Pantai Merdeka is a coastal location in Kuala Muda District, Kedah,

Malaysia Malaysia ( ; ) is a country in Southeast Asia. The federation, federal constitutional monarchy consists of States and federal territories of Malaysia, thirteen states and three federal territories, separated by the South China Sea into two r ...

. It has the only sand beach in mainland Kedah, and it is the major attraction for beach goers from all over northern Penang and Kedah State. Various accommodation is available for rent to experience the beach and other attractions in the area which includes harvesting Kepah, Siput Kemudi and Kerang (variety of sea food in local language) in Kampung Tepi Sungai,

Kota Kuala Muda Kota Kuala Muda is a small town in Kedah state, Malaysia. Near the town is Pantai Merdeka (Merdeka Beach). Kota Kuala Muda is also one of the sub-districts (mukims) of Kuala Muda District The Kuala Muda District is a district in Kedah, Malaysi ...

, Pantai Merdeka itself and also at Pulau Sayak. Pantai Merdeka is from Tikam Batu off the

Butterworth Butterworth may refer to: Places * Butterworth (ancient township), a former township centred on Milnrow, in the then Parish of Rochdale, England, United Kingdom * Butterworth, Eastern Cape, now also known as Gcuwa, a town located in South Africa ...

Alor Setar Alor Setar ( Jawi: الور ستار, Kedahan: ''Loqstaq'') is the state capital of Kedah, Malaysia. It is the second-largest city in the state after Sungai Petani and one of the most-important cities on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia ...

trunk road. In the early 1970s the beach attracted swimmers, picnickers and campers from Kedah state and the city of Seberang Perai. Subsequent sea erosion made the beach less popular and visitors were lost to the newly-developed beaches at Pantai Murni in Yen and Pantai Bersih in Butterworth. In 1989 facilities at the beach were upgraded and the seawall along the shoreline, originally built in 1975, was subsequently replaced. A ferry boat across the

Merbok River The Merbok River ( ms, Sungai Merbok) is a river in Kedah, Malaysia. Its sources are at Mount Jerai and Sungkap Forest. After the confluence of Bongkok and Lalang River it carry its name. Other tributaries are the Petani and Bujang River. The rive ...

links Pantai Merdeka to the small town of

Tanjung Dawai Tanjung Dawai is a small town in Kuala Muda District, Kedah, Malaysia Malaysia ( ; ) is a country in Southeast Asia. The federation, federal constitutional monarchy consists of States and federal territories of Malaysia, thirteen states ...

, which is otherwise by road. The beach is a popular picnic spot for local residents. Wild monkeys from the nearby forest have been observed to visit the beach to scavenge from the litter bins. The nearby forest is popular with jungle trekkers.

References

Beaches of Malaysia Kuala Muda District Landforms of Kedah {{Kedah-geo-stub