Pulau Duyong

Pulau Duyong is an estuarine island at the mouth of the Terengganu River in Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia. Connected to the mainland by the Sultan Mahmud Bridge, it is renowned as the historic centre of traditional Malay boat building, particularly perahu and fishing boats. The island features traditional Malay houses, boat workshops, a marina and resort, and waterfront settlements, reflecting its maritime heritage and riverine landscape.

Visitors can expect a low-lying river island with traditional Malay kampung houses, active boat-building workshops where craftsmen build wooden fishing boats and yachts, quiet village roads, waterfront jetties along the Terengganu River, and the Duyong Marina & Resort area. The setting is residential and maritime, with views of the river estuary, Sultan Mahmud Bridge, and Kuala Terengganu waterfront. Exploration is mainly by road, walking and boat viewing.

Pulau Duyong has been a centre for traditional Malay boat building since the 19th century, known for constructing perahu, payang and other wooden fishing vessels using skills passed through generations of local craftsmen. The island's boat builders gained national recognition for preserving traditional techniques without modern blueprints.

The island is culturally significant as a living heritage site for Terengganu Malay maritime culture, showcasing traditional boat craftsmanship, vernacular Malay architecture, and riverine village lifestyle. It remains an active community of artisans and is promoted as a cultural tourism destination for heritage preservation.