Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Langkawi Beaches - Pantai Pasir Tengkorak (Sandy Skull Beach)


Pantai Pasir Tengkorak, which literally means Sandy Skull Beach, is another tranquil beach on Pulau Langkawi. As per the folklores, the beach has been the witness to the bloody battle between the local and the invaders (Thais). Its waters are crystal clear and calm. Pantai Pasir Tengkorak is a favourite picnic spots during the weekends. This divine beach awaken the images of pirates and their adventures. It does indeed resemble a pirates' hideout with its stretch of beach flanked by boulders at both ends. Shaded by giant trees right up to the shoreline, it offers lovely seclusion amidst the lush green jungles of the Pasir Tengkorak Forest Reserve. Not far from the beach is the Ibrahim Hussein Museum.

A rather eerie legend shadows Pantai Tengkorak. Some locals believe that a giant whirlpool awaits unwary ships just off the Langkawi islands at the spot where the Straits of Malacca join the Indian Ocean and the Andaman Sea. The whirlpool is said to have swallowed countless number of vessels and deposited the skulls of the crew and passengers at Pantai Tengkorak (Skull Beach). The bone fragments of ancient mariners were found scattered at Tanjung Tulang, while parts of the ships washed up on Pantai Pasir Hitam. Fact or fiction, visiting this mysterious beach is not to be missed.

Langkawi Beaches - Pantai Teluk Burau (Burau Bay Beach)


Burau Bay Beach, called Pantai Teluk Burau in Malay, is one of the tranquil bay areas in Langkawi. It's actually a narrow beach where the rocky Gunung Cincang descends abruptly to meet the sea. Sited on the west coast of the island, this beach formerly used to be the resort of the Piped Hornbill. Besides Burau Bay, the island features the Kuala Teriang fishing village, Telaga Tujuh Waterfalls and Padang Matsirat on its western shoreline. This stunning beach is the favorite destination of tourists looking for a hushed getaway and longing for getting straight into the lap of nature. The beach boasts of a rugged coastline which is further marked by verdant tropical vegetation. Its clam and tranquil locale, together with its exotic assortment of birds, make the major highlights of Burau Bay. It overlooks the striking Pulau Burau which is a roosting place for migratory birds. Certainly, for ornithologists, it's the best place to take out their binoculars and do a bit of bird watching.


The long stretch of shimmering white sands, which make up the beach, are amazingly beautiful especially when seen from the undulating slopes of Gunung Cincang. From here, one can have the spell-binding views at sunrise and sunset. The preferred activities at the beach are swimming and shell collection. The glistening waters are truly inviting and motorboats are at hand for people interested in a quick ride. The swaying coconut palms and thick rainforests make Burau Bay Beach absolutely pleasing to the eyes. This stunning beach lined with rocky outcrops is located at the West Coast of Langkawi. Several world-class hotels operate in this area which offers a peaceful and tranquil environment for relaxation and quiet meditation. The near-by Burau island is also a roosting place for migratory birds – a treasure trove for bird-watchers.

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Langkawi Beaches - Teluk Datai (Datai Bay)



Hidden by a tropical rainforest, the Datai Bay offers an exclusive retreat for the rich and famous. Some of the country’s most expensive resorts are located here. The secluded beach in the bay offers gorgeous sights, including a view of Thailand’s coast-line on a clear day. Besides beaching yourself, you can also explore the surrounding tropical rainforest and admire the gems of Malaysia’s natural heritage. The Pantai Teluk Datai, literally Datai Bay Beach, is amongst the premier beaches of Langkawi Island. It is generally typified by boulders at its both ends and dense forest in the background. To be found on the north coast of Langkawi, Datai Bay is the area where some of the most luxurious resorts and private villas of the island are located. It is locally known as a stunning alcove facing the Andaman Sea, where the lush forests merge with the azure waters.
The beach overlooks the quaint little island of Pulau Anak Datai. Teluk Datai is also quarters to the Datai Golf Course, which is one of the major attractions of the region. Nestled on the edge of the rainforest, this 18 ball, 72-par golf course is encircled by lofty tropical trees. Its 'Signature Hole' poses a challenge even for the expert golfers. On the beach, the travelers can take pleasure in a range of water sports like boating, yachting, scuba diving, windsurfing, and snorkeling.



The proximate Gunung Matcincang offers not only panoramic but also spectacular views of the beach and the horizon. From here, the far-off small islands appear like dots. Datai Bay makes a preferred haunt of the travelers due to its picturesque setting in the very lap of nature. Its most captivating features are the shimmering sandy beach and the gushing waves. To put in short & snappy terms, Teluk Datai is a great place to chill out in a soothing locale.

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Langkawi Beaches - Pantai Pasir Hitam (Black Sand Beach)


The Pantai Pasir Hitam, which literally means Black Sand Beach, is a spectacular beach on the island of Langkawi. This short stretch of beach lies 2kms west of Tanjung Rhu Beach. The shoreline boasts of sand, which isn't completely black but it's actually like a mixture of black sand and normal sand. However, like other black sand beaches, the sand isn't volcanic in nature. And iron oxide is understood to the cause of this observable fact. This beach serves as a major tourist attraction for people coming from far lands. People, coming here, get surprised to see such shimmering sands and the stories associated with it. According to the folklores, this beach had been the witness to the Battle of the Birds and the remnants of the war are still discernible on its sands. Another tale states that killer eddies and whirlpools became the water graves of naive sailors and blackened the sands of this beach.


Other fable narrates that a fisherman received the wrath of a mermaid, as he stole her ring. The mermaid's curse charred the land and the black sands became the sign of the man's offense. People also consider that the black sand beach is the result of burnt soil from the rice fields which were burnt during the Siamese War. The burnt soil, probably, flowed to the sea and got washed up at this beach. Geologists say that the sand is rich in cassiterite and stannous oxide, which have also given this color. However, the exact reason behind the black soil has not been discovered yet. The Beach is not suitable for swimming as it is dotted with boulders. But it is ideal for doing some meditation or reading a book. Pantai Pasir Hitam has got an old age charm due to the existence of an ancient fishing jetty. It is good place to spend relaxing time and enjoying local food at the food stalls.