Pulau Kapas, Kuala Terengganu

When one thinks of a beach holiday in Southeast Asia, the usual suspects come to mind: Phuket, Bali, Koh Samui, or for those who stick to the regular backpacking circuit, Koh Phangan. Beaches in Malaysia usually come as an afterthought.

And when one finally does think about Malaysia, just about every other tourist ends up in Perhentian Islands, Langkawi or Sipadan in East Malaysia. As a local, I knew better but despite that fact, and having escaped to many islands on the east of Malaysia (not just the ones mentioned), Pulau Kapas was strangely never on my radar.

Kapas island, aka. Pulau Kapas or Cotton island, just off the coast of Marang in the Terengganu state, on the eastern side of Malaysia’s peninsula, is perhaps one of the country’s best kept secrets. 

What we found on Kapas island were empty, soft, white-sand beaches, pristine blue water and a delightful tiny compact island. Chilling out and relaxing seems to be the order of the day around here. Indeed, there isn’t much to do except lounge in the shade of the coconut trees, occasionally taking a dip in the shallow blue water when the heat is too much to bear.

The few tourists seemed to be mostly spread out on the bay, in the stretch of sand between the jetty and the Captain Longhouse campsite, and in the bay near Kapas Coral Beach Resort. Some of the other beaches slightly further away (like 500m away) were completely deserted and even more beautiful. The beaches are connected via a white walkway providing access over the rocks and making the west side completely accessible.

How to get to Palau Kapas?

Kuala Lumpur to Marang Jetty

Kuala Terengganu is also served by direct buses from Kuala Lumpur with a journey time of around 6-7 hours. The tickets cost around RM44. 

Marang Jetty to Kapas island.

The ticket for the ferry to Kapas island, which we bought at the jetty, cost RM40 each, both ways. Various tour packages including ferry and accommodation can be arranged with different tour operators.The ferry stopped us in front of D'Seri Kapas Resort which is our stay for 3nights. The resorts are all really close to each other so getting from one to the other is really not a problem.

Our accommodation - D'Seri Kapas Resort

Tips for visiting Kapas Island

1. Bring cash to the island. There are no ATM’s!
2. As already mentioned earlier, bring mosquito repellent.
3. Bring all the snacks you might need with you. There are very few places to purchase ‘extras’