| Langkawi Island is a very popular tourist destination | | | | nearby reefs. On the island itself there are four small |
| located in the Straits of Malacca off of the | | | | sandy beaches complete with picnic benches and |
| northwest of Peninsular Malaysia, near the coast of | | | | hiking trails so that visitors can explore the island's |
| southern Thailand. It is an island covered in tropical | | | | tropical forests. |
| forest with mangroves and sandy beaches around | | | | Water temperature: 26°C (79°F) to |
| the coast. | | | | 29°C (84°F) |
| Also in the Straits of Malacca, 35 kilometres to the | | | | Suit: 3mm or 5mm shortie |
| south, lies Payar Island. There are frequent day trips | | | | Visibility: 5 to 15 metres (15 - 45 feet) |
| running from Langkawi to this island leaving from | | | | Rating: **** |
| Kuah or Cenang Beach. If you are not staying on | | | | Type of diving: Coral gardens in flat terrain to the |
| Langkawi you can also reach the islands from Kuala | | | | east of the islands and sloping walls to the west |
| Kedah on the mainland, which takes about 45 | | | | around Pulau Segantang |
| minutes by boat; and from Penang Island, which | | | | Marine life: Black-tip reef sharks, groupers, barracudas, |
| takes just over 1 hour. | | | | parrotfish, pufferfish, angelfish, bannerfish |
| Payar is home to Coral Langkawi, a large floating | | | | When to go: Payar is a year round destination, but |
| platform that is used for the day boats to moor up | | | | the rainy season from June to September can cause |
| at, and as a base for divers. The platform has an | | | | rougher seas and lower visibility, July and August are |
| underwater observation point for non-divers and | | | | the worst months for rainfall |
| snorkelling equipment is provided for all to use as | | | | How to get there: Fly via Kuala Lumpur with Malaysia |
| they please. It is possible to sunbathe on the deck | | | | Airlines, then change to a flight into Langkawi. Day |
| and there are glass-bottomed boats that explore the | | | | trips are available from here to Payar. |