Kuantan, Malaysia - Beach at Beserah

Beserah is a fishing village situated along a stretch of road about 10 km (6 miles) from Kuantan. The village is well-known for its batik, local handcraft, fresh seafood, salted fish and fish crackers called 'keropok lekur'. It is also a popular holiday destination with the Duta Village Resort, Swiss Garden Resort and De Rhu Beach Resort located within the village. 

The beach at Beserah stretches for miles and miles. Contrary to the marketing hype in the tourist brochures and travel websites, many areas of Beserah beach are unfortunately littered and not well maintained. The only area of the beach that I know (from my personal experience) that is well-maintained is in front of the 4-star Swiss Garden Resort.

Road to Beserah

Beach at Beserah

Another view of the beach

Sunset in Beserah

Kuantan, Malaysia - Beach at Teluk Tongkang

Teluk Tongkang is beach cove located about 1 km (half a mile) from Teluk Cempedak. The cove is accessible from Teluk Cempedak by a narrow wooden platform or walkway. The walk is interesting and pleasant, passing along the fringes of a tropical rainforest. Be prepared to meet a few macaque monkeys at the entrance of the walkway on the Teluk Cempedak side. 

Like Teluk Cempedak, the beach at Teluk Tongkang is sandy white and slopes gently into the sea. Teluk Tongkang is practically deserted on weekdays, making it a great place for a quiet and secluded beach but near enough to civilisation i.e. Teluk Cempedak. However, forget the idea of a quiet beach at Teluk Tongkang during the weekends and public holidays.

Walkway between Teluk Cempedak and Teluk Tongkang

Fringes of the rainforest

Teluk Tongkang from a distance

Quiet beach of Teluk Tongkang

Kuantan, Malaysia - Beach at Teluk Cempedak

Being situated within a bay, the waves and undercurrent at Teluk Chempedak are not as strong compared to other beaches directly facing the South China Sea. This makes the beach popular, especially with children. But don't take it for granted during the Northeast Monsoon (November to March), when the waves and undercurrent can be rough and therefore unsafe for swimming.

The beach does not plunge but slopes gently into the sea, and therefore safe for children and non-swimmers. During the day you can see fishing boats passing through the bay, and at night lights shining from the boats. During windy days, kite flying is a popular activity. There is a wooden platform that you can walk from Teluk Cempedak to another beach at Teluk Tongkang.

Beach at Teluk Cempedak

Rocks along the beach

The beachfront at Hyatt Regency by Paulwee

Kuantan, Malaysia - Teluk Cempedak

Teluk Cempedak is a beachfront area located about 5 km (2 miles) from Kuantan's town centre. Teluk Cempedak means "Jackfruit Bay" in Malay but I have never seen jackfruit trees or the fruit being sold here - but there are casuarinas and pine trees. This is a popular spot with the locals but from my experience, gets crowded on weekends and public holidays, especially in the evenings.

Teluk Cempedak is a pleasant area to be during the weekdays. The beach here is sandy white but some areas are rocky. There are restaurants and food stalls serving local and Western dishes. Out of all places, there is even a McDonald's and KFC here. There is also the 5-star beachfront Hyatt Regency, popular with foreign tourists and Malaysians from out of town.

Beach at Teluk Cempedak by Malekhanif

Along the beachfront

KFC at Teluk Cempedak

The Hyatt Regency