Kuala Selangor’s Fireflies

Most visitors to Kuala Selangor come to watch the synchronized flashing of thousands of fireflies glowing spectacularly in the evenings along the banks of Selangor River.

The best way to enjoy this spectacle of nature is by travelling along the river in a traditional sampan or an electrically-powered fiberglass boat to help reduce air, water and noise pollution and protect the fireflies’ natural habitat.

Firefly tours in Kuala Selangor are often combined with Blue Tears and eagle feeding tours, which also take place along the river.

Fireflies Tour

For maximum visibility, the best time to experience Kuala Selangor’s fireflies is slightly after 8pm on a clear, moonless night. Any later than that, and the fireflies may have found a mate, causing them to stop flashing.

There are three places to catch this rare, natural phenomenon:

1. Kampung Bukit Belimbing Firefly Park Resort

   Chalet-style accommodation is available at this resort.

   Price: ~RM16.00 (Adult) ~RM9.00 (Child) per pax
   Kampung Bukit Belimbing Chalet: ~RM159.00 (Weekday), ~RM212.00 (Weekend), ~RM243.80 (Public Holiday) – each chalet sleeps up to 4 pax
   Opening hours: 7.45pm – 10.30pm (last call 10.00pm)
   Boat: Electrically-powered fiberglass boat

   Fireflies boatride only – Book today

   Fireflies + Bukit Melawati + Seafood Dinner – Book today

2. Kampung Kuantan Firefly Park

   Run by the district council, this is another popular choice among visitors.

   Price: ~RM50.00 per sampan (max. 4 pax per sampan)
   Opening hours: 7.45pm – 11.30pm
   Boat: Sampan

3. Pasir Penambang

   Just 2.5km from Kuala Selangor Nature Park and Bukit Melawati, Pasir Penambang is an alternative starting point for firefly tours conducted by several tour companies.

   Price: ~RM20 for adults, ~RM15 for children (2-10 years). Boats for large groups (25-40 pax) available
   Opening hours: 7.30pm – 9.30pm (last call 8.45pm)
   Boat: Speedboat

   What to bring – Sport shoes or shoes with rubber soles are recommended when visiting. Also remember to pack plenty of mosquito repellent. Flash photography is strictly prohibited as this may interfere with the fireflies, who communicate by emitting lights from their abdomen.

About Kuala Selangor’s fireflies

The firefly is a type of insect from the beetle family. The ‘Pteroptyx tener’ species is the most dominant in Kuala Selangor, measuring about 5mm in length.

At night, these tiny insects congregate on berembang trees (Sonneratia caseolaris), a type of mangrove tree that grows naturally in the brackish waters along Selangor River’s banks.

They usually become active at dusk (unless it rains) and while congregating, each firefly displays flashes emitted from its abdomen. The males’ flashes are brighter so as to attract the females, and in the case of the Pteroptyx tener, their flashing is synchronized, which is rare in other firefly species.

Nearby

The following are about 8km from Kuala Selangor’s fireflies and are popular things to do in Kuala Selangor during the daytime:

• Bukit Melawati;
• Kuala Selangor Nature Park;
• Sky Mirror – an unusual natural phenomenon;
• Blue Tears – a nighttime natural phenomenon; and
• Sri Shakti Temple – magnificent Hindu temple.

Stay