Pulau Payar: Snorkeling and Scuba Diving

The main reason for Pulau Payar's popularity is its abundant corals and marine life, and tourists come here to snorkel or scuba. There are many advantages to go with Langkawi Coral's packages as you get to experience those things easily.

Firstly, snorkeling equipment is provided free of charge. Life jackets and snorkeling masks are abundant, and you can even rent vision-corrective goggles. But please keep them carefully as there's a hefty penalty if you lose them!

Life jackets

When you're ready to get your toes (and every other part) wet, just step off any of the 2 side ladders into the standing platform. This platform is great as it gives newcomers a chance to get comfortable with the sea first. And if swimming's not your strong skill, you can just sit there and feed the fishes, as many people seem to do:

Standing platform for non-swimmers

Here's a tip before you go to Pulau Payar: Stock up on bread, fresh or otherwise. The fishes love them, and if you dare, hold a piece of bread in your fist and submerge it into the water. Presto! A fish spa for your hands! (Beautifying results may vary)

Feeding the hungry fish

The fish that's nibbling your fingers

For a real taste of snorkeling you can venture out to the open waters (within the marked boundaries) and check out the corals and sea creatures. From a safety aspect, there are lifeguards on duty on the platform itself. In fact, I witnessed lifeguards pulling an elderly man back to safety - I believe he may have exhausted himself out in the waters.

Another small platform is tethered nearby

We didn't try scuba diving, but you can certainly come here to do that. They rent everything you need to scuba, and they have a few divemasters ready to head out with you.

Scuba diving equipment

Putting on their scuba gear

Ready to go

Another great thing about the Langkawi Coral platform is that they have a beginner's area for scuba diving. If it's your first time doing it, the divemaster will bring you down to the depths from the comfort of the platform:

Beginner scuba divers enter here

I really think this is great! If I was a scuba noob, the last thing I'd wanna do is to dive down in the middle of nowhere. It's definitely reassuring to know that dry land (figuratively) is just 10m straight up.

Obviously if you're an experienced diver, you can go out further where it's less polluted and more populated (with marine life, not humans).

Check out my other posts on Pulau Payar