Penang National Park
Penang Island, Penang
Even though it's one of the world’s smallest forest reserves, Penang National Park packs plenty of action into a compact space—including hardwood trees, mangrove forests, and carnivorous pitcher plants. Kerachut Beach (Turtle Beach) is home to a turtle conservation center and a seasonal meromictic lake, while Monkey Beach (Pantai Monkey) has a population of macaques.
The basics
There’s a charge to visit Penang National Park, but you don’t need to book tickets in advance. A network of hiking trails leads to viewpoints and beaches, including Turtle Beach, Monkey Beach, and the less-visited Teluk Kampi Beach. Some travelers opt to hike out to the ocean and return by boat; others explore the park entirely by boat, perhaps adding a mangrove tour to their itinerary. You can arrange boats at the park entrance.
Things to know before you go
- Penang National Park is a good choice for walkers and nature lovers.
- Wildlife can be an issue here. Avoid bringing food to Monkey Beach; the macaques are greedy and if they bite, you’ll need rabies shots. Jellyfish blooms can make swimming a risky endeavor as well.
- Trails aren’t always clearly signposted. Bring plenty of water if you’re taking routes other than the popular Turtle Beach and Monkey Beach options.
- It’s possible to camp in the park, but you’ll need a permit and can only set up your tent at official campsites.
- The first few hundred yards of trail are accessible to wheelchairs but after that conditions deteriorate. The small boats used for trips are not suitable for travelers with mobility issues.
How to get there
Penang National Park occupies the northwest corner of Penang Island, with the park entrance and boat station in Teluk Bahang. Buses 102 and 101 run from central George Town to Teluk Bahang, but the 12-mile (20-kilometer) journey takes more than an hour. It can be hard to find rideshares or taxis in Teluk Bahang, so self-driving, taking a tour, or hiring a private driver are better choices than Grab.
When to get there
Penang National Park is open daily from early morning until the afternoon. Penang’s tropical climate sees a reasonable amount of rainfall year-round, but it’s driest December through March and wettest September through November. The trails and beaches are quietest midweek.
Discovering the natural side of Penang Island
Many travels in Penang Island stick to visiting historic George Town and the outlying temples. But this compact island has a surprising amount of nature. The 19th-century Penang Botanical Gardens boast orchids, lilies, a fern house, and tropical trees in a web of tumbling streams, while The Habitat at Penang Hill delivers a curated rainforest experience including canopy walkways. Head to the beautifully landscaped Entopia by Penang Butterfly Farm for a dose of fluttering color and tropical gardens.
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