Kilim Geo Forest Park​, Langkawi

Kilim Geo Forest Park​, Langkawi: More Attractions

Mempelam Bay

Mempelam (Mango) Bay is the location of Kilim Geo Forest Park​ UNESCO Langkawi Island where the type of section of the Setul Formation was erected. It comprises of the Ordovician Lower Limestone Member, Early Silurian Lower Detrital Member, Late Silurian Upper Limestone Member and Early to Middle Devonian Upper Detrital Member. The changes from the Lower Limestone Member to the overlying Lower Detrital Member reflected continuous rising of the ancient sea level that allowed the deposition of fine-grained siliceous and cherty rocks overlying the shallower marine limestone and limestone. The Upper Limestone Member was deposited during the subsequent drop of the sea-level.

Gastropod, cephalopod and conodonts are the dominant fossil in the Lower Limestone Member. Trilobite and graptolite dominate the Lower Detrital Member while trilobite, cephalopod, crinoid and trace fossils are the most common fossils in the Upper Limestone Member. The Upper Detrital Member generally lacks in fossils. The prolonged erosion has resulted in the formation of broad erosion platforms at various ancient sea levels with several beautiful sea-stacks. The deformation on sandstone of the Upper Detrital Member has formed several open anticlines and synclines with some tighter crenulation folds.

Langsir Cave Kilim Geoforest Park

Langsir Cave is located on the southwest of Peluru Strait, facing the Langgun Island. The cave exhibits various cave features, developed within the Lower Limestone of the Setul Formation. The limestone is very rich in fossils and one can easily find fossils at this site. The lake is a doline filled by saline water and surrounded by vertical limestone cliff. Ancient encrusting oysters and barnacles are abundant on the cave roof at Langsir Cave, some 2 to 3 meters above the present sea level.

Cherita Caves Kilim Geo Forest Park

This two-chamber cave was developed within the limestone of Ordovician – Silurian (480-440 million years ago) Setul Formation. The lower chamber is a raised ancient sea cave. From the upper chamber one can get a stunning view of the calm turquoise water of the bay. Within the chamber are some strange formations of stalagmites and rock falls. The curved walls and ceiling are pockmarked made by swallows and bats, which once occupied the cave.

Cherita Cave Kilim Geo Forest Park​ UNESCO Langkawi Island is conserved by the Museum and Antiquity Department for the archeological artifacts and cave paintings. There are ancient markings on the outside walls of the cave, though faded through time and weather, are still eligible but yet to be fully deciphered.

Dedap Caves Kilim Geo Forest Park

Dedap (name of a tree) Cave is a tunnel connecting a bay with calm turquoise waters to a doline intermittently filled with marine or brackish water. The cave developed within the Setul Formation. During a high tide, the cave is accessible by small boat. The cave is a short tunnel with a shallow stream running through.

The doline is surrounded by limestone cliff and functioned as a mangrove fringe and wetland forest. Based on aerial photographs and topography map, a major lineament can be traced running through the cave, and very likely that the cave has been formed by the action of sea waves beating through the lineament over thousands of years. Through the cave, one gets a stunning view of the bay and the islands across.

Crocodile Caves at Kilim Geo Forest Park Geo Sites

Situated off the Kilim River, Crocodile Cave is unique because it is actually a natural tunnel developed in the limestone by an underground stream that once flowed in this area during the low sea-level. Now the tunnel turns into a beautiful cave. The river flows right through the arched cave and at low tide, a small boat can navigate from one side through to the other.

Inside the cave there is an ascending chamber flanked by walls of limestone with minimal stalactites and stalagmites. Small colonies of bats roost on the ceiling of this cave. One can also observe ancient shells sticking on the wall and roof of this cave. When looked at certain angles, this cave resembles a look of a crocodile, hence the name of the cave came about. There are no crocodiles to be sighted at this cave.

Kilim Geo Forest Park Tanjung Rhu

Kilim Geo Forest Park Tanjung Rhu (Cape Rhu) is a large sand spit at the mouth of Sungai Ayer Hangat. This sand spit provides a natural barrier for the protection of the lagoon behind it. Apart from offering its excellent sandy beach, Tanjung Rhu provides several viewpoints of various natural landscapes from karstic hills and beautiful karstic islands to a variety of lagoonal features.

Tanjung Rhu Kilim Geo Forest Park​ UNESCO Langkawi Island is located about 20 km from Kuah town, Tanjung Rhu is renowned for its long, white sandy beaches, and the iconic Ayam Island just offshore. As the name Tanjung Rhu implies, the beaches are lined with Casuarina trees or ‘Pokok Rhu’ in the Malay language.