Cherating is a small resort town on Peninsula Malaysia's east coast. Limestone hills with lush vegetation on one side and the open sea on the other, Cherating is far from the hustle and bustle of city life. It's a great place for a weekend getaway as it has something for everybody.

Whether you just want to relax by the beach and enjoy the sea breeze, or explore the natural sights of the mangrove river, Cherating has the right activity for you. It's connected to a few major roads and being only a 3 hours drive from Kuala Lumpur, it's a very accessible destination indeed.

Check out these activities available in Cherating so you can plan your next getaway!

1. Visit The Turtle Sanctuary

The Cherating Turtle Sanctuary is a must-visit for all wildlife lovers. Here, you can watch nesting turtles lay their eggs with the supervision of the sanctuary's rangers. Established in 1972 to protect the Leatherback Turtle and other turtle species, it was then opened to the public in 1998. The sanctuary is located right on Cherating Beach and is surrounded by nearby hotels.

If you want even more hands-on time with the turtles, you can even release baby turtles into the sea, for a fee. It's only available from June to October, so time your travel if you're really interested. If you're looking for a wholesome activity in Cherating for the whole family, this is a good place to start.

2. Learn How To Sail

If you're looking for more adventure, you can hop on a sailing dinghy and race on the water. Offered by Club Med Cherating, this is something not to be missed. For beginners, there are sailing classes for you to learn how to manoeuver the boat with the wind, and control its speed. A typical lesson takes you a few days to master, but once you're adept, you have free access to sail every day during your stay.

3. Mangrove River Cruise

The mangrove river cruise is a great way to relax while you watch the unique flora and fauna on the Cherating River. This 90-minute ride takes you through the mangrove river which spans for around 7 km. There are two rides daily, at 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. so you rarely have to endure the hot sun on your back. You'll get to learn about the local ecosystem and spot wildlife from snakes to monkeys.

4. Firefly Cruise

The firefly cruise takes you on a magical journey through the mangroves where you'll see hundreds of fireflies glow in the trees and fly by your boat. On this one hour cruise, your guide will teach you all about fireflies. This is one of the must-do activities in Cherating if you like to be enchanted by nature - and of course, it's family friendly.

5. Visit The Natural Batik Village

If you fancy a cultural and artistic experience, visit The Natural Batik Village. It's only a 30-minute drive south of Cherating Beach. Here you can learn all about the traditional fabric dyeing art of batik, learn to paint some yourself, and even purchase batik products. The Natural Batik Village is actually a batik factory so expect to see a lot of gorgeous batiks for sale.

6. Fun On The Beach

Cherating beach may be idyllic but there are lots of fun activities to do on the beach. You can go ATV riding, jet-skiing, jungle trekking, and even pick up archery. Besides riding an ATV on the beach, you can choose to go on an adventure through the mangrove forest in groups of four people and above.

As you can see, Cherating Beach has something to offer to every traveller. If you're not off cruising through the mangrove river or releasing baby turtles into the sea, you can always just sit on the beach and enjoy the breeze and lapping waves.

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