A Quick Day Trip in Perlis: Santuari Ikan Air Tawar Timah Tasoh

I recently went to Perlis for a work trip, and honestly, I didn’t expect to see much beyond my work schedule. I was actually quite excited, though, because I had never explored Perlis before. What I did know was that it is the smallest state in Malaysia and, from what I had heard, it can get pretty hot. 😂

Luckily, my local colleagues had other plans. They were kind enough to take me around during my stay and, in a way, steal some of my free time for sightseeing. I’m definitely not complaining.

They showed me a few places they thought I should see, introduced me to some of their favourite local restaurants and took me to parts of Perlis that I probably wouldn’t have found on my own.

My visit was brief, though. Far too brief, in fact.

I arrived expecting to spend most of my time working and ended up leaving with the feeling that I hadn’t seen nearly enough. I was surprised by how much there was to see and do.

By the time I left, I was already wishing I had stayed a few more days.

✅ About Santuari Ikan Air Tawar Timah Tasoh

Also known as the Timah Tasoh Freshwater Fish Sanctuary, the sanctuary is located in Beseri, Perlis, around Timah Tasoh Lake, a large man-made reservoir surrounded by green hills and open skies. The area is known for its freshwater fish, scenic views, outdoor activities and birdlife, making it a nice spot for anyone looking to spend some time outdoors.

You don’t have to be an avid angler or outdoor enthusiast to enjoy it either. You can simply come for the scenery, take a boat ride across the lake, have a picnic or spend a few hours enjoying the surroundings.

I only had a few hours during my visit, so I didn’t get to see everything Timah Tasoh has to offer. I did, however, get to take a boat ride around the lake, visit Pulau Burung, spot some rather adorable sheep and pick up some local ikan pekasam before leaving.

✅ Location & Opening Hours

Santuari Ikan Air Tawar Timah Tasoh

Location: Beseri, Perlis, near Timah Tasoh Dam
Opening hours: Generally 8:00 AM to 7:30 PM daily
Entrance: Free for the main area
Best for: Nature, sightseeing, outdoor activities, families and groups

Opening hours and activities may change, so it’s a good idea to check with the local operator before visiting.

✅ What You Can Do at Timah Tasoh

If you have more time, you can turn your visit into a proper outdoor day with activities such as:

Boat rides
Kayaking
Fishing
Camping
Birdwatching
Picnicking

We didn’t have enough time to try everything, so we decided to go on a boat ride around the lake, which took around 30 minutes.

The boat ride was a nice, easy way to see more of Timah Tasoh and gave us a completely different view of the surrounding hills. We also made a quick stop at Pulau Burung, or Bird Island, a small, green area surrounded by the calm waters of the lake.

The island felt quiet and away from everything else, with trees and greenery covering much of the area. It is also known as a spot for birdwatching during certain times of the year, although I wasn’t there specifically for that.

What caught my attention was an interesting-looking tree with a swing. Of course, I couldn’t resist stopping for a few photos. The island turned out to be one of the highlights of the boat ride.

The sanctuary would also be a nice place to spend a few hours with children or a group of friends if you have more time. We even spotted some friendly sheep around the area, and I couldn’t help going, “Awww!” when I saw them. 😂

Between the scenery, the boat ride, Pulau Burung and my unexpected sheep encounter, that was a pretty good start to my day in Perlis.

💡 Good to know before you go

Boat rides: Boat tours are available for groups, with prices starting at around RM50 for up to 8 people or RM60 for up to 10 people, depending on the operator. If you’re travelling with family or a group of friends, this can be a pretty affordable way to explore the lake together.
Kayaking: Single and double kayaks are available for rental, with prices starting at around RM10 for a single kayak and RM15 for a double kayak.
Camping: Campsites are available around the lake for those who want to stay longer. Rates can vary depending on the campsite and type of site, so it’s best to check the latest rates before your visit.

Tip: If you have limited time, I’d prioritise the boat ride because you get to see the lake and surrounding landscape from a different perspective.

Prices and availability may change, so check with the local operator before your visit.

✅ Don’t Forget the Ikan Pekasam

Before leaving Timah Tasoh, my colleagues recommended that I pick up some ikan pekasam, a traditional fermented fish popular in the northern states. The sanctuary sells ikan pekasam made from freshwater fish from the Timah Tasoh area, including ikan bongkok, which my colleagues specifically recommended.

I brought it home and finally fried it a few days later. Oh, it was good… Honestly, it was one of the best ikan pekasam I’ve ever eaten.

So, if you enjoy bringing local food home from your travels, I’d definitely recommend looking out for the ikan pekasam at Timah Tasoh. It ended up being one of my favourite little souvenirs from the trip.

✅ Would I Return?

Definitely.

Santuari Ikan Air Tawar Timah Tasoh is the kind of place where you can slow down for a while and enjoy being surrounded by greenery. It doesn’t feel like a place you visit just to take a few photos and leave. There are plenty of ways to spend more time here if you’re not in a rush, especially if you enjoy being outdoors.

Honestly, I’d return just for the ikan pekasam. 😂 It was that good.

I would also recommend checking the weather before you go. It started raining a little during my visit, which made the scenery look a bit dull, and we ended up rushing our boat ride instead of taking our time on the lake. I’d love to come back on a bright, sunny day and experience Timah Tasoh when the sky is clear and the scenery can really shine.

One last thing, please help keep the sanctuary clean. If you bring food or drinks with you, take your rubbish with you and use the proper bins. Places like this are much more enjoyable when we leave them as beautiful as we found them.

For me, this was a lovely first introduction to Perlis. I came expecting very little from a quick work trip and ended up finding far more to see and do than I imagined.

Not a bad first impression of Perlis at all.

More From My Perlis Trip Here:

Until my next visit.
Auri Duham 🌻