If you’re sick of the mall and café hopping, beaches are one of the best spots to hit that are completely free, right? However, recently, some visitors were dumbfounded when they were charged RM5 to lay out a mat at a beach in Port Dickson. After the incident gained attention on social media, it turns out that they had accidentally done so on privately owned land.

Twitter user @Pelabur_Bijak recently shared that instead of heading all the way to Port Dickson, Selangor has its own fair of lovely beaches. So, pack your sunscreen, mats, sunnies, and hit up these spots:

  1. Pantai Morib

Facing the Strait of Malacca, this is one of the most popular beaches in the state which is only around an hour’s drive from Klang and 90 minutes drive from KL. It is also a historical site where the British soldiers landed in 1945 to take over Malaya from the Japanese. Enjoy the sea breeze here, a panoramic view of the sea and many families even set up their tents right on the beach.

  1. Pantai Bagan Lalang

If you’re always on the lookout for fresh and affordable seafood, this is the spot for you over at Sepang. As the beach is quite muddy, this isn’t quite the spot to take a dip in the sea, but you can relax under the shade of the trees as the sun goes down. Usually, when the tide is low, you can even take a walk about 400 metres in to see the seabed and catch a glimpse of tiny crabs scuttling.

  1. Sky Mirror

You’ve probably heard about this spot because of how Instagrammable it is. Just an hour out of KL, it is named after its mirror-like reflection of the sky and can only be accessed during low tide and emerges only for several hours for a few days each month. The journey from the jetty to the beach takes approximately 30 minutes and there are multiple tour agencies that you can choose from. You can also book your boat tickets on Klook.

  1. Pantai Remis Jeram

Not to be confused with the beach of the same name in Perak, this is located about 20km south of Kuala Selangor. Carry out a spot of kite flying here or try out fishing for saltwater fish. There are also seafood stalls at the food court with items such as broiled fish on the menu. The months between April to September are probably the best months to visit because of the lack of rain and sunny weather.

  1. Pantai Redang Sekinchan

Sekinchan may be known for its paddy fields, but this is a hidden gem worth visiting. Go off the beaten track along the coastal line for a spot of bird watching and look out for waders, egrets, and terns. Otherwise, keep your eyes on the fine white sand for sizeable hermit crabs. After a long day of frolicking in the sand, finish up with a mouthwatering seafood meal in the area.

  1. Pantai Kelanang

Feel like having a picnic or camping? Why not do both at this beach? Watch the undulating waves from the rocky beachfront as this is a more secluded spot that isn’t swamped with other visitors. There are also some food stalls and a food court here if you forgot to pack some snacks. During the low tide, you can also pick some shellfish. Note: keep an eye out for the monkeys.

  1. Pantai Bagan Nakhoda Omar

Bagan Nokhoda Selangor is in Sabak Bernam, in the northwestern corner of Selangor and is near the border of Perak. The uniqueness of this spot is that it directly faces the setting sun and is the exit route for fisherman boats when the tide is high. The mangrove swamps nearby also add to the enchanting scenery and are the gathering spot for storks.

Image credit: @afilsyazwan, @ziying.ss, @chinx2_lee, @faizlightcatch, @pppattamon, @eyes.of.noor, @azrlexz, @hasniyati_80, @shekin0mar