This tiny village is sandwiched between the sea and a lagoon and is fronted by a narrow strip of beach. Only a handful of resorts, restaurants, shops and homes make up the village. In the hillside behind, a clear mountain stream – Paya’s main water source – rushes over granite boulders towards the lagoon.

The coral living in the blue water right off the shore is home to many colourful species of marine life and there are excellent snorkelling spots. The best location is at the northern end of the village, where there is less human disturbance and a small rocky island lays a few metres from the shore.

The village fills up considerably over weekends and public holidays and is popular with Singaporean and Malaysian families.  On a Saturday morning, scores of tourists clad in bright orange lifejackets line up on the jetty, ready for the snorkelling outing that is included in their weekend package.