The sprinkling of jade green islands that makes up Pulau Payar lies just 30km south-east of Langkawi. It's just a 1-hour boat ride out to the best marine park on Malaysia's West Coast, making it an ideal choice for a day outing.

This well-preserved, uninhabited marine park extends over a number of islands, with Pulau Payar being the largest. Your base out here is the floating platform moored off Pulau Payar. But the real attraction of this platform lies below sea level. Step into the underwater observation chamber to view the marine life surrounding a reef. Want to get even closer to the swirl of fishes that make these corals their home? Grab a mask, a snorkel and fins and join the spectacle!

Are you into scuba diving? The best diving is along the reef system that skirts the south, east and west of Pulau Payar. Please check with your dive operator what the visibility is like during that time. It can vary from time to time.

There is no accommodation in Pulau Payar as it is a marine park, but that's not really an issue since Langkawi, with all its fine resorts and restaurants, is just a quick boat-ride away.