Malaysia - PAYAR ISLAND

Payar Island, which comprises of four uninhabited islands - Payar, Lembu, Kaca and Segantang - makes up Malaysia's oldest Marine Park sanctuary.

These islands, famous for the varied and colourful marine life that they support, offer the best diving sites on Peninsular Malaysia's west coast. Access is not a problem as speedboats and catamarans ply the route on a regular basis from Langkawi and Penang.

At Payar Island, the largest of the four islands, you will find the Marine Park Centre which was set up and operated by the Fisheries Department. Here, you'll find useful information on the do's and don'ts while visiting this marine park.

If you are not into water activities, do check out the two hiking trails that have been constructed to enable visitors to explore and enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding sea and beyond. Gazebos, picnic tables, BBQ pits and restroom facilities are also available for public use. Although picnics and camping are allowed, cutting of trees and open burning are strictly prohibited.

Nearby is a jetty, and just a short distance away is a pontoon with facilities for easy access to the reef below.The waters of Pulau Payar have an additional attraction -- artificial reefs built from tyres, concrete blocks and old boats, which over the years have developed into mature reefs that are teeming with marine life.