Cherating, Kuantan Overview

Cherating is the most popular beach resort town in Kuantan, the state capital of Pahang. It is mostly popular for its exotic beaches, lush and dense rain forests, mangrove jungles and the wide array of flora and fauna.

The major attraction of Cherating is the giant leatherback turtles which migrate yearly to reside on the beaches here. The showstopper, however, are the mystical fireflies which reside on the trees along the banks of the rivers.

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Attractions & Activities at Cherating

Fireflies Tour: This is an hour and a half long boat tour which takes one through the ever calm waters of Cherating and explore the beauty of this popular beach town. The river cruise begins at 8:00 PM every day. 
Tour fee: RM 35 per adult; RM 25 per child
Lake Chini Tour: The Malaysian Peninsula has only two natural lakes, both of which flow through Pahang and Lake Chini is one of them. It is Malaysia’s second largest lake and is made up of a series of 12 smaller lakes. This tour takes one on a calm, serene ride through the lake with the tour guide reminiscing about the stories of the mythical dragon who lives in the lake and is the guardian of the lost city of gold which was once located underwater.
Duration: About 6.5 hours starting from any time between 8:00 AM and 9:30 PM
Tour fee: 270 RM to 355 RM per child; and RM 520 to RM 757 per adult
Limbong Art: Limbong Art is a family run Batik making class where they teach you how to make and process the Batik. Batik is a traditional Malay cloth dyed using a wax-resistant solution on which you can print your own funky designs using copper stamps. The family who runs the class will show you how to make the Batik cloth right from the scratch and will patiently guide you through the steps. The best part is that you get to take away your very own masterpiece.
Duration: 5 hours (However, it’s not necessary that you attend the entire duration of the class)
Fee: RM 30 per person
ATV Ride in Cherating: The ATV ride lets you jump into one of the all-terrain vehicles and breeze through the beautiful sand beaches of Cherating. This is one of the most entertaining ways in which children and adults can get acquainted with the beauty of Cherating.
Ride Fee: RM 90 (prices may vary)
Surfing: Don’t miss out on the perfect opportunity to surf on the beautifully crested waves of Cherating. There are many beachside surf clubs open for all which rent out surfing boards and surfing safety minikits.

Cherating Turtle Sanctuary Night Tour: This turtle sanctuary is one of the rarities of the world where you are allowed to watch the nesting turtles and also witness the return of the ones who migrate to the east-coast every year, but only under the expert supervision of the turtle rangers of the Cherating Turtle Sanctuary. There are special areas on the shore where these giant turtles come to lay their eggs and then head back towards the sea. This process can be observed more frequently during the months from May through September ideally when the tide is hide.
Duration: 3.5 hours to 4 hours
Tour Fee: This tour is free of cost, however if you want to set up a tent to observe their daily behaviour, the fee is RM 30 per person.
Mangrove Cruise in Cherating River: This hour and a half long cruise gives you the chance to learn about the importance of mangroves in the ecosystem and ways to protect them. 
Duration: 1.5 hours
Tour Fee: RM 35 per adult; RM 25 per child

How to Reach Cherating

Take a flight directly to Kuantan or take a flight to Kuala Lumpur and then take a connecting flight to Kuantan. Best airlines to consider are Malaysian Airlines and Air Asia which have flights regularly operating to and fro Kuantan. From Kuantan airport, you can take a taxi or a bus to Cherating.

Once you reach Kuala Lumpur, you can get bus tickets to Kemaman from Terminal Bersepadu Selatan bus station (TBS Station) and ask the bus driver to drop you off at Kuantan instead of Kemaman. You must clearly mention it to the bus driver while purchasing the ticket as well as while boarding the bus as a few buses might opt for a different route.

The East Coast expressway (Route E8) joins Kuala Lumpur and Cherating directly and allows you to bypass Kuantan. However, you might have to pay toll charges at quite a few points.

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