Pantai Cahaya Bulan

You can stop at the various cottage industries along the road to Pantai Cahaya Bulan and discover some of Kelantan's rich heritage, including batik prints, songket, kites and copper-tooled handicrafts. Located approximately 10 km southeast of Kota Bharu, this famous golden beach is shaded by tall casuarina trees and coconut palms, providing the ideal place for picnics, camping and relaxation. For your added convenience, comfortable chalets are available at the beach.

Further down the coast, approximately 13 km south of Kota Bharu, is Pantai Dasar Sabak. Dubbed the "soul of Malaysia's east coast", Pantai Dasar Sabak is the rustic fishing village where the Japanese Army landed in December 1941, before making their way south to Singapore and occupying Malaya.

Historical significance aside, Pantai Dasar Sabak is well suited for swimming and sunbathing, as well as catching the sights and sounds of fishermen returning with their catch in colourfully decorated boats.

Another fascinating fishing village, 15 km south of Kota Bharu, is Kuala Besar, a coastal town with a strikingly beautiful beach and rustic kampung houses nestled in the shade of palm groves. It is an idyllic getaway for those seeking peace and quiet.

After a refreshing dip in the waters of the South China Sea and basking in the sun, you might take a walk down the beach to the rows of fish drying in the bright sunlight. Or stroll among the kampung houses and see friendly fishermen mending their nets and repairing their boats.

Located in the district of Bachok, about 25 km south of Kota Bharu, lies Pantai Irama (Beach of Melody), reputed to be the most beautiful beach in Kelantan. Just sit down on the pristine white sands and listen to the intricate symphony of rushing waves and whispering wind through the casuarina trees. Come for a day of sunshine and picnicking and you might well end up camping for the night under a canopy of stars.

Another enchanting seaside haven is Pantai Bisikan Bayu (Beach of the Whispering Breeze), also known as Pantai Dalam Rhu. Located near the fishing village of Semerak, about 50 km away from Kota Bharu, this secluded beach with tall casuarinas and lush tropic greenery promises to soothe even the most world-weary traveller. This beach is also a favourite spot for picnics and swimming.

Pantai Seri Tujuh (Beach of Seven Lagoons), situated near the Malaysian - Thai border at Kampung Tujuh in Tumpat, 7 km north of Kota Bharu, is set amid some of the most spectacular scenery Kelantan. This exceptionaly beautiful beach offers quiet spots to snorkel, scuba dive or swim.

Visitors will be treated to a display of colourful and unusually shaped kites during the annual International Kite Festival held here, including the intricately decorated gigantic Malaysian kite - the 'Wau Bulan'.

How To Get There

Malaysia Airlines operates daily flights from Penang, Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru to Kota Bharu. Visitors going to the outlying towns and the various beaches can take a bus or taxi at the Jalan Padang Garong Terminal in Kota Bharu. Bus services to Pantai Cahaya Bulan departs from the Central Market.

Visitors travelling by train to Kota Bharu can disembark either at Wakaf Bharu or Tumpat and proceed by bus or taxi into town.

Express bus services connect the major towns within Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore to Kota Bharu.

The SKMK bus line operates regular services to the outlying towns and beaches from the Jalan Padang Garong Terminal in Kota Bharu. When travelling to Pantai Bisikan Bayu, however you must transfer to the Kuala Besut bound bus at Pasir Putih, then disembark at Semerak. The beaches are just a short walk away.