Campsite Tanah Abah, Bachok — A Clean, Friendly Spot on the Kelantan Coast

The Vibe

Campsite Tanah Abah is a relatively new campsite sitting in Kampung Kubang Golok, Bachok — one of those quiet coastal areas in Kelantan that most people from the west coast have never even heard of. It's not a jungle campsite, not a waterfall spot. It's open ground with a good view of the sky, and if the reviews are anything to go by, the sunrises here are genuinely something to wake up early for.

The crowd here leans family-friendly. Think families on weekends, couples looking for a chill overnight by the coast, maybe a group of friends who just want somewhere clean and easy. It's not the kind of place where you go to test your survival skills — it's managed, maintained, and the owner is clearly hands-on about keeping things tidy. If you've got kids and don't want to stress about dirty toilets or sketchy facilities, Tanah Abah is worth considering.

One thing to flag — campsites are first come first served. No booking a specific plot. So if you're coming on a weekend or public holiday, arrive early or risk getting the awkward spot next to the toilet block.

Getting There

The campsite is in Kampung Kubang Golok, Bachok, Kelantan. Bachok is about 30km south of Kota Bharu — roughly 35 to 40 minutes by car from KB city centre, depending on traffic. Plug "Campsite Tanah Abah" directly into Google Maps or use the coordinates 39WP+GH and it should bring you right there.

The road into Bachok is straightforward — no 4WD needed, standard car is fine. Bachok itself is a small coastal town, so once you're in the area, just follow the signs or the GPS. There are restaurants and sundry shops near the campsite area, which is a bonus if you forget something or just want to tapau some lauk for dinner.

What to Expect

Flat, open campground. Perimeter lighting means you're not fumbling around in total darkness once the sun goes down — that's actually a big deal if you've ever tried to find your way back from the toilet at 2am with just your phone torch. The campsite feels well-maintained for a newer site, not overgrown or neglected.

There's a BBQ pit on site, which is a nice touch — throw some skewers on after sunset and enjoy the night sky. Reviewers mention a good moon phase view, and given the open ground and coastal location, you're probably getting a proper canopy of stars on clear nights too.

This isn't a hardcore camping spot. There's no river to ford, no jungle trail to reach the campsite. You drive in, set up, relax. Ideal for beginners, families with young kids, or anyone who wants a low-effort but genuinely nice overnight experience. That said, the furthest camping plots are about 30 metres from the power points, so bring a long extension cable if you're planning to plug in.

If you're coming as a family and want a comfortable night's sleep, the TAHAN Panthera Inflatable Sleeping Pad is solid — 10cm thick with a built-in foot pump and integrated pillow. Flat ground camping like this is exactly where it shines.

Facilities

Toilets

Separate bathrooms for men and women. Multiple reviewers flagged them as clean — which in Malaysian campsite terms is not something to take for granted. Decent standard for a campsite this size.

Electricity

Power points available on site. Good if you need to charge devices or run a fan. Just bring an extension cable — the furthest plots are around 30 metres away from the nearest socket.

Lighting

Perimeter lighting around the campsite. You won't be in total darkness at night, which is reassuring especially if you're camping with kids.

BBQ Pit

On site and available. Bring your own charcoal and skewers.

Sink

There's a sink on site for washing up. Small thing, but makes a difference when you're cleaning dishes after cooking.

Parking

Parking available at the campsite. Come early on weekends to get a good spot close to where you set up.

Food and Sundry

Not on-site, but restaurants and sundry shops are available just outside the camp area. Close enough that a quick run out isn't an issue.

What Campers Are Saying

Julia, who stayed two nights back in April 2023, called it a fabulous setting with stunning sunrises. She specifically mentioned the electric hookup worked well and the washroom facilities impressed her. High praise from someone who clearly knows what a bad campsite toilet looks like.

Another reviewer gave it four stars and flagged something practical that I think is worth repeating — the furthest campsite is almost 30 metres from the nearest power point. Not a dealbreaker, but bring a proper extension cable or you'll be living the unplugged life whether you like it or not.

Nik Raiman summed it up nicely — perimeter lighting, clean toilet, BBQ pit, sink, and the option to add power. Plus he mentioned the moon phase view from the campsite. For a relatively new site in Bachok, that's a solid package.

FrostGrizz (great name, by the way) said it's great for family day camping — the owner is friendly, the place is clean, and the vibe is enjoyable. Syeha added that it's one of the most maintained campsites she's visited, with what she called pristine nature around it. Between those two, the message is clear: the owner takes pride in this place, and it shows.

TAHAN Tip

The sunrises at Tanah Abah are apparently legit — so position your tent facing east if you can manage it. Wake up before 6am, crawl out of your tent, and just sit with a cup of kopi. That's the move here. If you're coming for the first time and want to skip the hassle of fighting with pegs at midnight, the Pavilion Family Camp Bundle has everything a family of four needs — tent, sleeping gear, the works — so you can focus on actually enjoying the trip instead of realising you forgot something 200km from home.

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.

You Might Also Like

• Pantai Cahaya Bulan Campsite — another Kelantan coastal camp worth knowing about if you enjoy waking up to sea views and open skies.
• Pantai Bisikan Bayu — a quiet beachside spot in Semerak, Kelantan, that has a similarly chill, family-friendly feel.