MY · Pahang · 2.82°N 103.48°E

kuala rompin

Malaysia's sailfish capital, for catch-and-release trips in the South China Sea.

Best time
Sailfish season runs roughly from March to October. The northeast monsoon, from about November to February, makes the sea too rough for most trips.
How long
2 days, 1 night
Getting there
About 3.5 hours' drive from KL, or around 2 hours south of Kuantan. From Johor Bahru it's roughly 3.5–4 hours up the coast through Mersing.
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MY · Pahangkuala rompin2.82°N 103.48°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Malaysia's sailfish capital, for catch-and-release trips in the South China Sea.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingKuala RompinMY, Pahang
KLkuala rompin
≈ 202 km from KL, as the crow flies
Locomotive

Photo: Azhar Mohd Yusoff · CC BY-SA 3.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

A small town on Pahang's south-east coast, between Kuantan and Mersing. Its claim to fame is the sailfish that gather offshore, which draw anglers from around the world for catch-and-release fishing.

Makan

  1. SeafoodFresh fish, prawns and squid at the town's seafood restaurants.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Sailfish tripsCharter boats head out for the day to find sailfish, which are released after the catch.Map ↗
  2. Pantai LanjutA long, quiet beach north of town.Map ↗
  3. TiomanFerries to the island leave from Tanjung Gemok, near Endau, south of town.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Book a sailfish charter well ahead in peak season, and go with operators who know how to release fish properly.
  • Boats don't go out when the sea is rough, so leave some slack in your plans.

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