Batu Ferringi Beach is without a single doubt uttered by foreigners as a place they must step on when they landed in Penang.

Second to Georgetown, the heart of Penang heritage city, Ferringhi is the most developed part of my island Penang.

The Batu Ferringhi beach is slowly losing its character though the fusion of new Penang. No longer do you see coconut trees swaying but in its place are three, four and five star hotels, luxury apartments and condominiums.

There is no signs of any fishing village since the tsunami hit the island. The unique attap house are all gone. Now most fisherman learned to lived in blocks of apartments.

It stands with bazaar of resorts, restaurants, shopping malls and a buzzing place that has surely lost some of its natural energy because of the man-made progresses. Along the roads, guest house or travel Inn awaits the tired or budget conscious travelers. The popular hotels resides here with at least 60 to 80% occupancy is found here.

Hotels like Hydro Majestic Hotel, Sri Sayang Apartments,Rasa Sayang Resort and Spa,Golden Sands Resort,Lone Pine Hotel, Holiday Inn Resort, Grand Plaza Parkroyal Hotel, D Feringghi Restaurant Hotel and Bayview Beach Resort Hotel are very popular amongst foreigners and locals.

The busiest stretch of Batu Ferringhi beach is not unknown to us. On the beach front, beach cafes, sea sports for hire crowds the once quiet sandy beaches. Having said that, this Batu Ferringi Beach is not the only popular beach.

We observed Suhaime, a sea sport guide, an ex employee with Mutiara Hotel guiding the tourist to enjoy the sea sports. He makes me feel that these tourist are really having fun. Yes he said, he is serious, they are having fun and if we take instruction, there will not be any accidents. Conquer your fear and relax, just have fun, he advises the girls. I might be tempted to do it. Well, if you are keen, booked Encik Suhaime for the sea sports here.

For now, we enjoy the beaches. The "older folks" like Chandra and me remembers our school holidays. Which beach is crowded like bees searching for honey, or where is more private for young lovers, campers and picnickers. Today despite the heavy construction going on, Batu Ferringi Beach is still a great choice to escape in our daily lifestyle.

Pony riding at Batu Ferringi Beach

Jet ski at Batu Ferringi Beach

Suhaime, the beach sport guide

It is still a mystic what draws the tourist to this part of Batu Ferringi Penang? If you say it is the cleanest or clearest beach, you get no marks for this. But it can be argued that because of the convince of the tourists, the place has become a favorite.

Many of us though pass Batu Ferringi to go to our favorite spot. The quiet golden sand beaches or private deep blue green coves like lovers needing hidden privacy.

Old photo of Lover's Isle

Beach Cafe near Lover's Isle in Batu Ferringi Beach

Apart from the regular dining, shopping and nosing around, there are specialized services available around the place that goes with the energy of spending time at a beach water sports is one such service which most people love on holidays. It has become the favored place for retiring in Penang for the British and working expatriates alike.

There are still many historical spots not forgotten for site seeing in Penang. Lovers would endeavor to see the foreigner's rock or Lover's Isle which have been standing in its place in the Batu Ferringi Beach ever since the Dutch landed. Most of us will never forget the haunted house "Adorable" as you drive along the windy coastal roads of Batu Ferringhi.

Penang Sunshine Bay in Batu Ferringi Beach

Sunshine Bay is the start of rocky part along the coastal beaches in Batu Ferringhi. The road around this bend is higher then the beach level.

You need to do a little walking down the beach through rocks and tricky path. A spot not many knows about so it is pretty quiet. You might want to know where to look for right?

The beautiful resident of the Japanese Consulate is an easy spot to remember at the beginning of Batu Ferringi after passing Tanjung Bungah.

Many of us might not know this. This used to be the resident of one English architect Richard Winthrop, who had an architect firm in 39 Beach Street way back in the 50s' He later sold it. I wrote this after Alan, the son wants to find his father house.

See beautiful photos Alan sent me of old Batu Ferringhi. Apartment for rentals Mar Vista is just next road for some needing a place here.

The beach here is full of rocks and sandy. The path leading down to Sunshine Bay is quite steep so be careful when coming down. Fairly a quiet place and a lover's hideout in this part of Batu Ferringhi Beach. There are just a handful of houses, one belong to the late millionaire Datuk Loh Boon Siew.

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