Pulau Langkawi is the main of the 99 islands of the archipelago (all of them listed as UNESCO Geopark since 2007) at the north-western tip of Malaysia and just south of Thai waters. There is something for everyone, from the budget-conscious traveller to those in search of ultimate luxury, all over the year as the monsoon (November –March) does not affect it. Worth knowing: the island is a duty-free zone.
Excellent infrastructure makes visit a pure pleasure, without diminishing the laid-back rural charm or the breathtaking natural wonders. There are countless things to see and do, but those in need of a break could easily spend days just soaking up the sun and island’s natural beauty, appreciated also by ‘Anna and The King’ directors while making here the movie in 1999.
Getting There
Things to see and do
Hotels & Resorts
Photo Gallery
Getting there
By Air
Airlines flying to Langkawi include Air Asia (from Kuala Lumpur), Malaysia Airlines (from Kuala Lumpur and Singapore); Firefly (from Penang, Subang); Silk Air (from Singapore) Cathay Pacific (from Hong Kong - chartered flights) and Korean Air (from Seoul-Incheon - chartered flights). Other airlines such as EVA Air, LTU, CIA and Fin Air also have chartered flights to Langkawi International Airport; enquire with the airline offices.
By Ferry
From Malaysia
- From Kuala Kedah (75 minutes) and Kuala Perlis (1 hour 45 minutes) ferries leave from 07:00 to 19:00 to Langkawi approximately every 30 minutes and return to the mainland with the same frequency.
- From Penang (2 hours 45 minutes) there are two ferries leaving in the afternoon; return ferries leave in the morning from Langkawi. These ferries make a stop at Pulau Payar on the way.
From Thailand
- From Satun (75 minutes) there are four ferry trips daily between 09:45 and 17:00.
By Road to Kuala Kedah / Kuala Perlis
You cannot take your own car onto the island but can leave your car at the tourist car parks (RM 5 to RM 8 per day) at Kuala Perlis or Kuala Kedah. You can rent a car at affordable rates on the island. The speed limit is 110km/h and roads are well lit and in good condition.
Coaches run from all over Malaysia and from Singapore to Alor Star from where it is a short taxi ride to the ferry jetty in Kuala Kedah. Coaches are very comfortable, but remember to bring a sweater as the air conditioning can be a bit extreme.
From Kuala Lumpur
- By car: It is a 5-6 hour drive from Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Kedah, while the journey to Kuala Perlis takes about 7 hours. (Check http://maps.live.com or http://maps.google.com for maps and directions)
- By bus: Regular coaches leave between 07:00 and 24:00 daily to Alor Star (6 hours).
From Singapore
- By car: It is a 10-11 hour drive from Singapore to Kuala Kedah. (Check http://maps.live.com or http://maps.google.com for maps and directions)
- By bus: There is a daily luxury coach at 21:00 to Alor Star. Alternatively, take a public bus from Queen St terminal or Kranji MRT to Johor Bahru’s Larkin bus terminal from where various coach companies have bus services to Alor Star. The overnight buses leave around 22:00.
By Rail
Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad provides comfortable and economical rail transport from Kuala Lumpur to Alor Setar (State of Kedah) and Arau (State of Perlis) through its Express Langkawi service. From these two towns, you can take a taxi or bus to Kuala Kedah or Kuala Perlis respectively, and then a ferry to Langkawi.
Things to see and do
On land, public transport is mostly limited to taxis. Renting a car or a motorbike is affordable and gives you the freedom to explore the island and all its many attractions at your own pace. Car rental starts from as little as RM 40 a day, motorbikes from RM 20 and can be arranged at the airport, the jetty, agencies in Kuah and Pantai Cenang and also through most hotels and resorts.
Ride the Langkawi Cable Car
At a height of almost 800 metres, the top of Mount Mat Cincang, you can get an amazing panorama of the island. The swift cable car ride to the top of Langkawi’s second highest peak is a must-do.
Your ride starts in the Oriental Village, where souvenir shops and a Japanese, Thai and Malay restaurant are scattered around perfectly manicured gardens. From here you can also take an elephant ride into the forest, or have your picture taken with a python.
Call ahead (+604 959 4225) to check that weather conditions are suitable. You should take a light sweater as it is significantly cooler and often windy at the top. No outside food or drink, including bottled water, is permitted. The last cable car going up leaves at 18:00. Hang on to your ticket card until you reach the bottom as there is a hefty fine for loosing it.
Waterfalls
Langkawi’s waterfalls are more impressive during the wet season but are still a beautiful natural display all year round. On the north western corner of Langkawi you can find the Seven Wells Waterfall (Telaga Tujuh), whereas Durian Perangin is located in Gunung Raya Park (near Air Hangat) , accessible after a short forest trek. Air Terjun Temurun, which water cascades from 30 meters into the pool at the bottom (suitable for swimming), is situated in the Mat Cincang Park, close to the Datai Golf Club.
Caves
Part of the unique geological heritage that has earned Langkawi its UNESCO Geopark status are the impressive limestone caves found all over the archipelago. Some of them are accessible only by boat, like Gua Cerita (Cave of Legends), Gua Kelawar (Bat Cave), Gua Pasir Dagang (Cave of the Sand Merchant).
Crocodile Farm
There are more than 1 000 crocodiles and alligators of various species here, spread out over various ponds and breeding areas on the 20 acre farm located on north western Langkawi.
The farm is registered by the Convention on International Trade and Endangered Species (CITES) and serves as a home to few endangered species of crocodile and alligator.
Wildlife Park
Located in Taman Hidupan Liar, the Langkawi Bird Paradise Wildlife Park offers tourists a chance to closely interact with a large array of animals and birds. Your children can enjoy a donkey ride, feed parrots, ostriches or rabbits, and take free photos with all animals. The park boasts a fully covered walkway which will protect the visitors from rain and sun. Open daily from 8:30 am – 6:00 pm.
Mangrove tour
Taking a Mangrove tour with one of Langkawi’s many operators allows you to see these fascinating trees up close, while also making a number of interesting stops along the way, for example in a Bat Cave, fishing farm or on a secluded beach. Mangrove tours can be arranged through most hotels and resorts, or through various tour operators’ offices around the island. Groups of 6-10 people can easily charter a boat for themselves as operators usually charge per boat and not per person.
Canopy adventures
Langkawi Canopy Adventures (www.langkawitravel.net) gives you the chance to experience the rainforest from a completely different point of view. Enjoy the scenery and the adrenalin as you abseil through the treetops of one of the world’s oldest forests. The company organizes also quad tours into the wild.
Ride an elephant into the rainforest
Asian Elephants have been tamed and trained for centuries and these intelligent and well natured animals are still engaged in helping humans do their work all over the region. Langkawi’s only elephants are in the Oriental Village at the foot of Mount Mat Cincang, and from here they will take you on a ride through the misty jungle.
Snorkelling & Diving
The best snorkeling and diving waters are at the Pulau Payar Marine Park, which is a twenty minute boat ride from the main island of Langkawi. Here you can also rent a glass-bottomed boat to observe the abundance of colourful fish without getting wet and view the reef from the underwater observation chamber. If you are not sure that Scuba Diving is for you or you do not have the time to do the entire PADI course, introductory diving courses are a perfect way to get your first taste of breathing underwater. Most diving operators offer one-day Discover Scuba Diving courses which include an ocean dive. If you are hooked after that, you can also get your PADI Open water licence through a four-day course.
Royal Langkawi Yacht Club
The organiser of the annual Royal Langkawi International Regatta, this upmarket establishment is situated within walking distance of Kuah jetty. The marina has 51 berths that can accommodate anything from catamarans to mega yachts and the club’s own luxury yacht is for hire for sunset cruises. The club itself has notable facilities such as a waterfront swimming pool, Jacuzzi and a yacht chartering service.