Langkawi Island Guide: Beaches, Jungles, and Hidden Gems
Langkawi is one of Malaysia’s most beautiful destinations: a UNESCO Global Geopark of 99 islands covered in ancient rainforest and surrounded by warm, clear water. Whether you’re after long sandy beaches, rainforest views or quieter corners away from the crowds, this Langkawi travel guide covers what you need to plan a trip.
We came to Langkawi at the end of November 2018, between two stays in Kuala Lumpur. We stayed first at the Taj on Rebak Island and then at the Berjaya Langkawi Resort, walked the SkyBridge, visited the Lake of the Pregnant Maiden and Skull Beach, and spent half a day on a jet ski tour around the islands.
Why Visit Langkawi?
Langkawi suits almost every kind of traveller: families, honeymooners, backpackers and nature lovers. The island sits just off the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia, about an hour’s flight from Kuala Lumpur, and is also reachable by ferry from the mainland, Penang and southern Thailand.
Add duty-free shopping, a laid-back pace and some of the best sunsets in Malaysia, and it’s easy to see why so many visitors come back.
The Best Langkawi Beaches
For most visitors, Langkawi’s beaches start with Pantai Cenang, and for good reason.
Pantai Cenang
This is the island’s most popular stretch of sand, lined with restaurants, beach bars and water sports operators. It’s the most convenient base if you want everything on your doorstep, and it’s where many of the jet ski and island-hopping tours leave from.
Tanjung Rhu
For something calmer, Tanjung Rhu on the north coast is stunning. The beach is backed by limestone cliffs and casuarina trees, and the water is usually calm and clear. It’s a favourite with couples and anyone after a quieter escape.
Pantai Kok
Tucked between the hills on the west coast, Pantai Kok has a sheltered, peaceful feel. It’s close to the SkyCab and the Telaga Tujuh waterfalls, so it’s easy to combine a beach morning with a trip into the mountains.
Skull Beach (Pantai Tengkorak)
Our experience: we also visited Skull Beach, one of Langkawi’s lesser-known beaches and a change from the busier sands of Pantai Cenang.
Things to Do in Langkawi Beyond the Beach
No Langkawi itinerary is complete without heading inland or out to the smaller islands. The interior is dense rainforest, and the waters around the main island are dotted with dozens of smaller islands to explore.
Top Activities to Add to Your Itinerary
- Langkawi SkyCab and SkyBridge: take the cable car up Gunung Mat Cincang for huge views over the island and the Andaman Sea, then walk across the curved SkyBridge, which hangs above the rainforest. Go early on a clear day, as cloud can roll in later.
- Island hopping and the Lake of the Pregnant Maiden: Tasik Dayang Bunting, on Pulau Dayang Bunting, is a freshwater lake surrounded by forested hills, named after a local legend. It’s a short walk up and over a ridge from the boat landing, there’s a small entry fee, and you can swim from the floating platforms. Most half-day island-hopping boat tours stop here.
- Jet ski tours: a guided convoy tour is a fun, fast way to see the southern islands. Half-day tours usually leave from Pantai Cenang and stop at a few islands along the way.
- Mangrove kayaking: paddle through ancient mangrove forests and explore sea caves at your own pace. Guided tours are widely available and suitable for beginners.
- Kilim Karst Geoforest Park: a boat tour here takes you through dramatic limestone formations, mangroves and bat caves, with sea eagles circling overhead. Many boats still feed the eagles, which conservationists discourage, so ask for a tour that doesn’t.
- Telaga Tujuh Waterfalls: climb the steps through the jungle to this seven-tiered waterfall and its natural rock pools. Some people slide down the rocks, but they’re slippery and people do get hurt, so take care.
- Night markets (pasar malam): the night market moves to a different town or village each evening of the week, and it’s the best way to try local food at bargain prices.
Our experience: we did the SkyBridge, the Lake of the Pregnant Maiden and a half-day jet ski tour, and they make a good mix: one day up in the mountains, one out on the water.
Hidden Gems Most Tourists Miss
Durian Perangin Waterfall
Less visited than Telaga Tujuh, this multi-tiered waterfall in the northeast feels refreshingly remote. The trail winds through dense jungle to cool pools that are best after rain.
Galeria Perdana
This museum houses gifts given to Malaysia’s fourth Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, by leaders from around the world. It sounds niche, but the collection is fascinating and beautifully displayed. There’s a small entry fee.
The Quieter Villages
Hire a car or scooter and explore the villages away from the west-coast resorts. You’ll find roadside fruit stalls, paddy fields and traditional fishing boats, and a slice of everyday island life that many visitors never see.
Suggested Langkawi Itinerary: 4 Days
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive, explore Pantai Cenang, sunset on the beach |
| Day 2 | SkyCab, SkyBridge and Pantai Kok |
| Day 3 | Half-day jet ski or island-hopping tour, including the Lake of the Pregnant Maiden |
| Day 4 | Kilim Geoforest boat tour or mangrove kayaking, then Tanjung Rhu and a night market |
Where We Stayed (and Where to Stay) in Langkawi
We stayed in two very different places. We started at the Taj on Rebak Island, on its own small private island just off the main island and reached by the resort’s boat. When we stayed it was called Vivanta by Taj – Rebak Island; booking sites now list it as Rebak Island Resort & Marina. Then we moved to the Berjaya Langkawi Resort on Burau Bay on the west coast, close to Pantai Kok and the SkyCab, with chalets set between the rainforest and the sea.
If you want restaurants and beach bars on your doorstep, base yourself around Pantai Cenang or Pantai Tengah instead. Either way, it’s worth comparing Langkawi hotel prices across booking sites before you book.
Practical Tips for Visiting Langkawi
- Getting there: flights from Kuala Lumpur take about an hour; ferries run from Kuala Perlis and Kuala Kedah on the mainland into Kuah, the main town
- Best time to visit: December to March is the driest season. Late November, when we went, is the tail end of the wet season, so expect some showers
- Getting around: there’s little public transport, so use Grab or hire a car. If you hire a scooter, you’ll need a licence that covers motorbikes, and a helmet
- Duty-free: Langkawi is a duty-free island, so chocolate, alcohol and some electronics are cheaper than on the mainland
Final Thoughts
Langkawi rewards slow travellers and curious explorers in equal measure. Mix the big sights like the SkyBridge with a day out on the water and a quieter beach or two, and you’ll see why it’s one of Malaysia’s favourite islands.
Where next? We split our trip between Langkawi and Kuala Lumpur, so pair this with our 2-day Kuala Lumpur itinerary. Then keep planning with Penang street food and trekking in Borneo.
