Snorkelling experience at Langkawi's Pulau Payar

LOCATED 19 nautical miles south of Langkawi, the Pulau Payar Marine Park is popular for its sheltered waters that makes it ideal for recreational activities such as snorkelling, diving and swimming.

This "Jewel of Kedah" can be reached by visitors using a catamaran or speedboat from Langkawi's Kuah Jetty.

The trip to the island takes about 45 minutes on a catamaran and as long as an hour on a speedboat.

Those who choose to go through the local travel agent such as the East Marine Holidays Sdn Bhd however, have to assemble at the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club, which is about five minutes away from the Kuah Jetty.

Upon reaching the tranquil vicinity of the Pulau Payar, visitors can see that the island's beach comprises sheltered huts, where visitors can have their break from swimming and snorkelling, and toilet and shower room facility.

Along the beach, visitors can walk along wooden paths overlooking the hilly and forested parts of the island and the jetty.

As visitors come off the boat to the island's jetty, visitors can immediately look through the clear seawater that surrounds the island and find reef sharks and a variety of marine life swimming over the seabed.

Corals are also found on the Pulau Payar sea as snorkellers swim further into the sea.

As visitors come down to the white-sand beaches, they can see other holidaymakers getting ready for their snorkelling exploration. many of them were seen clutching to their snorkelling goggles and lifejackets (to keep those who can't swim afloat) provided by the East Marine boys.

One East Marine under the name "Ricky", told us on the onset of the journey, we need to abide to a few rules to protect the marine life on Pulau Payar."

"Don't try to remove the corals from the sea bed. Do try to keep the beach and sea clean. Please wear lifejackets while snorkelling or swimming at all times." Looking up, we can see the sun was shining bright. The time at Pulau Payar was the right day for us to snorkel.

Aside from this activity, we can see other visitors enjoying their time sunbathing, feeding the sharks from the bridge and diving.

For further information on the Pulau Payar Marine Park, kindly contact Kedah State Marine Park Unit at 604 733 9086.

The Brunei Times