PULAU PAYAR MARINE PARK

Fast Facts

19 nautical miles south of Langkawi 40 nautical miles north of Penang 2 km long; 0.25 km wide

INTRODUCTION

The Pulau Payar Marine Park is situated in the northern part of the Straits of Malacca, near Kuala Kedah and Pulau Langkawi. It consists of waters surrounding 4 islands, and they are Pulau Payar, Pulau Lembu, Pulau Segantang and Pulau Kaca.

WHAT ARE THE ATTRACTIONS

The four islands of Pulau Payar Marine Park are surrounded by coral reefs and attract visitors to swim, snorkel and scuba dive. The calm and clear waters enables the visitors to enjoy the enchanting marine life. The average 30 - 50 feet visibility at the Pulau Payar Marine Park is favourable and ensures satisfaction for diving activity at all times.

Pulau Payar has four sandy beaches totalling about 200 meters in length. It's shallow waters are protected from rough seas and is suitable for swimming. For the diver, the marine park offers a variety of diving conditions; one can dive on a flat terrain to the east of the Pulau Payar island or on a steep slope to the west and around Pulau Segantang.

On the south western trip of the island there is an area known as the "Coral Garden". It is covered entirely with brightly multi-coloured soft - corals and is an inspirational sight. There are also artificial reefs which consists of 3 tyre reefs and a boat reef. Any of these areas will ensure the diver of an unforgettable experience. The artificial reefs are marked with yellow buoys with corresponding codes, Tyre Reefs (TR) and Boats Reefs (BR). These are strictly marker buoys and must not be used for mooring purposes.

WHAT FACILITIES ARE AVAILABLE?

The Marine Park Centre

On Pulau Payar, there is a Visitor's Centre which is complete with various facilities. The centre can assist you in your orientation and provide you with all the necessary information to organise your visit and make it an enjoyable one. Information on the islands and the surrounding waters in the form of exhibits, maps, brochures, slide/video shows are available at the centre to increase your appreciation of the marine and island environment.

Two hiking trails have been made for the visitors to explore the island for its fascinating terrestrial flora and fauna.

There are gazebos, picnic tables, barbeque pits and restroom facilities provided at selected areas for visitors. Visitors are permitted to cook only at allocated areas. No open fires for cooking or camp fires can be started. Chopping down of trees for firewood is not prohibited.

Mooring buoys are provided by the Department of Fisheries for mooring of boats in the waters of the Pulau Payar Marine Park. Visitors are required to moor their boats to the buoys and are not allowed to anchor their boats directly over reefs to prevent destruction to the marine environment.

As there is insufficient fresh water on Pulau Payar Marine Park, visitors are advised to bring an adequate supply for their use. Visitors are requested to help protect the island of Pulau Payar and its marine environment by taking their rubbish/waste back to the mainland.

MARINE PARK ZONING

Pulau Payar Marine Park is divided into 3 zones as follows:

• Core Zone: The area of waters from low water mark up to 200 meters from the shore
• Buffer Zone: The area of waters from 200 meters up to one nautical mile from the shore
• Outer Zone: The area of waters from one nautical mile up to two nautical miles form the shore

HOW TO GET TO
PULAU PAYAR MARINE PARK

The nearest point of departure is from Kuala Kedah. There are also travel agencies and hotels in Pulau Langkawi which provide boat rental services to visit the Park as well as for those who are interested in scuba diving activities.

THE BEST TIME TO VISIT

Pulau Payar Marine Park can be visited all year round but the best time is from the month of February until November.

Plan your arrival during high tide because then it will be much easier to get ashore onto the beach.

HOW TO APPLY DAILY VISITING/CAMPING PERMITS

All visitors are advised to apply for a permit to visit the Pulau Payar Marine Park. Permits can be obtained from Fisheries Officers as below:

Department of Fisheries Malaysia
Ministry of Agriculture
8th & 9th Floor, Wisma Tani
Jalan Sultan Salahuddin
50628 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2982011
Fax: 03-2910305

Kedah/Perlis State Fisheries Office,
5th Floor, Wisma Persekutuan,
Jalan Kampung Baru,
05000 Alor Setar,
Kedah Darul Aman
Tel: 04-7342137/7342135
Fax: 04-7304623

Kuala Kedah Fisheries Office,
06600 Kuala Kedah
Kedah Darul Aman
Tel: 04-7621670

Kuah Fisheries Office
Pulau Langkawi
Kedah Darul Aman
Tel: 04-9666464

Penang State Fisheries Office
Batu Maung
11690 Bayan Lepas
Pulau Pinang
Tel: 04-6261002/6261322
Fax: 04-6263918

Pulau Payar Marine Park Centre
Kedah Darul Aman
Tel: 011-412461

DOS' AND DONT'S?

The role of the Park Management it to protect the resources and the fragile marine ecosystem so that the public can enjoy it in perpetuity. Management of visitor activities is one of the important aspects in managing the Marine Parks.

Activities which does not harm or destroy marine resources such as snorkelling, scuba diving, swimming and underwater photography are permitted and encouraged.

Activities that may cause a negative impact to the marine resources are controlled in order to protect the marine resources at the Marine Park.

PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES ARE AS FOLLOWS:

• Collecting, removing, destroying or having in possession of any marine resources such as shells, mollusc, corals and tropical fishes (aquarium fish) whether dead or alive.
• Possession and use of spear guns or spearfishing equipment and harpoon.
• Use of fish traps (bubu), poisons and electricity or other method to catch fish.
• Anchoring of boats directly onto the reef (Please make use of the orange coloured mooring buoys found within the marine park for mooring of boats).
• Littering and disposal of waste/rubbish.
• Removing and/or destroying any structure such as buoys, notice boards etc.
• Constructs or erects any building or other structure within the Marine Park Area.
• Fishing within the Marine Park Area, that is 2 nautical miles from the shore of Pulau Payar, Pulau Kaca, Pulau Lembu and Pulau Segantang.

Note: The Director General of Fisheries may impose any conditions as he deems fit for any purposes within the Marine Park Area.

Last update: May 23 1996