MY · Kelantan · 6.00°N 102.37°E

bachok

Long, empty east coast beaches and kampung life away from the city crowd.

Best time
March to October, when the sea is calmer. During the north-east monsoon, roughly November to February, the waves are big and swimming is dangerous.
How long
Half a day to 1 day
Getting there
Fly from KL to Kota Bharu (about an hour), then drive about 30–40 minutes. By car from KL it's about 7 hours.
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MY · Kelantanbachok6.00°N 102.37°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Long, empty east coast beaches and kampung life away from the city crowd.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingBachokMY, Kelantan
KLbachok
≈ 327 km from KL, as the crow flies
bagunan umk bachok

Photo: Wakpiz · CC BY-SA 4.0

Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

A coastal district about 25 km east of Kota Bharu, with long, quiet beaches, fishing villages and kampung life. It's where Kota Bharu families go for the sea breeze, and on a weekday you may have the sand to yourself.

Makan

  1. Ikan bakarGrilled fish and seafood at the beachside stalls.Map ↗
  2. KeropokFish crackers from the coastal villages. Buy a bag for the drive home.Map ↗
  3. Nasi kerabuBlue herb rice, the Kelantan breakfast you'll find at most kampung stalls.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Pantai IramaBachok's best-known beach, lined with casuarina trees and popular for picnics and sunrise.Map ↗
  2. The coast roadDrive past fishing villages and empty beaches, stopping wherever looks good.Map ↗
  3. Fishing villagesWatch boats come in and the catch being sorted on the beach.Map ↗
  4. Kota BharuPair it with Pasar Siti Khadijah and the city's museums, about half an hour away.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Kelantan is conservative, and Bachok brands itself an Islamic tourism town. Dress modestly in town and swim in modest clothing.
  • Kelantan's weekend is Friday and Saturday.
  • Currents can be strong. Check before you swim, and stay out of the water during the monsoon.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.