Kuantan to Cherating by car: route and beach stops

How far is Cherating from Kuantan?

Cherating lies roughly 45 to 50 km north of Kuantan town. In normal traffic the drive takes about 45 minutes. From Kuantan Airport, allow about an hour, since the airport sits on the west side of town.

Weekend and school holiday traffic can add time around Beserah and Balok, so leave early if you want a quiet morning on the beach.

The route: the coast road north

Most people take Federal Route 3, the coast road that runs north from Kuantan towards Terengganu. It passes through the fishing village of Beserah and the beach town of Balok before reaching Cherating. The road is sealed and well used, with fuel stations, food stalls and places to pull over along the way.

Follow the signs for Kuantan Port and then Cherating. Use a navigation app on your phone, and keep to 90 km/h on this road. Watch for motorcycles and slow trucks near the villages.

Stops on the way

Beserah, about 15 minutes from town, is known for its dried fish and keropok, the crunchy fish crackers sold at roadside stalls. The black rocks of Batu Hitam beach are a short detour and make a calm place to stretch your legs.

Balok, a little further north, has a long, open beach and a row of food stalls that are busy at weekends. It is a good place for breakfast on the way up or a late lunch on the way back.

• Beserah: dried fish and keropok stalls
• Batu Hitam: black rocks and a quiet beach
• Balok: long beach and weekend food stalls

What to do in Cherating

Cherating is a small, relaxed beach village. Walk the wide sandy bay at low tide, try a surf lesson when the waves arrive in the monsoon months, or simply sit under the casuarina trees with a coconut.

The turtle sanctuary near the village explains the work to protect the turtles that nest on this coast. In the evening, river trips on the Cherating River take visitors to see fireflies in the mangroves. Book a trip with a local operator in the village.

Where to park

Most guesthouses, resorts and cafes in Cherating have their own parking. Along the beach road, park on firm ground only. Soft sand can trap a car, and damage to the underside is not covered by rental insurance, so keep off the beach itself.

Day trip or overnight?

Cherating works well as a day trip from Kuantan, but staying a night lets you see the sunrise over the bay and join an evening firefly trip without driving back in the dark. If you book a resort, ask us about delivering the car to you there. The fee depends on the distance, and we tell you before you confirm.

Best time to go

From about March to October the sea is calmer and good for swimming. From about November to February, the north-east monsoon brings rain and big waves. That is when surfers arrive, but swimming can be unsafe, so check local conditions.