Kitesurfing or kiteboarding landed in Malaysia when it reaches its global popularity in the early 2000, and since then gave birth to many avid kitesurfers around Malaysia map. There are several places in Malaysia where kitesurfing is possible and Balok Beach in Kuantan, Pahang is ultimately the best of the best. Other places include Cherating, Tg Balau & Kota Kinabalu.
Now if you’re coming to Malaysia or specifically Balok Beach for kitesurfing here are all the little details that you need to know about.
Location : The map can be found here
Public transportation : Main form of public transportations are buses and cabs. From Kuala Lumpur, just take the bus from Pudu Raya or Titiwangsa (both can be reached on LRT) to Kuantan, then take the cab to Pantai Balok (Balok Beach). Same method for anywhere else around Malaysia (bus+cab), just make sure that you buy the bus ticket for Kuantan.
Total driving hours from KL-Kuantan is about 3 hours plus 20 minutes from Kuantan city to Balok beach.
Airplane : Take flight to Kuantan airport, then take the cab to Balok
++ tips : There are local buses which operates between the city and Balok should you want to save a few dollars from the cab. If you need more info on this, just ask around.
Windrange/direction : Nov-March 15-25 knots NE, June – September 12-18 SW
Water condition : Flat water & shore breaks , swells up to 3m.
Launching/Landing : Very wide beach even during high tide
Accommodation : De Rhu Beach Resort 3* , Duta Sands 2* , Duta Village 2* , Swiss Garden Hotel 5*
++ There is also a well looked after camping site nearby provided by the local authority. Facilities include tent rentals, toilets with showers enough for over 50 people at any given time, mini grocery shops, fluorescent lighting system, bbq parlors etc. The site itself is a stretch of over 500msq of land covered with beautiful grassy landscape and located right next to our usual place.
Kite buddies : Most of the kitesurfers would frequent the beach every weekend, s0-called the weekend warriors and a great number of them are based in Kuala Lumpur. There are also local kitesurfers who can help you to launch the kite and to share the drinks with should you choose to stay during weekdays. Of course, you are more than invited to jump in. Just inform us either through the contact form or in the forum.
Rentals/Lessons : At your own riskkiteboardingmalaysia.com
Safety tips :
- - Practice good safety habits. Be prepared to use safety helmets, life jackets, safety knives and whistles as the condition can be monstrous very quickly at times.
- - Choose a place that is not too near to other beach goers. Most of them are not aware of the danger, so it will be your responsibility for any mishap.
- - Please do not attempt to go out alone, bring your kite buddy with you or someone who knows where to get help.
- - There is a beach guard tower operating close to the spot. As long you don’t stray away too far from them then you are more likely to be noticed should anything happened.
- - Learn about the landscape and wind condition before launching. Some launching areas have whirly winds and they may be dangerous to beginners.
Conclusion: Balok beach is rated amongst the top ten of the world’s best kitesurfing playground. How true is that statement? It is for you to find out!
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hi there! thanks for the info. it gives me idea on how to spice up my weekend haha. any tips on buying the best kite? try to flew a kite before at pantai balok but mine was a bad experience – the wind was to strong thus leaving our kites in bad conditions.
Hi Gee. Thanks for your comment. About kite choice, some people find it personal to their taste, colour, function, price etc – but the most common and popular choice is Cabrinha .
You can find a lot of kitesurfing buddies to help you with kitesurfing here in Balok, and they always welcome new members. So if you’re coming just give us a shout.
Hows the wind conditions like this week?
err.. EPIC?
I just came back from Pantai Sepat with battered hands, feet and all. It was easily 25 knots in the gust out there.. yikes!! But for the past few days it was around 10-15knots.
Malaysia is my home from home! love going there on my kitesurfing holidays when i atually get time off work!
Hi thanks for the comment. Let us know when you’re coming over next time around.
hi guys, any of u go balok in coming 30′31 aug and 19-21 sept?
There should always be guys at the Duta Village resort during every weekend. Do check them out
Hi guys , it was nice to hear that in malaysia ppl doing kiteboarding . i m one of tham …….but i not in malaysia for now , but i love try in mlalaysia . in oct is gd time for kiteing ? Bcos i coming for holiday on that month !
does anybody know where i can get kitesurfing gear around k.l.?? thx
Hi. Would like to come and learn kitesurfiung. Currently here in Singapore, but would like to travel for the next 10 days somewhere where I could learn Kitesurfring…
Would start tomorrow 02.09. from Singapore travelling to pantai balok (I reckon I need one day by bus…). But would need equipment and some introductions lessons on my way … Any ideas about that ? Kind regards and thanks for your help, Mike (can also drop me a line at mikesouth@email.com)
Hi there! very helpful info! we just arrived to KL for a pretty long period of time… and would like to continue our kitesurfing experience in Malaysia.. we just need to buy a new board as myold one was stolen
PLEASE advise any shop in KL to buy it before we come to Balok!!
try look into kiteboardingmalaysia.com
malaysia very lack of kiteboarding accessories and gear, i even can’t find bladder patch, so sad. does anybody know where to get it or other alternative????? help…….. oversea bladder are cheap but they charge posting fee so high that its more than the patch. the nearest online store i found is in australia, they charge aud12 for a patch that cost $4.5, crazy………………………….help help help help help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I hear you. Try Wind-X distributor, the owner is based in KL. Beg, plead, or steal! Or you can find Leo at Duta Village, last time he patched my friend’s kite for RM50/hole haha. Your last resort is kiteboarding singapore kite.com.sg or another Singapore based company welovewindsurfing.com (yes they do carry kite gear regardless of the name).
Btw I’ll be in Kuantan probably next week, can’t wait to sample the earliest NE wind for this year!
whoops missed this one out
http://singaporekiteboarding.com/
There you go. Try them all and come back with some news alrite.
thanks alot, are u going to balok on raya?? i’ll be going also most prob.
Hi Nick. Yep will be there soon after Raya. Looking forward to meet you.
thanks for the info given earlier, i have to settle out with leo cost he’s the nearest cost i’m in kl, btw i heard that wind-x already “cap lap” (closed), monsoon coming, can feal it already. goodkiting, bye
glad you got it sorted out…after 1 month! heh.
yeah definitely the wind’s coming. see you soon
hi syamil, did you kite lately? Can i ask anyone know what website shows the most accurate wind speed in balok?? (FOC the best) I check windguru and windfinder which i think not so accurate. Travel from KL to balok i tiring most of all if no wind when we’re there. well, thanks first for anybody who can help. LONG LIVE KITERS
Hello again nick. For weather-related, I always find the met.gov.my to be the most accurate so far. It was intended for the fishermen so it better be accurate.
See the forecast for Pahang waters HERE
Nice blog! Im looking at taking some kitesurfing lessons in wales before i go away to try it out in warmer waters! Malaysia looks like the perfect place!