History and fact
PNP is currently the smallest national park in the world, spanning 2,562 ha (1,181 ha on land and 1,381 ha in the marine zone) awaits scientists, researchers and nature lovers to explore its myriad of natural treasures. The park which is located in the north western corner of Penang Island is the only rainforest in Malaysia which is relatively leech free !  except at few remoter areas of the park. Previously known as Pantai Acheh Forest Reserve, it was gazetted as a National Park in April 2003. The park is unique as it contains several different types of habitat including a meromictic lake; forests of hill/lowland dipterocarp, peatswamp, mangrove; sea with coral reefs and turtle nesting beaches.

Meromictic Lake
A unique natural lake which is 1 sq. km in size, resulting from seasonal phenomenon of wind, tidal action and sedimentation from wave action, at certain time of the year the river mouth (a 2 metre wide opening) will be blocked by sandbank resulting in fresh river water getting trapped within and seawater seeps through the sandbank and fill the inland area slowly.  The two layers of fresh and seawater never mix, the cool fresh water stays at the top and the warm seawater stays at the bottom, hence the name meromictic. When the combination of rain, wind, tidal and wave condition is right, it breaks the sand embankment, water will flow out rapidly through the river mouth into the sea and in no time the same area becomes a field of mudflats, with hardy, terrestrial grass.  To survive, animals and plants living in and around the lake must adapt to its changing conditions, several species of crabs, fish and prawns breed well in these waters.  Lichens flourish on branches of shrubby trees.

Flora and fauna
The park is a haven for a wealth of 417 flora and 143 fauna species. 77 species of medicinal plants, 53 species of macro fungi have been found here. Flora ranges from rocky bonsai to timber, palms, medicinal/herbal plants, fungi and lichens.  Disturbed secondary forest and hardy plants such as screw pines dominate the coast. The red paper-like barked gelam trees are abundant; undergrowth and ferns spread between the trees. Other noticeable trees planted include casuarina trees, sea almond, cashew nuts and the swaying coconut palms. Wild orchids can be sighted on steep rocky slopes.  There are also pitcher plants (nepenthes spp), which managed to survive the coastal habitat. Trees such as Chengal, Meranti Seraya, Jelutong, Gaharu, Tongkat Ali and Bintangor are found inside the forest beyond the coast. The dusky leaf and the long tailed macaque monkeys, birds noticeably the White-bellied Sea Eagles which nest here, Brahminy Kites, sparrows, magpies and kingfishers, crabs, fishes and large prawns are common here. Animals such as wild boars, wild cats, civet cats, turtles, otters, dolphins, mousedeers, rats, bats, squirrels, monitor lizards, spiny hill tortoises, and snakes (reticulated pythons, king cobra) are sighted here.

Attraction and activities
Proper camping ground and amenities provided by the authorities make camping a luxury. The natural environment provides a great place for outdoor activities and nature camps.  It is ideal for jungle trekking, angling, bird watching, swimming, photography, boating, researches, training, education and wildlife observation.

Getting around the national park
There is no road system into the national park, to get in one either treks on the jungle trails  or take a boat from Teluk Bahang fishing village (1st gateway) or Kampung Kuala Sungei Pinang  (2nd gateway) to the beaches.

Pasir Pandak
This is a shady camping ground, and with civilization just around the corner, it makes a suitable venue for family outings. At the Teluk Bahang roundabout, continue straight towards the fishing jetty. This beach is easily accessible within walking distance from the jetty.  The national park headquarter is situated here. It should be noted that Teluk Bahang is the area where the Bahang Bay is located. It is usually confused with the Teluk Bahang township. The quaint fishing jetty engulfing the backdrop is a rare sight which is built of mangrove timber and palm trunks.

Teluk Tukun
Use trail A, and it is about 20 minutes from Pasir Pandak. The trail is a clear and easy walk along the coast to reach Teluk Tukun beach. Camping grounds are built along Tukun River which flows into Teluk Tukun. A small island opposite is Pulau Tukun Tengah. There are several small swimming pools for campers.

Tanjung Aling
Follow the coastal trail via Sungai Tukun with trail B; it will take about 30 minutes to reach Tanjung Aling from Pasir Pandak. Tanjung Aling houses the USM research centre and the forest and coastal areas are being used for research on bio-technology. There is a jetty to bring in supplies from town. The beach is easily accessible and it is a suitable camping site for campers. It is also a resting place for visitors enroute to Muka Head (Teluk Duyung).

Teluk Duyung (Monkey Beach)
You can walk or take a boat (only during high tide) to Teluk Duyung. You can reach Teluk Duyung about one and half hours from Tanjung Aling by using trail C. Teluk Duyung is a beautiful bay protected by the Muka Head's cape.  It is an ideal place for outdoor activities and water sports.

Muka Head
On Muka Head's peak stands a majestic lighthouse built in 1883. A burial ground of at least 80 years resembles that of Indonesian Acheh and is an interesting historical artifact. The lighthouse peak offers a 360̊ panoramic view of the surroundings.

Teluk Ketapang
A small isolated beach.  “Teluk Ketapang” is derived from the numerous sea almond trees known locally as Pokok Ketapang. It can be easily accessed by boat from Teluk Bahang jetty; the trail to Teluk Ketapang is not well defined and overgrown.

Pantai Kerachut
The meromictic lake is the greatest attraction here. It is a popular picnic, angling, camping site. The sandy stretch of Kerachut and Kampi is the nesting place of the Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas) and Olive-Ridley Turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea), occasionally the Leatherback Turtles.  A turtle sanctuary was established here by the Fishery Department for turtle conservation and research. From Pasir Pandak follow trail D, you should be able to reach Pantai Kerachut in one hour and a half.

Teluk Kampi
Teluk Kampi has the longest beach in the park. There are many artifacts and past history. The tell-tale signs of trenches found along the northern coast indicates a defense post for the Japanese Army during World War II. Teluk Kampi is another isolated beach that guarantees a quiet and relaxing trip.  Its unobstructed view of the horizon stages a panoramic sunset. The most common trail is the one from Pantai Kerachut over Tanjung Kerachut and down to Teluk Kampi which takes about 1 hour.

Pantai Mas
Pantai Mas was a golden beach. Formally a coconut plantation, it is now an overgrown wasteland. Being very close to civilization, mud and mangroves create a wilderness few people would like to go to. The difficulty in accessing Pantai Mas by sea could be the reason why dwellers abandoned their homes here. Accessing Pantai Mas with fishing boats is only available during high tides. Alternative access is through the trail either from United Hokkien Cemetery at Teluk Bahang (distance : 5 km time : 3 hours) or Kampung Pantai Acheh in the south (distance : 1.5 km time : 1 hour).

Getting to Penang National Park
Penang National Park is less than 45 minutes by road from the state capital Georgetown.  The journey passes through urban and rural settings along the northern coastal road of Tanjung Tokong, Tanjung Bungah, Batu Feringghi and Teluk Bahang town.

Accommodation and Facilities
There are many choices of beach hotels around Batu Ferringhi such as Bayview Beach Hotel, Casuarina Beach Hotel, Grand Plaza Park Royal Hotel, Holiday Inn, Lone Pine Hotel, Golden Sands Hotel and the 6-star Mutiara Hotel in Teluk Bahang (currently closed for renovation).  The other more economical option is the modest hostels which are within walking distance from the park headquarter, operated by Teluk Bahang fishermen association, prices range from RM60 to RM120, all rooms are with air-conditioning.  Contact Persatuan Nelayan Kawasan Teluk Bahang at Tel : 604 885 2728 or Hot Bay Motel at Teluk Bahang town, prices range from RM75 (2 single beds with fan) to RM210 (7 single beds with air-conditioning).  Contact Noor Rizan Mohd Yusoff at Tel: 016 455 9062.

Food and Eating Out
As everywhere else in Penang, there is a wide range of Chinese, Malay and Indian hawker food as well as a number of Indian and Chinese restaurants located around Teluk Bahang town.  Indian restaurants i.e. Restoran Khaleel and Restoran Ibrahim serve nasi kandar, roti canai etc. and Chinese are mainly seafood restaurants, i.e. Tai Tong & End of the World.
 

Things to bring
Attire
To wear comfortable walking shoes/sandals; preferably light cotton T-shirt & shorts/longs (do not wear jeans as they are too warm for the climate and get very heavy when wet)

Personal items:
          ● hat/cap
          ● at least 1.5  litre of drinking water & food for lunch
          ● sunglasses
          ● sun block
          ● insect repellent
          ● binoculars (for bird watching)
          ● ultra light fishing tackle (for anglers)
          ● swimwear
          ● a day pack with small bath towel and spare change of clothing
          ● camera (optional)
          ● a pair of slippers (optional)