Kuala Sungai Burong, Penang

Kuala Sungai Burong (24 May 2015)


Kuala Sungai Burong (GPS: 5.33908, 100.19633) is the mouth of Sungai Burong. It is lined on both sides with mangrove swamps. When the tide is low, you can see the mudflats to the south of the estuary. This coastline is also called Pantai Malindo, perhaps because from here, you can view towards Indonesia (though Indonesia is not visible, as far as I can see.)

There is a small fishermen port at Kuala Sungai Burong. If you arrive here at the right time, you can buy fish directly from the fishermen when they came to shore. When we arrived there on 24 May, 2015, we happened to see some impromptu transactions being carried out, and it was over within five or ten minutes. There is a makeshift cafe in the area where the locals congregate.

Kuala Sungai Burong fishing port (24 May 2015)


A makeshift cafe at Kuala Sungai Burong (24 May 2015)


The banks of Sungai Burong have been fortified with rocks to prevent erosion. These rocks barriers project towards the sea, forming breakers that protect the mouth of the river. At the time we arrived, the tide was just coming in. Unlike most places, where the tide was so gradual that it was hardly noticed, at Kuala Sungai Burong we could actually hear the successive waves coming in, and crashing on the rock barriers. It made me wonder how this would be like during a tsunami.

As we explored the area, I notice a tsunami siren tower. In the event of a tsunami, the siren will sound to warn the people off the coastline. The solar-powered tsunami siren appears new.

Path to the river mouth at Kuala Sungai Burong (24 May 2015)


The estuary of Sungai Burong (24 May 2015)


The river mouth of Kuala Sungai Burong (24 May 2015)


Signboard at Kuala Sungai Burong prohibiting the throwing of rocks into the river, as it may damage propellers (24 May 2015)

How to go to Kuala Sungai Burong

Go along Jalan Baru in Balik Pulau until you reach the country road beside Sungai Burong. Follow this road past Countryside Stables Penang, and eventually you will reach Pantai Malindo. The area is at Kuala Sungai Burong.

The road on the left is where you turn in to reach Pantai Malindo.

My wife holding her big umbrella at Kuala Sungai Burong (24 May 2015)


Tim at Kuala Sungai Burong, with Pantai Malindo to the left (24 May 2015)

Location of Kuala Sungai Burong on map