Gertak Sanggul, Penang

Gertak Sanggul, Penang (16 October 2019)


Gertak Sanggul (GPS: 5.28156, 100.19025; Teochew: Boey1or2; Simplified/Traditional Chinese: 美湖, Pinyin: Měihú) is a fishing village on the southwest coast of Penang Island. The word "gertak" refers to a small bridge, and is synonymous with titi. One other place I have come across with this name is Kampung Gertak Sagu in Kelantan.

With coconut palms swaying overhead, Gertak Sanggul offers the perfect picture of a Malaysian fishing village, complete with a white sandy beach and fishing boats bobbling in the waves. The people of Penang knows Gertak Sanggul as the place where the Yellow Bus turns around. It being the final stop at the southwestern tip of Penang Island, the commuter buses reach their final stop before heading back to town.

Despite the romantic surroundings, the waters off Gertak Sanggul is not suitable for swimming, as it is contaminated by waste discharged from the many pig farms in the area directly into the sea.

From Gertak Sanggul, you can see the "half submerged" shape of Pulau Kendi, the most distant island in Penang state. A day trip to Pulau Kendi can be arranged whenever there is sufficient participants (or eight persons or more), or if anybody is willing to pay to hire the whole boat.

Location of Gertak Sanggul

Measured from the junction of Jalan Gertak Sanggul with Penang State Route P235 (GPS: 5.287871, 100.222248), Gertak Sanggul is 21.6 km to Komtar, 15.2 km to the Penang Bridge, 11.2 km to the Second Penang Bridge and 7.2 km to the Penang International Airport.

Map of Gertak Sanggul, Penang

Sights in Gertak Sanggul

Residential Properties in Gertak Sanggul

Eateries in Gertak Sanggul

Roads in Gertak Sanggul

Rivers in Gertak Sanggul

Places in Gertak Sanggul

Getting there

Gertak Sanggul is served by Rapid Penang bus 308.

Updates on Gertak Sanggul

15 September, 2018
The Star reported that residents of Gertak Sanggul are upset that a one-kilometer stretch of the beach is being polluted with raw piggery waste. Details

View of the sea a Gertak Sanggul during low tide. (16 October 2019)


A drain empties into the sea, next to the remains of a pier at Gertak Sanggul. (16 October 2019)


The remains of the pier. (16 October 2019)


A small shrine, possible to the local tutelary deity, near the beach at Gertak Sanggul. (16 October 2019)


Front view of the shrine, with the beach and the sea behind it. (16 October 2019)


Dewak MPKK, a village community hall. (16 October 2019)


The bus stop at Gertak Sanggul. (16 October 2019)


At the end of Jalan Gertak Sanggul is this clump of coconut trees which I have seen for all my life. (16 October 2019)


A couple of the coconut trees have fallen down, and their trunks are now across the sandy beach. (16 October 2019)


Jalan Gertak Sanggul (23 June 2013)


The bay of Gertak Sanggul (1 November 2003)


Gertak Sanggul seashore, with view of Pulau Kendi in the distance (1 November 2003)


View of Pulau Kendi from Gertak Sanggul (1 November 2003)


Coconut trees in Gertak Sanggul (1 November 2003)


Ketapang tree (Terminalia catappa) by the seashore at Gertak Sanggul (1 November 2003)


Chinese farm houses facing the main road at Gertak Sanggul (1 November 2003)

List of Beaches in Penang and Beaches in Malaysia; List of Towns in Penang and Towns in Malaysia