Penang Leisure

Penang offers visitors a good choice of outdoor activities. Being an island, it naturally lends itself to water sports. But the interior of the island also offers many pastimes including golf, bird-watching and horse racing.

Jungle trekking

Most beach hotels can arrange early morning treks to jungle streams and waterfalls. Food packs are generally provided. Check with your hotel for times and prices. For the more adventurous looking to trek on their own, the Malaysian Nature Society’s publication, The Nature Trails of Penang, provides a complete guide to trekking in Penang.

Water sports

Beach hotels offer facilities for a multitude of water sports such as sailing, windsurfing, waterskiing, parasailing, canoeing and speedboat rides. The deserted islands of Pulau Bidan, Pulau Telur and Pulau Song Song off Batu Ferringhi are perfect spots for snorkelling, scuba diving and fishing. Arrangements can be made for trips to these islands, whose crystal clear waters hold some of the most captivating attractions of Malaysia’s underwater world.

Horse racing

The Penang Turf Club at Jalan Batu Gantung is the venue for exciting races, held at two successive weekends once every two months. At other weekends when the races take place at Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, the turf club is open for ‘off-course’ betting.

Sungai Tukun Recreational Forest

Covering 23 hectares of tropical rain forest, Sungai Tukun is a small but delightful place where you can enjoy the riches of nature. For bird-watchers, the Sungai Tukun area attracts white-bellied eagles, eaglets and kingfishers, while those who want a panoramic view of Teluk Bahang and Batu Ferinnghi can climb up the observation tower. Camping grounds and dormitories are available for those who wish to spend a night out in the forest.