Last visited September 2013.
The pier beach on Pulau Kapas - the northern tertiary of the beach past times the pier is hard to run into inwards this shot. There are iii resorts on this beach too it is possible to walk to all the other accommodation places inside xv minutes. However many of the isle carry services out of Marang volition drib yous straight inwards forepart of your resort.Kapas isle is the nicest I accept visited inwards years. It is compact but has half dozen rattling attractive beaches which tin terminate last walked over a menstruum of 25-30 mintues (plus some other beach which needs boat/kayak access), rattling clear water, pretty expert snorkelling, expert sunsets too a surprisingly provide of accommodation amongst 8 flash packer/backpacker resorts (some of their chalets may become into the lower midrange) too ii camping ground areas. There are no roads, villages, motor vehicles or dogs. It is component subdivision of the Marine National Park too hence coral too fish are pretty good. It is much easier to access than Redang, Perhentians, Lang Tengah, Tioman or Langkawi too is uncrowded except for weekends which extend from Th nighttime to Lord's Day forenoon inwards this detail component subdivision of north-east Malaysia.
This modified Google ikon clearly shows the beaches, trekking tracks too the relatively compact size of the island. Note my miss-naming of nearby GEMIA ISLAND which has i midrange resort, Gems Island Resort. Note besides that I accept turned this ikon xc degrees - northward is to the left, non up.LOCATION
Kapas is solely seven km from the mainland pier at Marang (not Merang which is the pier for Pulau Redang to the north) which is 17km southward of Kuala Terengganu - yous tin terminate wing into KT from KL. Kapas is component subdivision of the north-east’s marine national green which also includes Redang too the Perhentians.BEACHES
(from the south)
TURTLE BEACH
Turtle Beach is the island’s southern most beach. I shot this from Kapas Turtle Valley Resort’s rather squeamish eatery perched on the rocks at the western end. This beach has a dissimilar orientation to the others, facing to a greater extent than southward than due west too was picking upwardly the cooling sea breeze meliorate on my visit. The downside is that yous volition non acquire the sunsets.The beach is non equally squeamish equally some on Kapas - the sand is non equally fine equally the best, at that topographic point were a fair few small-scale rocks on entry to the sea too the H2O offshore did non accept peculiarly expert coral although at that topographic point was plenty of this summation fish to maintain snorkellers interested. However the much nicer southern terminate of the pier beach is a brusk steep climb over the headland steps to the north.
What yous accept at Turtle is exclusivity - the Dutch managed resort is the solely i on the beach too has flashpacker into lower midrange chalets inwards the trees on the gradient to left of shot. H5N1 friend staying at that topographic point said the nutrient was rattling good. The 2011 accommodation hand-out I got at Suria Link Transport at the Marang pier shows rm300 identify unit of measurement too rm150 double chalets.
PIER BEACH SOUTH
This shot shows solely the southern-most corner - PBS is a long stretch of sand, best appreciated from the shot transcend of page. The rattling steep stairway across to Turtle Beach starts closed to that kokosnoot palm far right inwards the to a higher identify shot..There are scraps of fringing coral too some coral bommies summation a fair few fish out along the headland to right of shot but I snorkelled right closed to the headland to Turtle Beach too wasn't whelmed.
UPDATE SEPT 2013
The large beachside eatery is shown to a higher identify - the associated dive schoolhouse is nether the tree at right. Dozens of chalets of diverse standards are behind the beach.
PIER BEACH NORTH
This smaller department of beach northward of the pier is non equally broad sea to trees equally the southward side but has the same crystal clear water. There is i resort here, Pak Ya Seaview (your guide-book may accept the old Beauty Island Resort), a pretty sweet-looking budget articulation amongst newish A-frames (2011) only behind the beach. This identify was packed on the weekend but had solely nearly ii guests before that (then i time again solely nearly 8 chalets). Suria Link's 2011 cost listing says rm90 for a fan chalet but my friend from Turtle also stayed hither too managed to cope i for rm60 mid-week. She said the nutrient was rattling expert hither too.Note the stairway inwards far background which leads to a brusk walkway to the following beach north. There was a bunch of local weekenders snorkelling this section, but it was similar to the headland expanse at the southward end. I acquire the impression Asian snorkellers (and a lot of western tourists) are happy if they accept fish to banking concern check out - don't elbow grease the coral or lack of. I shot this from the pier which also attracts a expert make of fish - a yoke of local visitors were line-fishing here. In a marine national park? Crikey.
UPDATE SEPT 2013
BEACH #4
For desire of its right name, I'll telephone band this Beach #4 - less than 10 minutes walk northward of the pier. This is a expert i - in all likelihood the most pop beach both midweek too at the weekend. Very squeamish sand, clear H2O which is non besides shallow depression tide. Snorkelling at this beach is similar to the pier beaches, but much meliorate materials is mayhap 10 minutes walk away off Camping Beach.If yous click to expand this shot yous tin terminate run into Qimis beach to the north, inlcuding the small-scale headland (high tide) island, which has expert snorkelling right off its sea-ward end.
Beach #4 has iii resorts:
Kapas Beach Chalet (KBC) which despite non looking equally cool equally Captain Long House had the most traveller types hanging closed to mid calendar week - too lots of locals weekend (plus a hamburger stand upwardly on the beach amongst (2011) rm5 whoppers - delicious! rm3 criterion - who says the dollar-burger has gone?) 2011:Chalets rm70/60/40 summation a rm 15dorm - good duh, mayhap those prices explicate the travellers.
Kapas Coral Beach Resort - was largely nether reconstruction inwards July 2011 amongst some squeamish looking flashpacker/lower midrange chalets beingness seat in.
QIMI'S BEACH
I climbed to the transcend of that headland/island I mentioned in conclusion beach shot to acquire this pic. Hey, beach looks pretty squeamish but inwards fact is in all likelihood to the lowest degree best (but non poor) on Kapas - too I don't remember I'm talking from ignorance on draw of piece of work organization human relationship I stayed hither at Qimi Chalet inwards 2011 too 2013. Beach gets skinny at high tide yet suffers the depression tide blues amongst shallow H2O containing lots of rocks, dead lumps of coral. But the best beach on the isle is 1 infinitesimal to the left. Almost all Qimi's beach is inwards this shot - yous tin terminate run into the walkway stairs from Beach #4 far right too the depression rocks betwixt hither too Camping Beach to the northward start straightaway left of pic. Qimi Chalet is nether those large trees behind the boats too upwardly the steep hillside to the right - if yous click to expand yous tin terminate mayhap run into some of the eatery tables on the beach nether the trees. Chalets rm300 for an aircon identify unit of measurement - 130/100/80 for fan (2011&2013). More information downwards page. Snorkelling rattling ordinary inwards the expanse inwards shot but quite expert coral/fish off the terminate of the headland/island behind camera, mayhap a 70m swim off the beach. Latest see I noticed this expert coral 70m offshore also extended mid bay to right of camera. But materials closed inshore had non improved.
CAMPING BEACH
Camping Beach is arguably the best beach on the island. I'm calling it this for desire of its existent call - inwards fact the Harmony campsite site (rm10 per mortal rm15 tent rental) is inwards a apartment tree shaded expanse behind those rocks far right, too has its sign too entrance at the far northen terminate of the previous beach, Qimi's. I noticed a local had also pitched a tent upwardly the far left terminate on the beach nether the trees on the weekend. This is a sweetness beach - lovely sand which continues into the H2O depression tide, lots of shade inwards dorsum nether the trees, no resorts, rattling clear H2O too quite expert coral too fish inwards a lateral draw mayhap 40m off the fundamental beach too extending southward towards the camera. At lowest tide this coral is much closer to the shore - pathetic swimmers tin terminate wade out too dip their caput to banking concern check the border of the reef. Most guests at Qimi Chalet spent long periods of fourth dimension hither too it was also pop amongst people from other resorts. Hell yous could stroll upwardly hither from the most distant resort, Kapas Turtle Valley, nether 25 minutes too from the pier inwards less than 15. I also noticed quite a few kayakers came across from Gems Island Resort on Gemia Island, also taking inwards the following beach north.
Another shot of Camping Beach from nigh the far northern terminate looking dorsum at the island/headland which separates it from Qimi Beach.
NORTH BEACH
North Beach is reached from Camping Beach past times a rather steep laid of stairs too a brusk walkway. Many would fence this is equally squeamish equally Camping Beach. No resorts or camping ground areas. Very similar sand too water. Probably the best snorkelling on the isle nearly 40-50m off the beach, amongst expert coral varieties too fish - facial expression for the snorkelling trip boats from following Gemia Island, Marang too Kuala Terennganu - or if it is tranquillity mid-week, their mooring buoys. Note this isn't actually the northern-most beach - at that topographic point is a similar strip of sand closed to the far headland. But at that topographic point is no walkway too I constitute it besides deep to wade at depression tide. Didn't remember to grab i of Qimi's sea-kayaks. Duh!
TREKKING
Two jungle tracks atomic number 82 to a small-scale inlet on the rugged eastward coast. The southern rail starts nigh the transcend of the Turtle Bay/Pier Beach stairs. The northern i starts at the terminate of the pier too goes inland along side the solar electricity farm, hence winds its agency to the right too dives into the bush behind the most inland of Kapas Island Resort's many bungalows. Because both tracks atomic number 82 to the same cove, I did them equally a loop - mayhap xc minutes.
The northern track, 950m to the cove inwards total - this is pretty slowly endeavour wise. From the entry betoken into the jungle it rises over a small-scale saddle amongst no existent tough climbs too hence gradually drops along this H2O course of education to the western cove. Good jungle along here. It does acquire a flake technical inwards that yous accept to criss-cross the creek nearly 10 times - National Parks accept seat upwardly a expert character guide rope the total length of both tracks to demonstrate the way. 
The eastward coast bay. The northern rail is accesses past times agency of that gully inwards dorsum - if yous click to expand yous may last able to run into debris blocking the oral cavity which came from a large land-slip high on the right, in all likelihood inwards the monsoon season.The 1250m southern rail to nigh Turtle Beach starts out of pic nigh that log at left - facial expression for the guide rope. The start 10 minutes is an incredibly steep haul upwardly the side of the loma - I'm pretty gibe too it gave me a existent expert work-out. The rail hence tends to dip, climb too air current thru less dense but notwithstanding okay jungle.
A yoke of trekkers coming the other agency went for a dip inwards the cove. The H2O looked squeamish too clear - according to the guidebooks at that topographic point is a flake of coral hither too. I was feeling lazy too gave it a miss.
SNORKELLING
To recap what I wrote nether beaches: the best snorkelling is in all likelihood off North Beach. It is also quite expert off Camping Beach too the terminate of the headland/island at the northward terminate of Qimi's Beach. And it may last okay inwards too closed to the western trekkers' cove.
How good? Well I thought it was a slight pace downwards from the Perhentians too Tioman inwards the same period, which were a pace downwards i time again from the best at Pulau Redang (in the National Park HQ snorkelling area) too equal to Lang Tengah. And meliorate than anything I saw inwards the Surin Islands before inwards 2011, too the Similans inwards 2012 - each supposedly the sites of Thailand's best coral. The Surins were rattling very ordinary - coral bleaching has actually knocked them around. Ditto the Similans. In fact snorkelling at Ko Tao inwards mid 2013 was superior, but non equally expert equally Kapas.
WHICH BEACH?
I don't remember it matters. Just chose the resort yous similar the facial expression of because yous tin terminate hence easily walk to whatever of the other beaches.
WHEN TO GO
East coast peninsula Malaysia has a pretty total on monsoon flavor which tends to run from closed to Oct into Februaray. Rose at Qimi Chalet told me her identify is the solely accommodation which stays opened upwardly inwards the moisture season. She said the isle gets plenty of sunshine inwards this rainier menstruum but Dec is usually the worst month. She said Suria Link too the other boat services halt running too hence invitee should contact the resort to organise a boat. UPDATE SEPT 2013 - good Rose has had a alter of heart: Qimi's definitely closing for moisture flavor 2013.
ALCOHOL
I did non banking concern check all resorts but I know yous tin terminate purchase a beer at Kapas Beach Chalet too Kapas Coral Beach Resort. Rose at Qimi Chalet sold me a tin terminate inwards 2011(not inexpensive at rm14) but I remember this was surplus to a provide she brought inwards for a regular guest. UPDATE 2013 - yep, no booze on the Qimi menu.
I'm non certain nearly spirits too other alcohol. I was happy inwards 2011 amongst my 1L bottle of Ballentine's scotch from the duty complimentary at Singapore's budget terminal (2013:overproof 1.2l Bundy rum from Sydney duty free) - corking society when leaning upwardly against a stone on the sand at sunset.
QIMI CHALET
In 2011 chose Qimi partly because I liked the reviews on Trip Advisor, too partly because I constitute an electronic mail adress - qimichalet@yahoo.com - which Rose answered promptly promising me she would reserve a bungalow for me without the demand for telegraphic transfer of deposit or total payment which hence many Malaysian places desire - my banking concern is non interested inwards telegraphic transfers to Malaysia (or at to the lowest degree it makes them rattling difficult).
Qimi's reception too bad weather condition dining expanse is built nether ii large boab type trees - at that topographic point are Bali mode bale sitting platforms, a tree-house sitting platform, hammocks strung betwixt trees etc. This is the thought looking from the veranda of my "Bamboo" chalet.
Zooming inwards slightly towards the beach shows some diners enjoying a sunset snack.
You don't acquire to consume besides much closer to the H2O most places - inwards fact I had an before breakfast than these people too the H2O was lapping the legs of my tabular array - a total Luna manly mortal monarch tide coinciding amongst early on breakfast at the fourth dimension of my visit. The ii large trees offering Sun shelter to the dining tables good into the afternoon.
Qimi's throws on some side at dinner too puts cute placemarks on each tabular array coinciding amongst the call of your bungalow. That's my "Bamboo" placemark amongst my "Bamboo" bungalow inwards background - the smaller i amongst the washing out front.My Bamboo chalet was non constructed of bamboo but of that black stained wood favoured past times Malaysian resorts. It was identical to the Tembescu chalet Rose gave me start nighttime when I showed upwardly i solar daytime before than I booked - except it was 80% the size (makes sense at 80% the cost - rm80 reduced to seventy for unmarried occupancy: H2O is scarce hither summation the solar generated electricity is rattling expensive too unmarried occupancy uses less), inwards meliorate status too nearer the beach.
It was just large plenty for 2 people too gear, clean, comfy double bed amongst expert net, expert lights, towel too john newspaper supplied, expert fan, H2O pull per unit of measurement area pretty poor. Quiet at night. Value-wise inwards comparing to places I saw on other islands, mayhap non fantastic - but I'd pay to a greater extent than to remain on Kapas. Not to cite Rose's cooking is actually expert too the resort is pretty nice.
Prices inwards the eatery were rattling reasonable - i of the most expensive dishes was the claypot seafood noodles at 11rm which was sublime. Service was quick too friendly. The resort's laptop is available gratis for invitee email.
Qimi Chalet has a small-scale number of bungalows but a expert range. I loved these hillside treehouses to the southward of the restaurant. The bigger right-hand i was the most expensive aircon identify unit of measurement identify from what I tin terminate gather. The other iii or four treehouses were fan jobs - I'm aiming for i of the latter when I convey Lady Tezza to run into the island.UPDATE - QIMI'S SEPT 2013: the 2d fourth dimension closed to may last non hence hot.
I usually pick out a dissimilar identify when I revisit an isle inwards gild to give yous dudes to a greater extent than info. But I was impressed amongst QIMI’S start see too thought it was a identify Lady Tezza would enjoy.
Maybe non such a expert alternative re the latter - but an okay thought from the betoken of thought that inititial impressions tin terminate last misleading. Point is – how many other places accept I praised, which for a lot of subsequent visits/visitors accept proved disappointing? I tin terminate remember of one: Ao Toh Koh resort on the eastward coast of Phi Phi which seems to accept gone downhill considerably since my visit.
Moral? - mayhap yous should read CAREFULLY those Trip Advisor too other user reviews. “CAREFULLY” because nosotros all know the downside of taking ALL user reports equally gospel.
Maybe non such a expert alternative re the latter - but an okay thought from the betoken of thought that inititial impressions tin terminate last misleading. Point is – how many other places accept I praised, which for a lot of subsequent visits/visitors accept proved disappointing? I tin terminate remember of one: Ao Toh Koh resort on the eastward coast of Phi Phi which seems to accept gone downhill considerably since my visit.
Moral? - mayhap yous should read CAREFULLY those Trip Advisor too other user reviews. “CAREFULLY” because nosotros all know the downside of taking ALL user reports equally gospel.
Okay, to the nitty gritty. I booked a Treehouse chalet nearly iii months inwards advance. When nosotros arrived closed to one one thousand Rose told us guests inwards our Treehouse were booking out late. Came 1530 too I asked how late? We were shown to a room which wasn’t a Treehouse. When I questioned this it turned out our Treehouse had been given to some walk-in guests recently. When this was sorted out nosotros eventually got into our Treehouse closed to 1630. Spare a thought for the people who were shunted out.
Um, our Treehouse was a flake disappointing:
The positives: the elevated outlook was pretty sweet. The identify was large on quiet. The bed was comfy, the internet expert too at that topographic point was plenty of room for ii people too their gear. The staff were fantastic too caring.
The negatives: the room was non rattling clean, amongst quite a lot of critter-droppings (was this the number of a rushed project to brand it gear upwardly for us?). Pillows nether create clean covers had severe cases of mildew. I thought rm130 would acquire us a flashpacker criterion articulation but this was actually a spacious elevated backpacker criterion place. The H2O failed at i point.
The eatery was disappointing. Like hence many other nearby islands' places this visit, Qimi's seemed to last winding downwards for the closed inwards moisture flavor (note - mid Sept is a long agency brusk of the common closing fourth dimension at the terminate of Oct) pregnant at that topographic point was a severe shortage of materials on the menu. Maybe equally a result, dishes similar noodles amongst seafood seemed brusk on the seafood. My favourtite seafood noodles hotpot was rattling ordinary this fourth dimension equally were several other dishes. On the in conclusion nighttime Lady Tezza had a severe illustration of nutrient poisoning. H5N1 number of scraping the bottom of the larder?
I'm non going to complain nearly critters scuttling closed to inwards the roof too wall cavities: this is the rainforest treetops baby, what practise yous expect? Nor the rattling steep rises on the steps upwardly to the treehouse - although mobility-challenged guests should avoid.
FINAL POINT - Rose gave us a discount from rm130 to rm100. She said this was because of terminate of flavor but I was non convinced that it was non compensation for our booking troubles. Rose had gone to the mainland when Lady Tezza got sick.
The negatives: the room was non rattling clean, amongst quite a lot of critter-droppings (was this the number of a rushed project to brand it gear upwardly for us?). Pillows nether create clean covers had severe cases of mildew. I thought rm130 would acquire us a flashpacker criterion articulation but this was actually a spacious elevated backpacker criterion place. The H2O failed at i point.
The eatery was disappointing. Like hence many other nearby islands' places this visit, Qimi's seemed to last winding downwards for the closed inwards moisture flavor (note - mid Sept is a long agency brusk of the common closing fourth dimension at the terminate of Oct) pregnant at that topographic point was a severe shortage of materials on the menu. Maybe equally a result, dishes similar noodles amongst seafood seemed brusk on the seafood. My favourtite seafood noodles hotpot was rattling ordinary this fourth dimension equally were several other dishes. On the in conclusion nighttime Lady Tezza had a severe illustration of nutrient poisoning. H5N1 number of scraping the bottom of the larder?
I'm non going to complain nearly critters scuttling closed to inwards the roof too wall cavities: this is the rainforest treetops baby, what practise yous expect? Nor the rattling steep rises on the steps upwardly to the treehouse - although mobility-challenged guests should avoid.
FINAL POINT - Rose gave us a discount from rm130 to rm100. She said this was because of terminate of flavor but I was non convinced that it was non compensation for our booking troubles. Rose had gone to the mainland when Lady Tezza got sick.
GETTING THERE
The mainland pier town is MARANG (not Merang) which is solely 7km away from Kapas too 17km from the regional pump of KUALA TERENGGANU. The latter has an aerodrome amongst regular Malaysian Air, Firefly too Air Asia flights from KL - don't know nearly JB or Singapore. The aerodrome is the other side of town hence aerodrome taxis may cost more** than the rm25 taxi cost I paid from KT motorcoach station - I thought this a fair cost too hence didn't bargain. Local buses also run from KT's motorcoach station - facial expression for buses going to Dungun too inquire which others become thru Marang - acquire off at the principal motorcoach halt only past times the principal route traffic lights, walk dorsum to the lights too plough right downwards the hill, right i time again to the pier - 400m from the traffic lights.
If coming from the southward on i of the large limited buses that run route iii from KL, Kuantan, Cherating, Mersing (pier for Tioman Island) or Johor Bahru inquire to last seat off nigh the traffic lights.
**We paid rm50 for a taxi from the pier to the aerodrome inwards Sept 2013
If yous are island-hopping downwards the coast too coming from Pulau Redang's mainland pier of Merang (a few of Redang's resort ferries become to Kuala Terengganu) the cheapest alternative would last to utilization i of the rattling inexpensive motorcoach transfers that link amongst the ferries into KT motorcoach station. I remember a private driver (I didn't uncovering whatever taxis waiting at Merang pier - the resort motorcoach set-up is pretty good organised) direct Merang-Marang would last closed to rm60-80 at 2011 prices.
See my Perhentians page for inexpensive Kuala Besut pier (Perhentians) to Kuala Terengganu transport. I read somewhere a taxi direct Besut-Marang would last closed to rm150.
BTW, the Agro Bank only southward of the traffic lights on the principal route does non alter money too the ATM volition non pay out or regurgitate non-local cards (don't inquire me how I know this). If yous demand cash, plough inland at the lights, walk 400m too on the left is a banking concern whose ATM industrial plant amongst principal unusual cards. The banking concern does non alter money - yous demand to become to Kuala Terennganu.
At the pier is nearly one-half a dozen isle carry companies. Standard cost is rm40 render using speedboats although i outfit has a bigger ferry which runs to the principal pier too Pulau Gemia for rm15 each way. Qimi recommends Suria Link which similar most volition deliver to private beaches - it has boats running out at 0900 - 1100 - 1300 - 1500 too 1700.
UPDATE SEPT 2013 - Qimi similar quite a few resorts at nowadays has its ain boat. But this must accept been busy when nosotros wanted to transfer because a telephone band to the resort directed us to Makcit Gemok's pier role which is the fist yous come upwardly to from the town side. This outfit at nowadays seemed to last running the most small-scale transfers to the isle - updated cost rm50 return.
PULAU GEMIA
The small-scale isle of Pulau Gemia is a brusk distance northward of Kapas. The resort here, Gems Island Resort, is midrange too looks to last i of those places where your room balcony is over the water. Quite a few kayakers were cruising across too checking out Kapas' northern beaches. H5N1 French guy told me the snorkelling is quite expert closed to Gemia too mid-channel.
End of the solar daytime shot at Qimi Chalet for terminate of report.UPDATE DEC 2013 - wonderingstar only sent me an electronic mail maxim his snorkelling page on Kapas is finally complete. This is a fabulous resources - some maps, hundreds of pix, a video too more:
http://whatsthesnorkellinglike.wordpress.com/2012/11/10/malaysia_kapas/
---------------------------------------
If yous see Kapas yous mightiness also last interested inwards the nearby islands of Redang, Lang Tengah and the Perhentians which yous tin terminate access via the INDEX link transcend right of page.
----------------------------------------
NOTE - IF YOU SEE ANY MISTAKES OR HAVE EXTRA INFORMATION PLEASE POST THEM BELOW. IF YOU HAVE H5N1 QUESTION PLEASE ASK information technology ON THE FORUM PAGE ACCESSED VIA THE INDEX WHICH I CHECK MOST DAYS - I DON'T VISIT THESE INDIVIDUAL ISLAND PAGES VERY OFTEN.
IF YOU VISIT THE ISLANDS AND WANT TO UPDATE USA CHECK OUT THE READERS' TRIP REPORT SECTION VIA THE INDEX.
BACK TO INDEX
Sumber http://tezza-thailandbeachesandislands.blogspot.com/