Gurney Bay is an enticing destination for family and recreational activities. It offers unobstructed views of the Gurney Drive and Tanjung Tokong skylines. — Photos: CHAN BOON KAI, ZHAFARAN NASIB, KT GOH, ZAINUDIN AHAD/The Star
GONE are the days when vacations were simply about relaxing and detaching oneself from life’s realities.
In the age of social media and hyper connectivity, one would be remiss if he or she did not document the experience using smartphones or cameras.
This desire has transformed the way many choose destinations – which must not only be exciting but also visually appealing or “Instagrammable”.
This is why Penang is popular among domestic and international travellers.
Its combination of natural beauty, rich heritage, cultural gems and diverse cuisine affords visitors ample opportunities to capture memorable photos and videos.
Though attractions in the state capital George Town get the most attention, many picture-perfect sights abound at the island and mainland’s coastal areas.
From sandy beaches to breezy lookouts, old-world villages and skyline panoramas, images of these locations are sure to enliven one’s social media feeds.
What’s more, most are gentle on the wallet or even free to enjoy.
So, if you are visiting Penang during Hari Raya or the school holidays, here are some scenic waterfront destinations to check out.
Gurney Bay
What was once open waters is now Malaysia’s largest seafront city park and a popular spot for leisurely strolls and family recreation.
Developed on reclaimed land, Gurney Bay will ultimately sprawl over 40ha. Phase 1, which opened in February last year, took up 11.2ha and has an elevated viewing deck, playground, skate park, retail kiosks and a lengthy waterfront promenade.
Some 1,500 trees and 10,000 shrubs were planted around its vast open areas. In time, it will become a vital green lung amid the modern urban sprawl.
Besides heading there for exercise and family fun, many visit for the sweeping views of the island’s northeastern coast that include the Gurney Drive and Tanjung Tokong skylines, in which luxury residential towers, hotels and shopping malls are illuminated every night.
Phase 2 with the remaining 29.98ha is slated to be completed by the second half of this year.
There will be a hawker centre, multi-level carpark, several lookout points, water taxi jetty, beach, boardwalk and water garden. Some additional 3,000 trees will also be planted.
Esplanade
A scenic stroll along the Esplanade awaits cruise ship passengers upon disembarking at the nearby Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal, before exploring George Town.
Many who visit the waterfront promenade and open field on George Town’s eastern tip may not realise the site’s historical significance.
This was where Captain Francis Light first landed in July 1786 to claim the island for the British Crown. Though the area was forested then, it was cleared and has been used for recreation ever since.
In May 2022, a project to refurbish the longstanding seawall and promenade was completed. Wider walkways now afford better accessibility to the 570m stretch flanked by the old Medan Renong food court and a Royal Malaysian Navy base.
This also saw the restoration of the Lower Terrace which showcases part of the original seawall dating back to 1807.
It is now popular with locals and tourists alike. Some come for picnics or relaxation, while others enjoy watching the giant cruise liners that arrive or depart from the nearby Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal, along with the occasional visiting warship.
Further photo opportunities can be had at Fort Cornwallis nearby, as well as the City Hall and Town Hall that both face the field.
Clan Jetties
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Dating back to the 19th century, the Clan Jetties are a collection of coastal villages built on wooden piers along Weld Quay at George Town’s eastern shores.
Divided into nine sections and named after different clans, the jetties served as an arrival point for early Chinese immigrants and were also used for cargo handling and boat mooring.
Though they had long been a part of the cityscape, the jetties only became a tourist attraction following the George Town’s Unesco World Heritage listing in 2008.
Scores of visitors now throng the area daily. Its narrow rickety pathways and hidden corners are sure to transport one back in time.
Many clan descendants still live on site. Some enterprising ones have converted parts of their properties into stalls selling souvenirs and snacks.
Seven jetties remain today – the Chew, Lee, Lim, Ong, Tan, Yeoh and Mixed Clan Jetties. Two others – the Koay and Peng Aun Jetties – were demolished in 2006 for modern developments.
While Chew Jetty is perhaps the most well-known and commercialised, the Tan Jetty is also a popular photo spot, thanks to a red hut located far out at sea.
Visitors are advised to minimise disturbance to residents and respect each jetty’s guidelines and opening hours.
Ferringhi Bay
Visitors capturing shots from the long breakwater that juts out to sea in front of the Ferringhi Bay food and entertainment hub in Batu Ferringhi.
Batu Ferringhi on the island’s northern coast has been a prime tourist destination for decades. It is known for high-end hotels, watersports and streetside shopping.
But a new lifestyle hub is now drawing visitors with its vibrant dining and entertainment options – Ferringhi Bay. Opened last August, it was built from 54 repurposed shipping containers.
They now house some 14 restaurants, cafes and bars that offer various cuisines. Most outlets on the ground level have tables and beanbags on the sand, giving guests an idyllic feel of the tropics and stunning views of the beachfront and sunsets.
The area teems with crowds most evenings, weekends and holidays. Lively showcases also take place every night.
Activities range from mesmerising fire shows to live band performances, games and seasonal events. Special photo backdrops, including a giant photo frame with the words “I Love Penang” and rows of colourful surfboards, are also ideal for snapshots.
Those willing to venture a little further can also go onto a nearby breakwater extending roughly 50m out to sea for even better vistas.
Penang bridges
An open area beside the Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah Bridge landing in Batu Maung has become a popular food truck area with spectacular views of the bridge.
Most people have taken photos or videos while traversing the 13.5km Penang Bridge or the 24km Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah Bridge.
But some lesser-known vantage points allow one to view the bridges’ impressive architecture from sea level – such as Jalan Persiaran Pantai Timur in Gelugor which runs behind grilled fish stalls and old fishermen’s homes.
This leads to walking paths and rocky outcrops directly under the Penang Bridge’s island-side landing, which three-pronged carriageway offers a captivating photo backdrop.
On certain days of the month and weather permitting, shutterbugs can also capture the sun rising directly above the bridge’s middle span.
Otherwise, stop by at night to see Tenaga Nasional’s monopole transmission towers glowing in various colours at night.
Further south in Batu Maung, an open area beside the Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah Bridge (also known as the Second Penang Bridge) landing has become a popular food truck spot.
This area springs to life every evening, as visitors grab a bite before heading to the rocky beachfront to snap photos of the bridge’s iconic middle span.
Pantai Malindo
Pantai Malindo is a popular spot among cycling and photography enthusiasts due to its stunning sunset views.
Head off the beaten path to Balik Pulau on the island’s western coast and you will find Pantai Malindo at the Sungai Burong estuary.
This hidden gem is well-known to photography and cycling enthusiasts due to the glorious sunset views that often unfold.
Just follow the trails all the way to the breakwaters on the shoreline. Weather permitting, you might catch an egg yolk-like glowing yellow orb making its way down a kaleidoscopic sky.
Depending on the tides, longer shutter settings may even allow you to turn the water into glass and create a painting-like effect in your photos.
Otherwise, get creative with silhouettes of yourself and your friends, surrounding trees or even the occasional fishing boat that passes by.
As these parts of the island remain untouched by modernity, it will appeal to city folk who want to experience life at a slower pace and be embraced by the simple wonders of nature.
Pantai Kerachut
Though this secluded beach is also located on the island’s western coast, it is only accessible via the Penang National Park in Teluk Bahang.
Reaching it takes a roughly 1.5-hour trek through challenging jungle terrain.
This could prove physically- demanding for some but seasoned hikers should be able to complete it in an hour. At the end of the trail is a suspension bridge that leads one down to the beach.
The sand here is white and there are many shady trees for one to relax or have picnics under. As there are fewer visitors here, the atmosphere is usually tranquil.
Visitors should check out the Pantai Kerachut Turtle Conservation and Information Centre, which safeguards species like the Green Sea Turtle and Olive Ridley Turtle that often nest along nearby beaches.
There is also a meromictic lake, which has layers of water of different densities. Remember to pack bottled water for the trek or buy it at the gate, as there are no vendors within the park itself.
Alternatively, one can also get to the beach by hiring boats from service providers in the Teluk Bahang area.
Pantai Bersih
Guests filling up the tables and bean bags on the beach at Ferringhi Bay, to enjoy the sunset and lively performances while they dine.
The views are no less captivating from the Seberang Perai’s west-facing coastlines, which give one front-row seats to majestic sunsets.
One such location is Pantai Bersih in Bagan Ajam, where locals would stop at open grassy beaches to break fast during Ramadan and enjoy the cool breezes and calming sound of waves.
Equally alluring are the views of Penang island with landmarks like Komtar juxtaposed against a hilly hinterland.
The giant gantry cranes of the nearby North Butterworth Container Terminal also add visual interest.
Pantai Robina
Further north along the same coast is the tranquil Robina Eco Park in Teluk Air Tawar, located behind a housing estate.
This scenic waterfront is frequented by fitness enthusiasts, picnickers and families alike, thanks to its leafy setting with lots of trees.
There is a paved promenade alongside open-air pavilions and children’s playground.
In the evening, there are vendors selling snacks and drinks.
The rocky shoreline and exposed pylons of a dilapidated jetty nearby are also popular subjects among shutterbugs looking to capture moody, long exposure seascapes.
