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Islands around Pulau Langkawi

Pulau Dayang Bunting (The Island of the Pregnant Maiden)

Pulau Dayang Bunting is the 2nd largest island in the archipelago. This island is special, as nestled within its core is a freshwater lake. For years, the lake with its legend has brought many a-barren women to the lake in the hope that drinking the cool water will make them fertile. This is a good example of a folklore that is still very much believed by the locals. The story goes like this....

Once upon a time, there was a beautiful celestial princess called Puteri Dayang Sari who frequented the lake to bathe in the shallow waters. One day, an earth prince, Putera Teja spotted her bathing and was completely smitten. His attempts to woo her fell on deaf ears. In desperation the Prince turned to a wise old man for help. The old man told him that the way to en-trance the princess was to catch the tears of a mermaid and wipe his face with them. So the prince went in search of a mermaid, found one and did as the old man advised. As predicted, upon meeting the prince again, the princess with one look, fell completely in love with him. A happy ending? No!..it doesn't end there.

The princess returned to the lake to have her first born but was devastated that her baby boy died within a week of birth. In her moment of frailty and need, the princess found out that she had been deceived by her prince. In her anguish and pain, the princess tossed her baby into the lake. It is said the baby was transformed into a white crocodile that continues to guard the lake to this day. Despite all that she had been through, she brought herself to bless the lake with magical fertility powers. That was her last deed on earth and she returned to the heavens, never to be seen again. Now the lake is a place for day-trippers to cool themselves in the clean, emerald water. It is said that the magical powers of the water at the lake can help childless couples conceive! Many come to the lake for such a reason.

Pulau Singa Besar (The Big Lion Island)

To the west of Pulau Dayang Bunting is Pulau Singa Besar. This island has been converted into a wildlife sanctuary for many creatures. Walking round the island takes 8 hours or so, but visitors may get a chance to see some of the local wildlife residing on the island such as monitor lizards, macaques, deer, the timid mousedeer. The dipterocarp trees, kelubi, cycads and the high humidity makes one feel as though walking through forests that dinosaurs have over 60million years ago. The ecosystem here may well have been the home of these giant reptiles, before the island broke away from the mainland, before the waters rose and the earth's templates ripped the landmass apart that shifted the continents away.

The dating of sedimentary rocks on the island have been recorded to go back as far as 500million years even before the era of dinosaurs. The island is still home to numerous species of birds . If you're a keen birdwatcher, bring a pair of binoculars, some insect repellent, drinking water and a sprinkle of patience. You won't regret it.

Pulau Beras Basah (Wet Rice Island)

This island close by is a favourite for those who would like to do a spot of swimming and sunbathing. However, just a word on sunbathing: this is a Muslim country, skimpily clothed women are frowned upon. So for women, don't go topless or nude on beaches especially on public beaches.

There are organised trips to the 3 island of Pulau Dayang Bunting, Pulau Singa Besar and Pulau Beras Basah. If you make your own way to Pantai Cenang, there are boats ready to take you out. The boats leave at 9.00am and at 2.30pm and the entire trip takes 3hours. The boat operators here charge RM35 per person for the tour but bring your own snacks, towel, a change of clothing and water. In hotels and other resorts, the trip costs more but includes the transfer to and from resorts.

Pulau Tuba

This is the only other inhabited island in the archipelago. A traditional fishing village stands on the island and the fisherfolk here retain their old livelihood of fishing and processing catch. If you're interested. You can hop on to a boat heading for the island from the Kuah jetty, situated next to the Kuah Ferry Terminal. The boat costs RM30 per way.

For biking tours on Pulau Tuba, please have a look at our packages at Langkawi Biking Tours

Other places of interest on Langkawi Island

The Snake Sanctuary

This sanctuary was opened in February 2001 across the road from Kampung Tok Senik Resort, a beautiful kampung(village) resort set amongst working paddyfields. A fine selection of Malaysian and other South East Asian snake species are displayed in glass cages. Of all the major attractions, the focal points are the Giant Cobras and the reticulated pythons. These snakes are indeed beauties but there are other smaller but just as impressive specimens. There are also the paddyfield snakes, which are blessed friends to farmers. They keep the rat population low. Without them, the fields would be overrun. If you're lucky, you may chance upon them out in the paddyfields! If you're one whose worst nightmares are of snakes and spiders, then maybe you should sit this one out. There is a great, inexpensive café ('Warong' in Malay) that serves local food at Kampung Tok Senik. The satay and the chicken rice are good choices; the tom yam soup is so spicy it can almost blow your socks of! The 'ABC' (Air batu campur. Shavings of ice topped with syrup, evaporated milk, corn and red beans) may take your mind off your heebie-jeebies. This café is open 24 hours so you have all the time to put your feet up and relax with a good book. There is an Internet café just down the road where you can log on while waiting for your friends. Or you can, take a stroll round Kampung Tok Senik - it gives a pretty good idea on the look, feel and practicality of a kampung house. For more information on the snake sanctuary, call: 04 - 955 7288. Opening hours: everyday 10.30am - 5.45pm; Adult: RM10; Child: RM5 . Shows: 11.30am 3.00pm 5.00pm (Monday - Sunday) , 3.00pm 5.00pm (Wednesdays)

Perdana Gallery

This gallery houses a collection of state gifts and awards that were presented to our previous Prime Minister, Dato' Sri Dr. Mahatir Mohamed and his wife. Opening hours: 10am - 5pm daily, Adult: RM3; Child: RM1. For more information, call: 04 - 959 1498

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