Pulau Jerejak: A Colourful Gem 10 Minutes From Penang Island

This little island located on the eastern coast of Penang Island has been gaining limelight as a getaway spot over the past few weeks! Pulau Jerejak is a historic island located a short 10-minute ferry ride from Penang Island. This hidden gem is dotted with beautiful photo spots including a rainbow pier and a romantic swing on the beach; it's also known for its breathtaking sunsets that will paint the sky pink, yellow, and orange!

Pulau Jerejak is a short 10-minute ferry ride from Penang Island. There are about 10 ferry timings throughout the day, and tickets can be purchased from the ticket counter at Penang Island Jetty for only RM20 each.

Explore Pulau Jerejak on a special guided tour! You can opt for either a private or join-in tour on Klook, tour includes round-trip transfers from your hotel in Penang city to Pulau Jerejak Jetty, as well as a professional driver guide and a full-day itinerary.

Pulau Jerejak has had a long, eventful past. Though it has been revamped recently and features new installations today, the little island has decades of turbulent history behind it. Through the years, it has been home to a quarantine station, a detention centre, a base for fishing communities, a prison, and even a refugee camp.

Though most of the historical buildings on the island are no longer in place, some ruins still remain intact, and are even open for visitations. Despite its somewhat turbulent history, Pulau Jerejak is a colourful and laid-back island today, perfect as a day trip destination from Penang. You can even spend a night here at the beautiful Jerejak Island Resort.

The first thing that will welcome you the moment you step off your ferry is a beautifully-painted rainbow pier! The pier is decked with vibrant rainbow-coloured panels; wait aside after stepping off to take a picture here after the crowd has eased. You'll also spot a pretty rainbow wall a few steps from the pier!

This pretty stairway installment is perfect for pictures! You can catch different views depending on the weather and time of the day - clear blue skies on a cloudless, sunny days, or hues of pink and orange during sunset. Make sure you 'study' the best angles to take nice pictures before heading over!

Feel the warm sea breeze upon your skin as you hop on the romantic swing located by the beach. You can also take tons of pretty shots against the collection of colourful little houses painted in every colour you can imagine. There are also giant bird's nest props (just like the ones in Bali!) dotted across the shore.

Pulau Jerejak is not too big nor too small, and the easiest way to get around is on a bike. Rent a bicycle from Jerejak Island Resort for RM15/hour and you're ready for your adventure. Besides concrete, flat pavements, the jungle-clad island also offers some fun trails you can explore on your wheels, in case you're up for challenging riding on different terain. Be sure to pack a bottle of water to stay hydrated, and wear appropriate clothing and footwear if you're planning to bike around!

Embark on a guided jungle trekking experience if you'd like to get up-close and personal with nature. The magical jungle in Pulau Jerejak ages approximately 4,000 years and guarantees a good sweat and fresh air. The jungle is home to over 200 species of flora and fauna, including rare plants and animals like white-bellied sea eagles and monitor lizards. You'll even get the chance to come across historical grounds in the jungle, including the ruins of an old British prison!

Pulau Jerejak is known for its beautiful sunsets. Relax on one of the beach chairs by the sea (or pack a picnic mat) and catch a breathtaking sunset next to the water. The sky will usually turn into a beautiful postcard-worthy canvas of pink, blue, orange, and yellow if the weather is good, offering a beautiful gradient backdrop for you to take amazing photos against.

The Jerejak Island Resort LED Garden is a colourful park that comes to life at night. Head over after the sky turns dark; you'll be able to stroll amongst trees lined with sparkling lights and be surrounded by blooming flowers and manicured bushes.

Get more inspiration for your Penang trip by checking out our itinerary and food guides below! We also recommend adding on popular attractions like Escape Theme Park Park and The Habitat Penang Hill to your itinerary for a fun-filled adventure.