Cherating Point
Also known as: Cherating Beach
Malaysia's classic long, mellow sand-bottom left point - SE Asia's premier learn-to-surf wave, best mid-Dec to Feb under the NE monsoon.
Best time to surf
NE monsoon ~mid-November to March; high peak mid-Dec to Feb (most consistent swell); hosts surf competitions
Shoulder season: Early Nov and March are marginal shoulders; flat/small outside the NE monsoon
The wave
Break type: Point break (left)
Bottom: Sand (sand-bottom point break)
Wave direction: Left (long left off the point)
Typical wave length: Very long - rides up to ~500m or longer (~1 minute on a good day)
Ideal swell: NE-monsoon swell (South China Sea); chest-high up to ~4.5ft typical; bigger and hollower on peak days
Ideal wind: Best on light/offshore mornings (NE monsoon regime)
Working tide: Works across tides (point break)
Difficulty & skill
Difficulty (1-5): 1-2 (punchier/hollow on big days)
Skill level: Beginner to intermediate (advanced on bigger days)
Options for a mixed group: Excellent - the same long point serves beginners (inside/reform), improvers (longer walls) and advanced surfers further up on bigger days; ideal for mixed groups
Safety & hazards
A current along the point can be tricky/irritating; otherwise a forgiving sand bottom; general monsoon rain/sea-state caution
Nearest hospital Kuantan (Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan / private); no dedicated surf lifeguard - go with a school/guide; 999
Crowd, access & conditions
Crowd & localism: Malaysia's most surfed/consistent spot; busy weekends, quiet weekdays; famously friendly and mellow, waves shared respectfully
Access & parking: Kampung Cherating Lama, ~45km north of Kuantan, Pahang; the point is a few minutes' walk from Cheratingpoint Surf School; village roadside parking
Surf schools & rental: Cheratingpoint Surf School (since 2008, ISA-certified instructors - lessons, rentals, guided trips); Cherating surf-village camps; local schools (e.g. Satusuku Surf)
Water temp & wetsuit: Tropical ~28-30 C (South China Sea); boardshorts/rashguard, no wetsuit
Crowds, access and local conditions change - confirm locally before you paddle out.
Around the break
Facilities: Village amenities - guesthouses/backpacker lodging, cafes, surf shops, board rental, a laid-back food scene
For non-surfers: Turtle sanctuary, mangrove/firefly river tours, Club Med Cherating, quiet beaches, east-coast island trips
Location
Nearest hub: Cherating (Malaysia)
4.1268, 103.3960 (approximate)
Live conditions
Today's swell, wind and tide are a runtime layer - check the live sources: Cheratingpoint Surf School (The Waves); Surf-Forecast Cherating; Wannasurf Cherating Point
This profile is desk research, compiled from public sources - not a first-hand surf report. Coordinates are approximate.