Some 30 km off the west coast of mainland Malaysia lies an archipelago of over 100 islands in the turquoise waters of the Andaman Sea. This is the Langkawi groups of islands, coveted as the Jewel of Kedah. And travelers of all kinds – nature lovers, history buffs, adventure seekers, and even hopeless romantics – are sure to find something to match their interests within these numerous Langkawi islands.
The main Langkawi island itself is known for its marvelous diving opportunities. And that’s not all! From an expansive Underwater World along the Pantai Cenang to the high-flying Cable Car in Pantai Kok, Langkawi continues to provide a new delight in every minute fragment.
About Langkawi Island
As mentioned before, Langkawi is a group of 104 islands in Malaysia. Most of these islands are uninhabited. Of the few inhabited Langkawi islands, the largest one is the Pulau Langkawi or the main Langkawi island. This main Langkawi island in Malaysia is known for its geography that is a mixture of picturesque paddy fields and jungle-clad hills.
Best Time To Visit Langkawi Islands
Langkawi sees three major seasons; namely the dry season (between November and March), the mid-season (between April and July), and the wet season (between August and October).
Peak tourist season in Langkawi: The dry season in Langkawi is offers plenty of sunshine and minimum rainfall. The temperatures range from 32° C – 35° C during daytime and from 25° C – 28° C at night. It isn’t too windy and the sea water is steady & perfect for watersports such as snorkeling & jet-skiing.
Recommended time to visit Langkawi: The dry season, being the peak tourist season, draws the maximum crowd. So, hotel & flight prices are the highest. The mid-season has only occasional rainfalls and the temperatures are not too high either. What’s more? You can expect discounts up to 50%. And the beaches will be more or less deserted, thereby offering a peaceful vacation.
A word of caution: Langkawi is a Muslim state. So, during the Ramadan days, most islanders leave early from work. So, many establishments either close early or remain closed altogether. We suggest you check with the travel agent about the same at the time of booking.
Langkawi Island Location: Langkawi, Malaysia
Places To Visit In Langkawi
But while taking a tour of the archipelago, you will come across several tourist places. Here’s a list of the major tourist attractions in Langkawi island group.
1. Islands
The islands around the main Langkawi island are known for their verdant jungles, limestone formations & caves, and unique wildlife that roams freely. While most of these continue to remain uninhabited, a select few have been transformed into scuba-diving sites, protected marine parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and luxe resorts.
Island hopping in Langkawi covers the following islands other than the main Pulau Langkawi island:
- Pulau Payar National Park: Famous for its coral reefs and scuba & snorkeling centers
- Pulau Dayang Bunting: Popular for its freshwater lake and swimming opportunities
- Pulau Beras Basah: Known for its facilities for swimming, jet-skiing, banana boating, and parasailing
- Pulau Singa Besar or the Giant Lion Island: Famous as a wildlife sanctuary where one can spot eagles, monkeys, mouse-deer, hornbills, snakes, monitor-lizards, and peacocks roaming freely (But there are no lions on the island)
- Rebak Island: Famous as a resort run by Vivanta by Taj with all modern amenities
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2. Beaches
The island destination of Langkawi has numerous beaches of fine sand quality. The entire coastline is lined with hotels, restaurants, shops, and beach shacks. And then there are watersports that the tourists can try at the beaches in Langkawi. The most popular beaches of Langkawi include Pantai Kok, Pantai Cenang, Pantai Pasir Tengkorak, Pantai Tengah, Tanjung Rhu, Black Sand Beach, and Datai Bay.
3. Other Tourist Attractions
- Waterfalls in Langkawi: Though there only a few waterfalls on the island, they are beautiful and truly impressive. Temurun Waterfall, Durian Perangin Waterfall, and Telaga Tujuh Waterfall are the most popular ones. The Telaga Tujuh is, in fact, also known as the home of the fairies and the Seven Wells Waterfalls because of the series of the seven connected natural pools fed by it.
- Mountains in Langkawi: Gunung Raya Mountain and Gunung Mat Cincang are the two popular mountains that offer spectacular views of the island.
- Nature parks and wildlife zones in Langkawi: Kilim Karst Geoforest Park, Sungai Kilim Nature Park, Kilim Karst Geoforest Park, Taman Lagenda, and Langkawi Wildlife Park & Bird Paradise are the major wildlife zones.
4. Shopping In Langkawi Island
The shopping centers sell duty-free alcohol, tobacco, apparel, cosmetics, souvenirs, food, cooking ware, and electronics. Most of these duty-free shops are located either in Kuah Town or along Pantai Cenang.
Must Read: 27 Exotic Places To Visit In Langkawi For Soaking In The Soothing Malay Vibes
Things To Do At Langkawi Islands
There are also a lot of things to do at Langkawi island. Here are the key highlights of a Langkawi island tour. Keep scrolling down and read along!
1. Mangrove Kayaking
Also try: Taking the day cruise, the sunset dinner cruise, and multi-island cruise for island hopping in Langkawi
2. Jungle Trekking
3. Snorkeling And Scuba-Diving
Other water sports in Langkawi: Jet-skiing, banana boating, swimming, and parasailing
4. Langkawi Sky Bridge
5. Cable Car
Places In Langkawi Island To Eat And Drink At
Looking for places to eat and drink at on your vacation? Chcek out the list of best places where you must dine at. Keep scrolling down and read along!
1. Best Restaurants In Langkawi
Some of the best restaurants in Langkawi offer delicious food with fantastic service and magnificent views of the Andaman Sea and the Gunung Mat Cincang. These restaurants cater to a variety of tastes and preferences – authentic Malay, Chinese, and fresh seafood – and all budget levels. While some of the finest restaurants in Langkawi are located within the chic resorts, others are stand-alone dining options that are spread across the main island.
Resort-run restaurants in Langkawi: The Gulai House & The Pavilion at The Datai Langkawi, La Sal at Casa Del Mar Resort, and Ikan-Ikan at Four Seasons Resort
Other fine restaurants in Langkawi: Langkawi Hainanese Cafe (aka Chicken Joe’s), FatCUPID, Fish Farm, and The Brasserie Langkawi
2. Best Bars And Pubs In Langkawi
Thanks to the duty-free policy across the Langkawi islands, alcohol is very cheap. And so, for those who love liquor, Langkawi has a whole new meaning. And to add to the cheap liquor, there is the amazing ambiance of some of the chicest bars and pubs in Langkawi. Most of these are located around Pantai Cenang and Pantai Tengah.
The most popular pubs and bars of Langkawi include Rhu Bar within Tanjung Rhu’s Four Seasons Resort, Naam OMG! Bar, Debbie’s Place Irish Pub, and D’Reef at The Cliff .
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Hotels And Resorts In Langkawi
There’s no dearth of stay options in Langkawi, ranging from hostels & backpacker inns to chic beach resorts & villas. And to help you plan your stay, we have listed some amazing hotels in Langkawi. These not only provide breathtaking views of the Andaman Sea & the rainforest, but also offer easy access to the must-visit attractions in Langkawi.
- Budget hotels in Langkawi: Bella Vista Waterfront Resort & Spa, Casa Fina Fine Homes, Dayang Bay Serviced Apartment & Resort, and Alia Residence
- Best hotels in Langkawi: The Andaman, The Datai, Ambong-Ambong, and Vivanta by Taj – Rebak Island
- Best beach resorts in Langkawi: The Danna Langkawi, The Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa, Four Seasons Resort, Meritus Pelangi Beach Resort & Spa, and Casa Del Mar
- Best Langkawi Villas: Jasmine Villa Tropical Garden, Villa Del Porto, and Bon Ton Resort
Suggested Read: 15 Best Resorts In Malaysia That Are Downright Alluring
How To Reach Langkawi
- By air: The Langkawi International Airport, located at Padang Matsirat, caters to direct flights from Penang, Singapore, Phuket, Kuala Lumpur, and Hat Yai.
- By sea:
- Langkawi Ferry: A/C boats from Kuala Perlis, Kuala Kedah, & Penang in Malaysia and Satun in Thailand
- Tropical Charters: Ferries from Koh Lipe to Kuah Jetty in Langkawi
- Telaga Harbor: Speedboats from Koh Lipe in Thailand
Further Read: 28 Amazing Budget Beaches of South-East Asia
Still reading? How ‘bout planning a trip to Langkawi right away! We assure you, you are going to love it just as we did. So, get packed, pick this guide, plan a Malaysia vacation and leave right away!
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Frequently Asked Questions About Langkawi Island
How much would a honeymoon trip to Langkawi cost?
Langkawi honeymoon packages for 4 days and 3 nights start at INR 20,999.
Which country is Langkawi in?
Langkawi, an archipelago of 99 islands, is a part of Malaysia.
What is famous in Langkawi?
A picturesque island, Langkawi is known for its surreal beauty, lush green environs and pristine beaches. It is one of the top travel destinations in Asia.
What is the best time to visit Langkawi?
The best time to visit Langkawi is when the sun is shining bright and the weather is dry. This usually happens during the months of January to March, which is the ideal time to head here and explore the places to visit in Langkawi.
How long do you need in Langkawi?
Langkawi is a small island and 3-4 days are good to explore this beautiful land. If one wants to relax and chill, then they can plan a longer stay here.
What is there to do in Langkawi for 5 days?
Some of the best things to do in Langkawi are to enjoy water sports like parasailing and jet skiing here. One can also go island hopping here. Nature lovers are in for a treat and can take a Mangrove tour at Kilim Karst Geoforest Park.
Can I travel to Langkawi without passport?
No, one cannot travel to Langkawi without a passport. The immigration check take place at Kuala Lumpur from where one can take a domestic flight to Langkawi where one needs to have a passport to obtain visa on arrival.
Is Langkawi a good holiday destination?
Yes, Langkawi is an amazing destination for those looking for a beach holiday. In fact it is one of the top budget destinations in Asia.
Kushal is a communication strategist, with 5+ years of experience in creating communication for diverse industries. His passion for helping the readers comes from his prior experience of running a travel agency with his dad. And he does that by addressing the actual travelers’ pain points in his blogs. And his work at TravelTriangle has also earned him multiple invites to speak about travel blogging at conferences & seminars. When he is not creating marketing strategies or content, he can be found reading about Harry Potter, DC, Marvel, or other anime. Find him on other social media channels here:
