Travel Islands Around Malaysia

Located 17.6 km from Kuah, this island is the second largest island within the langkawi archipelago. The island's name which means 'The Island of the Pregnant Maiden', is perhaps inspired by the legends which surrounds the lake (known as Lake Guillemard) or by the physical appearance of the island itself, that resembles the belly of a pregnant woman. The legends and the claim (though not scientifically proven) that the lake bestows fertility only enhance the air of mystery that engulfs it.

Mangroove swamps dominate the perimeter of the island, while tropical forests elegantly form the rest of the greenery. There is a rich bird and insect life, and over 90 species of birds have been sighted including the hornbill, kingfisher, drongo, woodpecker and the brahminy kite.

Getting There

By Plane
Langkawi's airport is called the Padang Matsirat airport, located about 20km from Kuah town. Daily direct flights from Kuala Lumpur are available via Malaysia Airlines (Tel: 603-78463000 or 1 300 88 3000). Optionally Air Asia (Tel: 1 300 88 9933) also has regular flights to Langkawi.

By Rail
Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) connects Kuala Lumpur to Alor Setar and Arau towns in Kedah. From these towns, you can catch a taxi or a bus easily to Kuala Kedah or Kuala Perlis respectively and catch a ferry to Langkawi. Please contact KTMB at 603-22747435.

By Boat
From Kuala Kedah (1 hour 15 minute ride):
Lada Holdings, Tel: 604-7626295 / 7626296
Nautica Ferries, Tel: 604-7621201 / 7622341
Samavest, Tel: 604-7623052
Langkawi Ferry, Tel: 604-7624524

From Kuala Perlis (45 minutes):
Lada Holdings, Tel: 604-9855823
Nautica Ferries, Tel: 604-9854494 / 9854563
Samavest, Tel: 604-9854440
Langkawi Ferry, Tel: 604-9852690

Ferries are also available from Penang (Tel: 604-2631943)

By Road From the North South Expressway (NSE), head north to Kedah and take the Alor Setar Selatan exit (Interchange 177) onto the highway headed to Teluk Kechai and on to Kuala Kedah where you can catch a ferry to Langkawi island. Alternatively, you can also catch ferries from Kuala Perlis further north, accessible via the Jitra Selatan exit (Interchange 181) via Kodiang and Kangar on trunk road K3. This route is longer at 48km from the NSE exit. From Kuah Jetty or at Pantai Cenang, you can hire a boat from the many boat operators there that go to the Pulau Dayang Bunting. The journey takes about 15 minutes.

Map of Pulau Dayang Bunting

Labels: dayang bunting, island, kedah, langkawi

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Pulau Payar

It is an island covered in tropical forest with mangroves and sandy beaches around the coast. On the island itself there are four small sandy beaches complete with picnic benches and hiking trails so that visitors can explore the island's tropical forests.

On the island itself there are four small sandy beaches which combine to provide a total length of about 200 meters. This island has the friendliest fish you’d ever see. Feeding fishes and baby sharks that come up to the beaches is a popular attraction here.

Two tracking trails have also been made available for visitors to explore the flora and fauna of the island. These tracks appear to be underutilized as few visitors are even aware of their existence. Other amenities provided include picnic tables, barbecue pits, gazebos, and restrooms at strategic points

The Pulau Payar Marine Park

The Pulau Payar Marine Park is the first marine park to be established off the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Gazetted in 1985, it includes the islands of Pulau Payar, Pulau Lembu, Pulau Segantang and Pulau Kaca which are surrounded by coral reefs.

Named after Pulau Payar, the biggest island of the group, the marine park teems with a fascinating diversity of marine life and vegetation. The average visibility is between 9 to 15 meters, or 30 - 50 feet and best time is from the month of February until November

None of the island is inhabited, except by on-duty officers of the Fisheries Department, who enforce the law. Fishing, either for hobby or commercial, is strictly prohibited around the islands.

Amongst the islands, Pulau Payar is the most popular as its sheltered waters are ideal for snorkelling, diving and swimming.

Scuba divers and and those who snorkel will enjoy the sight of colourful fishes darting playfully in and out of the corals. You'll revel in the company of shoals and shoals of fishes as they go about their busy way.

There are various seashells, shellfishes and slugs that are scattered all over the seabed.
If you don't dive or snorkel, you can still see the spectacular sights below the water from a large floating platform moored off Pulau Payar.

The Coral Langkawi, is a large 49 m x 15 m floating platform that is used for the day boats to moor up at, and as a base for divers and snorkellers alike.

How to Get There

Day tours can be booked through us and it provides for transfers, equipment and lunch. A trip from Kuah takes around 45 minutes. You can also reach the islands from Kuala Kedah on the mainland, which takes about 45 minutes by boat, and from Penang Island which takes just over an hour.

Staying There

A day trip to the Pulau Payar Marine Park is the only option for most tourists as there is no accommodation on the islands.

Best time to go

Anytime except the monsoon season from October till early-January and more importantly, during public and school holidays.

Map of Pulau Payar