The Only Travel Guide You Need for Kapas Island
Pulau Kapas is just one of the many beautiful islands you’ll find in Malaysia. Luscious forests, bustling marine life, white sandy beaches – these are just some of the reasons why hundreds upon thousands of people flock toward Pulau Kapas.
In this guide, we’ll be giving you a virtual tour of the island to give you an idea of what you can expect from your visit soon!
Best Time to Go
When going to a tropical island like this, it’s always a safe bet to visit during the dry season, which in this case is from April to October. During these months, you can enjoy all the activities that the island offers without worrying about cancellation or postponement caused by rainfall.
However, we have to mention that these months are also considered the peak dates, so be prepared for crowds and more expensive rates. These inflated rates may reflect on things like plane tickets, boat tickets and accommodations.
Things to Know
Currency: Malaysian Ringgit
(Check the current exchange rate)
Language: Malay, English
Calling Code: +60
Location: South China Sea
Total Islands: 2
How to Get There
The only way to get to Kapas Island is by riding the ferry at Marang Jetty. If you’re coming from Kuala Lumpur, here are two simple ways you can get there:
By Plane: Taking the plane is a faster and more comfortable way of getting to Marang Jetty. All you have to do is hop on a plane going to Kuala Terengganu and from there, you can simply ride a taxi to Marang Jetty.
By Overnight Bus: If you prefer to travel by land, you can take the overnight bus from Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Terengganu and drop off at MBKT Bus Terminal. The total bus ride will take around 7 hours and will cost more or less RM77.
From MBKT Bus Terminal, you can hop on another bus to Merang. Alternatively, you can book a ride through the Grab app or hail a taxi, which are both faster but more expensive options.
Additional note: When riding a taxi to Marang Jetty, make sure to specify that you’re going to Marang and not Merang, which is an entirely different port.
Where to Stay
Kapas Boutique Chalets
Address: Pulau Kapas, Kapas Island, Terengganu, Malaysia
Phone: +60 12-288 2008
Pricing: $
Kapas Boutique Chalets is an affordable lodging option that offers an island life-like experience for its guests. It won’t treat you to extravagant rooms, but you will get spacious, neat and comfortable ones, which are three characteristics that you should always look for in a hostel.
It’s simple, charming and best of all, located on the beachfront so you’ll have the pleasure of dipping into the sea as soon as you step outside your room! It also features an in-house eatery that prepares home-cooked meals – yum!
Kapas Turtle Valley Beach Resort
Address: Pulau Redang, 21090 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia
Phone: +60 13-354 3650
Pricing: $$
Kapas Turtle Valley Beach Resort takes chalets to the next level by providing European-esque bungalows and huge family suites. It’s also located by the beachfront and its waters are known to house a lively marine life – divers and snorkellers take note!
As for the rooms themselves, they come complete with all the necessary amenities you need for a comfortable stay, including a private bathroom!
If you’re a foodie, you’ll also get a kick out of this place, as it features a restaurant helmed by a chef with over 15 years of experience.
D Seri Kapas Island Resort
Address: Pulau Kapas, 21600 Marang, Terengganu, Malaysia
Phone: +60 17-664 2711
Pricing: $
D Seri Kapas Island Resort is an establishment we highly recommend to families because of its cheap prices and spacious rooms. Not only that but you’ll also have the beautiful South China Sea right outside your doorstep!
Aside from the rooms, themselves, the outside of this resort is worth highlighting as well. It features various reclining chairs where you can lie down and get your tan on and hammocks where you can take the best nap of your life.
Captain’s Longhouse
Address: Pulau Kapas, Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia
Phone: +60 12-807 1993
Pricing: $
If you’re looking for a more private and serene experience, we recommend staying at Captain’s Longhouse. It’s located at the far end of the island so you can enjoy the beachfront to yourself most of the time!
Another noteworthy thing about this accommodation aside from its location is the shared kitchen, where you can eat delicious breakfast in peace. For other meals, however, you have to go to the nearby restaurants, but that’s part of the experience after all, right?
Kapas Coral Beach Resort
Address: Lot 81, Mukim Rusila, Pulau Kapas, 21600 Marang, Terengganu, Malaysia
Phone: +60 9-618 3166
Pricing: $$
Kapas Coral Beach Resort is a great option if you want to be in the middle of all the action. Not only is it located at the beachfront, but it’s also near other establishments like stores and local restaurants.
Its rooms are worth highlighting as well, as they’re neat and comfortable. These rooms can be your temporary crash pad if you’re planning to spend most of your time outside engaging in various fun activities.
Where to Eat
Koko Restaurant
Address: Kapas Island, Pulau Kapas, 21600 Marang, Terengganu, Malaysia
Phone: +60 10-989 0137
Pricing: $
If you’re craving delicious local delicacies, eating at Koko Restaurant is one of the best decisions you can make. They serve local favourites such as nasi goreng and curry, and the best part is that all the ingredients they use are freshly harvested!
We also love how they feature a mix-and-match menu where customers can choose which meat to pair with their sauce – hooray for inclusivity! Plus, it’s worth noting that their prices are cheap so win-win!
JT Cafe
Address: Unnamed Road, Terengganu, Malaysia
Phone: +60 19-988 4034
Pricing: $
JT Cafe is a solid place to chill out and sip on some delicious cups of coffee while eyeing an unobstructed view of the sea. They serve a wide variety of this beverage from cappuccinos to lattes, americanos and anything in between!
As for its price point, you can expect the usual rates reinstated on the island. To give you an idea, you can spend less than RM10 to enjoy a cup of coffee along with one of their delicious quick bites—what a bargain!
KBC Restaurant
Address: Pulau Kapas, Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia
Phone: +60 19-343 5606
Pricing: $
Aside from providing one of the best lodging options on the island, KBC also features a great restaurant that serves amazing local and international dishes. Whether you’re looking to eat breakfast, lunch or dinner, you can expect to be satisfied by dining here!
All the ingredients they use are as fresh as they can be and the dishes themselves are prepared masterfully. One of our favourite dishes from their menu is the English breakfast, which is a hearty bowl of sausages, eggs and toast – a guaranteed lip-smacking meal!
Kapas Turtle Valley Chalet
Address: Pulau Redang, 21090 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia
Phone: +60 3-2031 5079
Pricing: $-$$
If you’re looking for a fancier dining experience, you have to try dining at Kapas Turtle Valley Chalet’s in-house restaurant. Here, you’ll be dining on a terrace that overlooks the beautiful sea, providing you with unmatched picturesque views wherever you look.
Aside from its scenic views, this restaurant also excels in its dishes, as it serves a wide variety of dishes stemming from different cuisines. These meals are prepared by a talented team helmed by a chef with over 15 years of experience under their belt – talk about longevity!
OMBAK Cafe
Address: Jalan Pulau Kapas, Bukit Bayu, 40170 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
Pricing: $
Ombak Cafe is the best place to get breakfast by the seaside because of its affordable dishes and magnificent views. Speaking of dishes, we love how their menu is composed of both local and international meals to cater to different kinds of tastes – perfect for picky eaters!
Out of all the dishes from their menu, however, our top pick is some good old nasi lemak or as we like to call it, “Malaysia’s breakfast of champs”. Their version of this dish is nailed to a tee, from the sambal down to the ikan bilis.
What to Do on Kapas Island
Witness beautiful underwater sights while scuba diving
If you’re one to witness majestic sights, then you have to try scuba diving in Kapas Island’s pristine waters! There are several dive sites around the island, each of which offers beautiful views from lush coral reefs to colourful fish and more.
Aside from sea creatures, however, you can also find some wrecks that are now part of the ecosystem and have been inhabited by different sea creatures. Some of these wrecks date back to as early as World War II – how crazy is that?
Pro tips:
- The best months for diving in Kapas Island are July and August. During this time, you’ll have clearer visibility underwater and there’ll be fewer chances of running, making diving safer and more fun.
- If you want to try to activity, you have to go to Aqua Sport Divers. They’re the only dive centre on the island. Plus, they also hold regular promos so stay updated on their social media page!
Go snorkelling and admire sea creatures up close
Thanks to its preserved nature, Kapas Island’s waters are able to house healthy marine life that’s perfect for snorkelling. With this activity, you can get up close and personal with the resident sea creatures of the island along with their beautiful coral homes.
Furthermore, this activity is much more accessible, as there are a lot of establishments that offer them as opposed to scuba diving. For instance, you can easily go snorkelling at the beachfront of your hotel and rent your equipment from them as well!
Pro tip:
- Don’t worry if you forgot your snorkelling gear, as most resorts will let you rent their equipment. Life vests would typically cost around RM5 while snorkel sets are usually around RM15.
Explore the sea using a kayak
If you’re looking to wind down while being surrounded by majestic views, we recommend heading out into the sea using a kayak. This is one of the most serene experiences you can have, as you’ll be treated to stunning sights of cerulean waters as far as the eye can see.
You can even use this tiny boat to get to other smaller islands nearby Pulau Kapas—island hopping, anyone? One of the destinations we recommend checking out is Gemia Island, which is a small patch of land that also features white sand and beautiful crystal-clear waters.
Pro tips:
- If you don’t know where to look for kayaks, try checking out one of the resorts on the island. They’ll usually have these tiny boats for rent at around RM20 per hour.
Go beach-hopping on foot
Kapas Island’s 5 beaches make it a great destination for beach-hopping. This is a great activity to do if you’re looking to exercise your body while being surrounded by gorgeous natural landscapes.
For an exercise, this activity is extremely rewarding, considering that your endpoint will always be one of the island’s stunning beaches! Doing this lets you explore every crevice of Kapas and enjoy a change in scenery now and then.
Hunt for unique natural rock formations
Aside from white sandy beaches, tropical jungle and clear seawater, another thing that Kapas Island is known for is its magnificent rock formations. The majority of these natural formations can be found by the shoreline, overlooking the beautiful crystal clear waters.
Once you find one of these formations during your trip, it’s a no-brainer to strike a pose and take as many photos as you can! Just be sure to watch your step, as these rocks can be slippery.
Wind down by the beach
One of the best things to do on Kapas Island is also among the simplest and that is to wind down by one of its beaches – luckily for you, there’s 5 of them! You can simply lay a towel down to get your tan on and be serenaded by the sounds of waves crashing to the shore.
Then once you feel the need to cool down, you can submerge your body in the beach’s beautiful waters – what more could you ask for?
Spend a day at Gem Island
Gem Island is one of the neighbouring islands in Pulau Kapas and it’s one that’s worth spending an entire day in because of its similar beauty. Unlike Kapas, however, this island is more secluded, providing guests with more exclusivity – perfect for honeymooners and families!
You can also stay in one of their bungalows that are built on stilts over the glistening sea – Maldives in Malaysia, anyone?
Apps to Download for a Trip to Kapas Island
Travel Malaysia: A pocket travel guide to Malaysia
Maps.me: Offline map of the world
XE Currency App: Real-time currency exchange rate app
Google Translate: word translation with offline capabilities
Grab: Ride-hailing app of Southeast Asia
CatchThatBus: Bus ticket booking app