Pantai kerachut, famously known as turtle beach, is located in Penang, Malaysia. The beach is also said to house the four meromictic lakes in Asia that combine seawater and lakewater. It is a turtle hatcher beach, about a 7.2 km trail away from the national park. The national park is called Taman Negara Pulau Pinang in the local language, and it is the smallest national park in Asia with a turtle sanctuary.

Turtle_land_at_turtle_beach

Although the beach is less known to foreigners, hence is visited mainly by the locals or travelers visiting the national park.

One can reach the beach in two different ways:

  1.  Either take a boat service readily available, from getting enquired at the information center in the national park. The boat journey takes approx 15 minutes and costs around RM 150 to 200 depending on whether it is a one-way or a round trip. 
  2. Hike from the national park, all the way to the turtle beach. An adventurous and fun actual hike with the tiring route, steep downhill exposed to various wild trees and plants in the way. It is 90 minutes away. If you love such sport, then hiking to the beach is advisable.

There is a turtle information center at the national park entrance, which guides and gives information regarding the whole turtle sanctuary and park. One should carry their eating stuff with lots of water since there is none available at the beach. The beach has an open shower point and washroom not very fancy. Guard post is also available at the beach for the safety purposes of the visitors.

lifecycle_of_turtle_at_turtle_island_penang

The turtle beach is a nice, quiet place with white sand all over around. With a lake, wildlife, flowers, and forest around. It is a serene place to visit for camping, walking, or take a stroll around in the shed of nature.

When to visit the island?

Enjoy the sunset, watch the baby turtles. Especially the green sea turtles come here in April and August to lay eggs. While the Olive Ridley Turtles come in September to February.

bridge_at_turtle-island

The best time to visit the famous beach is around Nov to Feb. Enjoy the calmness of the beach with a view of crabs, stork-billed kingfishers, and mouse deers and turtles.