A trip to Crab Island or Pulau Ketam makes an enjoyable family outing from Kuala Lumpur. Pulau Ketam, or literally translated ?crab island? is a small island located off the coast of Klang. The best place to witness the unique lifestyle of fishermen, the island is easily accessible from the Port Klang jetty by ferry. The ?floating houses? that come to view as visitors approach the island is a sight to awe any city slickers. Homestay facilities are readily available. Seafood is a natural wonder of this isle, and Pulau Ketam is renowned for fresh crabs, prawns and fish. It is indeed a seafood gourmet?s paradise!

The island was first settled by a group of fishermen from Hainan in southern China in the 1870s. Today it is home to a community of about 8000, majority Chinese, who have built mostly wooden homes on stilts over the soft tidal mudflats. Services such as schools, a clinic, police station and electricity have been added over the years.

There are two settlements on the island, Pulau Ketam village and Sungai Lima village. There are no roads or cars and the only way to get around is by boat or walking/cycling on the narrow wooden or concrete boardwalks within the village.

Once you arrive at Crab Island's ferry jetty you can walk through the busy main street of the village which is lined with shops selling dried fish and groceries. Here too is where the island's many seafood restaurants are located. After your meal you can wander round the village. It is possible to rent bicycles but children and inexperienced cyclists should be careful on the narrow paths.

It is best to avoid public and school holidays if you can as this place can get busy. On normal weekdays you probably will not need to join a long queue for the ferries and the service in the restaurants will be better too. As for souvenirs, most locals would buy dried seafood. We managed to find a couple of good Pulau Ketam T-shirts.