Wild Pasir Panjang

Wild Pasir Panjang is one of the last of a dying breed, truly a gem. I stayed several days last November and have nothing but praise for it. After living in SEA for most of the last 35 years, I’ve seen places like this disappear. If you value isolation and simplicity as real luxuries, you’ll love it. If you want 5 star amenities, go elsewhere. The private beach is nearly 1 km long, and at dawn I could have coffee alone with only the dogs and a duck for company. The beach was clean and the water calm. I swam alone or with just my friend. We bought fish directly from fishermen we hailed over to the beach. Some small plastic waste, maybe a water bottle or two, can wash ashore, but it was far cleaner than beaches in Thailand or Bali. We picked up rubbish when we saw it. Other reviewers who mentioned a dirty beach and septic leakage were dead wrong. A small stream comes from the virgin forest behind Wild Pasir Panjang, and fresh water flows to the sea. That government-owned and -protected forest adds to the tranquility. There’s room to relax with other visitors if you want, or plenty of space to be on your own. Small boat access was easy to arrange, and the lack of a regular boat schedule helps make the place unique. I didn’t see or hear a party boat offshore. Staff arranged for us to spend several hours on a "party boat", which turned out to be a wonderful, chill time with a few couples and a family, swimming, eating great food and meeting new friends. Food and drink prices at Wild Pasir Panjang were reasonable and much cheaper than resorts elsewhere in the area. The room was very simple, and I mean that as a compliment. The bed was comfortable, there was plenty of hot water, and the front terrace looked straight out onto the beach and swaying palms. Where else can you step out at dawn and have a whole private beach greet you? The owners care about protecting the environment and keeping the atmosphere relaxed. Staff are Malay and Thai, and really friendly. A simple good morning in either language brought a bright smile to start the day.

There’s tranquility here, not luxury. I spent some time alone reading a book and also chatted with other travelers now and then. Loved it!

The beach was all ours since we were the only guests, and we enjoyed the stay enough that we’d come back. But management needs to deal with some issues. The facilities are basic, which we didn’t mind. Ms Koi is a lovely keeper and a great cook. Her food is great, though pricier than other places. Drinks, including beer, cost RM 10, but it’s better to buy them at the Duty Free shop in Kuah before coming to the island, where they’re less than RM 3. Kayaks were good and available to rent for RM10 per person. There’s also another nice restaurant, a 10min walk through the jungle or 8min by kayak. The trail is narrow and a little steep, which was fine for us but might be hard for older people or children. Koi cares for the cats and dogs. They were all lovely, though one dog needs space and may bark. It wasn’t an issue for us, as none were aggressive and we love animals. We paid £250 for 4 nights in a basic bungalow, and it should cost less. Better upkeep, breakfast and drinking water in the room would make the price more reasonable. Some party boats do come even in quiet season, and karaoke was the most annoying part, but it wasn’t a huge problem. I don’t think it lasts the whole 2hrs, and you can take a kayak away from the beach for that time. There are some things that need attention. Our bungalow had two single beds with nice mattresses and one double bed that we used, but it had the worst mattress I’ve ever seen. It sank under any weight to the bed frame and didn’t come back up, so you sleep in a hole. It should be changed ASAP. The bedroom needs a door curtain. The privacy film only works in the daytime, so at night anyone can see through the large double glass door. It didn’t feel too bad with no other guests, but I wouldn’t feel comfortable if the place were full. The beach needs cleaning 2-3 times a day with a rake and sieve, not just picking up the biggest bits. We picked up some plastic while walking up and down the besch because we couldn’t look at it. Some mornings it was clean, but on others the wind brought a lot of rubbish. General property maintenance is needed too, with lots of unfinished construction bits around. You can take a shared boat from Kuah directly to the property every 2hrs for RM10 per person, but the return trip to Kuah needs a charter boat, RM 90 per boat.

This is a private beach in the middle of nature, with an absolute paradise location and wonderful views. Don’t come expecting luxury rooms or the cleanest white beach, though. Mrs Koi is amazing, a true angel who cooks the best food. I almost cried when I left.