Pulau Kapas, Terengganu
Pulau Kapas, Terengganu, Malaysia
A little island not more than 20 minutes away by boat from the sleepy village of Marang, Pulau Kapas (Cotton Island) basks idyllically as it has for over 270million years. This little haven in the South China Sea and just off the Terengganu coast is a pleasant getaway for the locals during weekends. During the weekdays, it can be surprisingly quiet as throngs of visitors depart home to their 9-to-5 jobs and businesses.
Pulau Kapas is a small island, just over 2km long and 1km at its widest point. Since it is so close - only 6km from the mainland, visitors seldom stay overnight. For those who prefer to spend a longer time on the island, there are a variety of accommodations available on the island best suited to most travellers although non rivalling exclusive resorts such as "Banyan Tree" or the "Aman' resort establishments. The resorts here provide satisfactory amenities and service which of course, the price of a night's accommodation will commensurate with. Most resorts are clustered together on two strips of white sandy beaches facing the mainland, whereas the rest of the island is largely forested harbouring lots of small mammals, birds, insects and reptiles.
How to get there
By Car
From Kuala Lumpur
Head east towards Kuantan. You will be driving on the Karak Highway all through to Kuantan, which takes approximately 3 - 3 1/2hours. Once arriving on the outskirts of Kuantan town, head towards the Northeast, which will lead you to Kuala Terengganu. Marang is just on the outskirts of Kuala Trengganu town.
From Penang
Head towards Kota Baharu via the East-West Highway. Look out for the "Elephant Crossing" Signs.
From Kota Baharu
Head South for Merang. This is a seaside village just outside of Kuala Terengganu. From Kuala Terengganu head down the highway 3 towards Kuantan. Marang is about 10km from the city centre.
From Johore or Singapore
Travel north on the North-South Highway and exit at Yong Peng. From Yong Peng, take highway 1 to Labis and later onto Segamat. Segamat will lead you to Highway 12 and all the way to Kuantan. From Kuantan, head towards the Northeast which will take you to Kuala Terengganu.
When to visit
The monsoon season on the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia sets in towards end of October and lasts through till late February/Early March. The best time to visit the East Coast is in March and April especially for diving where visibility can hit 40m. It is not advisable to visit this part of Peninsular Malaysia at its peak of the monsoon season - that is, November till early January. The seas are rough and the boat and resort operators would be closed between October and February.
Map of Pulau Kapas
A little island not more than 20 minutes away by boat from the sleepy village of Marang, Pulau Kapas (Cotton Island) basks idyllically as it has for over 270million years. This little haven in the South China Sea and just off the Terengganu coast is a pleasant getaway for the locals during weekends. During the weekdays, it can be surprisingly quiet as throngs of visitors depart home to their 9-to-5 jobs and businesses.
Pulau Kapas is a small island, just over 2km long and 1km at its widest point. Since it is so close - only 6km from the mainland, visitors seldom stay overnight. For those who prefer to spend a longer time on the island, there are a variety of accommodations available on the island best suited to most travellers although non rivalling exclusive resorts such as "Banyan Tree" or the "Aman' resort establishments. The resorts here provide satisfactory amenities and service which of course, the price of a night's accommodation will commensurate with. Most resorts are clustered together on two strips of white sandy beaches facing the mainland, whereas the rest of the island is largely forested harbouring lots of small mammals, birds, insects and reptiles.
How to get there
By Car
From Kuala Lumpur
Head east towards Kuantan. You will be driving on the Karak Highway all through to Kuantan, which takes approximately 3 - 3 1/2hours. Once arriving on the outskirts of Kuantan town, head towards the Northeast, which will lead you to Kuala Terengganu. Marang is just on the outskirts of Kuala Trengganu town.
From Penang
Head towards Kota Baharu via the East-West Highway. Look out for the "Elephant Crossing" Signs.
From Kota Baharu
Head South for Merang. This is a seaside village just outside of Kuala Terengganu. From Kuala Terengganu head down the highway 3 towards Kuantan. Marang is about 10km from the city centre.
From Johore or Singapore
Travel north on the North-South Highway and exit at Yong Peng. From Yong Peng, take highway 1 to Labis and later onto Segamat. Segamat will lead you to Highway 12 and all the way to Kuantan. From Kuantan, head towards the Northeast which will take you to Kuala Terengganu.
When to visit
The monsoon season on the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia sets in towards end of October and lasts through till late February/Early March. The best time to visit the East Coast is in March and April especially for diving where visibility can hit 40m. It is not advisable to visit this part of Peninsular Malaysia at its peak of the monsoon season - that is, November till early January. The seas are rough and the boat and resort operators would be closed between October and February.
Map of Pulau Kapas
Labels: cotton island, kapas island, marang, monsoon season, south china sea, terengganu
