Penang National Park hike to Turtle Beach / Pantai Kerachut: (3.8km, linear)

Want to experience a hike in Penang National Park? Here we share everything you need to know about the hike from the park entrance to Turtle Beach (known locally as Pantai Kerachut), including park fees, boat fees, what to take, and step-by-step route instructions with photos.

The hike to Turtle Beach in Penang National Park is a personal favourite on the island and is one of our must do Penang activities for visitors. Navigate through lush rainforest with the meditative jungle sounds as your backdrop to arrive at arguably one of the best beaches in Penang, Turtle Beach, known locally as Pantai Kerachut.

Here your sweaty adventures will be rewarded with a stunning, sandy beach, to relax. Or perhaps explore the Meromictic Lake (there’s only a few left in Asia) and Penang Turtle Conservation Centre.

This is a linear route. Whilst you can return along the same track, we recommend booking a boat to return via the coastline (RM100 per boat). This can be booked at the park gates (we go into more detail on this further down).

This Turtle Beach walk takes about 1.5 hours and is 3.8km. Whilst the start of the walk is flat and easy going, after 500 metres the climbing begins. The footpath from this point can be tricky underfoot with exposed tree routes, although there are also steps in places. Expect to sweat as you ascend and descend along the route. The total ascent is 172 metres, reaching a maximum altitude of 157 metres.

Here we cover everything you need to know about the Turtle Beach hike starting from Penang National Park entrance.

Want to read more about what there is to do in the National Park? Then read our guide to Penang National Park.

Penang National Park guide

Our comprehensive guide to visiting Penang National Park, including how to get there, what to do, fees, how to get around, and a suggested itinerary.

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This Penang National Park walk features on our best Penang walks guide.

Map of Penang National Park hike to Turtle Beach

The walking route to Turtle Beach is well signposted, but here’s our online map for you to follow.

How to get to the entrance of Penang National Park

Just because you’re visiting a rainforest in a national park, doesn’t mean you need to spend hours in a car or bus to get here. There’s an excellent road network leading all the way around the island from Penang Airport in the south, through George Town and Batu Ferringhi before reaching Teluk Bahang, where the National Park is located.

From either George Town or Batu Ferringhi, it’s usually easier and quicker to order a Grab taxi and be dropped off at the park entrance. Bear in mind that this corner of the island is very much the ‘end of the line’, so it’s not always the most popular Grab drop-off or pick-up point. You might need to wait a few extra minutes, especially when you’re leaving the park.

The journey from George Town should take around 45 minutes, depending on traffic, which can be very bad on a weekend evening heading back into town.

Alternatively, you can take bus number 101 from several locations around George Town (including the Jetty where the Penang ferry to Butterworth departs) and it also passes through Batu Ferringhi. It’ll take about one hour from George Town, potentially a lot longer on busy days. The bus will drop you a few metres away from the entrance gates and is a good, cheap option if you’re travelling solo. Check out the Penang bus guide for more information on taking the bus.

Booking your return boat

This Penang National Park walk to Turtle beach is a linear walk. Whilst you could retrace your steps back to the park entry gate from Turtle Beach, a much quicker (and arguably more fun) option is to take the boat back around the coastline. Trust us, that sea breeze will feel wonderful after sweating away in the jungle.

Boats need to be booked at the park entrance before you start your hike. There are a handful of shops selling boat tickets. Fares are fixed, so don’t try and negotiate between shops, they’re all friends.

The fare from Turtle Beach back to the Park Entrance is RM100. This is the fare for the boat, not per person. Some travellers like to club together to save on the individual fare.

There’s no mobile service at Turtle Beach, so you can’t contact your boat driver to let them know when you’ve arrived. Instead, arrange for a specific time to be collected from Turtle Beach. We recommend two hours from starting the hike. Your boat will wait for you at the jetty. Don’t worry if you’re not there exactly on time as they will wait for you within reason.

However, if you want to visit Penang Turtle Conservation Centre (which is at Turtle Beach) and/or laze under a tree reading a book, then allow yourself time to do so. Just make sure you mention this when booking the boat, so as to not keep your driver waiting unnecessarily.

Paying the National Park fees

Before you start your hike, you need to pay your national park fees. This is not done at the shop where you book the boat. Instead you need to walk through the barriers and to Penang National Park Registration Counter.

For non-Malaysians, the fees are RM50 for adults, RM10 for children aged 3-12, under 3’s are free. Note that credit cards aren’t accepted, the fees must be paid in cash only. There’s an ATM just outside the park gates if you’ve been caught short.

Penang National Park is open year-round, seven days a week. The Park HQ registration counter (where you pay your fees and register) opens from 8:00am to 4:30pm, with an hour’s closure for lunch from 1pm to 2pm. Try to time your arrival in the morning to get the most out of your day.

You will be asked to register online using your mobile phone before entering the National Park. A small guardhouse checks your permit (wristband) just after the entry gate, so make sure you have paid your fees before attempting to enter.

Route instructions for the hike to Turtle Beach

Allow 1.5 hours to complete this linear walk, from the entry gate to Turtle Beach. Please allow more time for the return boat ride.

START: Penang National Park entry gate
Total ascent: 172 metres

1. Walk through the entrance to Penang National Park along the paved path. 50 metres along your permit will be checked. Show the wrist band that was given to you at the park registration counter.

2. Continue along the paved path. It’s very easy going along here and you will shortly come across a sandy beach on your right. Spot the fishing village in the water ahead.

3. At the far end of the beach is a bridge. Walk across and follow the sign to Kerachut Beach (Turtle Beach), taking the footpath on the left.

4. Follow the footpath uphill. Note the 2km sign on your right as you walk up the steps. Trust us, it’s not 2km to the end of this walk. It’s closer to 3km.

5. You will come across a fork in the path just next to the large tree on the right (you can’t miss it). Take either as they re-join as one footpath again. Continue uphill taking care underfoot as there are lots of exposed tree routes.

6. The path forks again. Take the more defined footpath on the left. Further uphill you will approach a big trench, take the footpath that runs to the left of the trench (although you can walk through the trench if you wish).

7. The path starts leading you downhill. Soon you will cross over a bridge. Listen to the sound of the stream trickling downhill. There’s then a conveniently placed hut for you to catch your breath and rehydrate. You are now 1.3km along the walk.

8. Continue up the steps and keep following signs for Kerachut Beach. 300 metres from the first rest stop, you will arrive at the second rest stop, which is just short of the halfway mark to Turtle Beach.

9. Continue straight ahead, downhill, to reach another rest hut, signposting ‘Simpang Tasik […] 30 minutes’.

10. Just after this is a footbridge with steps leading uphill. The footpath soon levels out for some much easier hiking. Look out for the 1km Kerachut Beach sign on your right. From this point, it’s mostly downhill.

11. At the 500 metre marker keep going slightly downhill, following the sign to ‘Meromictic Lake’ (which is at Turtle Beach). Shortly after this sign, there are steep stone steps leading you downhill.

12. The footpath then flattens out again to lead you over a bridge and up a short uphill section. You will notice a clearing behind the trees to your left. This is the Meromictic Lake. You’re almost there!

13. Cross another bridge with another short uphill section.

14. A wooden bridge brings you out onto Turtle Beach with the Meromictic Lake immediately on your left. Whilst the sea (on your right) may look inviting for a swim, beware of the jellyfish. Continue along the beach for a further 300 metres to reach the jetty. This is the end of the hike and where your boat will collect you.

What to expect at Turtle Beach (Pantai Kerachut)

The beautiful beach, with its uninterrupted sea views is perfect for sunbathing (bring plenty of sunblock and a sun hat). However tempting the sea looks, it’s teeming with jellyfish so you’ll need to restrict yourself to just dipping your feet in.

As soon as you reach Turtle Beach from the wooden bridge, you will notice a lake to your left. This is a Meromictic Lake.

At first glance it might just look like a normal lake but these natural phenomenon are actually incredibly rare, with only a few existing in the whole of Asia. As the saltwater and freshwater don’t mix, two distinct layers are created. It makes for a unique and interesting visit, with the bridge being a good viewpoint. Although when there hasn’t been much rainfall, it can just look like a big bog and rather unimpressive.

At the other end of the beach, just past the jetty, you’ll find a small turtle sanctuary that houses a few turtles in rather sad-looking tanks, plus some tired information boards and displays. Entry is free and it makes for an interesting side-trip as you wait for your boat. Click here for more information on Penang Turtle Sanctuary.