The end-of-year sun was warming Malaysia’s east coast when I felt the pull for a different kind of ocean escape. Normally, my seaside trips revolve around diving and exploring what lies beneath the surface. This time, I wanted a new perspective — to experience the ocean from above, at a gentler pace. Cherating, a quiet beach town along the east coast, felt like the right place to begin.
From Kuala Lumpur, the drive east takes about 3.5 to 4 hours, depending on traffic. To skip the long road journey, I flew with Malaysia Airlines to Kuantan — just 45 minutes — then took a Grab from the airport straight to Cherating. For those travelling on a tighter budget, buses to Kemaman and nearby towns are also available. How you arrive sets the tone for the trip.
From the moment I arrived, Cherating felt calm and unassuming. Cherating Beach isn’t polished, and that’s exactly what makes it special. The sand is coarse underfoot, driftwood logs dot the shore, and surfboards lean casually against trees. The waves rolled in softly, and the beach moved at its own pace. There are no beach clubs or sunbeds here — just an open shoreline where locals walk barefoot, wetsuits hang casually over fences, and time feels less structured.
People try, fall, and get back up again in the water. Others sit quietly on driftwood, watching with easy smiles. Dogs nap in the sun, kids build sandcastles near the tide, and the sound of the waves fills the space in between. Even without doing much at all, it’s easy to feel settled here.
And while it’s easy to simply watch the ocean from the shore, spending enough time here makes it hard not to wonder what it feels like to step into the waves yourself.
As I settled into Cherating’s pace, I started discovering quieter moments away from the water too — small creative spaces that reflected the same easygoing energy.
For accommodation, Cherating offers everything from international resort chains to simple backpacker chalets. During my stay, I chose Royale Chulan Cherating Chalet, largely for its location. The property has a small back gate that opens directly onto the beach, with the surf hut where I took my lessons just across from it — visible even from my room window. The convenience made early mornings and spontaneous surf sessions incredibly easy. No matter your travel style or budget, there’s something here that fits.
If you stay a little longer, Cherating has more to explore. Evening boat rides offer a chance to see fireflies lighting up the riverbanks, and the nearby turtle sanctuary gives visitors the opportunity to learn about conservation efforts and witness baby turtles making their first journey to the sea.
I ended up extending my stay, drawn in by Cherating’s slow rhythm, gentle waves, and quietly welcoming atmosphere. Each morning, with the sunrise and the ocean as company, leaving felt less urgent than expected.
If Cherating ever calls you to experience it, it’s worth listening.