An aerial photo taken 145m above sea level showing a portion of Penang Middle Bank when the tide is lowest. — Photo courtesy of Se Vena Networks Sdn Bhd
IMAGINE walking up to fluorescent green sea anemones, kneeling beside them, and capturing unforgettable photos.
Or tracking giant hermit crabs and starfish on foot, getting an up-close view of these fascinating creatures. (Remember, never touch or lift starfish out of the water – they’re too fragile to handle even a moment out of their aquatic environment.)
You don’t have to travel to remote corners of the globe to experience such marine life; it’s all right here in Penang.
Amidst a horizon of towering buildings lies a sandy island – visible only during the lowest tides – teeming with marine flora and fauna.
This hidden gem is the Penang Middle Bank, a natural wonder that’s been charted on colonial maps since the 1800s. It’s tucked away in the Penang Strait, between the island and the mainland, and it’s completely submerged at high tide.
Penang Middle Bank isn’t a tourist attraction; no travel agency offers packages to this secluded spot.
The only regular visitors, aside from marine scientists and their interns, are paddle boarders.
A paddleboarder heading to Penang Middle Bank with Penang Bridge in the distance. — Photo courtesy of Penang SUP Community
Upon arrival, you might feel like you’ve landed on a desolate island with a dystopian vibe, a stark contrast to the urban jungle of buildings just a few kilometres away. But take a closer look at the wet, muddy sand, and you’ll discover a vibrant ecosystem.
Scientists from Universiti Sains Malaysia have identified 36 types of plant life here, including seagrass (not to be confused with seaweed).
In fact, Penang Middle Bank is one of the rare places in the country with such a vast field of seagrass, which is crucial for herbivorous marine animals like the dugong.
The scientists also recorded 393 animal species, from fish, mollusks, prawns, and crabs to starfish, sea anemones, sea cucumbers, and brittle stars.
Even dolphins, whales, and dugongs have been spotted patrolling Penang Middle Bank at high tide, searching for food.
Penang boasts a community of roughly 100 paddle boarders, most of whom use inflatable paddle boards that can be bought online for under RM2,000. These boards are buoyant, hydro-dynamically designed to cut through waves, and easy to transport, even by motorcycle.
Paddleboarders on Penang Middle Bank taking in the sights such as the green sea anemone sitting in the foreground. — Photo courtesy of Penang SUP Community
Some enthusiasts use hard-bodied paddle boards, which can cost between RM5,000 and RM10,000. These finely crafted boards allow you to stand and paddle even through wind-blown waters with strong waves.
If you’re keen to experience the sea and want to try this adventure in the safety of a large group, consider joining the Penang SUP Community on Facebook.
Founding member KL Tan, 52, said two dates are ideal for visiting Penang Middle Bank: Sunday, Feb 2, and Sunday, March 2, next year. These weekends fall during what’s informally known as king tide seasons, when the high tide is extraordinarily high, and the low tide drops as low as 0.3m to 0.8m.
Tides change daily, influenced by the moon’s position and distance from Earth. During the lowest tides, Penang Middle Bank expands to 52ha, roughly the size of 42 football fields.
“For several hours in the morning, the sea level drops so much that Penang Middle Bank becomes firm enough to jog on,” Tan laughs.
To embark on this sea adventure, get to know members of the Penang SUP Community, invest in a beginner’s paddle board, practise diligently, and prepare to paddle 5-6km to Penang Middle Bank during the lowest weekend tides next February and March.
