Cherating & Kuantan Attractions

Cherating of Malaysia is a popular beach resort area in Pahang state. It is situated at about 30 km north of Kuantan on Peninsular Malaysia’s East Coast. Cherating village is a famous small lazy East Coast fishing village, with backpacker-tourism as its major income earner here.

The Cherating village, which is just off the main East Coast trunk road between Kuantan and Kuala Terengganu is full of with small hotels (also known as chalets) as well as guesthouses. Asia’s first Club Med is also situated at this beach side village/resort . The place is extremely laid-back and the beach is nice and wide, although not as beautiful as the beaches on the islands off the East Coast. There’s an eclectic posse of hipster Malay surfers, artists, musicians, and kampong folk who are ever-eager to greet you with a friendly smile and share a beer with you at one of the few nightlife clubs in town.

Cherating beach

Cherating beach

Some of the attractions of Cherating are as follows:

Batik painting classes is offered by some handicraft shops on the main street. Cherating River cruise can also be arranged with your guesthouse.

Surf Cherating beach, is one of the few beaches in Peninsula Malaysia with waves good enough for surfing, during the monsoon season (November and December).

Payung Guesthouse activity center offers: fire-fly night river trip,river cruise (includes snake & monkey watching), fishing trips, river kayaking, Snake Island snorkeling, surfing (seasonal), as well as trips to Turtle Sanctuary. Take a river boat cruise up the Cherating River to watch the fireflies at night or take advantage of the river mangrove tours. The night-time firefly boat tour upriver along the mangroves and you’ll not see sights like this anywhere else and guides are especially skilled in spotting assorted animals, including snakes.

Turtle Santuary Cherating

Turtle Santuary Cherating

Turtle Sanctuary which is located north of the village and can be reached by foot (30 min walk). Entry to Turtle Sanctuary is free, however donations are welcome. Voluntary work is possible but has to be arranged 2 weeks in advance in their office in Kuantan.

  • Opening Hours: 09:00 – 13:00, 14:00 – 17:30 Tuesday – Thursday & Saturday & Sunday; 09:00 – 12:00, 15:00 – 17:30 Friday; 19:30 – 07:30 Monday – Sunday
  • Address: Turtle Sanctuary & Information Center, Chendor Beach, Cherating 26050
  • Tel: +609 581 9087 or +609 516 1508

Take a tour of this batik-making boutique –Limbong Art , where visitors can see the Malaysian art of applying paint and wax to transform fabric into batik artwork. This Limbong Art centre also offers inexpensive courses where you can try your hand at making your own batik handkerchief or sarong – there’s also a souvenir store here where you can purchase batik creations.