Making the most of Kuantan
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
The port is far from town (25km), you will need a taxi, which will charge $80 roundtrip plus $10 per hour waiting time.
There is nothing of interest near the port.
Kuantan is the state capital of Pahang, the largest state in the Malaysian Peninsula. It is situated near the mouth of the Kuantan River and faces the South China Sea. The town is quite small but the State's mosque, with its statuesque beauty and stained glass windows draws tourists, as do the nearby beaches, which are ideal for water sports such as windsurfing.
There are no chairs or loungers or changing facilities at the public beaches. Your best bet is to head to one of the resort hotels.
Nearby places
In the town of Pancing, 24 km away, are the Gua Carah Caves that are well worth visiting. There is an ancient Buddha to be found, and is accessible to folk of all ages.
Also nearby, at Pekan – the Royal City – you can visit the Sultan's Palace and the State Museum, with its history of Pahang and its royal family.
The Sungai Lembing Museum, about 40 minutes from Kuantan, relates the rich and interesting history of the town's mining industry.
Also well known to tourists are the beautiful waterfalls such as the Sungai Padan Waterfall.
Teluk Chempedak, 5 km northeast of Kuantan, is a lovely beach with facilities for watersports, including boating and kayaking. The Kuantan Hyatt Hotel is located on Teluk Chempedak itself. On the left side of Teluk Cempedak beach, there is a long boardwalk (built over rocks and boulders) that connects to a second beach. You can email the hotel for the availability of using their facilities.
Food and shopping
No alcohol is sold, except at the international hotels.