Payar Island
Malaysia · Asia
About
Payar Island (Malay: Pulau Payar) is an island in Kedah, Malaysia with a namesake marine park that offers protection for its diverse marine life. It is a snorkelling and diving site famous for its corals.
The Payar Island Marine Park is situated in the northern part of the Strait of Malacca, 19 nautical miles (35 km) south of Langkawi and encompasses the islands of Payar, Kaca and Lembu (east of Payar) and Segantang (13 kilometres (8.1 mi) west of Payar) which are surrounded by coral reefs. The marine park teems with a diversity of marine life and vegetation.
Many endangered species of fishes and marine organisms live within the sanctuary. Measuring 2 km long and 1/4 km wide, Payar Island is the most popular of the islands as its sheltered waters are ideal are for snorkelling, diving and swimming. Among the dive spots is the "Coral Garden", an area covered with bright, multi-hued soft corals.
There are boat services linking Kuah, Langkawi to the island.
Adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.