Langkawi Travelers Recommend

Comprised of 99 islands (five more at low tide) on Malaysia’s western coast, Langkawi is the postcard image of a tropical paradise. With Langkawi Island as a base, travelers come from around the globe to explore the archipelago, both above and below the water. These are some of your best island-hopping options.

Highlights

• Set sail for Langkawi’s outlying islands along the coast of Kuala Perlis aboard a 2-masted yacht.

• Zoom around the islands, rocky outcrops, and hidden bays of the Andaman Sea aboard a Jet Ski.

• Explore the undersea world of Pulau Payar Marine Park or the colorful coral reefs off Koh Lipe.

• Enjoy a barbecue lunch cooked onboard a boat or on a remote beach.

• Go for a swim in Dayang Bunting Lake, the largest freshwater lake in the country.

• Spot dolphins, flying fish, and birds of prey as you explore the archipelago.

• See the region from two perspectives with a longboat tour of the islands and a ride on the Langkawi Cable Car.

There are 99 islands in the Langkawi archipelago (six more at low tide), and twice as many ways to enjoy them. With three days to spend in Langkawi, you’ll be able to tour the island, enjoy some aquatic adventure, and even spend the day in a different country. Read on for tips on how to make the most of your three days in Langkawi.

Day 1: Outdoor Adventure

The Langkawi archipelago seems made for outdoor adventure, and you’ll have a whole menu of activities to choose from. In the morning, spend a few hours trekking through the Langkawi rain forest with a naturalist guide, keeping an eye out for monkeys, birds, flying lemurs, mouse deer, and civets in the dense greenery. Alternatively, see the jungle from a different perspective with a morning of ziplining through the canopy. After lunch, beat the afternoon heat by trying out a water sport. Go island-hopping on a guided Jet Ski tour, kayak through the mazelike mangrove forests, embark on a safari boat tour in search of local fauna, or explore the Langkawi Geopark, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After your day of adventure, kick back and relax aboard a sunset cruise, complete with cocktails and a barbecue dinner served onboard.

Day 2: Langkawi, Then and Now

You’ve experienced the natural beauty of the Langkawi peninsula, so today is all about its culture. Learn more about the area’s history and heritage on a round-island tour. Visit landmarks such as Mahsuri’s Tomb and Eagle Square, do some shopping in Kuah Town (a fishing village turned Langkawi capital), and head out into the rural countryside to explore ride paddies, rubber plantations, and small villages. In the afternoon, have some fun at one of the island’s family-friendly attractions. You might want to ride the SkyCab cable car up to the curved Langkawi Sky Bridge to take in the panoramic views, escape the heat with some time at Langkawi Underwater World and Crocodile Farm, or learn more about the local wildlife at Langkawi Wildlife Park. This evening’s a great time to explore Kuah Town, if you haven’t already done so.

Day 3: Day Trip to Thailand

Langkawi’s position in the Andaman Sea sets it close enough to Thailand to make it possible to day trip to the small tropical island of Koh Lipe. Don’t forget your passport as you board a ferry to the island within Tarutao National Marine Park. Spend some time snorkeling in the warm, clear waters (gear is often provided), have lunch on a private island, and pay a visit to nearby Koh Hin Ngam and its distinctive black-pebble beach. Alternatively, stay within the borders of Malaysia with a full-day snorkeling excursion to Pulau Payar Marine Park. Made up of four islands, Malaysia’s first marine park has an underwater observation chamber where nonswimmers can get a look at the colorful and diverse marine life.

With two days in Langkawi, you’ll have enough time to visit the island’s star attractions, spend some time out on the water, and get off the beaten track to experience a bit of the rural countryside. Read on for tips on how to plan your ultimate 48 hours in the Langkawi archipelago. 

Day 1: Island Sightseeing

**Morning:**Kick off your trip with an early morning visit to two of Langkawi’s most popular attractions, the SkyCab cable car and the Langkawi Sky Bridge. Ride one of the world’s steepest cable cars to soak up the 360-degree views across the archipelago from high above the jungle canopy. Choose a guided tour for hassle-free hotel pickup and drop-off.

**Afternoon:**Now that you’ve seen Langkawi’s star attractions, get off the beaten path this afternoon with a tour of the island. Visit rice paddies, rubber plantations, rural villages, and art galleries as you make your way through the countryside. Many tours include visits to notable landmarks, such as Mahsuri’s Tomb and Eagle Square.

**Night:**This evening, take a walking tour of Kuah Town, the Langkawi capital and a hub of activity on Pulau Langkawi. Snap some photos in Eagle Square, watch the sunset over the Andaman Sea, then do some shopping in this commercial center known for its duty-free goods. 

Day 2: Outdoor Adventure

**Morning:**Discover the beauty of Langkawi’s underwater world with a full day of snorkeling or scuba diving in Pulau Payar Marine Park. Alternatively, hop on a Jet Ski for a guided tour of the Langkawi archipelago with a stop at Dayang Bunting Island to swim in Malaysia’s largest freshwater lake.

**Afternoon:**If you’re not out enjoying a day of snorkeling, spend your afternoon kayaking through Langkawi’s mangrove forests, parasailing high above the sea, ziplining through the jungle canopy, or bird-watching in the Langkawi rain forest. Families might consider a visit to Langkawi Underwater World and Crocodile Farm. 

**Night:**For your last night in Langkawi, set sail on the Andaman Sea for a leisurely sunset cruise. Enjoy tropical cocktails from an open bar, and feast on a barbecue buffet dinner as you watch the sun dip below the horizon.

Langkawi, an archipelago of nearly 100 islands off Malaysia’s west coast, beckons with its golden-sand beaches, stellar scuba diving, lush rain forests, and duty-free shopping. With a day to spend, you’ll get a taste for what’s on offer. Here are some tips for making the most of your 24 hours in Langkawi.

Morning: Into the Jungle

A visit to Langkawi wouldn’t be complete without riding the cable car—one of the steepest in the world—up Mount Chin Chang to walk across the Langkawi Sky Bridge high above the rain forest canopy. This curved, cable-stayed bridge affords 360-degree views across Langkawi and Southern Thailand. Book a morning tour to beat the heat (and the crowds) with hassle-free transportation to and from your hotel. Most tours include time to shop at the Oriental Village and a stop for photos at Eagle Square on the Langkawi waterfront.

Afternoon: Sun, Sand, Sea

This afternoon, cool off in the beautiful waters of Langkawi. Depending on your interests, you might hop on a Jet Ski for a tour of the archipelago, swim and snorkel on an island-hopping trip through the Andaman Sea, look for dolphins and otters on a boat safari, or grab a paddle for an afternoon of kayaking through a mazelike mangrove forest. Those who’d prefer to stay dry can opt for a zipline adventure in the Langkawi canopy or a visit to the Langkawi Wildlife Park, a popular option with families.

Night: Sunset Cruise

End your day in this island paradise with a romantic sunset cruise. Most cruises include an open bar and barbecue dinner buffet, so you can sip tropical cocktails over dinner as the sun begins its descent. Other onboard amenities might include a saltwater Jacuzzi, hammock suspended over the water, dance floor, or even a swimming net that allows you to hop in the water.