There are other islands near Penang and the mainland for visitors seeking quiet beaches off the beaten track.
If you love an island holiday but want to experience Penang in the 70s – you can visit the local communities and villages.
These small islands or islets are the best Penang islands to explore remote jungle treks and beaches.
Best Islands Near Penang
You will be surprised to learn that Penang’s islands have a long history.
Many times, you will need to get there by boat.
Here’s a list of the tiny islands you can visit from Penang: a heart-shaped artificial islet to the tiniest uninhabited islet, a car-free island, and those steep with a dark past.
Welcome to explore these 7 Amazing Islands Near Penang.
1 Pulau Gazumbo (Man made)
Pulau Gazumbo (sometimes written Pulau Kazambo) was created during the construction of the first Penang bridge in 1982.
Pulau Gazumbo is known as the Middle Bank.
It is located between the Penang Bridge and the river mouth of Sungai Pinang.
Pulau Gazumbo is an artificial islet with the largest seagrass meadow in the Straits of Melaka.
Observed from an altitude of 120m, the islet has a heart shape.
An intertidal seagrass bed surrounds the islet.
The state government would be working to gazette the island as a sanctuary, called the “Middle Bank Marine Sanctuary,” an education and awareness hub.
The state government will make Pulau Gazumbo, the man-made island next to the first Penang bridge, a marine sanctuary.
What to do at Pulau Gazumbo?
Learn about the unique ecosystem of the seagrasses.
2 Pulau Tikus (uninhabited islet)
The tiniest islet off Tanjung Bungah is the smallest on the list.
Translated as ‘Rat Island,’ Pulau Tikus was named because it looked like a rat during low tides.
It is uninhabited, although there is an abandoned building on the islet.
Large rocks form much of the coastline.
However, it is well-isolated and suitable for loners who want to escape the maddening crowds.
Getting to Pulau Tikus
Pulau Tikus is close enough, so you can take a canoe or kayak there from Tanjung Bungah.
An excellent place to set off from the Penang Swimming Club.
Generally, it takes roughly 30 minutes to arrive at the outcrop.
3 Pulau Rimau (uninhabited islet)
Pulau Rimau is an islet off the southern coast about 832 m from the southeastern tip of Penang Island.
An uninhabited islet, it is home to an active lighthouse built by the British in 1885.
The lighthouse is a 17 m (56 ft) round cylindrical cast-iron tower with a lantern and gallery.
A single-story house is a beacon for vessels entering the Penang Strait from the south.
4 Pulau Kendi (uninhabited islet)
This tiny Pulau Kendi lies about a kilometer directly opposite Gertak Sanggul Beach.
Known for its rugged, uninhabited beauty, Pulau Kendi is an angler that often frequents an islet.
Beautiful rock formations line the coast, shaped by years of destructive waves hitting the islet.
The ruggedly handsome rocks may be one of your few reasons for visiting Pulau Kendi. Sunbathers will find the beach and sand too short and narrow.
The terrain is too steep for trekking, and the hills are too thick with rainforest.
On the boat ride, you can see White-bellied Sea Eagle and Brahminy Kite in the sky.
Pulau Kendi is one of the best snorkeling destinations in Penang. Its beautiful corals and tropical fish rival those of the best island destinations in Thailand.
Unfortunately, the excessive number of day-trippers has spoiled the marine ecosystem.
Still, it’s an enjoyable offbeat trip in southern Penang. Good snorkeling.
Cons: Not as pristine as it used to be.
Pros: Off the beaten track, the only place in Penang where you can go snorkeling is virtually free of people.
You get to enjoy the sounds of crashing waves and the call of birds without another soul in sight.
Getting to Pulau Kendi
To get there, head to Gertak Sanggul.
To reach Gertak Sanggul, take the Rapid Penang Bus 401E from Jetty (Weld Quay) to Sk Teluk Kumbar.
Then, take a 6-minute walk to Gertak Sanggul Beach and ask for a boat to take you to Pulau Kendi.
How to Get There: Rapid Penang Bus 308 from Sungai Nibong Bus station (read our guide to catching buses from Penang) stops at Gertak Sanggul Beach.
From here, it’s about 200RM to charter a fishing boat for a maximum of 6 people, which takes 2 to 3 hours.
5 Pulau Gedung (uninhabited islet)
Pulau Gedung is the twin islet of Pulau Aman.
It was once a pirate’s domain, a small islet thick with pristine jungle.
A pirate captain, Panglima Garang (‘General Fierce’), is buried at Batu Perompak (Pirate’s Rock).
There’s a tiny pirate’s cave called Gua Lanun (Pirate’s Cave) and a Makam Purba (Ancient Gravestone)
There’s Not much to do here, but explorers will enjoy the experience nonetheless.
Getting to Pulau Gedung
You can hire a boat from Pulau Aman or contact the Seberang Perai Fisherman Association.
6 Pulau Aman (Malay Fishing Village)
Penangites will point out Pulau Aman (Island of Peace), which you can spot from the first Penang bridge.
The small island between Penang’s Second Bridge and the mainland town of Tambun is only 300 acres (1.21 square km).
It is a habitable island with a small local fishing community (about 50 families and 300 inhabitants).
Despite its moniker as the Island of Peace, Pulau Aman was once a pirate’s lair.
There is a jetty where you can spot small “sampan” (fishing boats) and traditional Malay houses on stilts.
There is a tarred road, but no cars on the island.
The islanders either walk or cycle to school or the local mosque.
The locals enjoy having goats and deer as pets, so some animals may roam around in the villages.
Pulau Aman is famous for its Malay-style restaurants selling fresh seafood and Mee Udang.
Recently, the villagers have turned some of their homes into Homestays.
The stars fill the sky magnificently at night due to the islet’s lack of city lights.
Pulau Aman’s main draw is the few rickety seafood restaurants famous for their fresh and sweet mantis prawns (giant shrimp.)
You can walk or bike around the island and visit the 1789 Telaga Emas (Golden Well) that never runs dry, even in the most severe drought.
Take a boat ride to the nearby twin islet, the beautiful and pristine Pulau Gedung.
Pros: A car-free, pollution-free island with great seafood and interesting Malay island community life.
Cons: Getting to Pulau Aman jetty without your car is hard.
How to Get There: Drive to Bukit Tambun and follow the directions to Pulau Aman jetty.
You’ll be able to take a ferry from here to the islet.
There are several boat departures daily, costing RM6 one way.
Travel Tip: Note that the ferry service (a speedboat) only starts operational at 10 AM.
7 Pulau Jerejak
Pulau Jerejak is a historic island with a 10-minute ferry ride from Penang Island.
Tropical and lush with pristine rainforest, the island served as a former leper colony and jail.
Today, the island boasts an eco-resort and several watersport activities, and plans are underway to turn it into Penang’s biggest eco-tourism destination.
For now, it is an impromptu little getaway for couples and groups who want to go for a photo shoot and some relaxing activities.
Look out for the Instagarmable photo spots – a stairway to heaven, a rainbow pier, a romantic swing on the beach, and others.
The island is known for its breathtaking sunsets that will paint the sky pink, yellow, and orange!
Pros: wild nature, incredible history.
Cons: It is expensive to get there and on the verge of development.
How to Get There: Pulau Jerejak is a 10-minute ferry ride from Penang Island.
There are about ten ferry timings throughout the day, and tickets can be purchased from the ticket counter at Penang Island Jetty for only RM20 each.
Resources:
Man-made island off Penang bridge to be made a marine sanctuary
