Daytrip to Ombak Kapas Island Beach Resort, Marang, Terengganu

Pulau Kapas is yet another lovely island in the sun off the coast of Terengganu, accessible from the Marang Jetty, just about 20km from Kuala Terengganu by Grab, your own car or maybe a bus… It was slightly confusing as I had just returned from Lang Tengah Island which was accessible from Merang Jetty… And getting to Pulau Kapas is from Marang with no “E”…

Pulau Kapas, translates to be Cotton Island, a name given by the locals because of its soft white beaches…. Pulau Kapas is an authentic Malaysian island experience which is affordable, convenient, pristine, beautiful and yet not too touristy like the neighbouring Pulau Perhentian or Pulau Redang is…

The Ombak Kapas Island Beach Resort is located on Kapas Island off Terengganu State, East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia… The boat ride from Marang Jetty to Kapas Island Jetty takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes by a sheltered speed boat…

Marang Jetty provides ample parking lots, but it might be hard to find parking on a weekend or public holiday since the locals will also be flocking there.. And yes, I would so recommend going on a weekday for your best experience and comfort as it was definitely a bit too crowded for my liking or comfort during the Saturday I was there

The wind whipped my hair all around and salty water misted my hair and skin as the boat heaved and dipped each swell we encountered during our boat ride there…

Pulau Kapas took our breath away even from the distance. Just barely 3 km big, this little drop of tropical paradise in the South China Sea is pretty idyllic with just a few beach chalets scatter against lush jungle background..

Ombak Kapas Island Beach Resort is comes with a white and long sandy beach, which is a short walking distance from the resort. The resort has 72 units of chalets and also basic facilities like seminar hall, prayer hall, café, and others..

The little wooden chalet’s interior is basic like most budget accommodation are with a bed, air conditioning, a tv and also a bathroom.. We did not stay but got one of the chalets for day use and freshening up… And it is sandy as it gets from all the sand tracks people track up from the beach with… There is a water spigot to wash your feet before heading to the chalet but still since you are at the beach… Sand tends to follow you everywhere until the bathroom…

This type of accomodation would be comfortable enough for backpackers, those used to roughing it out or camping, those who are from the kampung and those who are contented with basic comfort, but not those who are more used to fancy accomodations or more fussy about their surroundings and those who have OCD…

Pulau Kapas is a pretty serene getaway when the crowd isn’t around… The best thing about Pulau Kapas is except for the boats ferrying guests and day trippers across the sea, you won’t find other boat activity, jet skis or banana boats…

It’s the perfect sort of island to do nothing… Just enjoy your food, laze in the sun, snorkel and hike…

Hiking to Bukit Singa (Lion’s Hill) is not too hard but it can be slightly dangerous as it requires you to walk along the jagged and sometimes slippery coastal rocks as well as wade through the waist-deep water….

And if you have proper foot wear, you should head up the slope for some pretty amazing views… Since all I had was rubber flipflops which was a bit worn off, I did not dare take the risk…

Some tips…

Go off-season/on weekdays if you can….

The official season starts from March to October but it doesn’t really get busy till May. Avoid weekends (Thursday evenings to Sunday mornings) and local school holidays because you’ll get the local crowds. We went in the begining of August and on a weekend post MCO and the crowd was wild… it was however perfect, and you can opt for a quieter spot for snorkeling (the beach) like we did…

There are no ATMs on the island so it’s best if you have some cash with you. Especially if you’re planning to stay long..

Bring mosquito repellent as you’ll need it between 5pm to 8pm.

If you’re crave for chips or cookies at random hours of the day, you might need to stock up from Marang Jetty. There are some sold too at Ombak Kapas mini shop next to the cafe…