Air Terjun Terengganu: 6 Waterfalls Worth the East Coast Drive (2026)
You know that feeling on a hot Saturday morning when you're already sticky before 9am and someone in the group chat drops a photo of a waterfall with ice-cold green water? Yeah, that's how most of my Terengganu trips started. The east coast doesn't get enough credit for its air terjun — most people think waterfall near KL means Selangor or Pahang, but Terengganu has a whole lineup that honestly puts a lot of the popular ones to shame. Tiered lata, boat-in falls inside Tasik Kenyir, one of Peninsular Malaysia's clearest rivers — ada semua bro.
I've written a full guide for every single waterfall on this list, so you're not reading half-baked secondhand info here. Each one I've personally researched in depth — the fees, the trail conditions, the crowd situation, the swim spots. This roundup is your starting point; follow the links for the deep-dive on whichever one catches your eye.
The list is ordered roughly nearest-to-KL first, so if you're driving up from the peninsula, you can plan your route without backtracking. Let's get into it.
- 1. Sekayu Waterfall Campsite
- 2. Lata Tembakah
- 3. Air Terjun Chemerong
- 4. Air Terjun Chemerong Campsite
- 5. Air Terjun Lasir
- 6. Lata Kolam Air Deru Ecopark
1. Sekayu Waterfall Campsite
Sekayu is the classic park falls of Terengganu — the one locals have been bringing their families to for decades, and honestly still one of the best introductions to lata terengganu if you're coming from out of state. It sits inside a proper recreational forest park with organised facilities, so this isn't a rough jungle bushwhack; it's accessible enough for families but the water and surroundings are the real deal. Think shaded picnic spots, multiple pools at different levels, and that satisfying cool-air feeling the moment you get close to the cascade. Weekend crowds can build up fast especially during school holidays, so early morning or weekdays is always the smarter call. If you want to extend the trip, the campsite right there makes it easy to stay overnight and enjoy the falls without the day-tripper rush.
Read my full Sekayu Waterfall Campsite guide →
2. Lata Tembakah
Lata Tembakah is Besut's tiered lata and it's a proper beauty — standing at about 50 metres high and cascading down multiple tiers (sources say between 5 and 7 levels, so expect a good few anyway). It's managed by the Terengganu State Forestry Department and has been collecting entry fees since 2013, which is usually a good sign that someone is actually maintaining the place. The trek to the highest tier takes roughly an hour and is described as a nice pleasure walk rather than a gruelling climb, so intermediate hikers and reasonably fit families should be fine. One important thing: Lata Tembakah closes during the monsoon season from November through February, so don't plan a December trip and wonder why the gate is locked — check before you go.
Fee: Adults RM2 · Children RM1 · Senior Citizens/Disabled FREE · Non-Citizens RM10 · Hours: Open daily 8:00am–5:00pm (closed Nov–Feb monsoon season) · Swim: Yes, multi-tiered pools
Read my full Lata Tembakah guide →
3. Air Terjun Chemerong
Chemerong is near Malaysia's tallest drop — officially reported at 305 metres, which puts it in a completely different league from your average recreational waterfall. This isn't a stroll-and-selfie situation; hikers must go with a guide regardless of skill level, and the trail to the main falls takes anywhere from 40 minutes to a few hours depending on how far up you go. That guide requirement isn't bureaucratic nonsense — the terrain is serious and conditions change fast. There are multiple tiers with unique viewpoints at each level, so even if you don't summit, you're still getting something genuinely impressive. Call ahead at 09-848 1404 before you make the drive because the site has had temporary closures for upgrades and maintenance — confirming first saves you a wasted trip.
Fee: Day visit RM2/person · Children (5–12) RM1/person · Camping RM5/person (permit required min. 3 weeks in advance) · Hours: 8:00am–5:00pm daily including public holidays · Swim: Multiple tiered pools
Read my full Air Terjun Chemerong guide →
4. Air Terjun Chemerong Campsite
If the day-trip guide above has you itching to do Chemerong properly, this is the other side of that coin — camping at the base itself. Staying overnight at Chemerong changes the whole experience completely; you get the falls in the early morning mist before any other visitors arrive, and there's something very different about sitting next to one of Peninsular Malaysia's most dramatic waterfalls after dark. The campsite situation here is rustic rather than glamping, so come prepared with your own shelter and gear. Because the camping permit requires booking at least 3 weeks in advance (from the facts above), this is absolutely not a spontaneous trip — plan ahead, sort your guide, secure your permit, then enjoy what is genuinely one of the more special overnight spots in Terengganu.
Read my full Air Terjun Chemerong Campsite guide →
5. Air Terjun Lasir
Lasir is the boat-in falls inside Tasik Kenyir, which immediately makes it a different kind of adventure from everything else on this list — you're not driving to a carpark and walking a trail; you're getting on a boat across one of Malaysia's largest man-made lakes first. The waterfall itself is multi-tiered at approximately 150 to 153 metres high, which is genuinely impressive, and the approach by water gives you views you just don't get at road-accessible spots. Once you're there, the trail has uneven ground and slippery rocks so non-slip footwear is not optional — sandal jepun will get you in trouble here. Fee and hours information I haven't locked down with certainty so check my full guide for the latest details before you go.
Swim: Multi-tiered falls, approximately 150–153 metres high
Read my full Air Terjun Lasir guide →
6. Lata Kolam Air Deru Ecopark, Terengganu
Last on the list but absolutely not least — Lata Kolam Air Deru is the crystal river ecopark that sits alongside what's considered one of the clearest rivers in Peninsular Malaysia, and that is not a claim I'd repeat if it wasn't worth the drive. The water clarity here is the kind that stops you mid-sentence when you first see it; you can see straight to the riverbed even in a decent-depth pool. It's set up as an ecopark so there's a bit more structure than a purely wild spot, which makes it good for families who want the natural experience without full bushcraft mode. It sits furthest from KL on this route so most people pair it with other stops along the east coast rather than making it a standalone day trip — but for some people, the river alone is reason enough.
Read my full Lata Kolam Air Deru Ecopark guide →
Before You Go
Weekday versus weekend makes a huge difference at every spot on this list. Sekayu and Lata Tembakah especially can get packed on Saturdays — if you can take a Friday or Monday off, do it. For spots that charge entry, bring cash because there are no card machines out here in the forest. Lata Tembakah and Chemerong both have fees collected on-site, and Chemerong's camping permit needs sorting at least 3 weeks ahead so don't leave that one last-minute.
Water levels can rise fast even when it's sunny where you stand — watch the weather upstream, and get out of the water the moment it turns murky or debris starts flowing.
FAQ
Which waterfall in Terengganu is nearest to KL?
Sekayu Waterfall sits closest to the KL end of the route — it's the first major stop as you drive into Terengganu from the west, making it the logical first destination if you're road-tripping up the east coast. Lata Tembakah in Besut is also relatively accessible early on the route.
Air terjun mana boleh mandi in Terengganu?
Most of these have swim spots — Lata Tembakah has multiple tiered pools along its 7-level cascade, Sekayu has well-known swimming areas within the park, Chemerong has pools at its various tiers, and Kolam Air Deru is basically named after its swimming pools (kolam means pool). Lasir also has swimming but wear non-slip footwear because the rocks are serious. Always check current water conditions on the day.
Which air terjun in Terengganu is best for kids?
Sekayu Waterfall Campsite is the most family-friendly on the list — it's a managed recreational forest park with proper facilities, accessible trails, and shaded areas. Lata Kolam Air Deru Ecopark is also set up to accommodate families. Chemerong and Lasir are more suited to older kids and adults who are comfortable with uneven terrain and longer walks.
Is Chemerong really one of Malaysia's tallest waterfalls?
According to the most commonly cited figure, yes — Air Terjun Chemerong is officially reported at 305 metres, which puts it among the tallest in Peninsular Malaysia. That height is spread across multiple tiers rather than one single drop, but it's still a serious waterfall that deserves serious preparation. Mandatory guide, advance planning, proper footwear — treat it with respect and it'll be one of the best experiences on your east coast trip.
Mike has been camping across Malaysia for over 10 years — from jungle treks in Taman Negara to beach camps in Perhentian. He writes about it so you don't have to find out the hard way. Follow along on TAHAN Outdoor's blog for honest campsite reviews, every week.
