Malaysia’s smallest national park offers jungle adventure and pristine beaches perfect for the adventurous traveler. Discover why this day trip from Georgetown is an absolute must-do during your Malaysia vacation. Come hike the Pulau Penang National Park with me
Hiking Pulau Penang National Park? Highly recommended if you’re looking for an active day trip during your Malaysia vacation. During my visit to the busy but charming Georgetown, I had a day to spare, and what a discovery this turned out to be! This jungle walk along paradisiacal beaches cost me less than €25 for a full day of nature, wildlife, and refreshment.
Why Pulau Penang National Park Is Perfect For a Day Out
- Accessible from Georgetown: Only 1 hour by public transport
- Budget-friendly: €25 total costs per person (including transport and entrance)
- Safe and well-organized: Safety standards guaranteed
- Child-friendly: Well-maintained trails and swimming opportunities
- English-speaking: All information and rangers speak English
Best Time to Visit Pulau Penang National Park
Optimal Months to Visit:
- Dry season: December – February (Dutch winter = ideal Malaysia weather)
- School holidays: Christmas vacation perfect timing
- Turtle season: April – August
- Avoid: September – November (rainy season)
Climate Comparison: Where the Netherlands has 10°C in December, you’ll enjoy 28°C and lovely sunshine here. The humidity (80%) naturally takes some getting used to, but the sea breeze on the beaches offers wonderful cooling.
Morning: Georgetown → Turtle Beach (3 hours)
Transport From Georgetown: At the KOMTAR building (recognizable skyscraper) you take bus 101. The buses run every half hour from 7:00-19:00 and the ride takes 1 hour. Meanwhile, you have views over the beautiful coastline.
Park Entrance & Registration: Upon entry you must register. The ranger asks about your breakfast and water supply – I thought that was very good of them. After this I received a park map (English) and explanation about the routes.
Jungle Trek to Turtle Beach (1.5 hours): The trail starts as a regular walking route but quickly becomes a real jungle experience. Meanwhile, you can read about the flora and fauna on informative signs (English), ideal for nature lovers who want to know details.
Turtle Beach: This is a tropical paradise! The coarse sand (largest grains I’ve ever seen) and crystal-clear water. Perfect for a cooling dip after the jungle trek.
Just before you reach Turtle Beach, you pass a special meromictic lake. This rare phenomenon means that different water layers are present in the lake that don’t mix with each other, each with their own temperature and salinity. Depending on the season and light, this lake gives a mystical, almost magical appearance. Unfortunately, it was nothing more than an almost dry lake when I was there.
Afternoon: Turtle Sanctuary & Monkey Beach (3 hours)
Turtle Hatchery Experience: The sanctuary had baby turtles (1 week old). My passion for nature conservation was perfectly served here – each turtle receives GPS tracking before being released. Fascinating to see how they swim to Borneo and Indonesia!
Boat Trip to Monkey Beach: The boat departs at 13:00. The 15-minute boat ride offers beautiful coastal views, perfect for taking beautiful photos.
Monkey Beach: Eating & Relaxing: Finally, restaurants! There are the familiar options: nasi goreng, satay, and chilled drinks. The prices were about €3-5 per dish at the time. In 2025, there will certainly be many more options offered at Monkey Beach and perhaps a bit more expensive.
Jungle Trek Back (2 hours)
Adventurous Return Journey: The jungle trail back is somewhat more challenging, steep sections with ropes. Wildlife spotting guarantee: monkeys (dusky leaf monkey and long-tailed macaque), monitor lizards, and tropical birds. The green sea turtles visit the park in the months of April to August, so who knows, you might be lucky?
Walking Experience: The trail is very well marked: signposting and safety are well guaranteed this way. The trail is well-maintained but challenging enough for a nice adventure feeling. I loved hiking Pulau Penang National Park.
Staying Near Pulau Penang National Park
Overnight in Georgetown (Recommended):
Hostel option: €8-15 per night (backpacker level). Check out the beautiful Pine Armenian. Or this nice hostel on the famous Love Lane in the center, this hostel also offers private rooms.
Budget hotels: €20-30 per night (B&B level). I stayed last time at Moon Tree 47. I thought it was a really great place! Or check out Ke-lan-tan House. A bit outside the center but truly a unique hotel.
Boutique hotels: €50-80 per night. Check out Savv Hotel. What I think is great is that they also have single rooms.
Take a look at my other blog for your city trip to Penang / Georgetown.
Would you love to explore more of Malaysia?
- Cookingclass at Pickles and Spices – Pulau Penang, Malaysia
- Visit the world’s oldest rainforest the Taman Negara
- What to do in Melaka
- Haunted Kellie’s Castle – Batuh Gaja, Malaysia
- What to do at Cameron Highlands, Tanah Rata