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Pulau Payar
Pulau Payar Marine Park covers two nautical miles off four little islands - Pulau Payar (the largest), Pulau Kaca, Pulau Lembu and Pulau Segantang. Fishing, either hobby or commercial, is strictly prohibited around the islands. There is no accommodation on the islands. However, for the more adventurous tourist who would like to rough it out with nature, camping is allowed with permission from the Fisheries Department at Alor Setar.
A day trip to Pulau Payar Marine Park is the only option for most tourists. This tourist spot can be accessed from three major points - Kuah, on Langkawi Island, Kuala Kedah on the mainland, and Penang Island. From Kuah or Kuala Kedah the boat ride takes about 45 minutes, whereas from Penang, it may take slightly more than an hour.
Pulau Payar offers four sandy beaches. Teeming with coral reefs, the waters surrounding the four islands have an average visibility of between 9 to 15 meters, making the marine park an ideal place for scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming. Two tracking trails have also been made available for visitors to explore the flora and fauna of the island.
Scuba divers and those who snorkel will enjoy the sight of colorful fishes darting playfully in and out of the corals. You'll revel in the company of shoals of fishes as they go about their busy way. Various seashells, shellfishes and slugs that are scattered all over the seabed complete the wonderful underwater vista. There is a sense of calm amidst the hustle and bustle of life in the water. The tranquil surface belies the teeming life below.
For those who do not dive or snorkel, marvel at the spectacular sights below the surface from the large floating platform (Langkawi Coral) moored off Pulau Payar. Built with a tunnel-like chamber located at the bottom of the platform more than 10 feet below the sea, its Underwater Observation Chamber is the closest encounter a you can have with the world below.
At the southwestern tip of Pulau Payar is a site known as Coral Garden. It is one of the best spots for divers, offering spectacular views of multicolored and vibrant soft corals. Other popular spots are the flat terrain to the east of the island, and the area to its west around Pulau Segantang that offers steep diving condition.
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