| Official Name: | Pantai Merdeka |
| Translit Lang1: | Other |
| Translit Lang1 Type1: | Jawi |
| Translit Lang1 Info1: | ڤنتاي مرديک |
| Pushpin Map: | Malaysia |
| Pushpin Mapsize: | 360 |
| Coordinates: | 5.6661°N 100.3675°W |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | Malaysia |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Subdivision Name1: | Kedah |
| Subdivision Type2: | Administrative District |
| Subdivision Name2: | Kuala Muda |
| Subdivision Type3: | Electoral District |
| Subdivision Name3: | Sungai Petani |
| Subdivision Type4: | Electoral Sub-district |
| Subdivision Name4: | Pantai Merdeka |
| Subdivision Type5: | Municipal Council |
| Subdivision Name5: | Sungai Petani |
| Postal Code Type: | Postcode |
| Postal Code: | 08500 |
| Timezone: | MST |
| Utc Offset: | +8 |
Pantai Merdeka is a coastal location in Kuala Muda District, Kedah, Malaysia.[1] It has the only sand beach in mainland Kedah, and it is the major attraction for beach goers from all over northern Penang and Kedah State. Various accommodation is available for rent to experience the beach and other attractions in the area which includes harvesting Kepah, Siput Kemudi and Kerang (variety of sea food in local language) in Kampung Tepi Sungai, Kota Kuala Muda,[2] Pantai Merdeka itself and also at Pulau Sayak.
Pantai Merdeka is 18km (11miles) from Tikam Batu off the Butterworth to Alor Setar trunk road. In the early 1970s the beach attracted swimmers, picnickers and campers from Kedah state and the city of Seberang Perai. Subsequent sea erosion made the beach less popular and visitors were lost to the newly-developed beaches at Pantai Murni in Yen and Pantai Bersih in Butterworth.[3]
In 1989 facilities at the beach were upgraded[4] and the seawall along the 760m (2,490feet) shoreline, originally built in 1975, was subsequently replaced.[5]
A ferry boat across the Merbok River links Pantai Merdeka to the small town of Tanjung Dawai, which is otherwise 80km (50miles) by road.[6]
The beach is a popular picnic spot for local residents.[5] Wild monkeys from the nearby forest have been observed to visit the beach to scavenge from the litter bins.[7] The nearby forest is popular with jungle trekkers.[8]