Pulau Kapas
Kapas Island or Pulau Kapas is an island 6 kilometers off the coast of
Terengganu, Malaysia. 'Kapas' means 'Cotton' in Malay. It features crystal clear
seawater, pristine powdery white beaches and untouched tropical jungle.
It is promoted as a "snorkeling paradise", with several dive resorts and coral
reefs. It can be reached within 15 minutes by speedboat from the coastal fishing
village of Marang.
Boat tickets can be bought at the jetty in Marang or pre-arranged with your
resort and included in your package. There are regular transfers throughout the
day and according to demand. Return trips cost around RM25 and take 15 minutes
by speedboat. Slower, cheaper boats are also available but take 30 minutes.
Its accessibility from the mainland makes it popular with locals for daytrips
and the fairly good availability of budget accommodation means that it is also
popular with backpackers.
Another reason why Kapas Island is popular is because of the excellent
snorkelling in the waters surrounding the island. There is an abundance of
corals and other marine life, visibility is good and the water is shallow and
calm. Because the coral is mainly around the rocky edges of the island, you can
still go swimming off the beautiful beaches, even at low tide.
The resorts on Kapas Island are mostly spread out over three beaches on the
western shore, facing the mainland. Accommodation here ranges from dorm rooms to
moderately priced air-conditioned chalets.
More luxurious accommodation is available on Gemia Island, a small islet just a
few hundred metres northwest of Kapas
Monsoon season at Kapas Island peaks between November and March every year. You
can expect more rain and rough seas and most resorts are typically CLOSED from
end October through end-February. Peak season of Kapas Island fall between July
and August.
undo Malaysia Islands Travel