I have always been curious about Pulau Ketam, yet unlike many other islands in Malaysia, it never really caught my attention. It is not the kind of island you usually picture when you think about an island getaway.
There are no beautiful beaches, fancy resorts or crystal-clear waters waiting for you here. Pulau Ketam is a small island off Port Klang, where life revolves around the water and the local fishing community.
That was probably why I kept putting it off.
I had known about Pulau Ketam for years, yet it always felt more like somewhere I would visit out of curiosity rather than somewhere I would actually plan a trip around.
Still, every now and then, I like looking for places I have never been to, even when they are not the typical tourist spots. One day, Pulau Ketam came to mind again, and I thought, why not finally go and see what it is actually like?
I am glad I did because this little fishing island had more charm than I expected.
✅ Location & How To Get To Pulau Ketam
Pulau Ketam is located off the coast of Selangor, near Port Klang, in the Strait of Malacca. From Port Klang, it is just a short ferry ride away.
The easiest way to get to Pulau Ketam is by ferry from Port Klang South Port Passenger Terminal. If you are driving, you can use the Federal Highway or KESAS Highway towards Port Klang.
Parking is available around the terminal.
If you prefer public transport, you can take the KTM Komuter from KL Sentral to Port Klang Station. Port Klang is the final station on the line, and the ferry terminal is within walking distance from the station.
Once you reach the terminal, you can buy your ferry ticket and wait for the boat. We used Alibaba Pulau Ketam Cruises, which currently lists adult tickets at RM15 one way or RM25 for a return ticket. The journey takes around 35 minutes.
The ferry has an air-conditioned cabin and an open-air deck, so you can sit inside or head outside to enjoy the view during the journey.
For a day trip, I would suggest checking the last ferry back to Port Klang as soon as you arrive. It is easy to lose track of time while exploring the island, especially if you arrive in the afternoon like we did.
✅ Arriving At Pulau Ketam
Our trip to Pulau Ketam was actually quite spontaneous. We did not have everything planned out in advance, and by the time we reached Port Klang, it was already around 1.30pm.
Luckily, the timing worked out perfectly. The moment we arrived at the port, someone from Alibaba Cruises approached us to ask if we were heading to Pulau Ketam. We bought our tickets straight away and were told that the ferry would be leaving soon, so we did not have to wait around for long.
We reached Pulau Ketam at around 2.30pm.
I was quite happy with the weather when we arrived. It was a little moody and overcast, which I actually prefer when I’m exploring somewhere outdoors. It was not too hot, so walking around the island felt much more comfortable than it would have been under the usual Malaysian afternoon sun.
Since the island is small, you can explore it on foot or rent an e-bike or electric scooter. The paths are narrow, so riders need to take it slowly when passing residents, pedestrians or other riders.
Our late arrival meant we had limited time to see the island, so we started exploring as soon as we got there.
✅ Exploring Pulau Ketam
The houses were one of the first things I noticed. Many are built on stilts above the water, with wooden walkways connecting different parts of the village. Some homes look simple and weathered, while others have clearly been maintained and decorated with bright paint by the families living there. You will also find murals painted directly onto the wooden and brick walls of the stilt houses and shops, adding plenty of colour to the village.
As we wandered further, we came across fishing boats along the water and small shops serving the local community. Nets, boats, seafood and other fishing-related activities are simply part of the scenery here. You can see that fishing is still closely connected to everyday life on the island.
I also noticed several souvenir shops around the village, although most of the items are more like typical island holiday souvenirs rather than something specifically related to Pulau Ketam. I was actually looking for a fridge magnet or keychain to bring home, but couldn’t find one. So if you are hoping to bring home a small Pulau Ketam souvenir, you may not find much to choose from.
There are several temples around Pulau Ketam too. They sit alongside homes, shops and the everyday activities of the village rather than feeling like separate tourist attractions. The island is home to a predominantly Chinese community, and you can see that influence throughout the village.
One thing I noticed was that the village still felt very much like a place where people actually live and work. Residents were going about their day, children were moving around the village, people were coming and going, and fishermen were carrying on with their work.
Pulau Ketam is also car-free, so you will not find the usual traffic or rows of parked cars you would see in a town on the mainland. People mainly get around on foot or using small electric bicycles and scooters, while boats remain an important part of daily life.
Most of the village is concentrated around the main settlement, with residential areas, small businesses, temples and fishing activities all existing side by side. You could easily spend a few hours walking around without following a particular route.
Despite being so close to Port Klang and Kuala Lumpur, Pulau Ketam has a slower, more local feel. It is less about sightseeing from one attraction to another and more about walking through the village and seeing how people actually live here.
✅ What To Eat In Pulau Ketam
Fresh seafood is very much part of the local food scene. You will find plenty of Chinese seafood restaurants around the island, and many are non-halal.
As a Muslim traveller, I was glad to find Kedai Makan Cikgu, one of the halal seafood options on the island.
I had a little chat with the owner when we were there, and he was incredibly friendly. He used to be a teacher on the island before eventually deciding to settle down here with his family to enjoy a quieter life.
The restaurant has a very homely setting because it is actually part of their home. He and his family prepare the food themselves, which gives the place a much more personal feel than a typical restaurant.
The menu is simple. You can choose from fish, prawns, squid and crab, then decide how you want them cooked. We decided to order chilli crab, deep-fried squid and stir-fried vegetables. After all, what a waste it would be to come all the way to Pulau Ketam and not eat some ketam! Everything was delicious and tasted fresh, and the portions were surprisingly generous. The amount of food we ordered could easily have fed another person.
Our entire meal came to only RM71, which I thought was very reasonable for the amount of food we received.
Muslim visitors looking for halal food can look out for Kedai Makan Cikgu. Just pay attention when you are walking around because the restaurant is upstairs and the entrance can be easy to miss. Look for the door with the Kedai Makan Cikgu sign rather than expecting a big restaurant sign facing the walkway.
✅ Pulau Ketam Travel Tips
Pulau Ketam is easy enough to visit, but there are a few small things I would recommend bringing with you, especially if you are planning to visit as a day trip.
- Bring some cash
You will still come across places that accept cash only. For example, the car park at the Port Klang jetty cost us RM5, and we had to pay in cash. Not everywhere accepts bank transfers or QR payments, so having some cash with you is still useful.
- Use the public toilet before exploring
There is a public toilet at the Pulau Ketam jetty, so you can use it when you arrive before heading off to explore the island. There was no paper towel in the toilet when we visited, so the next tip might come in handy.
- Bring a face towel, tissues or a portable fan
Even if the weather looks cloudy, it can still feel warm and humid when you are walking around. Having something to wipe your face with is useful, and a small handheld or portable fan can make things more comfortable when the sun comes out.
- Wear comfortable clothes and shoes
I would keep your outfit casual and practical. A comfortable T-shirt with jeans or other easy-to-walk-in clothes worked well for me. You will be walking along narrow paths, so this is not really the place for an outfit that makes moving around difficult.
- Bring an umbrella
The weather can change quickly, and an umbrella is useful for both rain and sun. Since Pulau Ketam is quite exposed, I would rather have one with me than get caught in a sudden shower.
- Bring a bottle of water
You can find drinks around the island, but having your own water with you is still useful when you are walking around.
- Bring motion sickness medication
If you are prone to seasickness, bringing some motion sickness medication might be helpful, especially for the ferry ride from Port Klang.
- Staying overnight is possible
If you prefer to take your time, you can stay overnight on Pulau Ketam instead of rushing to catch the last ferry back to Port Klang. There are a few simple guesthouses and homestays on the island, although I have not stayed overnight myself, so I would recommend checking the latest reviews and facilities before booking.
- Check the last ferry before you start exploring
The last ferry from Pulau Ketam is at 5.30pm, although schedules can vary by day and operator, so check the current timetable before your trip.
We arrived quite late, so we did not have enough time to explore the island properly. We eventually had to rush a little to catch our 4.30pm boat back to Port Klang.
- Come in the morning and spend the whole day here
The island’s fishing activities are part of what makes it interesting, and the mornings can be particularly lively around the jetty, with fishermen and boats coming and going.
You can even buy fresh seafood on the island. We were actually invited to have a more local experience and see the fishermen bringing their fresh catch to the jetty, but because we arrived so late, we could not join them that day.
It was one of the things I was a little disappointed to miss, and I would definitely love to experience it the next time I visit.
If I were planning my next Pulau Ketam trip, I would arrive in the morning, explore at a slower pace, have lunch, spend more time around the jetty and see more of the local fishing life before taking the ferry back.
With love,
Auri Duham 🌻
