6 Surfing Spots in Malaysia and Where You Learn to Surf

Image via South China Morning Post

Locals and foreigners alike, adore Malaysia as food heaven. A place of a melting pot of cultures where food from different races are available in one place.

Malaysia is also not short of pristine beaches and charming ocean, yet surfing sports here is still in the infancy stage.

I’m sure that most of us here are dying to go out and take a breather around Malaysia. After all, a few phases of MCO has rendered us restless and stressed.

That being said, if you are an avid beach-goers, the nest you are going on a beach trip,  you can try taking surfing lessons in surfing camps listed below and get stoked catching swell waves!

 1. Cherating

Image via Travel Triangle

A coastal town not too far from the state capital of Pahang, Cherating is widely known as the birthplace of the Malaysian surfing industry.

Cherating is blessed with consistent waves all year round, which makes it the perfect spot for budding surfers to join surf class. It is also quite a good spot for seasoned surfers as Cherating offers awesome beach break waves.

Cherating, being one of the oldest surfing areas in Malaysia, boasts quite a number of surf schools and shops.

• Best time to visit - November to March
• Where to learn surfing: Cherating Point , Ombok Surf School 
• How to get there:
• By bus - From Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) of Kuala Lumpur, move to Cherating from Kuantan.
• By car - Take the East Coast Highway towards Kuantan and Kemaman from Kuala Lumpur. 

 Check out some cool photos of Cherating below! 

Image via: Cherating Point 

 2. Batu Buruk Beach, Kuala Terengganu

Image via Tempat Menarik

When talking about beaches and ocean in Malaysia, you can never escape from talking about the coastal state of Terengganu.

A well-known beach in Kuala Terengganu, the capital of the eastern state, is the first beach in Malaysia to host an internationally recognised surfing competition. The Northeast Monsoon wind brings the highly anticipated waves to the shores of Terengganu.

• Best time to visit - November to March
• How to get there:
• By bus - From Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) of Kuala Lumpur, to Kuala Terengganu Bus Terminal.
• By car - Take the East Coast Highway towards Kuantan from Kuala Lumpur and go through the last exit.
• Flight - Frequent flights are available throughout the year from Kuala Lumpur Airports to Sultan Mahmud Airport in Kuala Terengganu.

3. Dungun, Terengganu

Image via Trip Advisor

A quiet fishing village one hour drive south from Kuala Terengganu, Dungun is often not in the list of popular destinations for retreats which makes it a perfect hidden gem. Same as Batu Burok, monsoon season surely brings in waves that are to die for.

• Best time to visit - November to March
• How to get there:
• By bus - From Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) of Kuala Lumpur, to Dungun Bus Terminal.
• By car - Take the East Coast Highway towards Kuantan from Kuala Lumpur and use Kuala Dungun Exit.

4. Tioman

Image via Paya Beach Resort 

• Best time to visit - November to March
• How to get there:
• Ferry: Most visitors get to Tioman via ferry from the port town of Mersing (you can also take a ferry from Tanjung Gemok).
• Buses from Kuala Lumpur to Mersing take around six hours. Once you get to Mersing, the bus terminal is about a 15-minute walk from the jetty where ferries leave for Tioman.
• Where to learn: Tioman Cabbana

 5. Langkawi

Image via Langkawi.com

Langkawi is more than just a tax-free zone, it is also a playground for surfers. Unlike other beaches in the East Coast, Langkawi is the perfect spot for surfers throughout May and September as southwest monsoon brings in strong winds blowing off the sea, generating waves as high as 1.5 metres.

• Best time to visit: May - September
• How to get there:
• By air. You can fly to Langkawi from Kuala Lumpur. AirAsia flies to Langkawi regularly.
• By bus. There are several bus companies operating to Kuala Perlis and Kuala Kedah, which serve as jump-off points to Langkawi.
• Where to learn: 69DEGREENORTH

 6. Kudat, Sabah

Image via Sabah Tourism

East Malaysian peeps, we got your back! Head out to to the tip of Borneo, Kudat in Sabah to experience waves on par with worldwide famous surf heaven — Bali.

The wind that blows from the south blesses Kudat with consistent surfable waves all year round, making it a great destination to visit.

• Best time to visit: August -September
• How to get there:
• By air. You can fly to Kota Kinabalu from KL.