#JOM! GO: 4 snorkelling spots in Malaysia - April 19, 2022
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- Published: Wednesday, 20 April 2022 08:17
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To get a closer look at the marine world at some of the country's island destinations, David Bowden puts on a (different) mask and snorkelers away. MALAYSIA is known as a dive destination with many islands that are well-established for scuba diving. For example, Sipadan Island off Sabah's east coast is rated AS one of the world's best dive sites, with the late and great marine biologist Jacques Cousteau calling it, "an untouched piece of art".
Snorkelling is a different proposition altogether and usually the first step for those who have a remote interest in the marine world and are on their way to learning how to scuba dive. Just as you need to walk before you can run, you need to snorkel before scuba diving. With the high cost of scuba diving, it's best to do the snorkelling at the less developed dive islands. There's not much to snorkelling although it always helps to know how best to use the mask, snorkel and fins so that you don't end up with a mouthful of saltwater. Here are some Malaysian island destinations where you can get a closer look at the marine world.
PULAU PAYAR, KEDAH
Pulau Payar is part of the Pulau Payar Marine Park (there are four islands in the group) and is located just one-hour's boat ride south of Langkawi. It's a well-established snorkelling destination with facilities like a pontoon so when you get tired, you just return to rest on the floating facility moored in the middle of the Malacca Strait. The islands are uninhabited although the Fisheries Department has a Marine Park Centre with interpretation facilities. Snorkelling and dive equipment are available for hire on the pontoon and while the visibility varies (this is quite a popular location so the water can get turbid with all the fins thrashing about) it's a good location to snorkel.
Boulder and brain coral can be seen on the bottom and organisms like black barracuda, giant grouper, clown anemone fish, black-spotted puffer fish and even the harmless black-tipped reef shark may be seen. Because this gets more crowded than the other sites, there's a temptation for some to feed bread to the fish. Do something positive for the marine environment: don't feed the fish; they don't eat bread or cake; let them eat other marine organisms.
PULAU REDANG, TERENGGANU
Like Tioman, Redang is an attractive proposition for snorkelling as it's accessible by direct flights from Kuala Lumpur. While most snorkelers are happy to float on the surface, it's possible to dive slightly deeper once you have mastered the skill of not swallowing water via the snorkel. One of the best snorkelling beaches here is Tanjung Dalam where the Berjaya Resort is located as the waters have good visibility ('good vis'). Head across to the Marine Park Centre for more wonderful snorkelling locations. While divers have a better chance of seeing turtles, it's not impossible while snorkelling. Coral, batfish and nudibranchs are more likely sightings though.
PULAU TENGGOL, TERENGGANU
Tenggol's snorkelling charm is that the island is located seemingly in the middle of nowhere but actually just 45 minutes by fast boat (two hours by slow fishing boat) from Kuala Dungun. It's the most remote of all the islands but that's part of its charm. Facilities on the island are limited to simple wooden chalets that are a mere hop, step and a jump from the turquoise waters. Put on your mask, snorkel and fins and step straight into the island's rich marine life thriving in the clear waters off the main beach of Teluk Air Tawah. The visibility is good and in the deeper waters you may see groupers, parrot fish and batfish. The rocky foreshores on either side of the main beach are the best places for more serious snorkelling. Like all the islands on the East Coast, the best time to visit is from April to October.
PULAU TIOMAN, PAHANG
Tioman Island is one of Malaysia's most popular islands due to the laidback lifestyle and quality of diving. For snorkelers who want to progress to being a fully-fledged scuba diver, this is a great place to learn. There are several bays and beaches (mostly on the western shoreline) with Kampung Salang on the northwest coast, being one of the best to snorkel. The jetty here is as good a place as any. From the water it's also possible to admire the island's twin peaks rising above the carpet of emerald rainforest. Tulai Island, accessible by one of many boats for hire along the beach, is another good snorkelling location for angelfish, jacks and puffer fish.
Source : NST
