Penang National Park (Taman Negara Pulau Pinang)
Penang National Park (Taman Negara Pulau Pinang)
Penang National Park (Taman Negara Pulau Pinang)
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27
Lucrezia C.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia255 contributions
Dec 2020 • Couples
Visiting one of the smallest national parks in the world was better than expected. Due to COVID-19, not many people were around. We came on a weekday, so this helped too. Registration requires a QR-code scanner because an online form has to be completed (separate version for foreigners and Malaysian citizens). Rangers were friendly and provided helpful tips for the trails, explained the different types of rainforest to be found in this national park and provided guidance on which trail to take.
We did not take any boat trip because we love to hike. The trail to Monkey Beach is still closed for hiking, so if this is your destination, then you have to book a boat. The lighthouse can be visited until 3pm too (nearby Monkey beach).
The first trail from the entrance to the meromictic lake next to Kerachut Beach took us 1.5 hours (the trail can be also take up to 2.5 hours depending on your speed and fitness). Signs are available at crossroads in the jungle, so the risk of getting lost is low. The trail is a mixture of uphill and downhill, can be quite steep at times but always manageable especially when the ground is dry. The turtle hatch as Kerachut Beach was closed unfortunately, but we saw traces of adult turtles in the sand.
From Kerachut beach, we took another trail to Teluk Kampi beach (another hour away, mostly uphill) where we stayed for 2 hours to relax. Most people don’t hike there because they use a boat instead. Better for us because we had the trails to ourselves.
Bring a lot of water and some isotonic drinks because it’s usually sunny and hot.
We did not take any boat trip because we love to hike. The trail to Monkey Beach is still closed for hiking, so if this is your destination, then you have to book a boat. The lighthouse can be visited until 3pm too (nearby Monkey beach).
The first trail from the entrance to the meromictic lake next to Kerachut Beach took us 1.5 hours (the trail can be also take up to 2.5 hours depending on your speed and fitness). Signs are available at crossroads in the jungle, so the risk of getting lost is low. The trail is a mixture of uphill and downhill, can be quite steep at times but always manageable especially when the ground is dry. The turtle hatch as Kerachut Beach was closed unfortunately, but we saw traces of adult turtles in the sand.
From Kerachut beach, we took another trail to Teluk Kampi beach (another hour away, mostly uphill) where we stayed for 2 hours to relax. Most people don’t hike there because they use a boat instead. Better for us because we had the trails to ourselves.
Bring a lot of water and some isotonic drinks because it’s usually sunny and hot.
Written 25 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
steve o
Southport, UK16 contributions
Feb 2020
We got the 101 bus from the Komptar bus station which took about an hour and cost 6.80 RM each. The bus stops right outside the park. We walked all the way to turtle beach. It took about 90 minutes. It's very steep and quite hard going in places, but there are lovely straight bits where it is shaded and beautiful. We walked there and back, though we could have got a boat back from the beach. The beach is lovely, though swimming wasn't no allowed when we were there. There wasn't much to see at the turtle conservation place.
Written 27 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PhilippBER
Berlin, Germany350 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
The hike to the turtle beach is great, we went there before noon and that was something we would recommend everyone. We had a local showing us around and even tho it doesn’t matter at wat time of the day you hike because almost everything is in the shade, the earlier you the More you have the Place for your own.
The Monkey beach was ok but a bit dirty.
Definitely take a boot from the turtle beach to the monkey beach, it’s 10 MYR and it’s great. We had some rough waves so it was a very existing ride (at least for us who like a shaky boat).
The Monkey beach was ok but a bit dirty.
Definitely take a boot from the turtle beach to the monkey beach, it’s 10 MYR and it’s great. We had some rough waves so it was a very existing ride (at least for us who like a shaky boat).
Written 23 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CMcC18
City of Greater Geelong, Australia42 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Very easy to get the bus from Batu Ferringhi to the National Park and only RM2 each to get there.
We walked out to Pantai Keracut (Turtle Beach) from the National Park Entrance. Excellent hiking through rainforest. The track isn't paved and does require some scrambling (easy and part of the fun!). There are monkeys in the trees along the walking track. The secluded beach at Pantai Keracut is well worth the walk. This is a turtle nesting beach and there is a Turtle Conservation Sanctuary here too. They had turtles of various ages to see and information about the turtles.
We were lucky enough to see turtle tracks up the beach from the evening before/early that morning.
On the walk back we saw an Asian Water Monitor scroll across the track.
A great day out exploring the island!
Also note that walk to Monkey Beach is currently closed due to a landslide on the walking track. You are able to get a boat to Monkey beach if you want to visit it.
We walked out to Pantai Keracut (Turtle Beach) from the National Park Entrance. Excellent hiking through rainforest. The track isn't paved and does require some scrambling (easy and part of the fun!). There are monkeys in the trees along the walking track. The secluded beach at Pantai Keracut is well worth the walk. This is a turtle nesting beach and there is a Turtle Conservation Sanctuary here too. They had turtles of various ages to see and information about the turtles.
We were lucky enough to see turtle tracks up the beach from the evening before/early that morning.
On the walk back we saw an Asian Water Monitor scroll across the track.
A great day out exploring the island!
Also note that walk to Monkey Beach is currently closed due to a landslide on the walking track. You are able to get a boat to Monkey beach if you want to visit it.
Written 25 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
900cook
England, UK116 contributions
Mar 2020
We visited the park today. Took the easier coastal path to walk along but this was difficult in places were the path was steep and there were boulders and large tree routes to climb over. Really nice beaches along the coast with no one on them. Good sightings of the monkeys along the route. Took a taxi there cost 30 ringgits the bus back cost 1.5 ringitts each
Written 6 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
aboyle92
Reading, UK6 contributions
Jan 2023
My wife and I chose to visit the National Park to do some hiking and see some of Penang's off the beaten track forests and beaches. If your motives are similar then it is definitely worth a visit! It costs 50 ringgit per person to enter the forest and you can boats direct to each of the beaches (if you want a boat just for the way back then organise this before you start walking, as they don't wait around at the beaches).
We chose to walk to Turtle beach and back, which was about a 2.5 hour journey. The forest is great and there is plenty of wildlife to see. The trails are well marked and sign posted, so getting lost is not an issue. Nevertheless the routes are challenging enough that you feel completely immersed in the forest, which is awesome!
If you are the adventurous type or simply fancy getting out of the hotel for a morning, then I would definitely recommend visiting the National Park. Wear long trousers though as it is a proper forest and there are leaches and loads of ants.
We chose to walk to Turtle beach and back, which was about a 2.5 hour journey. The forest is great and there is plenty of wildlife to see. The trails are well marked and sign posted, so getting lost is not an issue. Nevertheless the routes are challenging enough that you feel completely immersed in the forest, which is awesome!
If you are the adventurous type or simply fancy getting out of the hotel for a morning, then I would definitely recommend visiting the National Park. Wear long trousers though as it is a proper forest and there are leaches and loads of ants.
Written 6 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anita C
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia45 contributions
Dec 2020 • Family
We drove to Taman negara from Batu ferringhi. Parking available there for rm4. We decided to take the boat to monkey beach. Rm100 for a return boat. That's the total cost, not the per-person cost. The long 'jetty' to the boat is a disgrace. Treacherous. Rotten old boards cobbled together. The boat ride was only 15mins. Quite choppy, even though it was a beautiful day. Maybe it was because it's the rainy season. I don't know. Life jackets were provided, adult and child sizes. monkey beach has the potential to be stunning. It's a beautiful beach surrounded by jungle. However it is filthy with plastic rubbish. Sharp broken drink cans are a real danger. The food kiosks are all closed down but they have left everything behind, broken chairs and debris everywhere. We were advised when we paid that we should take snacks as there was no food available there. As soon as my son opened a packet of nuts a male monkey arrived. He bared his teeth and launched at me as I was holding my toddler in my arms. Very scary. Hopefully after covid they will have the tourists and the money to get it back to what was probably once a great tourist attraction, but until then, I would give it a miss.
Written 21 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Phi01
St. Albans, UK160 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
Two of our party went to visit for the morning and were surprised to find the cash only entrance fee was 50 ringgits for tourists and 10 ringgits for locals . The basis for this discriminatory pricing policy is unclear. They seemed to enjoy the visit however.
Written 21 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tana_balan
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia82 contributions
Feb 2020
We took rental motorcycle to go the National Park. The entrance is free but we need to register at the Ranger check point. They have a lot trekking trails and camping sites. We took trail B which takes approximate 45 minutes to reach. We enjoyed trekking along the seaside during the evening breeze. It was calming and relaxing trekking experience.
Written 27 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alan T
10 contributions
Feb 2023
Worst so called National Park in over 30 years of travel. Beaches covered in rubbish mainly plastic. Walkways on trek in very poor state of repair, one steep section, not suitable for children. 'Monkey' beach filthy with many collapsed stalls. Quad bike racing up and down. Watch out for your food as aggressive monkeys waiting for you. RM50 for foreign tourists to get in and they are calling it a 'Conservation Fee' what a joke !!! RM10 for Malaysians, Free if you are over 60 but would not bother. George Town botanical gardens free and better option.
Written 20 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Well... We didn't really go for camping so I'm not sure! But in my opinion and some of other people who went there, turtle beach is more beautiful than monkey beach! However you're not allowed to swim in turtle beach. But if you wanna swim in monkey beach, still be carefull cause there are jelly fishes there too
Written 18 August 2019
"Just for reference the amount I paid for one way from Pantai Keratchut back to the entrance was RM90 (I got the whole boat for myself)."
Do you have any contact information about that boat services? How long we can rent that boat for private group?
Written 8 December 2018
Sorry, but no contacts. We ordered a boat ar the entrance of national park.
Written 8 December 2018
Hey! We wanted to travel to Penang NP the next days but read here that it was/is closed. Is it still closed? We try to call the NP office but noone responded and also the website does not give any information. Thanks!!
Written 2 December 2017
What time does the park open please? Thank you
Written 23 March 2017
Sorry for the late reply. You have to register at park HQ but there is no charge. Probably the office opens at 8.00 AM and it is situated at the entrance to the park
Written 1 August 2017
I'm planning to visit Taman Negara, how do I get there from Butterfly Farm by public transport? I did google map-ed & found out that I have to take a walk for half hour (approximately 2.2 km). But google told me that directions are for planning purpose only. The "green zone" on google map I assume has no walking track.
Written 20 November 2015
Hi I am staying at the Parkroyal in November is this agood time to see turtles also. I am 74 would like to know the quickest & easy route there. Regardst Peter Gurr
Written 26 September 2015
The track I is quite tricky very uneven walking through jungle over big rocks overgrown path in some parts and walking over tree roots. We did the monkey beach walk and there had been a landslide and path was blocked so had to either go back or climb muddy hill around tree. We did the latter but some turned back. You can hire boat at entrance of Nat park and yesterday the rate. Was 100 ringgit for the boat. The turtles breed until August according to sign but Google for more info. We didn't go to turtle beach sea was to rough but. Will go by boat in a few days
Written 29 September 2015
Hello,
I'm planning to visit this park on a Saturday or Sunday (April 4 or 5) do the crowds get very bad then? If I want to hike to the beach but take a boat back are there many boats available at the beach or do you need to arrange that before hand? Thank you!
Written 29 March 2015
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