Here’s how you can spend THE best day trip at Kemasik Beach!
Whenever my friends from outside the country ask me about the most beautiful beaches in Malaysia, I always say to check out Kemasik Beach. Of course, I still mention the famous ones like Pantai Cenang and the Perhentian Islands, but I always see Kemasik as a dark horse.
It sometimes drives me crazy how underrated it is, and I can’t help but feel like I need to spread the word about it. So if you would entertain me and spare me a trip to my therapist, allow me to gush over this beach and tell you everything you need to know!
From important things to know before visiting, the best time to go, places to stay, restaurants to check out and more, here’s what they don’t tell you about Kemasik Beach:
Best Time to Go
Since this is a beach, the best time to visit it would be during Terrenganu’s dry season, which usually spans from March to October. During these months, you can enjoy pleasant weather all day long, making it perfect for strolls and other outdoor activities.
Sometimes, however, the heat can be overwhelming. So if you don’t want to have the sun on your back the entire time, we can also recommend visiting early in the morning or late in the afternoon for a cooler experience.
As much as possible, we discourage anyone from visiting the beach during the wet season (November to February). This will only spoil your trip, as you’ll only experience high humidity and frequent rainfall.
Things to Know
Currency: Malaysian Ringgit
(Check the current exchange rate)
Language: Malay, English
Calling Code: +60
Address: Kampung Baru, 24210 Kemasik, Terengganu, Malaysia
Entrance fee: Free
Operating hours: Open 24 hours
How to Get There
Bus: Riding the bus is always a great option to save money, and fortunately, there’s a bus from Kuala Lumpur that will take you straight to Kijal. Kijal is a town located near Pantai Kemasik, and from there, you can ride a taxi to get to the beach.
Plane: If you’re coming from outside Terengganu, we recommend boarding a plane going to Sultan Mahmud Airport (TER) in Kuala Terengganu. From there, you can easily rent a car or ride a taxi to the beach, which would take around an hour.
Car: If you want a more comfy and private experience where you’ll be in charge of your route, we recommend renting a car. This will also allow you to stop over at as many restaurants and other attractions as you want—win-win!
The best way to get to Kemasik Beach is to take the East Coast Expressway to get to Kijal. From there, you’ll start to see signs pointing towards the beach!
Where to Stay near Kemasik Beach
Resorts World Kijal
Address: Km 28, 24210, Jalan Kemaman – Dungun, Kampung Meraga Beris, 24210 Kijal
Phone: +60 9-864 1188
Pricing: $$$
Resorts World Kijal is one of the premier places to stay when visiting Kemasik Beach. Resorts World is synonymous with premium quality, so you can expect the same with this branch, but with the added views of the beautiful South China Sea!
Speaking of views, you’ll get first-class seats to these stunning sights from the comfort of your room! The rooms are second to none as well, featuring beautiful designs, spacious areas, comfy beds and all the amenities you need for a comfortable night’s stay.
What we love about staying here is that they allow you to book rooms along with a package to help you get the best value out of your money. For instance, you can book a 2-night stay in one of their rooms that come with a spa package for the ultimate pampering experience!
Al Safina Kijal Beach Resort & Restaurant
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Address: Jalan Pantai Penunjuk, 24100 Kijal
Phone: +60 9-826 2386
Pricing: $
If you’re looking to save money but still want to experience a premium stay, you should set your eyes on Al Safina Kijal Beach Resort and Restaurant! For a reasonable price, you’ll be treating yourself to a memorable stay in one of their huge comfy suites.
These suites come with everything you need, from Wi-Fi connections to en-suite toilets and baths, air-conditioning—the works. Plus, you’ll get to be footsteps away from the beautiful beach of Kilal.
The hotel also features a solid set of facilities that will make your stay all the more worthwhile like the in-house restaurant and the outdoor pool!
Hotel Az Zahra Kerteh
Address: JALAN SUSUR SELASIH, 8, Jalan Besar, 24300 Kerteh
Phone: +60 5-491 3888
Pricing: $$
Hotel Az Zahra Kerteh is another budget-friendly option that we highly recommend if you don’t want to spend your entire budget on accommodations. Don’t worry though, you won’t be settling for less, as this mid-tier hotel features pleasant rooms!
Of course, you won’t have access to any fancy facilities or amenities, but for its price, it’s impressive to see the room that you’ll be staying in.
Plus, what it may lack in its glitz and glamour is made up for by its location. It’s fairly near Kemasik beach as well as other hidden gems like restaurants, cafes and stores.
Nipoh Beach Cottage
Address: 287-2 Kampung Che Wan, Kijal, 24000 Kemaman
Phone: +60 14 292 4547
Pricing: $
Nipoh Beach Cottage is one of the best places to check out if you want to make your stay feel more like a vacation, one that’s away from the city. As the name suggests, this spot is located by the beach, so you can expect to experience an overall laid-back stay.
The titular cottages are quite charming and they come with comfy beds, a spacious enough room for all your stuff and even washroom facilities. Not only that but being this close to the beach also means that ocean waves will serenade you throughout your sleep!
The place also features a massive outdoor swimming pool if you want to cool down during the hot sunny afternoons. It is a public pool though so expect to encounter other guests while swimming here.
Where to Eat near Kemasik Beach
Rumah Kopi Kemasik
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Address: 2208 Kg Tanah Lot Kemasik, 24200 Kemaman
Phone: +60 10-454 5032
Pricing: $
If cheap eats are what you seek, then Rumah Kopi Kemasik should be on your radar. They serve a myriad of dishes ranging from different cuisines, with some of our favourites being fish and chips, chicken chop, carbonara spaghetti and mee kari.
If you’re not looking for anything heavy, you can also order one of their delicious coffee drinks! Trust us, nothing quite captures the serenity of sipping on your favourite cup of joe while being this close to the ocean.
Also, this humble restaurant is located near the beach, so you can easily access it whenever you’re craving delicious food but don’t want to break the bank. Plus, being this close to the water lets you enjoy a more pleasant and laid-back dining experience.
Hentian Mesra Corner
Address: Rumah Murah, Kemasek, 24200 Kemaman
Phone: +60 19-939 1400
Pricing: $
Hentian Mesra Corner is a beloved restaurant in the small town of Kemasik that serves authentic Malay dishes. Also, in true Malaysian fashion, this place offers these expertly cooked meals at highly affordable prices.
It’s impossible to order the wrong thing from their menu, but if the foreign-sounding dishes are overwhelming you, we always recommend the nasi lemak. It’s a great entry point into Malaysian cuisine, and it also helps that it’s prepared spectacularly in this restaurant.
The place itself isn’t anything fancy, but we think that it’s part of the charm! It’s one of those no-frills and straightforward restaurants that have no other goal than to serve you some delicious grub—and we’re not complaining.
Kopior
Address: Mesra Mall, Kerteh Kerteh, Kampung Baru, 24210 Kemasik
Phone: +60 12-353 5190
Pricing: $
Kopior is perfect for those slow afternoons (or mornings) when you want nothing but quick bites and a cup of coffee. It delivers on both by offering some freshly brewed coffee, lattes, frappuccinos and a variety of brunch items.
What we love about this cafe the most is its selection of drinks that cater to different tastes. For instance, espresso-based drinks are perfect for those looking for that strong kick, while their frappuccinos may be preferred by kids or those who don’t like the taste of strong coffee.
We absolutely love the minimalistic yet charming decor that this cafe has, as it makes the most out of its tiny outdoor space. Quite frankly, a visit here wouldn’t be complete without taking a mandatory photo of your drink with the tiny shop of Kopior in the background.
What to Do in Kemasik Beach
Enjoy a nice stroll
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Since the beach’s waters aren’t fit for swimming due to strong waves and currents, the next best thing you can do is go on a nice stroll along its sands. This doesn’t mean that you’re settling for anything less though, as you’ll be treated to beautiful panoramic views during your walk!
Plus, it’s just nice to have some time for yourself where there’s nothing except you, your thoughts and the background noise of waves crashing along the shore.
You can consider this as a perfect way to reflect on things you may have lost in touch with due to your busy hustle and bustle.
Admire the beautiful natural rock formations
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One of the main highlights of this beach is its surreal but beautiful rock formations. They’re scattered across the beach, and they’re the perfect backdrop for the most awesome photos you can take in Kemasik.
You can explore some of these rock formations, but be careful! Be sure to always watch your footing and keep an eye out for strong waves.
Go food hopping
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If you suddenly get the munchies during your therapeutic walk along the shores of Kemasik Beach, don’t worry! Various food stalls will usually open to offer various local delicacies that can satisfy both your hunger and taste buds.
Visit nearby beaches
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If you’re craving to experience more than what Pantai Kemasik offers, you can also visit other nearby beaches. Fortunately for you, it’s easy to go beach-hopping from Kemasik thanks to its neighbouring spots like Cherating Beach and Teluk Mak Nik Beach.
These are great options if you really want to swim and get that vitamin sea you’ve been craving for the longest time.
Apps to Download for a Trip to Kemasik Beach
Travel Malaysia: A pocket travel guide to Malaysia
Maps.me: Offline map of the world
XE Currency App: Real-time currency exchange rate app
Grab: Ride-hailing app of Southeast Asia
Google Translate: word translation with offline capabilities
CatchThatBus: Bus ticket booking app