Unfortunately there are no beaches in close proximity of Kuala Lumpur. The closest are the beaches at Port Dickson, Pantai Morib, Pulau Indah & Pulau Ketam; many Malaysian locals drive to this place during weekends to escape the hectic city.
Port Dickson
Port Dickson is the nearest sandy shoreline to the city of KL and therefore draws the lion’s share of local and tourist sun-and-fun traffic. Packed with resorts, lined with tall palms and stroked by warm waves, Port Dickson’s coastline invites visitors to go canoeing, parasailing, yachting, speedboating or, of course, sunbathing.
Morib Beach
Pantai Morib is a holiday beach destination in Banting, about 30km north of Bagan Lalang. Almost the entire seafront has been converted into an esplanade, with only a smaller beach left at the side.
Still, Pantai Morib remains popular with families and couples, as the recreational park here is spacious and equipped with excellent facilities, including gazebos, playgrounds, walkways and a food court, while shaded by lush casuarina trees growing along grassy fields.
The closest hotels in the area are Impian Morib Hotel (next door to the golf course) and Morib Gold Coast, a large resort development along the coast about 7km away
Pulau Indah
Pulau Indah (beautiful island), sits just southwest of KL. Its take less than an hour from the center of town.
Check out the fishermen, then wander to the western side of the island, where a swath of mangrove coastline has been redeveloped with a mile-long promenade, jetties, playgrounds, soccer fields, picnic areas and a Malaysian restaurant.
Pulau Ketam
Pulau Ketam itself is low-lying, muddy and fringed with mangroves forest which is an ideal habitat for the crabs and other marine crustaceans which inhabit these waters.
Most local tourists come here to expose their children to the lifestyle of the villagers here besides getting them to experience the journey by ferry that navigates through the thriving mangrove swamps.
But you do have other options; fortunately there’s the low cost airliner Air Asia. With this carrier you can fly directly to numerous islands within 2 hours. The best islands to visit are probably Langkawi and Penang.
Langkawi Island
Langkawi is an archipelago made up of 99 islands on Malaysia’s west coast. Surrounded by turquoise sea, the interior of the main island is a mixture of picturesque paddy fields and jungle-clad hills.
The island is especially recognised for its excellent diving opportunities and this tropical gem hides a treasure trove of other exciting holiday opportunities. From the expansive Underwater World Langkawi along Pantai Cenang to the soaring Cable Car in Pantai Kok, Langkawi is an electrifying locale that keeps visitors coming back for more.
Penang / Pulau Pinang
Penang – a world renowned exotic holiday destination – was known, once upon a time, as Pulau Pinang or the “Isle of the Betel Nut”. Listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 2008, this virgin paradise has no shortage of cultural sights and natural scenery.
Some of the most interesting sites of Penang include the sandy beaches of Tanjung Bungah, the landscape from the summit of Penang Hill and the vipers in the Snake Temple. The quaint nooks and crannies of Georgetown and the Tropical Spice Garden as well as Penang’s many flea markets, pasar malams’, KOMTAR and many more
Other beautiful islands in Malaysia are only worth the trip if you have more than three days. Islands like Tioman, Rawa, Perhentian and Redang have ferries operating between the mainland (where your plane will arrive) and the island.
Another island that is located quite close to Kuala Lumpur is Pangkor Island. This island is only accessible by land, so there’s no fast and cheap flight to it. A bus will take at least 3,5 hours to reach the coastal town adjacent to the island. From there you will take the 25 minute ferry. Pangkor is very beautiful, and absolutely worth a visit.