Top 30 Terengganu Attractions (2023)
The state of Terengganu is located on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, facing the South China Sea. Like how every state has its own unique attractions, Terengganu is famous for its islands, gorgeous beaches and rich marine life. Let us start by introducing the top 30 Terengganu attractions that you should visit.
Besut
1. Air Tawar Beach (Pantai Air Tawar)
Air Tawar Beach is located 4km away from Kuala Besut and is a famous beach among the locals. As one of the leading Terengganu attractions, many public amenities are built for the convenience of the visitors such as benches, toilets and a public playground.
Operating Hours: Daily, 24 hours
Ticket Price(s): Free
2. Perhentian Island (Pulau Perhentian)
Perhentian Island is located 21km off the coast of Terengganu and is a famous holiday spot among the locals and tourists. Consisting of 2 islands, Perhentian Besar Island and Perhentian Kecil Island, both islands boast beautiful beaches and crystal blue waters. Come here and discover the rich marine life like you have never experienced before.
Operating Hours: Daily, 24 hours
Ticket Price(s): Free
3. Keluang Hill Beach (Pantai Bukit Keluang)
Keluang Hill Beach is a tropical paradise blessed with a unique landscape. Feast your eyes on the beautiful shore after walking through the wooden bridge built on the rocks. Keluang Hill Beach is an ideal place for snorkelling, water sports and also windsurfing.
Operating Hours: Daily, 24 hours
Ticket Price(s): Free
Dungun
4. Bidara Bay Beach (Pantai Teluk Bidara)
Bidara Bay Beach is a beautiful place that is blessed with a perfect landscape. Visited continuously by locals for its clear waters and soft white sands, it is indeed a beach paradise. However, do plan your trip carefully so as not to visit this Terengganu attraction during the monsoon season, from mid-October to late March.
Operating Hours: Daily, 24 hours
Ticket Price(s): Free
5. Chemerong Waterfall (Air Terjun Chemerong)
Chemerong Waterfall is dubbed as one of the tallest waterfalls in Malaysia. This beautiful waterfall can only be accessed after an hour hike through the jungle. You will need a tour guide to lead the way, so that you don’t get lost in the thick forest.
There are shallow pools of water at the waterfall that is perfect for a dip during a hot afternoon day.
Operating Hours: Daily, 24 hours
Ticket Price(s): Free
6. Dungun Great Market (Pasar Besar Dungun)
During your visit to Dungun, you must make a trip to this enormous market. As the name suggests, this market is huge, and you will be able to get whatever you need in this place. Besides merchandise, there is an array of local food sold here as well.
Operating Hours: Thursday, 5.00pm – 1.00am
Ticket Price(s): Free
7. Viking Scuba Tenggol
Terengganu is famous for some of the best diving sites, and Viking Scuba Tenggol is one of the dive operators that will ensure you have the best diving experience. Located within Permata Resort, Viking Scuba Tenggol is a fully equipped dive centre that takes pride in their services. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned diver, this centre will show you Tenggol Island like you have never seen before.
Operating Hours: Daily, 7.30am – 5.00pm
Ticket Price(s): Subject to tour fees
8. Bukit Bauk Urban Forest (Rimba Bandar Bukit Bauk)
Bukit Bauk Urban Forest is a beautiful and peaceful place for strolls and hikes in the mornings. Surrounded by the forest, the steady hike to the top of the hill will take approximately 1 hour. The trek upwards is not difficult which make this one of the many Terengganu attractions that is perfect for beginners and also senior citizens.
Operating Hours: Daily, 6.00am – 5.00pm
Ticket Price(s): Free
9. Medan Ikan Bakar Kuala Dungun
When exploring a new town, one way to understand them better is to try out the local delicacies. By visiting a local food court, you will be exposed to more traditional flavours and choices that are not found in most hotels.
Operating Hours: Daily, 12.00pm – 12.00am
Ticket Price(s): Free
10. Rantau Abang Beach (Pantai Rantau Abang)
Rantau Abang is famous for its Leatherback Sea Turtle nesting. Every year from May to August, hundreds of turtles will migrate here to lay their eggs on the beach. There are many turtle conservation centres in Rantau Abang that are set up to protect and preserve these gentle creatures.
If you will like to catch a glimpse of this magical moment, you can reach out to your respective resorts to make the necessary arrangements.
Operating Hours: Daily, 24 hours
Ticket Price(s): Free
Hulu Terengganu
11. Kenyir Lake (Tasik Kenyir)
Kenyir Lake is one of the biggest Terengganu attractions and the biggest man-made lake in Southeast Asia. Located 16km away from the Pengkalan Gawi main entrance, this is a vast area that is rich with different floras and faunas. There is just so much to do in this natural gem, as you can choose to either go bird watching, exploring caves or even bath with the rescued elephants.
Operating Hours: Daily, 24 hours
Ticket Price(s): Free
12. Sekayu Waterfall (Air Terjun Sekayu)
Sekayu Waterfall is located inside Sekayu Recreational Forest. There are seven cascading waterfalls, each of it has its own pool that is perfect for swimming. The lowest part of the waterfall is easily accessible, but climbing up the concrete stairs to the higher falls can be quite a feat.
Operating Hours: Daily, 8.00am – 6.00pm
Ticket Price(s): Free
13. Sekayu Recreational Forest (Hutan Lipur Sekayu)
Sekayu Recreational Forest spans across 85 acres of lands that houses many attractions under its roof, perfect for nature lovers and city dwellers who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the concrete jungle. Since you are here, you have to visit their orchid farm as they have the widest variety of species and hybrids here.
Operating Hours: Daily, 8.00am – 6.00pm
Ticket Price(s): Free
14. Kenyir Elephant Conservation Village
One of the many Terengganu attractions that is related to animal conservation, this sanctuary was built in 2012, providing a home to lost and abandoned elephants within this area. There are 13 elephants currently residing in this park, where they are taken care of, trained and brought up together as a new family pack. 90% of this conservation park is left untouched, providing these elephants with a home in their natural habitat.
You will get the opportunity to get up close and personal with these gentle giants, something you won’t be able to do in the city.
Operating Hours: Daily, 9.00am – 5.30pm
Ticket Price(s): Adult – RM40 | Child – RM20
Kemaman
15. Cherating Beach (Pantai Cherating)
If you will like to have a short weekend beach getaway, Cherating Beach is the place to be. Located in Kemaman, this laid back town is home to a myriad of beach resorts. Throughout the year, many tourists will visit this place for a relaxing holiday with the family as the beach is wide and the sea is not rough.
There are tons of sea activities you can do here such as jet-skiing, paragliding and many more.
Operating Hours: Daily, 24 hours
Ticket Price(s): Free
16. Club Med Cherating Beach
Club Med Cherating Beach is the very first Club Med in Asia and made it to Asia’s Top 10 Resorts in 2013. This all-inclusive chain resort is a perfect place for people to unwind. Fill up your bellies with an abundance of good food and drinks served by talented chefs from all over the world.
There are also many activities to keep you occupied daily such as yoga, rock climbing, archery and many more.
Operating Hours: Daily, 24 hours
Ticket Price(s): Subject to resort rates
17. Kemaman Mini Zoo
Located 14km away from Chukai, Kemaman Mini Zoo is the first zoo in Terengganu. Spanning across 35 acres, this zoo is home to over 50 animal species such as elephants, lions, porcupines and more. The best part about this zoo is that it combines a tropical plant garden and a recreational park for the children to play in.
Operating Hours: Daily, 9.00am – 5.00pm
Ticket Price(s): Adult – RM10 | Child – RM7
18. Balok Beach (Pantai Balok)
Located 20 minutes drive away from the city, Balok Beach has a reputation of being one of the best Terengganu attractions for windsurfing. With its long stretch of beach, many locals and tourists will visit this area for a short getaway. Along this stretch, there are also many well-known resorts which you can choose to stay in.
Operating Hours: Daily, 24 hours
Ticket Price(s): Free
19. Monica Bay (Pantai Teluk Mak Nik)
Unlike the other beaches, Monica Bay is one of the beautiful Terengganu attractions with casuarina trees lined up along the beach. They provide shade from the afternoon sun, offering visitors a breezy and pleasant time here.
Operating Hours: Daily, 24 hours
Ticket Price(s): Free
20. Rimbun Dahan Turtle Hatchery
This hatchery was opened in 2013 on the site of Kasturi Resorts. It is an environmental turtle conservation centre where turtle eggs are collected, incubated and released back to the sea when they hatch. If you will like to learn and be up close and personal with the turtle babies, this is the place that you should visit.
Operating Hours: Daily, 24 hours
Ticket Price(s): RM20
21. Kemaman Blue Lake (Tasik Biru Kemaman)
Now you don’t have to travel to Hokkaido to visit the blue lake as the district of Kemaman has its own. Located just 15 minutes away from Muadzam Shah, the blue lake is an old mining ground outlined by beautiful trees. It is a fascinating place, perfect for those looking to take beautiful Instragram pictures.
Operating Hours: Daily, 24 hours
Ticket Price(s): Free
Kuala Terengganu
22. Redang Island (Pulau Redang)
One of the largest islands in Terengganu, Redang Island is one of the top Terengganu attractions. Regularly visited by locals and tourists, this island not only boasts crystal clear water but also an abundant marine life. Though the island is more commercialised compared to other smaller islands, it is well maintained to ensure that visitors will have a great time here.
Operating Hours: Daily, 24 hours
Ticket Price(s): Boat ride to Redang Island from Merang Jetty is from RM55 onwards
23. Lang Tengah Island (Pulau Lang Tengah)
To get to Lang Tengah Island, you will need to hire a speedboat, and the journey takes approximately 45 minutes. This secluded island is not as commercialised as Redang Island but has its own exotic natural beauty. You can rent snorkelling gears at any of the beachside shops and treat your eyes to the colourful fishes and corals in this Terengganu attraction.
Operating Hours: Daily, 24 hours
Ticket Price(s): Boat ride to Lang Tengah Island from Merang Jetty is from RM55 onwards
24. Crystal Mosque (Masjid Kristal)
Built by the seashore, this majestic mosque is made from crystals, glass and steel only. The beautiful deep teal-coloured glasses against the gold trimming is indeed a sight to behold, as it glistens each time the sun shines on it. While the mosque is open to the public, you will need to be mindful of the dress code here.
Operating Hours: Daily, 10.00am – 7.00pm
Ticket Price(s): Free
25. Terengganu State Museum
The museum was built in 1976, and the architecture resembles traditional Malay houses. Dubbed as one of the largest museums in South East Asia, this Terengganu State Museum is home to many ancient artefacts, textiles and colourful sculptures and paintings. If you love to understand more about Malaysia and the Malay culture, this will be the right place for you.
Operating Hours: Saturday – Thursday, 9.00am – 5.00pm
Ticket Price(s): Adult – RM2 | Child – RM1
26. Chinatown Kuala Terengganu
Located at the mouth of Terengganu River, this is one of the earliest Chinese settlements in South East Asia. One will be greeted by a giant red arch adorned by two dragons at the entrance of the Chinatown alley. This experience will provide you with a blast to the past as you walk by the streets and buildings that are more than 200 years old.
Not only will you find interesting street arts in this area, but there are also a variety of cafes and food stalls here to fill your belly.
Operating Hours: Daily, 24 hours
Ticket Price(s): Free
27. Duyong Island (Pulau Duyong)
Duyong Island is a small village just 10 minutes drive from Kuala Terengganu. Surrounded by lush greeneries, one can explore the village through the extensive network of lanes, leading you to unexpected surprises. Over here, you will find artisan boat builders, an art gallery and exhibitions as well.
Operating Hours: Saturday – Thursday, 9.00am – 5.00pm
Ticket Price(s): Free
28. Kuala Terengganu Drawbridge
Kuala Terengganu has a new bridge in 2019, and it connects to Kuala Nerus. Resembling London’s Tower Bridge, the architecture is exquisite and can be lifted for boats to pass through; making it the first of its kind in Malaysia. Many have since flocked to this new Instagramable place for a picture, and you should do it too.
Operating Hours: Daily, 24 hours
Ticket Price(s): Free
Marang
29. Kapas Island (Pulau Kapas)
Located in the east of Marang, this is an island paradise, unlike any other Terengganu attractions. It is not highly commercialised and not very developed, with just a few hotels on the island. However, this place can give you the rest ahd peaceful holiday that you desire, disconnected from the world.
Operating Hours: Daily, 24 hours
Ticket Price(s): Free
30. Gemia Island (Pulau Gemia)
Located 800 metres away from Kapas Island, this is another picturesque paradise. There is only one hotel on the island, but nonetheless, you will still be able to have an excellent time bonding with your loved ones here. This island boasts crystal blue water that is perfect for snorkelling and diving.
Operating Hours: Daily, 24 hours
Ticket Price(s): Free
With so many amazing Terengganu attractions, it is no wonder why thousands of people flock here all year round. Terengganu transports you to an idyllic paradise, where its beauty can be compared to that of Maldives. Not only that, you can feast on many delicious traditional Malay delicacies here.