Penang National Park

Last updated: October 2026

Penang National Park (Taman Negara Pulau Pinang) covers the hilly, forested north-western tip of Penang Island at Teluk Bahang, about 45 minutes by road from George Town. It is often described as one of the smallest national parks in the world, yet it packs in lowland rainforest, mangroves, quiet beaches, a 19th-century lighthouse, a sea turtle hatchery and a rare meromictic lake. This guide covers its history, the main trails, fees, boats and practical tips, checked in October 2026. Hours and fees can change, so confirm at the headquarters before you set off.

History of Penang National Park

Before it became a national park, this corner of the island was the Pantai Acheh Forest Reserve. Parts of it were logged until 1962, but a core of around 80 hectares of old dipterocarp rainforest was never cut, and some of its trees are estimated to be many centuries old. Fishing villages at Teluk Bahang and small settlements along the coast used the bays for generations, and the beaches were known nesting sites for sea turtles long before any formal protection.

The area was declared Penang National Park in April 2003 under the National Parks Act 1980. Published size figures vary: the park is usually given as roughly 1,200 hectares of land and sea, while some sources quote about 2,500 hectares when the wider protected marine area is counted.

Two older institutions sit inside the park. The Muka Head lighthouse on the north-western headland was built by British engineers in 1883 to guide steamships approaching Penang, and it still works today. In 1991 Universiti Sains Malaysia set up its Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS) research station at Teluk Aling. A sea turtle hatchery was established at Pantai Kerachut in 1995 and is now run by the Penang State Fisheries Department together with PERHILITAN and the Forestry Department.

For years entry was free, which is still what many older guidebooks say. The park now charges an entrance fee at the Teluk Bahang headquarters: RM50 for foreign adults and RM10 for Malaysians, paid by card.

Things to see and do in Penang National Park

Monkey Beach (Teluk Duyung) and Muka Head lighthouse

The northern coastal trail runs from the headquarters past the small coves of Pasir Pandak, Teluk Tukun and Tanjung Ailing to Monkey Beach (Teluk Duyung), a sheltered stretch of sand named after the long-tailed macaques that forage there. Allow roughly 1 to 1.5 hours each way. From Monkey Beach a steep trail of about 1.2 km climbs to the Muka Head lighthouse, roughly a 30-minute walk uphill, with views over the Strait of Malacca and the north coast of the island.

Pantai Kerachut (Turtle Beach) and the meromictic lake

The western trail climbs inland over a forested ridge and drops down to Pantai Kerachut, a long, wild beach on the west coast. Most people take 1 to 2 hours; the first 20 minutes are the steepest. Green turtles nest here mainly from April to August, and the beach and nearby Teluk Kampi are the most important turtle landing sites on the island. The Pantai Kerachut Turtle Conservation and Information Centre collects eggs from the beach, incubates them and releases the hatchlings. Penang state figures released in 2025 put the total at more than 15,800 hatchlings released since 2021, with about 154,000 people visiting the centre between 2021 and April 2025. Do not expect to see a release on every visit; it depends on the season and on when nests hatch.

Behind Pantai Kerachut lies the park's meromictic lake, a seasonal lake in which the fresh water and seawater sit in separate layers that do not mix. The lower layer is short of oxygen, so little lives in it. The lake fills during the wetter months and can be much reduced in dry spells.

Teluk Kampi and other beaches

Beyond Kerachut the trail continues to Teluk Kampi, a longer and quieter beach that few day visitors reach, and further south towards Pantai Mas. The park lists nine beaches in total: Teluk Bahang, Pasir Pandak, Teluk Tukun, Tanjung Ailing, Teluk Duyung, Teluk Ketapang, Pantai Kerachut, Teluk Kampi and Pantai Mas.

Wildlife and plants

The park contains hill and lowland dipterocarp forest, mangroves, sandy beaches, the seasonal lake and open coastal sea. Records list hundreds of plant species and well over a hundred animal species, including dusky leaf monkeys, long-tailed macaques, dolphins and hawksbill and green turtles. Early morning on the trails is the best time to see birds and leaf monkeys.

Canopy walkway

The park's 250-metre canopy walkway, about 15 metres above the forest floor, has been closed for repairs for several years. Older guides still mention it, but do not plan your visit around it unless the headquarters confirms it has reopened.

Penang National Park fees, opening hours and how long to spend

Registration at the park headquarters runs from 8 am to 4:30 pm, with a lunch break from 1 pm to 2 pm. Every visitor must register, say which trail they plan to take and pay the entrance fee: RM50 for foreign adults, RM10 for children aged 3 to 12 and RM10 for Malaysians. Payment is by card only, so do not rely on cash. Camping is possible at designated sites with a permit arranged in advance through the park office.

Boats leave from the jetty next to the headquarters and carry about 10 people with life jackets. Prices are per boat: RM70 one way or RM100 return to Monkey Beach, and RM100 one way or RM200 return to Pantai Kerachut. A popular plan is to hike out in the morning and take a boat back, which saves your legs on the hottest part of the day.

Allow about four hours for Monkey Beach or Kerachut with time on the sand, and a full day if you want to reach the lighthouse or Teluk Kampi on foot.

How to get to Penang National Park

Rapid Penang bus 101 runs from Weld Quay and KOMTAR in George Town along the north coast through Tanjung Bungah and Batu Ferringhi and ends at Teluk Bahang, a short walk from the park entrance. The ride takes around an hour or more depending on traffic. Bus 102 from the airport side of the island also terminates at Teluk Bahang. A Grab car from George Town takes about 40 to 50 minutes. If you drive, there is parking opposite the entrance.

Tips for visiting Penang National Park

• Start early. Trails are cooler before 10 am and you need time to get back before the headquarters and boats wind down in the late afternoon.
• Carry at least 1.5 litres of water per person and some snacks. Supplies on the trails are very limited.
• Wear proper shoes. Paths have tree roots, rocks and short steep sections that get slippery after rain.
• Keep food and bags closed around the macaques, especially at Monkey Beach, and do not feed them.
• Ask at the counter about trail closures. Sections are sometimes shut for maintenance or after storms.
• Watch for jellyfish when swimming, and swim only where the water is calm.
• Combine the park with nearby Entopia or the Tropical Spice Garden, and eat seafood in Teluk Bahang village afterwards.

Penang National Park Location

Nearby

• Penang Batik Factory — Souvenirs, 1.1 km away
• ESCAPE Penang — Attraction, 1.7 km away
• Entopia — Attraction, 1.8 km away
• Teluk Bahang Dam — Attraction, 1.9 km away
• Monkey Beach (Teluk Duyung) — Attraction, 2.3 km away
• Tropical Spice Garden — Attraction, 2.6 km away

Plan a route with opening times using the Where2Go trip planner.

Penang National Park FAQ

Sources

• Penang National Park, Wikipedia
• Keracut Beach, Wikipedia
• The smallest national park in the world, Time Out Penang
• Turtle conservation figures for Penang, Bernama
• Penang National Park, Malaysia Traveller
• Pantai Kerachut trail notes, TAHAN Outdoor

See all attractions in Penang