Sunrise & Drone Photography at Masjid Terapung Pulau Pinang ( Penang Floating Mosque)
Masjid Terapung Pulau Pinang, or the Penang Floating Mosque, is one of Penang’s most iconic religious landmarks. Built on stilts above the sea in Tanjung Bungah, this mosque is as impressive in scale as it is in beauty. During my trip, I brought my camera and drone to explore the best photography opportunities here, and I want to share some practical tips for fellow photographers.
Sunrise Photography
For sunrise photography, this mosque really shines. The soft morning glow reflects on the water, giving you a clean and calm composition. Parking is plentiful in the morning, so access isn’t an issue. Once parked, walk to the left side of the parking lot and head down the steps. From there, you’ll find a clear vantage point to frame the mosque with the sunrise.
Sunset Photography
My experience with sunset photography wasn’t as smooth. The mosque is located in a busy tourist area, and evening traffic is tough. If you want to shoot at sunset, I strongly suggest arriving very early. Once parked, walk to the right side of the parking lot, continue toward the apartments, and make your way to the beach. This angle allows you to capture the mosque with the sun behind it - but be ready for crowds and limited parking.
You can still get a the sunset light if you head to the sunrise spot but this depends on luck, I guess.
Drone Photography
For those wondering about drone photography at Masjid Terapung Pulau Pinang, you’ll be glad to know there are no strict limitations here. Just follow Malaysia’s basic drone safety rules and respect the surroundings. From above, the mosque looks stunning, sitting elegantly over the sea with fishing boats and shoreline framing the scene.
Long Exposure Experiment
Besides sunrise and drone shots, I also tried a daytime long exposure. This technique smoothed out the water and brought a sense of calmness to the frame, contrasting with the bright blue sky and the mosque’s white walls. For those who enjoy experimenting, Masjid Terapung Pulau Pinang is an excellent subject for long exposure photography, especially when clouds are moving fast across the sky.
How to Get There
Masjid Terapung Pulau Pinang is located in Tanjung Bungah, about halfway between George Town and Batu Ferringhi. It’s easy to reach by car or Grab from either direction, and there is parking available near the mosque.
📍 Google Maps Location: 5.4685585, 100.2777996
Driving from George Town takes about 20–25 minutes depending on traffic.
If you’re coming from Batu Ferringhi, it’s just a 10–15 minute drive.
Final Thoughts
These are the tips I personally use when photographing this mosque. For me, Masjid Terapung Pulau Pinang (Penang Floating Mosque) works best for sunrise, but with patience and planning, sunset can also produce memorable images. Drone and long exposure shots add variety, making this site one of Penang’s most photogenic locations.
