows: 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM (last ride).
Pulau Songsong
Media credit: songsongcampsite and seekeradventure_
Things to do: Nature walks, beach relaxation, fishing, snorkelling, kayaking
Location
Pulau Songsong is only a 30-minute boat ride away from Penang but it will make you feel as far away from civilisation as possible. This is because you won’t find any big-time resorts, restaurants and other signs of commercialism here, just pure pristine natural landscapes.
One of the best things about his place is its beach, which features a long strip of pure sand and beautiful crystal-clear waters. Aside from swimming and sunbathing, you can enjoy this beach through fun water sports like kayaking and fishing.
You may also want to take advantage of the preserved coral reefs here by snorkelling! This way, you can meet cute sea critters up close and admire their beautiful vibrant homes without scaring them away or damaging their properties.
Pro tip:
We recommend visiting this place through an island hopping package instead of treating it as your main destination. As mentioned earlier, it doesn’t offer many activities, resorts and restaurants so it’s not the best option for overnight stays.
Honourable Mention: Langkawi
Media credit: airasiamove, naturally_langkawi, airasiamove.id and imnezz
Things to do: Trekking, swimming, parasailing, boat rides, shopping
Location
Penang is one of the few places that will get you directly to this island via ferry rides, so it counts! Granted that the boat ride will take around 2 hours and 45 minutes, it will be worth it considering its variety of fun activities and beautiful views.
For starters, it offers beautiful natural destinations like Tanjung Rhu Beach, which features some of the whitest and purest sands we’ve seen as well as beautiful cerulean waters. You can also try your hand at various watersports here like kayaking, parasailing, snorkelling, etc.
Langkawi also opens the door to various land activities thanks to its lush forests, challenging trails and massive parks. Wildlife Park Langkawi is the perfect example of this because it’s where you’ll do a lot of walking while witnessing natural wildlife up close and personal.
Pro tip:
As the day ends, be sure to stop by the Langkawi Night Market to score good deals on souvenirs like batik products, keychains, magnets and clothing. You can also try some of Malaysia’s best street foods like nasi lemak, roti canai, satay and more.