37th Gombak Eagle Scouts Troop's posts with tag: adventures
 SUITABLE CAMPING LOCATION:
Campsite along:
i. Teluk Kalong Beach
ii. Pasir Panjang Beach
CAMPSITE:
i. Teluk Kalong (tent, camp bed, toilet, shower room, generator for lighting and kitchen)
ii. Pasir Panjang (chalet \ resort facilities)
SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES: beach jungle trekking, beach volley ballm, snorkeling, night fishing, canoeing/kayaking, beach sports etc.
IMPORTANT:
Please be informed that all resorts/campsites will be closed for the monsoon season from 1st November until early March next year. 
 Tasik Bera
Like tropical rain thundering down to cool the heated earth, lakes have a strangely cooling effect, even if it's only part of a moving scenery. There are only 2 natural lakes of respectable size in peninsula Malaysia and both of them are found in the state of Pahang - Tasik(lake) Bera being the larger of the two. Tasik Bera is important for its biodiversity. This is Malaysia's largest natural lake. It is a shallow, seasonal, riverine lake system that flows into the Pahang River (Peninsular Malaysia's longest river). It is home to 94 fish species, approximately 200 bird species; and endangered reptilian species such as the Malayan False Gharial (a freshwater, fish-eating crocodile), the totally protected Striped Giant Soft-Shelled Turtle, the much sought after Malayan Giant Turtle, reticulated pythons that can grow to a length of 18feet, prehistoric looking monitor lizards and lots of frogs species. Large mammals have also been seen in the area and tell tale signs of their existence can be found along nature trails: claw marks on tree trunks, fresh droppings, paw prints along the banks of the lake.
Residents of the lake regard larger mammals such as tapirs and wildboars as pests especially having to deal with trampled gardens. At Tasik Bera, there is a chance for the fauna and flora to survive and to rejuvenate. The lake stretches 35km by 20km and covers 6150hectares of complex, interlocking ecosystems of open waters, reedbeds, ponds, lakes, rivers, dry lowland forests, fresh water swamps, pandanus swamps; and the blackwater swamps (peat swamps). In the still, shallow waters of the backwaters - the Malayan False Gharials make their homes. However, sightings are incredibly rare as they were hunted almost to extinction in the 50's and 60's. This reptile of the crocodylia order is still struggling to pull itself from the brink of extinction.
The Lake People
The highlight for most visitors to Bera is a visit to the Semelai settlement. The Semelai people call themselves Semaq Tasik (the lake people) and have for over 600years been living in the lake area, working on the land - planting crops such as paddy, bananas, tapioca, sugarcane etc. They are accomplished forest farmers who have been practising the age-old method of shift cultivation. The farmers rotate their crops on that same clearing of land until they feel that the soil in the area is no longer suitable or fertile enough to sustain another cycle of good harvesting. Then they collectively move to another area. When one plot of land is being worked on, the old areas are left to regenerate. Excellent example of forest management! During the Emergency period (the 1948-1960 Communist uprising), the government decided to send the free-roaming Semelai families into settlements. A majority of them settled at POS Iskandar, the largest Semelai settlement area at Bera. But there are still splinters of families living in small villages in other parts of the lake.
Feeling the heat - the lake trip
The rental for a 5-6hour lake and visit trip (a 1½ hour ride each way) costs RM120 per boat. We were each given a lifejacket; and were reassured that if anything was to happen along the way, we were fully insured. Comforting words from ones safely planted on dry land and waving us off! Advice No.1; bring something comfy to sit on for the trip. Our boatman, Basri skilfully steered us into the labyrinth of the Pandanus swamp. Advice No.2: don't forget the sun block. Here, we understood why they had to use these small flat-bottomed boats.
Any larger and we wouldn't be able to manoeuvre through the narrow shallow canals created by the screwpines (Pandanus sp.). Having moved to the front of the boat, we realised that although we had the best view, it definitely wasn't the best seat in the house! Pushing into the narrow openings created by overhanging screwpine leaves in parts of the canals - we found our new seating arrangement a big disadvantage. With rough overhanging rasau leaves constantly raking our faces and startled spiders dropping onto us time and again - we ended up pretty messy at the end of the ride
The Pandanus (Screwpines) Swamp
Screwpines are locally known as rasau. The Semelai people use its leaves for weaving into mats, baskets, and food containers. This has helped manage the spread of the screwpines. Now, however, they have found that replacing the rasau leaves with mengkuang leaves, another type of the Pandanus sp., is much less hard work for them and just as good. They no longer harvest the rasau leaves on the lake as Mengkuang can be found growing wild on land. With no one harvesting the leaves,the screwpines began to grow at an alarming rate, closing up large areas of the lake, cordoning sections into secluded bays and creating a complicated labyrinth of narrow waterways with lots of dead ends.
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dugouts used by the semelai hunters |
The Semelai hunters search on reed beds for their favourite food item : the turtle. Giant Turtle meat is a much sought after delicacy among the Semelai people and is definitely a must-have at important festivals. The only way to flush them out is to set the reeds on fire. Sometimes the fire gets out of control and singes patches of the screwpines and other areas. This practice indirectly helps control and keep some parts of the lake vegetation free.
Birds, Snakes and other Animals..
Leaving the screwpines behind, just before entering into the river valley we see beautiful white water lily and pink lotus gardens. Reed beds spread out from the forested areas so thick and compact that if we were to step off the boat onto the reeds we would seem to be standing in the middle of a prairie. Although the lake is shallow, between 2 and 5metres during the dry season (February to April, June to August), The water-level can rise another 3metres during the Monsoons (April, May and September through to January). The depth of the lake wasn't the worry- not knowing what lurks beneath the surface was a little more unnerving. The Malayan False Gharial, various blind snakes, pipe snakes, water snakes and vipers are quite often seen in such swamps. The Malayan Giant frog is a resident of the lake, often tipping the scales at 1 to 2kg. Closer to the plantations live the large reticulated pythons that can grow to a length of between 4m and 5m.
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Semelai women out on the lake fishing.Photo courtesy of Bera Resort |
Selling pythons used to be a supplementary source of income for the Semelai community. The snake hunters claimed that they could trap as many as 17 pythons per week, placing nets in the river channels. The nets are of a certain size that allows the very large and the young to escape whilst trapping the rest. Although selective hunting is good but the large number of pythons caught has greatly reduced its population and if it continues, their survival would be seriously threatened.
Chugging slowly into the river channel, we passed Semelai people out on their perahu jalur (dugout canoes) fishing in the little inlets or laying out their fish traps baited with tapioca and palm oil fruits.
Tasik Bera Information Centre
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Nests built on the rasau plants along the way |
The Tasik Bera Tourist Information Centre has a museum and some brochures providing general information about the lake, the lake people and the importance of wetlands to the economy of the region. The brochure states that there have been sightings of a large variety of birds and apart from the commonly found ones, there are the Black-naped Monarch, the Grey-breasted Babbler, the Siberian Blue Robin, the Lesser Adjutants (burung botak kecil), the Crested Fireback (ayam pegar) , the Malayan Peacock Pheasant (Merak Pongsu) endemic only to Peninsular Malaysia and various species of woodpeckers, kingfishers, hornbills, eagles, bulbuls, spiderhunters, parakeets and parrots.
Although the lake is host to over 200species of birds, we found birdlife at Bera extremely difficult to spot. Apart from the Grey-Headed Fishing Eagle flying away in the far distance, a number of pied fantails frolicking in the screwpines and pacific swallows, we saw little of anything else. Perhaps the loud 'brrrr' of the engine frightened them off.
But the number of waders and other waterbirds is extremely low; over hunting by people being the main reason. Large predatory fishes are also blamed. There are large fishes in the lakes such as the adult giant catfish that weighs more than 30kg. One wonders if, a few large predators in the water could cause the demise of the many bird species living and feeding there. Food for thought...
Semelai and the Keruing tree
Resin from the Keruing tree used to be a major source of income for the Semelai. This resin(damar in Malay) from the Keruing tree contains high essential oil contents which also give it a balsamic fragrance. In the early centuries, it was a prized commodity sold at the Melaka port . The oil extract was sold to be used as a base for perfume; as a sticky paste to trap birds; as varnish and as sealant for boat-building.
The Semelai people have for centuries been in contact with the 'outside' world, trading with the middle men traders for basic necessities such as tools and food products for which they bartered with rattan, damar, scented wood such as sandalwood and other jungle produce. Many of the Semelai no longer practise their old ways..the villages have changed to incorporate modern amenities and luxuries. Their assimilation into the society is almost complete. They now rely on revenue from their rubber and palm oil plantations and handicraft items; they also do some hunting to trade. But they still plant paddy twice a year and after the harvest, they come together to celebrate and rejoice.
Makcik Titi and her husband, Pak Engkok own three Keruing trees within the area of Kampung Jelawat, a Semelai village. The trees have been in her family for over 150years. Makcik Titi has been collecting oil from the trees for over ½ a century. A 15minutes trek on level ground took us to the site of the trees. The first Keruing tree looked rather odd. Chunks had been cut out of the trunk about 3 feet from the ground; making it look like the hearth of an old fireplace or a small pizza oven. Each tree 'housed' three of these "ovens". Makcik Titi twisted a handful of dried leaves together, lit one end and tossed the leaves into the gaping hole. Instantly the remaining oil in the hole caught fire, flames licking the bark of the tree. The fire is meant to stimulate flow of the oil from within. Ten minutes later, she put out the fire. She explained that this method does not kill the tree. In fact, the tree may continue to live for another 200years if it is not abused. Back at her house, she collected a RM20 fee from us for the bit of show-and-tell we had just witnessed.
Kampung Jelawat is a 20minute walk from the bridge where the boats were moored. Perahu jalur is also for hire here. The charges are RM20 per boat per hour subject to availability.
The Semelai's are generally shy people and they speak little or no English. Basri, our boatman spoke little English too, making it a bit difficult to communicate. At Pos Iskandar, you may be able to converse with one or two villagers there. Pos Iskandar is also approachable by road. There is an access road not far from the Tasik Bera Resort turning. It leads you there without having to pay for the boatride. But the highlight of visiting Bera is really the lake. Advice No.3: road going into POS Iskandar requires 4WD.
Ramsar Site; live to tell a story - another day
If I were to raise a statement that the preservation of Tasik Bera's profound sanctity has much to do with a little town called Ramsar, tucked away in a corner of Iran - would anyone believe me?
Indeed would anyone really care anyway?
But some of us did care enough to make a few changes and in 1971, something really big went down in Ramsar. After an exchange of opinions, views and a few signatures amongst emissaries from several nations, the world's oldest environmental treaty was finally sealed. This Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar) was formed to protect important wetland areas around the world. But it was only in 1994 when Malaysia signed the Ramsar Convention that secured Tasik Bera's undecided fate.
Tasik Bera was made Malaysia's first Ramsar site. To be nominated as a Ramsar site, there are many regulations that have to be adhered to - there are strict obligations to protect the fauna, flora and the delicate ecosystem of the wetland.
For more travel info, kindly log onto http://www.journeymalaysia.com
 Link: http://www.journeymalaysia.com/index.htmJourneymalaysia.com is all about travelling with a conscience. Our logo - the Sumatran Rhino sums up our objective. The need to preserve the heritage that Malaysia is richly endowed with. Preservation is the key word to the future of Malaysia’s tourism industry. All the categories that are featured in journeymalaysia strongly emphasise the need to preserve our culture, history, people, architecture, rainforest and reefs, highlands, fauna, cities, lakes and all else that makes Malaysia so diverse and fascinating. Without these, we have not an identity to present to our guests.
journeymalaysia's office at:
No 9 Lorong San Ah Wing, Off Lorong Gurney, Jalan Semarak, 54100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Or call us at:
Tel: 03 2692 8049 Fax: 03 2691 3675
email: pappy@journeymalaysia.com
| | Click on the 2 maps below to view larger image of the maps. |
 Link: http://www.taman-negara.com/A complete source of online information on National Parks of Pahang, or to be known as Taman Negara. At here you will find the most updated on how to get there, entrance permits, locations, activities that are available in the parks. This site developed by NKS Travels and Holidays.
 Link: http://www.geographia.com/malaysia/A complete information for visits malaysia and many others adventure places yet to be discover by fellowscouts. This is the Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board of New York in united states, yet is the most descripted online centre for your needs of touring around malaysia.
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Eco-tourism & adventures in Malaysia |
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Taman Negara National Park
Malaysia is naturally proud of its national park, Taman Negara, 4,343 square kilometres of virgin forest and home to over 200 varieties of animals and just as many species of plants, trees and blooms.
A paradise, not just for botanists and entomologists, it is a heavenly haven for all who wish to get away from the concrete jungle, and experience the real jungle.
The journey to Taman Negara is an adventure in itself, and as you skim over rivers in narrow boats or motorized sampans, through lowland and cloud forests, you will be serenaded by the music of nature - the chirping crickets, the calls of the birds and the rustling of the wind among the leaves of the trees that are said to be more than 130 million years old. This two-hour journey will take you to the park headquarters in Kuala Tahan, where you'll start your activities..
Taman Negara is a magical place of lush greenery, and its serene tranquility will weave its spell over you as you make your way through the park, be it on a single night safari or a nine-day trek up Gunung Tahan, the highest mountain on Peninsular Malaysia. Walk amongst the tall giants of old - the meranti hardwood trees, and look around in wonder at the seeming ease with which they touch the heavens.
Be discreet and you'll catch a glimpse of the gentle giants of Taman Negara - the elephants. Be still and you'll see deer and other animals lapping it up at the salt licks. Hear the roar of the giant cat - the Malaysian tiger and be in awe of its majestic dignity.
Drift silently down the meandering rivers, and see the kingfishers, monkeys, hornbills, and other exotic birds and animals as they watch you from the water's edge or from the treetops. Take a walk in the clouds and join the birds, 25 metres above the ground, on the canopy walkway. Take a hike and take the plunge, into waters crystal clear and cool, rejuvenated by the spray of waterfalls crisp mountain air.
Taman Negara - it's a jungle out there!
Paya Indah Wetlands
The only sanctuary for nature amidst an urban environment, Paya Indah is located on the western part of Selangor state, near Putrajaya, the new administrative centre of the Malaysian government and the new KL International Airport. Developed on a depleted tin mining area, its many lakes and peat swamps are home to a host of flora and fauna thriving in all their natural glory. Here is found 5,000 hectares of birds, reptiles, amphibians and rare aquatic plants - an impressive total of 75 species of living creatures and 220 species of plants.
Accessible only by bicycle, horsecart or by foot, the wetlands is a wonderful retreat from the heat and stress of the city. Colourful wildflowers, dancing in the wind carpet vast areas of the park.
Pink, white lotus blooms and water lilies cover the surface of the lakes and playful otters swimming around, hippos hiding beneath, eyes peeping out to peer at you just as you try to get a peep at them. See the more than 40 species of fish, darting around the Aquaculture Jetty, and have a barbeque picnic overlooking the main lake.
Bird-watching is a rewarding experience, with electric blue kingfishers perched on tree stumps, purple herons dipping around with their beaks looking for food, bee-eaters, kites and eagles gliding majestically in the skies, the bulbuls with their colourful "head-dress" and the whistling teal coming to roost.
Go on a jungle trek or nature walk; the clear clean air is incentive enough, plus you'll get a chance to see the many creatures - monkeys, geese, civet cats, snakes - that have returned to this place after being driven off by tin mining and logging activities 100 ago. With nature camps for the kids or recreational fishing for the angling enthusiast - Paya Indah Wetlands is a sanctuary indeed, not only for the flora and fauna of Malaysia.
Forest Institute of Malaysia
Would you believe that just 16 kilometres northwest of Kuala Lumpur the city, is a beautiful park for nature lovers to experience the wonders of a tropical forest? This park in Kepong is the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM), the nearest green destination for city dwellers.
Take a walk in its botanic gardens or along its nature trails to its informative museums which tell visitors all about wood and its uses. A good example would be the two reconstructed traditional timber houses that strongly reflect the cultural and architectural styles of Malacca and Terengganu.
Head for the wetland area, teeming with life, or take a walk from tree to tree on its canopy walk, suspended 30 metres above the ground, and have a picnic at its designated spots or trek to its ponds and waterfalls - the sights, sounds and smells of nature will keep you enthralled the whole time that you are there.
Kuala Selangor
Kuala Selangor is another captivating place to head for; your experience here will have you marvelling at its natural wonders long after your visit is over. An intriguing combination of history, nature, wildlife and local colour, Kuala Selangor is a little coastal town 64 km northwest of KL. Rustic villages, and trees including cocoa, rubber, oil palm, banana trees and coconut line the roads to Kuala Selangor as you near the sandy soil of the coast. This is just the prelude to the wonders of Kuala Selangor...
Kampung Kuantan
At dusk, thousands of little twinkling lights light up the mangrove trees. For this spectacular display of nature, make your way to Bukit Belimbing and catch a ride on a small boat or a sampan upriver to where the mangrove trees grow in abundance on the banks of the Selangor river.
As the last rays of sunlight fade into the twilight, your whole view will gradually be illuminated by thousands upon thousands of fireflies, flickering amongst the trees.
Taman Alam Kuala Selangor
Herons dipping their bills into the water in search of the tasty fishes, molluscs, snails and crustaceans are common in the 300 hectares of mangrove and secondary forest reserve. Nests, roosting hens, hatchlings and observation shelters also abound. Broadwalks through the quiet park enable the human visitors to observe other visitors as well as to visit with the residents of the wonderfully diverse ecosystem of this mangrove swamp and forest.
Every year from September to April, as many as 100,000 birds fly south. Because of this, bird-watching is especially rewarding at Taman Alam; its natural mangrove swamps are a sure lure as a stopover spot for the winged visitors who rest and feed at the lake or the mudflats.
Some proceed to their natural nesting grounds in Indonesia or Australia, while others escape the cold winter by having a warm vacation in the lush wetlands here. More than 130 species of birds have been spotted, including the rare spoon-billed sandpiper, plover, kingfisher, Chinese goshawk, Japanese sparrowhawk, eagles, brahminy kite and Nordmann's Greenshank.
Take the cue from the birds and stop over at Taman Alam, too - there are comfortable chalets available for you.
Pulau Ketam
Watch fishermen coming home from the sea, unloading their catch, with the setting sun casting golden slivers of fading light over the horizon and on the waves. A fishing village almost always evokes feelings of peace and tranquility and of the simplicity of man in harmony with nature.
There is just such a fishing village in the vicinity of Kuala Lumpur; just take the early morning Komuter train from the KL Railway Station and head for Port Klang. Walk across to the nearby jetty and take a boat to Pulau Kapas, where you can stay overnight with a fisherman's family under the homestay programme.
Spend the day wandering around the island, amongst the fisherfolk; see how crabs and jellyfish are harvested from the farms in the open sea, how shrimp paste is made, and how women and children all chip in to build a life with the men out at sea. As its name so clearly suggests, this island is teeming with crabs - fiddler crabs, mud crabs - take your pick.
The marshland that makes it a breeding ground for crabs also makes a superb birdwatching spot: birds of all feathers are lured by the prospect of feasting on crabs, fish and other mangrove swamp creatures. Laugh at the antics of the mudskipper, which skims and darts and swims in the water and yet tries so very hard not to disappear underneath by climbing on rocks and trees.
Savour the delights of a freshly caught dinner on the fringe of the seaside. The evening seabreeze will give you a hearty appetite with which to tuck into sweet, succulent fish, prawns and crabmeat that will melt in your mouth.
Pulau Ketam, as rustic and as natural as you can get in KL.
Sungai Dusun Wildlife Reserve & Sumatran Rhinoceros Conservation Sanctuary
Set up to ensure that the second species of Malaysia's rhinoceros - the critically endangered, two-horned Sumatran rhinoceros - is not hunted to extinction, this reserve is a temporary home for the displaced rhinos which have been rescued from around the country.
Located 80 kilometres north-west of KL, wildlife experts work tirelessly in their efforts to help the rhinos breed - something that is very difficult for the shy, solitary and peaceful rhinos to do in captivity. |
Further info may log onto www.tourism.gov.my or http://www.kuala-lumpur.ws
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Malaysia has a coastline of 4,800 km and over two hundred islands. It's beaches are a natural asset, with soft-golden sand, secluded bays and spectacular tropical sunsets that beckon enticingly.
The area is known for its marine diversity, which makes it superb for snorkelling, water-skiing, boating, cruising, swimming and also diving.
Kuala Lumpur is a great place to base yourself in if diving is your interest.
From the city, you can get anywhere and everywhere worth a dip in the water.
Pulau Besar, Malacca
A great introduction to diving is from Pulau Besar, just off the state of Malacca. This great dive spot is about 3 nautical miles off Pengkalan Pernu at Umbai, 10km south of Malacca town.
The largest of eight islands off the coast of Malacca, it is believed to be the romantic location of Malaysia's earliest civilisation, bringing with it the beauty of legends about mermaids and princesses, sacred graves and shrines - both on land and underwater!
More information about Malacca - See also our guide of Malacca Hotels
Pulau Pangkor, Perak
Perak, with its capital of Lumut has numerous fantastic beaches and islands, and also the diving magnets of Pulau Pangkor and Pulau Pangkor Laut. Lumut can easily be reached by taxi or bus from Kuala Lumpur.
Only 40 minutes by ferry from Lumut to Pulau Pangkor, this island resort offers an enchanting underwater world. The "Beach of the Lovely Princess", locally known as Pantai Puteri Dewi features white sand, tropical surroundings and sparkling bays making the perfect setting for a memorable diving and snorkelling experience.
Teluk Nipah is another spot especially suited for snorkelling and diving. It is one of Pulau Pangkor's rich and enigmatic sea parks, full of spectacular marine life and arrestingly vast coral reefs. For rewarding snorkelling in the shallow waters of extensive coral reefs head straight for Pantai Pasir Bogak. This crescent-shaped beach is the most popular on Pulau Pangkor and easily accessible, with regular half-hour ferry services from Lumut.
Pulau Pangkor Laut, Perak
Divers looking for paradise will be enthralled by Pulau Pangkor Laut just off the main island of Pulau Pangkor. This unspoiled 825 hectares, aptly known as "Fantasy Island" is privately owned, but open to the public.
The dazzling Emerald Bay stands among the finest beaches in the whole of the west coast. Powdery white beaches and sparkling green seas aare complimented by the beauty of its' underwater world.
Pulau Sembilan, Perak
Wander 10 nautical miles south of Pulau Pangkor, and you'll find yourself at the treasure trove that is Pulau Sembilan - a cluster of 9 small isles, consisting of Pulau Agas, Pulau Payong, Pulau Nipis, Pulau Rumbia, Pulau Lalang, Pulau Saga, Pulau Buluh, Black Rock and White Rock.
The channel between Pulau Rumbia and Pulau Lalang are about the most popular snorkelling and dive spots in the vicinity. The area is around 15 metres in depth and has a rich sandy bottom scattered with coral heads. This hard coral growth supports numerous species of fish, but largely snappers, groupers and barracudas.
Check out the channel between Pulau Buluh and Pulau Saga for more variety. This spot is strewn with big boulders, and hides terrific finds of green tree coral at depths of 10 metres and below. This dive spot is also grouper country to spear fishermen. On Pulau Buluh's eastern side are some small rocks encrusted with hard corals lapped by waters teeming with colourful darting.
Another recommended spot is White Rock. Right in the open sea, it is a popular hangout for jacks and barracudas. The crevices of the corals and rocks are also a favourite with large groupers and snappers. Diving enthusiasts can catch up with their underwater friends here.
Langkawi, Kedah
The island of Langkawi is a sure hit with any diving enthusiast. One in a cluster of 99 islands renowned for their legends, Langkawi's beauty is all about limestone hills and caves, rustic villages and scenic paddy fields, abundant flora and fauna, and last but not least, its legends and myths which lend it it's allure, whether on land or in the sea.
Great diving spots include Pulau Dayang Bunting, Pulau Beras, Pulau Singa Besar and Pulau Cenang. Off shore from Pulau Cenang is Pulau Rebak Besar and the hilly Pulau Beras Basah, the first being a resort with a marina, and the latter meaning Isle of Wet Rice and a harbour to fishermen. Both these isles are magnificent spots for scuba diving and snorkelling. Pulau Singa Besar is easily accessible by boat with waters full of a fine variety of fish, marine life and corals.
Not to be missed is the alluring Pulau Payar, to the south of Langkawi. It was gazetted a marine park in 1985 and includes the islands of Segantang, Kaca and Lembu. True to its reputation of supporting the largest number of coral species in the country, Pulau Payar's clear waters were truly made for swimming, snorkelling, diving and underwater photography.
Pulau Payar boasts of a spectacularly beautiful dive site at its rocky southwestern end called "Coral Garden"; where rocky slopes are nearly fully covered with brightly soft coral, and dark green tree like dandroid and multitudes of sea fans and cone shells thrive in its deeper waters. Don't be surprised by the sheer number and variety of sea squirts, sea slugs, hermit crabs, feather starfish, sea anemone, lion fish, barracudas, rainbow runners, rock fish and ghost fish out to befriend the curious and admiring diver.
More information about Langkawi - See also our guide of Langkawi Hotels
Pulau Redang, Terengganu
Redang Island facing the South China Sea in the north of Kuala Terengganu, is truly Malaysia's premier marine paradise. It is the main island of a small archipelago of Redang, the smaller Pulau Pinang, and 7 other islets of Pulau Kerengga Besar and Kecil, Pulau Paku Besar and Kecil, Pulau Ekor Tebu, Pulau Ling and Pulau Lima.
This island has crystal clear waters and many dive sites. Divers will love it when the mid-day sun's rays penetrate the sea to reveal brilliant hues of coral, anemones and clams. But it is the light of interest and a powerful underwater torch which will unlock the secrets of the waters around Redang which hides 2 historic shipwrecks - the H.M.S. Prince of Wales and H.M.S. Repulse which plunged to their untimely graves here at the start of World War II, to set the stage for Japanese occupation of Malaya.
Redang's beauty is intense with fertile underwater marine life in glass-like waters. Barrel sponges and soft corals make up the sea floor, where fishes big and small, clothed in bright colours dance through the waters. The Pulau Redang Marine Park is found here. Pulau Ekor Tebu, Pulau Ling, Pulau Pinang, Pulau Bidong, Pulau Lang Tengah and Pulau Lima nearby too are excellent underwater playgrounds for fishes, invertebrates, snorkellers and divers alike. Divers can soak in the natural beauty of the underwater world and then luxuriate at the Berjaya Redang Golf & Spa Resort located at picturesque Teluk Siang; and Berjaya Redang Beach Resort at Teluk Dalam's idyllic sheltered bay for a memorable and complete dive vacation. Pulau Redang has altogether 19 spectacular and highly absorbing dive sites.
Pulau Tioman, Pahang
Pulau Tioman is the largest in a group of 64 volcanic isles, including Pulau Seri Bulat, Pulau Sembilang, Pulau Tulai, Pulau Chebeh, Pulau Labas and Pulau Renggis, about 80km northwest of Peninsular Malaysia's east coast. It is said to be final resting place of a fabled dragon princess who turned herself into an island in the South China Sea.
With crystal clear waters as deep as 33 metres, Tioman is a breathtaking underwater garden of colourful marine life with some of best dive sites in the world. One such is Salang Beach, a dazzling underwater garden of corals, sea fans, sea anemone, cardinal fish and damselfish. The shallow reefs at nearby Pulau Tulai and Pulau Renggis make great spots for diving and snorkelling.
Explore the underwater caves around Pulau Chebeh and take a look at the incredibly beautiful reefs at Pulau Sepoi and Pulau Labas. The waters near Mukut Village offers divers the opportunity of viewing an interestingly coral encrusted wreck of a Japanese warship. |
Further info may log onto http://www.tourism.gov.my or http://www.kuala-lumpur.ws/
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