After living in Penang for a while, I asked myself, is there a beach nearby where I can enjoy crystal clear water? The answer is yes, by paying Pulau Payar a visit. I went there in one of the Sunday. It took me few days to arrange all the photos. As a result, this post will be divided into three parts – “Snorkeling”, “Beach” and “Food”.
Pulau Payar is actually an island in the neighbor state – Kedah. To go there, you can take the cruise from Swettenham Pier in Penang here.
We departed at 8am and it took about 2 hours to reach the destination using the cruise above.
Oh ya, make sure you bring sun block there or else your parents won’t recognize you when you return home.
After 2 hours ride, finally we arrive at the floating platform called Langkawi Coral.
For this trip, I noticed many white guys/girls as well as Chinese from China were there as well.
The platform is quite hygiene. Unfortunately there is no locker so make sure you don’t bring gold bars or diamonds there.
This is the GPS location.
Standing from the platform, you can see the water is crystal clear.
And there are massive amount of salt water fishes beneath it.
Beside the platform there is a staircase in which you can walk down for snorkeling or to play with the fishes.
Look at those fishes, there are so adorable!!
I hope I can bring some of them back.
If you asked me how I took underwater pictures. Basically I wrapped my camera into a waterproof case called Dicapac. It took some courage to submerge your few K camera into the water. For my case is like taking one PC into water.
Another thing to note is that once you put your camera into the waterproof case, you probably need to set to AF mode as well as Auto scene mode. Operating camera in manual mode underwater is a nightmare. I wasted 50+ photos just to snap those fishes. Already told them not to move but they never listen.
Time for snorkeling!! There are snorkeling gear for you to use there. What you need to bring is your swim suit. This is my first time doing snorkeling. It took me few tries to fit the mask properly. Sigh~
The coral is great.
You can see fishes of many species wondering around the coral.
I even saw some Nemo (Crown fishes) hidden in sea plants.
Even though that was my first time snorkeling, I was quite enjoying it. At first you may feel scared as the water is somehow deep and some naughty fishes will come and “kiss” you. Eventually you will get used to it. Make sure you wear a life jacket for safety reason. I will definitely do snorkeling in the future again.
That’s all for the first part. For those who can’t wait for 2nd part, here is the Langkawi Coral link in which you can make reservation from them or call them at04-899 8822.
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11 responses so far ↓
1
LayMin
// Jan 27, 2010 at 5:47 pm
Lol….. waiting for your part 2~
2
kok ann
// Jan 29, 2010 at 7:45 pm
原来你家的鱼会听人话啊？哈哈！
3
Criz Lai
// Jan 30, 2010 at 1:08 am
LOL! What a different approach in your write up now… more comical. Haha! Lucky my parents can still recognize me. To bring gold or diamond there sounded so stupid… seriously they should have some lockers there just like those in Sunway Lagoon. At least everyone get to enjoy themselves rather than leaving a person behind to safeguard all our properties. Anyway, I loved this trip a lot. I hope we can get to go for holidays again together. It was truly fun!!
.-= Criz Lai´s last blog ..ADVENTUROUS AND WET EXPEDITION TO PULAU PAYAR MARINE PARK =-.
4
CuteHoneyDew
// Apr 18, 2010 at 11:23 pm
Read yr Pular Payar Marine Park (3 parts) & like d way U explained with pictures here & thr for easy understanding
I’m bringing my 2 girls aged 7 & 12 on our own Free & Easy trips to Penang 4D3N on 6 June 10 & Langkawi 4D3N then KL (5D4N). However, i knew NOTHING abt Penang & Langkawi. Cld U let me know how much do U pay & how long for taking d trip fr Penang to Payar island ? TQ
5
Hi CuteHoneyDew,
Thanks for stopping by my blog. I was under a promotional package last time and it was RM180 per pax. It took about 2 hours from Penang to Pulau Payar. We depart from Penang around 8am. The cruise will return and reach Penang around 6pm. That’s about one day journey. Pulau Payar is just below Langkawi so the time taken should be shorter if you depart from Langkawi. Langkawi is a small island and judging from the duration you staying there, it would be better if you spend a day to Pulau Payar when staying at Langkawi…. if possible.
6
CuteHoneyDew
// Apr 19, 2010 at 10:39 am
Thx 4 yr prompt infor.
Will take yr advice to join d Langkawi Coral Snorkeling trip via Jetty Kuah. The rate that I read thro’ d Coral Island’s web is adjusted fr RM148 to RM315 (Adult) / RM118 to RM225 (child) immediately after their sch holiday ends this 30 Apr 10 :(
7
Michelle
// Nov 26, 2010 at 4:18 pm
Hello I enjoyed reading your review on pulau payar! Anyway I’m interested in visiting the place as well but I prefer free and easy so I do not want to book through a tour agency (like East Marine for eg). If I book through my hotel (at Batu Ferringhi), is that considered as signing up for a tour since there will be someone coming to pick us up? Is Swettenham Pier in Georgetown, the place where the jetties leave for Butterworth?
8
Hi Michelle,
Thanks for stopping by. I afraid that Pulau Payar was controlled by some travel agents. Try to ask around and get a good price. Remember to mention that you are Malaysian (if you are) because foreigners are usually being charged higher. Locals should be around RM200. I was not sure whether or not they did provide pick-up service at Batu Ferringgi. Yes, Swettenham Pier is nearby ferry terminal to Butterworth. It is at the corner which has clock tower and a roundabout nearby. Hope you enjoy your trip.
9
PULAU PAYAR, PENANG « of waves and eggs
// Feb 2, 2011 at 5:19 am
[...] 1) Noweating [...]
10
Darren
// May 18, 2011 at 5:10 pm
Hi there, i really enjoyed your pulau payar review.
I have already developed an interest to go there long time ago but i was worried that the amount of money will not worth for what i get.
Now, after reading your review, it makes me desire to go there.
Anyway, may i know how much your total trip cost? =)
Thanks!
Darren´s last [type] ..Chicago Rib House 1st Anniv Promo @ Gurney Plaza- Penang
11
Hi Darren,
The whole trip was covered by travel agent’s package, including the round-trip cruise, snorkeling gears, and lunch. Unless you would like to go to Langkawi island for visit or performing diving at Pulau Payar there, else you probably spend nothing at Pulau Payar.
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