Diving in Langkawi - Pulau Payar Marine Park
A Gift of Nature to Us
Diving in Langkawi means diving around Pulau Payar. Payar is a Marine
Park, it's a tiny elongated island located approximately halfway between
Langkawi islands and Penang. It was recognized by the Malaysian
government as a marine park since 1985, the only Marine Park on
the west coast of Malaysia.
It is amazing that such a tiny speck of land can be home to an incredible
number of marine animals and in large quantities too. It is also a shelter for
many species that are unique and not to be found elsewhere on the west coast of
Malaysia.
Divers and snorkelers come
from Langkawi and Penang for a day trip. The boat ride takes
between one to two hours depending on the sea condition
from these two ports of calls.
Pulau Payar does not have fresh water supply from the ground. That is one of
the reasons why it is saved from becoming just another resort island. There is a
small Marine Park Ranger base, the rangers get their fresh water supply from
pooling the rainwater.
Diving in Langkawi
For such a small area, there are a number of incredible dive sites here.
Some artificial reefs were also sunk around the island, making it ideal for
more marine creatures to build their nests. Basically, most of the diving is
done on the part of the island which faces north. This is adjacent to the
leeward side of the island, where there is a narrow strip of the beach visible.
A number of dive operators operate from Langkawi. Divers and snorkelers are
picked up from their hotels to the the jetty, either at the main Kuah jetty or
the Royal Yacht Club. Pick up time varies between 8 am to 9 am. Usually, your
trip will also include a packed lunch.
Normally, two dives would be scheduled, with a surface interval planned
during your lunch break. It is not possible to do more than two dives a
day due to logistics problem. By 3.30p.m. both dives would be
completed and divers go back to their hotels with the dive boat.
Seasoned divers who have dived the Andaman Sea can relate to the greenish
hues of the ocean around Pulau Payar. It is so beautiful, which defies
description by words. It has to be eye-witnessed to be believed.
Under the pier at the island, it was packed with so many fish. Even the
fearsome barracudas patrol the area. Moray eels are also common, rearing out
their big ugly heads of their tiny caverns. Scorpionfish, lionfish and colorful
anemones all greet you in their natural habitats.
For micro underwater photographers, with patience and luck, you would
capture sea horses, sea snails like the nudibranch and tiny shrimps
on your camera lenses. My oh my, you would wish you have a re-breather
unit strapped on your back for unlimited time underwater!
Baby black tipped sharks roam the beach, being so used to visitors that you
can hand feed them with morsels of fish! Be careful, because these predators
have sharp teeth. You do not want to bleed in the water when they are around!
For young family and snorkelers, it is an ideal place to introduce the
children to the real, natural marine habitat. There is a Langkawi Corals reef
platform that caters to non-diver whereby it has viewing windows on the side of
its hull. You would feel as if you are witnessing a giant aquarium.
Yes, it is too bad, visitors are not allowed to spend overnight on the
island. However, this usually adds more to the appeal to Pulau Payar because one
visit is simply not enough for those who love the marine life and who are
addicted to breathing compressed air.
Marine Park conservation ticket and lunch would be included in the price of your
snorkeling or dive trip. Diving and snorkeling gear are also included in
the package. Make your booking at least a week in advance because
the number of visitors per day is regulated to visit the Pulau Payar Marine
Park.
You can book
your Pulau Payar diving/snorkeling adventure (departure from Penang
ONLY)
Langkawi accommodation
Langkawi has a wide range of hotels. For the traveler who want to go rock
bottom cheap, Cenang Beach has several cheapies. Our hotels in Langkawi and
Cenang Beach hotels offer a range of mid and top end hotels at your service.
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