Fishing is a little bit like that box of chocolates Tom Hanks’ character in Forrest Gump talked about, “You never know what you’re going to get.” Perhaps that’s part of the thrill of this hobby and why so many people enjoy spending their weekends with a rod and line by a river or lake. For all the anglers, seafood lovers, and curious explorers, here’s a list of lovely fishing villages you’ll want to hit up in Selangor.
1. Pulau Ketam, off Port Klang
Off the coast of Port Klang, Pulau Ketam, or Crab Island, is one of the more well-known fishing villages in the state. Locals often travel to the island over the weekend to explore and sample the seafood and, of course, the crabs.
You will need to take a 45-minute ferry ride to get here. Take a tour of the island on rented bicycles and experience the simple charms of a kampung fishing village. Life on the island is simple, with locals going about their daily routines.
Though tourism isn’t the main focus here, local tour guides on the island offer private tours, showing you around some of the sites.
2. Bagan Sungai Buloh Fishing Village, Sekinchan
A two-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur will bring you to a small fishing village in Sekinchan. Like most fishing towns and villages, you’ll find seafood restaurants here and markets selling the freshest catch of the day. Most restaurants are open from 8am to 3pm, with only a few places open at night.
On your way back, pick up a pack of keropok (Malaysian fish crackers) from one of the local stalls. While the village maintains its focus on the fishing industry, a few minutes drive away will take you to some places of interest. The Blue Tears in Kuala Selangor is a 15-minute drive away, and tours are available for those who want to witness the natural wonder of bioluminescence after dark.
3. Pasir Penambang, Kuala Selangor
Situated along the Selangor River, Pasir Penambang is a rural fishing village in Kuala Selangor where visitors often go to enjoy cheap and delicious seafood. The local fishermen live in houses built on stilts on the water. The river is a good place for any angler to fish, and casting a net may get you a decent catch of udang galah (giant river prawns).
This laidback village is also home to the Pasir Penambang Wet Market, where you can buy some of the fresh catch hauled in by the fishermen. There are plenty of street-side stalls that make good seafood dishes.
4. Batu Laut Fishing Village, Banting
Another rural coastal fishing village is the Batu Laut Fishing Village in Banting. Though there isn’t much to see or do in the area, people tend to travel here from the city for a day by the seaside and enjoy the seafood cuisine.
A 10-minute drive from the village leads to the Ganofarm Homestay, where a Malaysian-based mushroom research company manufactures and grows fresh mushrooms and mushroom-based products.
5. Carey Island, Kuala Langat
Carey Island is a little island located in Kuala Langat, south of Port Klang and is home to the Mah Meri people. It is not a fishing village per se, but it is a haven for anglers looking for a quiet day of fishing in Tanjung Rhu Beach (not to be confused with Tanjung Rhu on Langkawi Island) and Kelanang Beach, away from the man-made fishing ponds in other areas.
It’s a small island, but still worth a trip. Carey Island hosts a variety of tourist spots and cultural-based activities for visitors to explore and enjoy, like the Amverton Cove Golf Resort, Riverine Splash Park, and Mah Meri Cultural Village.
