Where to go

There are several islands that can visited by tourists in Langkawi Island. Each of the islands have it own uniqueness and specialties. Here is an information about an island that tourist can know :-

LANGKAWI ISLAND MAP

 I) PULAU BERAS BASAH

Pulau Beras Basah is famous for its beautiful white sandy beaches with crystal clear blue waters and the rich mystifying forest with magnificent mountains in the background. It an ideal place for you to get away for a while and indulge yourself in the beauty of nature.

Besides its pristine white sand beaches, it offers other interesting activities too including Para sailing, snorkeling, banana boat ride swimming or you can just bathe and relax under the sun. You might be able to see a group of around 40-50 playful dolphins as they show up only occasionally.

When the sea is perforated by strong waves, the mountains surface of this island makes it an appropriate refuge for fishermen to protect themselves from the stormy winds.

Pulau Beras Basah is an uninhabited and not well-developed Island which has enabled it to maintain its beauty and peace. There are a few basic facilities available like stalls of soft drinks and washrooms. This island is also a home to monkeys and you must be careful with your food and other stuff as they have a tendency to sneak and grab your things.

  II) PULAU SINGA BESAR

It is named after a legend of the giant who possessed a lion as a pet thus it means "Island of the Big Lion". It is located between two small islands which are Pulau Bras Basah and PulauDayang Bunting. About 17km from Kuah it is a 35-45 minutes ride by boat from Kuah Jetty.

It has a steep hilly land all wrapped up with dense tropical forest and some of the most unusual flora and fauna are found here, unlike those found on the mainland. The sedimentary rock formation here is stated among the oldest rocks in Malaysia, as old as 500 million years.

It is a beautiful Island with protected and reserved wildlife and to keep it preserved, there are no resorts or hotels are built, although camping is allowed. Here, you can see monkeys, Lizards, Iguanas, Macaques, Eagles, Mouse Deer, Hornbills and peacocks moving about freely in the woods. Wild deer or pigs are also found roaming occasionally. The wooden pathways, looking sites and marked jungle tracks serve as an interesting adventure to the visitors and nature lovers in order to explore and trek around the Island. They can also enjoy swimming in the immaculate waters around or picnic on the beaches.

Eagle feeding is the major attraction of Pulau Singa Besar which is also a perfect spot to carefully observe and watch eagles flying as near as 6 feet of distance from you. According to the guides these eagles are trained and wait for the sound of the arriving speedboats and the chicken pieces they throw to the middle of the sea. Within no time the hundreds of brown and some white eagles are flying above your head. It’s a beautiful sight as they grab the pieces and soar away with it.

   III) PULAU TUBA

  Pulau Tuba, a hilly island and the only inhabited one, besides the main Langkawi Island. It is a strikingly beautiful Island located 5 kilometers from Kuah and a 20 minutes boat ride. All the residents living in this Island are mostly Muslims so it is also known as the Islamic Island.

It is a traditional fishing village and the villagers prefer the old ways of drawing water from the wells although it provides all the other facilities like power, fresh water supply, telephones and they also provide a number of homestay program unionized by Malaysia’s Fisheries Development Authority. Here the entire household heads work as fishermen and do farming.

The Tuba Island is the only Island that provides accommodation for tourists but with very limited options and a few places to stay. It has a couple of resorts including The Sunrise Beach Resort with its own swimming pool and Tok Janggut’s Chalet. The homestay program also permit the guests to stay in one of the thirty household registered with the Authority.

The Island is not fully developed thus contain a natural home ground to wildlife and has an ample growth of herbs and shrubs. A rare species of flora knows as Tuba plant is common here and its roots are used to catch fish. You will also see Hornbills flying all around and some other domestic and wild animals at various sites in Pulau Tuba. The fisher folks occasionally go to the forest to collect herbs, medicinal roots, wild fruits, wax and honey and sell them to complement the family income. The women are also very skillful and keep occupied in weaving pandan, coconut leaf mats and other handicrafts for basic usage and to support the family income.

One of the attractions here is Gua Kelawar- the Bat Cave; it got its name from a bat species reside in this cave. It is approximately 60 meters long with hundreds of bats hanging on to the ceiling. The cave has a remarkable formation of limestone and ancient oyster shells glued to the walls. On your way to jungle trekking, you should watch out for monitor lizards and joyous otters.

Another beautiful sight at Pulau Tuba is the colonies of fireflies at night, twinkling and flickering lights into the darkness. During a moonless light you can experience squid scooping or oyster picking which is only done in Pulau Tuba. Get a boat and watch the fishermen as he puts a lamp at the front of his boat in order to attract the squids and scoop them up. There are different options of fishing for you to choose from; either you can choose fishing in open waters at hidden fishing sites like “Unjam-unjam”, only be reached by hiring a boat. The other options are fishing at the platform which is available at two spots ‘Kelong’ and fish cages or at the Jetty/beach where you will be taken to a secret fish based ports and jetties.

Pulau Tuba is a peaceful and soothing Island to visit. The dearest choice for a picnic spot here is Batu Reban. It is a sandy beach situated at the banks of Pulau Dayang Bunting Strait. Mollacses and Bronok – Sea cucumber species can be easily found here in the shallow waters during low tides. These marine species are used in cooking mixed with other ingredients to form a unique and exotic dish known as Kerabu. You can also see hermit crabs under trees, in bushes or at seabed - an ideal place for fishing and camping.

  IV) PULAU DAYANG BUNTING

Tasik Dayang Bunting (Lake of the Pregnant Maiden) is closely associated with the romantic exploits of Mambang Sari, a beautiful fairy princess and Mat Teja - her male counterpart. Mambang Sari used to frequent the island accompanied by her maids. Their favourite spot was Pasir Teluk Air Tahun and Teluk Lawak. One day Mat Teja saw Mambang Sari and was struck by her beauty. He fell in love with her and would follow her wherever she went. Once, while looking for her, he met Tok Diang, an old man from the village.

Mat Teja told him of his love for Mambang Sari but didn't know to let the princess know. He feared that his love might not be reciprocated.Tuk Diang then told him to take acylindrical bamboo vessel, walk along the beach at ebb tide and catch the tears of a mermaid at a place called Telok Kahar. When he got the tears, he was to wipe his face with it.

Mat Teja did just that and when Mambang Sari saw him she fell in love with him. They often met at various beautiful places on the island. They became more intimate and as a result Mambang Sari became pregnant and later gave birth. She chose to go to the lake for her accouchement. Unfortunately, the child died after seven days. Saddened by the death, Mambang Sari took the child's body and threw it into the lake. The lake later came to be known as Tasik Dayang Bunting. Some people believe the water of the lake possess a mystical  power that helps barren women to conceive.

The story has been passed down the generations - taking a life of its own with embellishments and drama both profane and sacred. Today, Pulau Dayang Bunting, as the second largest island in the Langkawi group is a popular tourist destination. The island, which is about 20 kilometres from Kuah town, is modestly populated on one side and virtually uninhabited on the other, where the lake is situated. During weekends and holidays boat loads of visitors make a beeline for the place.

A small concrete jetty facilitates boat landings but during low tide it can be quite tricky as most boatmen find it rather difficult to manoeuvre their crafts over the sharp corals in the area. A long and rather steep flight of steps lead from the landing area up the hillside over the escarpment that divides the sea and the 10 hectare freshwater lake.

Basic amenities for visitors are available but nothing in the way of accommodation, though, unless you want to camp out. Besides just soaking-in the peaceful ambiance of the lake, visitors can swim in its cool water or indulge in the numerous water toys available, including the banana boat ride, water-cycle and paddle boating.

  V) PULAU BUMBON

Bumbon Island shares a pair of Islands named Pulau Bumbon Besar with the shape of the letter C and Pulau Bumbon Kecil with the shape of the letter M. Pulau Bumbon Kecil is separated from the other by Selat Pulau Balek which is a narrow bed of a stream leading to the northeast coast of the island.

The islands are situated near Kuah Town, to the southeast from Pulau Langkawi. Both islands are unpopulated and exceptionally visited by the tourists although you can hire a boat from Kuah Jetty to see the lovely stretch of beach of Pulau Bumbon Besar and the two coves on the southern part.

It is about ten minutes from Kuah jetty with amiable beaches a long way from most of the major tourist locations but a pleasing enough place to spend sometime of peace and calm on a deserted island and enjoy the beautiful sunrise.

VI) PULAU REBAK BESAR

Pulau Rebak Besar is a small but one of the popular Islands easily accessible by a 15-minute boat trip from Langkawi Kuah Jetty, Padang Matsirat.

It is named after a traditional Malay drum (rebak) because of its resemblance to the island. This beautiful Island is known to be splendid with natural wonders established as a marina (Marine Park) for adventurous, an ideal place for picnics with family.

The crystal clear beaches bordered with leafy trees are still in its pure natural form with luminous turquoise waters. Its heart-warming view attracts large number of tourists from all across the world and to enjoy the countless beach activities including boating, swimming, sailing, surfing and fishing. It is also pleasing to view the sun setting and rising into the ocean leaving you spellbound with its beauty.

Rebak Island is certainly a preferred destination for tourists on a pleasure trip. It also offers other entertainment facilities such as camping grounds, night clubs, theatres, fun parks and picnic points to fully enjoy your tour.

The Island has a number of restaurants where various variety of food is available like Chinese, Thai, Indian and Malay most certainly. Rebak Island Resort (formerly Rebak Marina Resort) is the leading hotel in this area. The resort offers exclusive private marina, deluxe lodging, private balconies with wood furnishing and flooring. The other facilities include kayaking, biking, fitness facilities and Wi-Fi. It is located on the Rebak beach near to Underwater World

  VII) PULAU PAYAR

Pulau Payar is located in the southern part of Langkawi near Kulala Kedah and the most popular tourist destination. It is one of the four islands which altogether make up the Pulau Payar Marine Park including the islands of Pulau Payar, Pulau Lembu, Pulau Segantang and Pulau Kaca.

Pulau Payar Marine Park

The Pulau Payar Marine Park, stated as a marine park in 1985, is the oldest, the only in the West Coast of the Peninsula Malaysia and one of the best diving spots in the world. It is rich with exotic marine creatures and the place also provides protection for its assorted marine life.

It is spread in 2 miles and the best place for snorkeling and diving and the waters around the park exhibits splendid corals and marine species such as Lobsters, black-tip sharks, moray eels, mollusks, rock groupers and clown fish. This marine park abounding with interesting marine life and vegetation also serves as a study center for the marine research workers. It does not have any accommodation facility so a day trip is the only option.

Payar Island measures 2 km by 1/4 km and the largest island of the Marine Park. The other islands include Pulau Lembu, Pulau Kaca and Pulau Segantang which are situated on the busy Straits of Malacca between Penang and Langkawi Geopark. It takes about 1 hour’s boat ride to get to the islands from Kuah. These uninhabited islands do not provide accommodation facilities but visitors are allowed to set up camps after they get permission from the Fisheries Department located at AlorSetar (Kedah).

Both Pulau Lembu and Pulau Payar are densely covered with vegetation while Pulau Segantang and Pulau Kaca are with scarce vegetation.

Payar Island with its crystal clear waters is a good picnic point also provides two hiking trails to further explore the flora and fauna of the island. Other facilities are also available at selected areas such as picnic tables, Gazebos and restrooms. Old boats, concrete blocks and artificial reefs built over the years from tyres are some additional attractions for visitors to see. The Island is surrounded by tropical forest, mangroves and breathtaking sandy beaches around the coast.

The most popular diving site Coral Garden starts several meters away at the south-west of Pulau Payar, covered with bright and multicolored soft corals and said to have the greatest number of coral kinds in Malaysia. While snorkeling or scuba diving, you can see exotic fish like damsels, lionfish, roc cod, snappers, sea perch and big groupers. It is also interesting to see numerous shellfish, seashells and slugs that are scattered all over the bed of the ocean.

Look into the rifts and fissures to have a glimpse of washed shrimps and pretty cowries.
At Coral Garden you can also have an unforgettable experience of Baby Shark Feeding and have a close encounter with up to 25 black tip baby sharks snapping at each other for food.

Next to Coral Garden is Grouper Farm on the South end of Pulau Payar, well-known for its various groupers, jacks, snappers and even barracudas.

It is the clearest and perfect spot of all the diving reefs in Puala Payar with very low current, making it easier for the divers. The reef goes down to 15m deep to the sandy ground. Hard corals are found which of them mostly are tree Corals. Group Farm is a home to small fish trying to protect themselves from a larger no of groupers present there.

Lembu Rock also known as Sunken Boat Point is a rocky and sandy dive spot with a good variety of sunken fish draggers in order to set up an unnatural reefs around Lembu Rock. The other diving sites in this area are Rock point and Goodyear Reef where rocks are covered with hard corals and are home to countless shoals of fish. The rock formation in these areas is also very interesting and worth-seeing.

Pulau Kaca is a favored and perfect spot for shallow and easy crash diving. The Island also has many draggers of sunken fishing around it, for creating unnatural reefs and providing shelter to a variety of marine species. The island is all full of wrecks and scattered vessels in almost every direction. You will find hard corals here on the sandy bottom and many small reef fish, mangrove snappers, clownfish, sea slugs like nudi branch and mollusks. You should try to maintain lightness on the sandy seabed as there are many sea urchins scattered all over.

Pulau Segantang is 12kms to the west of Pulau payar with a steep rocky landmass plunging 20 meters into the sandy bottom of the sea. Here you can have a memorable experience of swimming along with exotic leopard sharks, barracudas, jacks and big groupers. It is full of various marine fish such as scorpion fish, lion fish, puffer fish, butterfly fish and lobsters are also commonly found on this Island.