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Independent adventure hike to turtle beach in Penang
This is all about how to plan an independent intrepid adventure to turtle beach and what to expect. Independent Adventure Trek Turtle Beach Penang
You will trek through biodiverse rainforest as you discover the quiet tropical west facing turtle beach, the sunset colours are spectacular! Stir the waters at night and see them light up with glowing plankton. Spend a night sleeping in paradise… errm, to be honest, it may not be the best nights sleep comfort wise, but it will be epic! Then, enjoy the trek back to civilization the next morning feeling tired, refreshed and exhilarated all at the same time. Why is this a secret? Because many travellers- and even some locals- don’t know that you can do this! Independent Adventure Trek Turtle Beach Penang
Where is turtle beach?
Turtle beach is located in the Penang National Park on the northwest corner of Penang island, peninsular Malaysia. It takes around 1 – 1.5 hours to trek to turtle beach from the national park entrance. Alternatively you can arrange a boat trip to turtle beach from the National Park entrance. Negotiate a price depending on group size and how long you want to stay. I
You will probably want to book a night either side of you camping trip in Penang. There are lots of places to stay in Penang.
Independent Adventure Trek Turtle Beach Penang
How do you get to turtle beach?
The national park entrance is in the village of Teluk Bahang on the north west coast of Penang, Malaysia. Local bus is the cheapest option and will only cost a few ringgits. Take the 101 bus running westbound along Chulia street. The journey to Teluk Bahang may take around 45 minutes depending on stops and traffic.
The bus route is as follows:
George Town – Tanjung Bungah – Batu Ferringhi – Teluk Bahang
Independent Adventure Trek Turtle Beach Penang
Once you arrive at the national park entrance you can rent a tent for 25RM (6.0 USD / 4.50 GBP) and get your FREE entry permit and a map from the park office. Don’t arrive too late or they may not let you in. Before 3pm is ideal. You can also book a boat trip near the entrance to the national park.
Top tip: Teluk Bahang (the village at entrance to the national park) has a few cafes but at present there are no good shops for buying snacks and drinks. There are no shops on turtle beach or in the national park. Buy your snacks and water before you head to Teluk Bahang.
Independent Adventure Trek Turtle Beach Penang
After you sign in at the park entrance, follow the path into the national park. Keep you eye open for signs to Pantai Kerachut (some websites spell it Keracut). “Pantai Kerachut” is Malay for “Turtle Beach”. The route is pretty easy to follow but this will help:
- Walk for 5 minutes along the well paved path (the sea is to your right)
- Cross the bridge and turn left immediately after the bridge
- Follow the path up into the jungle- it quickly becomes steep steps up a hill
- Keep following this path ALL the way to turtle beach
Just before you reach the top of the hill you will see a right turn- don’t take it just stay on the path. The path goes down the hill (there are steps at a few points)- there are still ups and downs in the route. You also cross small bridges and pass pagoda shelters. You may notice a left turn, don’t take it just stay on the main path. Eventually you will come to a bridge that marks the start of turtle beach.
The total trek will take around 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes depending on pace and stops. Drink plenty. Navigation is not too challenging. Stay on the main path which is very well trodden.
Independent Adventure Trek Turtle Beach Penang
What should you bring for a night on turtle beach?
Being well prepared is vital for any intrepid outdoor expeditions. This pack list should help you plan your trip.
Independent Adventure Trek Turtle Beach Penang
- LOTS of water (2-3 litres per person or more)
- Food and snacks (fires are not allowed on the beach)
- Breathable rain coat and/or umbrella (yep this is surprisingly useful!)
- Sleeping bag, roll mat or warm clothes (providing it does not rain it will not get especially cold at night- but you may appreciate a warmer layer or blanket)
- Lightweight breathable clothing + at least one change of clothes (you will probably end up soaking your clothes in sweat on the trek… LOVELY!)
- Mosquito repellant (Those containing DEET are best)
- Good shoes (trainers / sneakers) are ideal
- Torch and spare batteries (head torches are ideal)
- Swimming stuff if you fancy a dip (beware of strong currents and jellyfish!)
- Towel (even if you don’t swim you may appreciate it after the trek)
- Sunscreen is advisable but not essential (much of the trek is covered by the canopy)
Independent Adventure Trek Turtle Beach Penang
How much will it cost?
The whole experience can be remarkably cheap if you are willing to trek and do it independently:
Entrance to the park requires a permit but is FREE
Around 4RM (0.60 USD / 0.75 GBP) for the bus
Rent a 2 man tent for 25RM (6.0 USD / 4.50 GBP) from the tour office near the park entrance.
You can also enquire about boat trips from here. They cost around 100RM (24 USD / 20 GBP) and can take up to 10 people.
Independent Adventure Trek Turtle Beach Penang
When can you see turtles? 
Turtles come to lay eggs on turtle beach. They are pretty cute! So when can you expect them?
Green Sea Turtles: April and August.
Olive Ridley Turtles: September to February.
This is a very rough guide. We were lucky enough to see the first green turtle rock up as early as February. There may also be turtles at the sanctuary. Free entry and it is open 10am-1pm and 2pm-4.30pm.
What about monkey beach?
There are other beaches in the National Park. The other main beach is Monkey Beach. Unfortunately there is no way to do a round walk that includes both monkey beach and turtle beach. To access Monkey Beach from Turtle Beach by trekking you have to go back over the hill and follow the coastal path along the North coast of the national park. Monkey beach is the second main beach that you get to. There is a good chance of seeing monkeys on both treks.
Good Accommodation can be tricky to find in Malaysia
It’s definitely there, it’s just tricky to find in some places and often booked up in popular places. Even if you don’t book you can use Agoda to check out the areas you are most likely to find it in. We’ve made a list of the most likely places you will visit with a link to accommodation, sometimes it is nice to just get somewhere booked and know its done….
Book your bed in Kuala Lumpur HERE (See the Petrona Twin Towers )
Book your bed in Penang HERE (See the George Town and Turtle Beach)
Book your bed in Langkawi HERE (Swim, snorkel and explore the Island)
Book your bed in The Perhentian Islands HERE (To learn to dive and snorkel)
Book your bed in Taman Negara HERE (See the worlds oldest rainforest)
Book your bed in The Cameron Highlands HERE (See Tea plantations and the strawberry farm)
Book your bed in Kinabalu HERE (To climb Mount Kinabalu)
Get A Guide
A really hope these blogs help, but If you feel happier with a full guide, Rough Guide are pretty good. I always think you don’t want more than a ‘rough guide’ as it is about making it your own adventure! They have a pretty cheap kindle copy as well as the actual book.
Independent Adventure Trek Turtle Beach Penang
One Response
Liisa
Hey! Maybe you could but up a notion about changes that have happened. Nowadays people can not camp at the turtle beach without a guide. That is because people have been misbehaving at the beach! Price for the guide at the moment is 150 RM. It is supervised by the park ranger and registration.
Since we didn’t want to pay, we got a “secret tip” from the guidebooth. You can actually camp at the Monkey beach, there is no ranger supervision. So we hiked to the Monkey beach and put up our hammocks. There were also tents for rent, no need to carry all the way from the start!
So in the end we didn’t see those turtles, but had good time at the Monkey beach, recommended!