Pulau Kentut? | The Fart Islands of Langkawi

Wait, what?

Yes, you read that right. Pulau Kentut — or Fart Island in English — is a real place, and it's actually not a shitty island to visit at all. But what's up with that rather peculiar name though? There are no volcanoes or geysers on the island shooting out hot gas, nor does it smell like fart. So what gives?

Background

Pulau Kentut actually consists of two islands — because, well, farts come in different sizes. There's Pulau Kentut Besar (Big Fart Island) and Pulau Kentut Kecil (Small Fart Island). Whoever named these islands deserves some serious creative credit.

According to local legend, here's how the story goes. There was a wedding between the daughter of Gunung Machinchang and the son of Gunung Raya. The bride's family, unfortunately, served the groom half-cooked rice. And then he farted… TWICE. The commotion that followed at the wedding gave birth to the mighty, gassy names of Pulau Kentut Besar and Pulau Kentut Kecil. Classic Malaysian folklore, honestly.

Where Is It?

Both islands are part of the 99 islands within the Langkawi archipelago, sitting at the southwest of Pulau Langkawi. GPS coordinates: 6.23962, 99.72204.

You can take the ferry to Langkawi from Kuala Kedah, Penang, Kuala Perlis, or even from Satun, Thailand. For a faster option, there are direct flights to Langkawi from Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Thailand, and Singapore. Once you're on the island, just look for island hopping tours or day trip packages — you'll be there in no time.

Stuff to Do at Pulau Kentut

Since they're named after farts, it's no surprise these islands aren't exactly a tourist hotspot — and that's honestly a good thing. You pretty much get the whole beach to yourself because of how secluded it is. The waters are crystal clear, so snorkelling is an absolute must. Besides that, you can go fishing, do a beach camp, or just get some incredibly braggable Insta shots proving you actually went to a farting island.

Oh, and yes — you can also fart there. Just don't get caught.

For a tour package to Pulau Kentut, check out Klook's Pulau Kentut snorkelling experience.

Thinking of Camping There?

Beach camping on a secluded island like this is one of those experiences that's hard to beat. If you're planning to spend the night, a few things to sort out: shelter, sleep system, and lighting. The TAHAN Pavillion Shelter Tent (RM999) is great for beachside setups — it's spacious, handles coastal breeze well, and won't be a pain to pitch. Pair it with the TAHAN Panthera Inflatable Sleeping Pad (RM159) so you're not sleeping directly on uneven ground, and bring along the TAHAN Luminate Multifunction Lantern (RM89) for the night — it doubles as a torch and a hanging camp light, which is super handy on the beach.

If you're new to camping and not sure where to start with your gear list, our Beginner Camping Checklist covers all the basics in one place.

Final Word

Pulau Kentut might have the most ridiculous name in Malaysia's island roster, but the experience is genuinely lovely — quiet, clear waters, and a great story to tell back home. Sometimes the best spots are the ones nobody bothers visiting because the name made them snicker and scroll past.

Go fart responsibly, lah.