Langkawi Island is one of the top-rated and most-visited destinations in Malaysia by local and international tourists alike. Stretching over more than 99 islands, Langkawi Island offers a wide range of activities for visitors. Looking at the map of Langkawi it might seem like a small place. However, in reality, you would need a good couple of days to explore various parts of this interesting destination which comprises 99 islands. If you are planning a trip to Langkawi a minimum of two nights stay is suggested to explore most places of interest in Langkawi. Here is some useful information on the best things to do in Langkawi.
Visiting Langkawi Malaysia
Transportation on Langkawi Island?
Langkawi Island has a good network of roads connecting various parts of the Island. If you are comfortable with driving and like to explore most places of interest at the minimum possible time, I recommend renting a car at the airport. The car rental costs around US 40/day on average. Taxis are easily available at any time of the day or night. The average rental from Langkawi Airport to Pantai Cenang is RM 20.
Here are taxi fare rates for travelling between various popular locations on Langkawi Island.
1. Kuah Jetty Area to Langkawi Cable Car Station - around RM 55
2. Langkawi Airport to Kuah Jetty Area -RM 35
3. Kuah Village to Cenang Beach - RM 40
4. Airport to Cenang Beach Area - RM 25
Flat rates are posted on the booking stands where you will get the ticket and pay a flat rate for your destination. A 4-hour rental will cost you around RM 140. An average 3 Star Hotel will cost around RM 80-100 (Check Recommended 3-Star Hotels in Langkawi ). Therefore, to avoid the hassle of catching public transport it is advisable to live close to most tourist attractions.
Cheapest Flights from KL to Langkawi
Where to stay on Langkawi Island Malaysia?
Langkawi Island offers a wide range of accommodations ranging from high-end exclusive resorts to cheap chalets and hotel rooms along the beach.
Exclusive waterfront resorts in Langkawi Island
Here are 4 major areas to stay in when travelling to Langkawi
Wondering how many days Langkawi Island is?
Here are my guidelines for what to do in Langkawi for 3 days.
Based on your budget and travel style, you can book your accommodation in any of these four areas on Langkawi Island. Pantai Cenang is one of the most popular and central areas. Most cafes, restaurants, shopping outlets and tour operators are based in the part of the Island.
Some high-end resorts are located in the northern and north-western parts of the Island offering private beach access and quieter places. I suggest researching a little bit about the locations and picking and choosing the resort and location that best fits your travel style and the activities that you want to enjoy during your stay at Langkawi.
4 Major areas of Langkawi Island
1. VisitingTanjung Rhu Beaches in Langkawi ( Located on the top eastern end)
One of the most luxurious, scenic spots on the island enclosed by a cove and nice pristine beaches with easy access to adjoining islands Tanjung Rhu is home to Four Seasons Resort and Tanjung Rhu Resort . These are top-end resorts costing on average more than RM600 per night. You will find plenty of water sports and stay for the sunset to view the beautiful view of the sun setting on the horizon.
While driving to this location you will see the mangroves and some of the most beautiful islands around Langkawi. This area is suited for a secluded romantic getaway or a memorable honeymoon in Langkawi.
Best experiences in Langkawi Malaysia
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These resorts make an ideal location for wedding ceremonies and a large number of foreigners book their holidays and get married on these exclusive resorts. If you are planning a honeymoon in Langkawi, you should be looking for this location on the map.
Tanjung Rhu Beach with white sand and clear blue waters offers unique experiences in Langkawi. 4 km south of Tanjung Rhu Beach is a black sand beach that is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike over the weekends.
Luxury Resorts in Tunjung Rhu Langkawi
Tanjung Rhu Resort Langkawi *****
This resort is ideal if you are planning a honeymoon or a special family holiday to Langkawi. Enjoy a number of local tours on private charter boats or simply relax on the laidback and relaxed beach.
Berjaya Langkawi Resort *****
Enjoy spa treatments, customized tours and dining experiences at restaurants on premises.
I highly recommend this resort.
2. Pantai Cenang & Tengah in Langkawi ( Western part of the island)
Pantai Cenang in Langkawi is the most commercialised and developed area of the island with many shopping centres, restaurants hotels and seaside resorts. For my first visit to Langkawi, I had booked online in Kuah Village hoping that this would be a busy area to stay. However, on arrival at the airport, I was dropped off by the taxi driver in the Cenang area for dinner and I realized that I should have booked my Langkawi hotel in the Cenang Area.
If you are travelling single and want to stay in the heart of the activity, Pantai Cenang is the best option. For a more relaxed, resort-type holiday you can explore other areas of the Island.
One of the major attractions in Langkawi is Langkawi Underwater World, which is Malaysia's largest aquarium housing over 4000 species of marine creatures.
The price for a Langkawi Underwater World Admission Ticket is RM 43 for adults ( International visitors)
Cenang Beach is also popular for water sports including banana boats, windsurfing, water scooters, and snorkelling.
Book your customized tour with local operators and enjoy the scenic island on your way.
Take a stroll along the main road to explore some art galleries, seafood restaurants and massage places. Plenty of tour operators are based in the Pantai Cenang area and they take orders for boat tours till the late hours of the night.
It is a good idea to book a tour in advance with the local operators who will organize an early morning pickup for all island tours.
Pantai Cenang Beach Area is the most popular waterfront location for water sports
Langkawi island is famous for seafood and you can find seafood in almost all restaurants. The seafood is cooked in various styles (Thai, Chinese, Malay) with sauces of your choice. Lobsters, crayfish, crabs and various varieties of fish including pomfret are commonly available.
The most popular restaurants in this area are The Brasserie, Orkid Ria Seafood Restaurant, Shin Mi Seafood Village and Happy Happy Cenang Seafood Restaurant. For a nice night out you can hop into one of the bars along the main drag that stays open till late and play western music.
Some Cheap Langkawi hotels in the Cenang Beach area are:
3. Pantai Kok (Middle Part of Langkawi Island) - Langkawi Cable Car & Langkawi Sky Bridge
Pantai Kok is nestled between Oriental Village and Telaga Harbour. If you go past Dana Hotel, there is public access to a beautiful lighthouse. Other resorts located in this area are Berjaya Langkawi Beach Resort, Mutiara Burau Bay Resort, Tanjung Sanctuary Resort & Sheraton Langkawi Beach Resort. This area is very close to Langkawi Marina as well as the Langkawi Cable Car.
Langkawi Cable Car & Langkawi Sky Bridge
The Langkawi cable car is a must-visit attraction on Langkawi Island as it is the world's steepest cable car that covers a distance of 2 km in 6-seater gondolas reaching the top of Gunung Machinchang mountain. You can enjoy 360-degree views of the Andaman Sea and Langkawi Island from an observation deck located at the top station (780m above sea level).
I enjoyed the cable car ride and highly recommend this experience. If you want to save time, an express lane is available for a premium price that can help you bypass the queue.
Langkawi Sky Bridge is another attraction you can enjoy at the top station. Parts of the Sky Bridge have a glass base which makes it a unique experience to walk.
Best Tours and Activities with Viator.com
Trekking and Hiking on Langkawi Island
The two most popular mountain peaks in Langkawi are Gunung Mat Cincang and Gunung Raya. The curved Sky Bridge is constructed on top of the Gunung Mat Cincang Peak. On a clear day, this peak commands amazing views of the Andaman Sea and you can see to Southern Thailand.
This area offers amazing opportunities for trekking and hiking. However, it is highly recommended to accompany an experienced local trekker or guide as there is a chance of getting lost in the wilderness.
Gunung Mat Cincang is a 500 million-year-old forest with plenty of wildlife and unique landscapes. A 3-hour trek traverses through thick rainforest and bushes and offers a chance for a swim in hidden brooks and streams.
The 4-5 trek from the base of the mountain to the peak offers a gruelling challenge and is not meant for light-hearted hikers. Make sure you are fully equipped with the essentials against rain and heat when attempting this trek. A local guide is highly recommended.
Note: Emergency Call Numbers 04-966 6222 / 04 - 966 3434. Keep this number when planning a trek on any hiking trail in Langkawi Island
SkyTrex Adventure Langkawi is a new attraction located in this area. Skytrex offers three levels of difficult jungle adventures with obstacle courses which can be a thrilling experience as well as a team-building exercise. The ticket prices range from RM 60-100.
Other places of interest in this area are Seven Wells Waterfall, Langkawi Duck Tours, Pisang Handicraft and Art Village.
Langkawi Sky Bridge's Price for 2019 was:
For a Private Gondola with 360-degree views to be shared with 4 people: RM 155 per person
Glass Bottom Gondola: RM 105 per person
Sky Cab: RM 25 person
Note that prices vary for international visitors.
The ticketing area at Pantai Kok
Pantai Kok is an interesting area to explore. This is one of the main parking areas for all the tour coaches as you can buy tickets for various activities. Walk around the open area or buy souvenirs and explore local arts and crafts in Pantai Kok. There are several local and international restaurants as well.
Langkawi Sky Bridge overlooking the Andaman Sea
Several hotels located in this area are:
Langkawi Cable Car
4. Kuah Jetty Area in Langkawi Island
Kuah Jetty is the entry point for people travelling from other parts of the country as well as Thailand using the ferry. The terminal is the hub of transport and most buses and taxi operators are based in this area. The landmark Langkawi Eagle is located in this area. Other than an entry point into Langkawi, this area does not have a lot of tourist attractions.
You can find reasonable accommodation at walking distance from the jetty ranging from 4-star Langkawi hotels to budget accommodation under RM 50 per night. During my first Langkawi trip, I stayed at Bayview Hotel ( 4-Star) in the Kuah Jetty Area.
Catching a ferry from Penang is an easy alternative to travel to Langkawi if you do not want to travel by air. You can also book bus trips to various cities in Malaysia from the Kuah Jetty area. The ticket includes the cost of the ferry to Penang, followed by a bus ride to the respective destination.
Ferry service between Penang and Langkawi can also be booked online. Check the website for schedule and availability. Note that the service can face interruption in the rainy season between September and November.
The waterfront area near Kuah Village and Eagle Statue
You can charter your personalised boat tours to various points of interest around Langkawi Island. Solo tours cost around RM 450 per day. Alternatively, join a shared group which would cost an average of RM 35 per person. The tours take around 3-4 hours and can include many activities of your choice. The day tours start around 9 am so hitting the bed early is a must if you want to enjoy the day tour. Midday tours start around 2 pm which could take up to three hours.
Some of the best places to live in Kuah Jetty are:
Bayview Hotel Langkawi - Kuah Village ****
I highly recommend this hotel if you plan to stay in Kuah Area. The driving distance to Cenang Beach is approximately 20-25 minutes.
De Baron Resort *** Rates from RM 150+/night
Bella Vista Waterfront Resort *** Rates from RM 120+/night
The temperature in Langkawi around the year is between 25 - 32 c. The best time to travel is between April and August.
How to travel to Langkawi from Kuala Lumpur and other parts of the world
Travelling By Air to Langkawi Island
You can easily catch an international flight or a domestic regional flight to an international Langkawi Airport. Malaysian Airlines has connecting flights from London, Osaka, and Taipei. With Silk Air, you can catch a daily flight from Singapore.
Air Asia runs very affordable flights every hour to Langkawi. Booking in advance can save you a lot. Normally the last booking for the return flight from Langkawi will cost around US 50.
Travelling By Ferry to Langkawi Island
The ferries are pretty crowded but are a cheap alternative to get to Langkawi, You can catch a ferry from Kuala Kedah, Kuala Perlis and Penang and Satun in Thailand.
Weather in Langkawi Island Malaysia
The average temperature stays around 90 F. The hottest month of the year is February and the coolest month is October. Rainy months are from September to November.
What to do on Langkawi Island for 3 Days
Here is a list of some of the best things to do in Langkawi. The most popular things to do in Langkawi include
- Langkawi Cable Car & Sky Walk
- Langkawi Sky Bridge
- Boat Tours to Pulau Payar National Park to see some amazing sea life and birds in the region
- Trip to Ayer Hangat Village to experience hot water springs
- Temurun Waterfall - a Three-level waterfall in the middle of the Island
- Discount Duty-Free Shopping at Pantai Cenang
- Crocodile Adventureland
- Visting Kilim Karst Geoforest Park
Island Hopping Tours to Bunting Island and Lake of Pregnant Maiden
Island Hopping tours are one of the major attractions in Langkawi if you are planning an extended stay on the Island. Different tour operators offer packages for various locations around the island. The Bunting Island tours can be organized from your hotel tour desk or one of the booking stations at the Kuah Jetty Terminal.
Bunting Island is located 17 km south of the Island and an adult tour ticket can cost up to RM 35. Dayar Bunting is the second largest Island in Langkawi with a freshwater lake offering an amazing opportunity for snorkelling and swimming. Make sure to carry your swimming outfits if you plan to get into the water. Paddleboats are also available for visitors.
Pregnant Maiden Lake in Bunting Island Langkawi
The Freshwater Lake "The Lake of Pregnant Maiden" is located in the middle of the island surrounded by thick rainforest. Enjoy the boardwalk, a brief trek or simply enjoy the views. Keep an eye on the monkeys who would go for food or anything you are carrying in your hands.
Besides, these attractions, one of the major attractions in Langkawi are customized tours and sea charters for:
- Day Cruisebeing
- Romantic Sunset Cruises
- Private Charters
- Private Island Hopping
- Fishing Trip
- Jetski Tour
Some Useful Tips from my Pulau Langkawi Trip
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