By Rosli Mansor
Dolphin sighting was one of the highlights of the Northern Perak Eco Visit Malaysia 2020 Expedition held from December 4 to 6 by Tourism Malaysia (Perak). Focusing on the various tourism products of Taiping Heritage City, participants, consisting of media representatives, tourism agents and bloggers, were in attendance.
One no longer needs to go to Moray Firth, UK, or Bohol, Philippines, to enjoy dolphin watching as the exhilarating experience is available in Kuala Sepetang attracting both local and international tourists.
Our adventure began with a 15-km boat ride from the Kuala Sepetang Tourism Centre jetty cruising through Sungai Reba and Sungai Sangga lasting approximately 30 minutes.
Along the way, we got to see the dense mangroves, a viable economic asset of the locals. This riverine route was used by traders in the past to transport tin ore to the port (Port Weld) around circa 1880.
Upon arrival at Kuala Sepetang and Kuala Gula, we were pleasantly surprised by the antics of the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis) swimming alongside and ahead of our boat.
According to our guide, there is another species of dolphin found here although they are rarely sighted known as the Irrawaddy Dolphin.
Present was Director of Tourism Malaysia Northern Region, Ahmad Husni Ahmad Basri. He highlighted that Kuala Sepetang has a huge potential in the local tourism sector.
“Dolphin sighting and eagle watching are among the main tourist attractions here. I believe they will help draw tourists during Visit Malaysia Year 2020,” he remarked.
Those keen to partake in the Kuala Sepetang outdoor “adventure” please call Jusri: 012 631 6132.
