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Langkawi Nature Blogs
Diving & Snorkeling around Langkawi
You will be told, that the waters around Langkawi are not clear enough for snorkeling or diving - and that this is so - at least partly - because of the natural sediments contained in the rivers flowing into the sea.
Therefore everybody is told to go to Pulau Payar for diving and snorkeling, where the water is clear. Organised tours will take you there. (See: Diving and Snorkeling at Pulau Payar).
BUT - there are some spots around Langkawi, on the beaches of nearby islands of the Langkawi Archipelago, where the water IS clear enough.
But "The water is not 'as clear as coral islands like Maldives', like Patrick says, " It's good by Langkawi standards - but it is FAR from a world-class diving area."
Never the less these spots are worth to be visited and checked out. We will try to put them together here with the time.
At the moment we only know the following three:
- Pulau Beras Basah
- Pulau Timun - see further down
- Pulau Bumbon - see further down
Snorkelling at Pulau Beras Basah
Source: Palow, 28 Feb. 2010 / Out of Trip Advisor: here
"I finally went to Pulau Beras Basah (island of wet rice. red. ) last week. It is one of the islands in the southern part of Langkawi. I've heard from friends that the waters here are clear enough for snorkeling but I've also heard about a garbage problem and that the waters are not that clear."
To see the full chart and a picture of this exact spot, go to our Anchorage Chart
and click on No 7 .
"All I can say to the conflicting information is that when I went there last week on Tues, the water was very clear. I didn't have a snorkel but with regular swimming goggles, I saw a lot of fish right there at the edge of the shore. Some people were snorkeling further out.
I didn't stay long in the water because the sun was like a laser beam that day and I felt myself being char-broiled. The main tourist areas were clean but there were some plastic bags and cans in the water- nothing major. Most of it was quite clean. The only garbage I saw was at the grass line by the black rocks.
The water is not as clear as coral islands like Maldives, okay? It's good by Langkawi standards but it is FAR from a world-class diving area.
The island also has water sports, toilets and a place selling drinks. There is no food available. There are lots of monkeys around so I won't eat any food there if I were you.
Hope this helps those looking for a place to snorkel. It only takes about 15-20 mins by boat to get to PBB. Compare that to the time it takes to get to Pulau Payar."
Patrick
Patrick (Palow) is the Editor and co-owner of the printed News Magazine 'Langkawi Link' and has his own website about Langkawi, the Langkawi e-Magazine
Snorkelling at Pulau Timun
To see the location on the full chart and a picture of this exact spot, go to our Anchorage Chart and click on No 13 .
Snorkelling at Pulau Bumbon
To see the location on the full chart and a picture of this exact spot, go to our Anchorage Chart and click on No 14 .
