Beach

In recent years, Bagan Lalang has come into popularity as a holiday beach destination, thanks to its proximity to Kuala Lumpur, by word of mouth, and relatively unspoilt surroundings. The Sepang Gold Cost project has also brought some class to this rural enclave, with the establishment of fancy dining outlets and a sea villa-based luxury resort. In just a few years, a significant number of chalets and restaurants have sprung up to accommodate the increase of visitors, while it is not uncommon to find the beach packed with people on weekends. Still, it is far less commercialised than other beaches near to KL, such as Port Dickson and Morib.

Stretching along the coast for 2km and fringed at both ends by mangroves, Bagan Lalang is actually quite a small beach, which is why additional development may jeopardise its natural beauty. Already, the first cracks are starting to show - the loss of its famed tranquility, as mobs of disorganised families rush each weekend to organise messy picnics and pitch ugly tents along the beach. Water sports such as canoeing and boating have become available overnight; while jet skis are still limited, such activities are certain to increase, endangering the gentle pace and natural scenery. Previously, it was also possible to walk freely among sparse crowds along the spacious beachfront; today, you navigate around a clutter of kite-flying children, soccer-playing adults and dreamy couples on a busy weekend or national holiday.

Still, Bagan Lalang is possibly the nicest beach you can find along Selangor's coastline, and with a convenient highway that covers a major portion of the journey from Kuala Lumpur or Petaling Jaya, it's hard to dismiss this lazy seaside retreat. Cheap seafood cuisine from hawker stalls also gives an incentive for hungry travellers, while the sight of sea and sand is soothing for sore eyes, large crowds or not. The immediate beach is spacious and soft, not at all gritty; low tide, however, reveals a long expanse of mudflats. The sea, while warm, is quite murky and sometimes muddy, especially when nearing either end where the mangroves meet. Even so, the turbid waters do not deter many from taking the plunge. Finally, the view along the beach at sunset is quite mesmerising, spelling the end of a relaxing seaside trip.