Penang National Park: Sandy beaches, hilltop views and jungle trails

Penang National Park is located in the northwest corner of Penang Island.

Penang National Park is the smallest of the Malaysian National Parks covering some 1,200 hectares in the northwest corner of Penang Island.

Being a coastal park it offers a range of scenery and terrain from isolated sandy beaches, coastal and hilltop views and jungle trails.

It may be small but it should not be underestimated and all the normal precautions should be taken if you plan to do some hiking.

Sungai Teluk Tukun after an early morning rain.

Places of interest

Popular points of interest include:

• Monkey Beach (Teluk Duyung)

• Pantai Teluk Aling

• Muka Head Lighthouse

• Pantai Kerachut (Turtle Beach)

• Teluk Kampi

• Meromictic Lake (where fresh water and sea water meets)

• Canopy Walkway

Unfortunately in September 2018, nearly all these attractions were inaccessible on foot or off-limits to visitors due to ongoing maintenance to the trails or damage to the facilities caused by landslides, fallen trees or termites.

The trail hike to Muka Head Lighthouse via Monkey Beach was also closed beyond Teluk Aling Beach. And the Canopy Walkway was closed as that too was damaged.

The only way to access Monkey Beach or Kerachut Beach at the moment is by boat and there are plenty of boat operators with stalls near the park entrance who are willing to take you on a boat tour for a fee.

The boat fee to Monkey Beach should be around RM50 per one-way trip. Pantai Kerachut or Teluk Kampi will cost more.

The Canopy Walkway is a 250-metre series of hanging bridges through the tree tops.

Activities

• Hiking

• Nature trails

• Swimming

• Boat tours

• Sunset cruises

• Fishing and BBQ (only where permitted)

• Camping (prior reservation/booking required)

Fees and permit

Before entering the park you are required to register at the Park Information and Registration counter at the park entrance.

Entrance to the National Park is free. If you want to walk on the Canopy Walkway (if it is open), there is a fee of RM5 for adults and RM3 for children. Private guides are available.

There is another entrance to the National Park at Kuala Sg Pinang (marked on map below). From here you would need to take a boat.