Teluk Cempedak

Teluk Cempedak is the beach for Kuantan, a few kilometres from the town centre, and it is a proper east coast bay - a curve of pale sand between rocky headlands facing the South China Sea, backed by casuarina and a strip of restaurants, cafes and hotels. A timber boardwalk runs around the rocks at the northern end to a smaller, quieter second beach, and a path continues into the forest of Bukit Pelindung above with monkeys and a viewpoint. It is a town beach, so it is busy in the evenings and at weekends with families, joggers and food stalls rather than sunbathers, and that is the character. The sea is open and the surf builds substantially in the monsoon months from November, when swimming becomes unsafe and much of the strip quietens down.

What you actually see

• A bay between headlands - pale sand and casuarina facing the open sea.
• A rock boardwalk - the timber walkway round to the second, quieter beach.
• Bukit Pelindung - the forest hill and viewpoint above the northern end.
• An evening promenade - the local use of the beach, with stalls and joggers.

When to go

March to October; the monsoon closes swimming. Half a day.

Honest expectations

Surf and rip currents are dangerous from November to February - obey the flags. It is a town beach and busy in the evenings. Monkeys on the hill path snatch bags and food.

Nearby

Kuantan is a few minutes away; Cherating is north up the coast.