About 58km from Kota Bharu at Dalam Rhu, is Pantai Bisikan Bayu, or the Beach of the Whispering Winds named after the casurinas that grow not far from the waterline. Here you will find clear waters ideal for snorkelling, scuba diving, swimming and fishing.

This is another popular beach just 7km from Kota Bharu at the border with Thailand. It is the site of the International Kite Festival when top kite or wau flyers meet in competition. Many of the participants make their own kites of various shapes and sizes, the most common being the wau bulan or moon kite. The giant kites require special handling and the whole process of flying them is a skill that requires experience.

Pantai Irama or Beach of Melody is situated about 25km south of Kota Bharu in the district of Bachok. Considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Peninsular Malaysia it is popular with campers and picnickers, Pantai Irama has stretches of clean, white sand, swaying palms and casuarinas.

The fishing villages of Kuala Besar and Sabak Beach about 15km from Kota Bharu are the soul of Malaysia's East Coast. At 2.30pm each day the colourful fishing perahus (boats) return with the day’s catch and the beach comes alive to greet the fishermen. There is plenty of activity as wholesalers and fishermen begin the bargaining process while others get busy mending nets and curing fish. There are facilities for camping and scuba-diving.

Rantau Abang located 60km south of Kuala Terengganu is one of six places in the world where the leatherback turtles come ashore to lay their eggs from May to September. These giant turtles, up to 2.5m in length and weighing some 375kg are quite captivating. There are some regulations to follow while turtle watching as not to disturb the turtles. The best time to observe this is on full-moon days and when the tide is highest..

Approximately 140km north of Kuala Terengganu and a few kilometres from Besut is Bukit Keluang. It is a place for swimming, snorkelling and wind surfing. It has a long stretch of white, sandy beach and offers one of the most breathtaking views of the South China Sea. There are several cliff-side caves which can be reached by walkways and make interesting exploration.

The beaches here are noted for gently sloping sands and shallow sparkling waters. A great place for swimmers and sunbathers.

Kuantan's most famous beach is located about 4km out of town. Marked by a rocky headland on each end, the beach is fronted by a promenade where there is the Balai Karyaneka with a number of shops, souvenir stalls, restaurants and food stalls. The beach area is a popular meeting place for evening relaxation.

About 10km north of Kuantan is the fishing village of Beserah which is noted for some of the best salted fish in the region. An unusual sight is the way Beserah fishermen utilise water buffaloes on the beach to transport baskets of fish from the boats to the processing centres. These water buffaloes are also used in the padi fields. Beserah has several batik factories and cottage industries which produce handicraft from sea shells and pandanus leaves. There are a couple of good hotels in Beserah.

About 47km north of Kuantan is Asia’s first Club Mediteranee located on Cherating beach. Cherating is a popular and lively tourist spot with plenty of activity going on throughout the year. Highlights of these include cultural performances and all types of water sports. The sea has generally good surf for board sailing. Villagers here are skilled in weaving leaves into hats and baskets. Besides the Club Med, Cherating has hotels with excellent beach frontage.

Chendor Beach, 10km away from Cherating, is famous for turtles coming to lay eggs between the months of July to September. Occasionally there are Leatherback Turtle sightings. The beach also offers some fine bathing spots in a peaceful and secluded setting.

Lanjut Beach is Pahang’s sea, sand and sun playground at its southern border near the town of Kuala Rompin. There are two major hotels here, one of which has a golf course. Lanjut is noted for fresh-water and salt-water fishing and there are several areas off its waters that are popular with divers.