Cat Beach Sanctuary in Tanjung Bungah, Malaysia

The sleepy fishing village of Teluk Bahang is home to numerous beaches, amongst the most famous being Monkey Beach within Penang National Park. Unbeknownst to the primates, their feline coastline counterparts nearby have begun stealing the show, asserting their presence to form possibly the most adorable beach in the world. Founded in 2014 by two cat lovers, the Cat Beach Sanctuary is a “no-kill, non-profit, cats-only” center. It was established in response to a Zero Stray policy being implemented locally in 2014, with the founders seeking to provide a home for rescued felines they feared would otherwise be euthanized. Since then it has become a popular destination, housing around 300 cats and attracting not just the local community but also overseas tourists. Plans are in place to open an on-site vet clinic, and the sanctuary also functions as a rehoming site, offering cats for adoption. Visitors are welcome to volunteer — not only as playmates for the felines, but also to help keep the environment clean from plastic and animal waste.