Lang Tengah
With its abundant marine life, Lang Tengah is gaining a reputation as an amazing dive destination.
A short boat ride away from the sleepy town of Terengganu, Malaysia, the island of Lang Tengah is surrounded by crystalclear waters and devoid of crowds, making it an ideal destination for an island getaway. Youll be immediately greeted by azure water and pristine coral reefs upon arriving on the island before you head off to one of the resorts, like the premier Summer Bay Resort, nestled among palm trees.
One dive site you should not miss when visiting is Goby Garden. Besides majestic coral formations of different shapes and sizes, youll also see fascinating creatures like the brightly-coloured Chirstmas tree worms and decorator crabs that are true masters of disguise. Gobies aside, this is where youll find colourful species like angelfish, parrotfish and triggerfish. Sharks, stonefish and octopuses have also been spotted here. Another great site is Karang Bahar, which has black coral bushes and different species of hard and soft corals. Despite the sites small size, the abundance of fish species here makes it an excellent choice for colourful underwater photography. Terumbu Kuning
is also a site with colourful species. It got its name from, among other yellow species, the yellow coral trees and butterflyfish found there. Hinge-back shrimps, pipefish, lobsters and juvenile sharks inhabit the area. Karang Nibong is a site where youll see giant clams, dusky anemones and even the occasional whale shark or manta ray. At night, bioluminescent phytoplankton light up the waters like blue LED lights dancing beneath the waves a rather spectacular sight youd want to catch.
With the threats our oceans face, it is important for destinations to actively conserve their marine life. Besides adopting sustainable management practices, Summer Bay Resort works closely with the local World Wildlife Fund turtle restoration initiative to preserve local ecosystems. Their efforts have borne fruit with sunken wrecks at popular dive sites seeing an increase in marine life.
Jungle trekking, rock jumping and leaping into the sea from a 15-metre height are some activities for the adventurous who prefer some activities on land. You can also explore the other islands by boat or canoe. ag