Photo: Anton Zelenov / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped
Langkawi
Duty-free island with beaches, mangroves, a cable car up the mountains, and a laid-back pace. Malaysia's easiest island holiday.
Langkawi is an archipelago of around a hundred islands off the coast of Kedah, near the Thai border. The main island is big enough to have plenty to do, but relaxed enough that a day on the beach still feels like an achievement.
It’s also a duty-free island, which is why you’ll see people leaving with boxes of chocolate.
Why go
- Easy island holiday. Good flights, a proper airport, and plenty of places to stay at every budget.
- Nature. Langkawi is a UNESCO Global Geopark, with limestone karsts, mangrove forests and rainforest-covered mountains.
- Beaches. Not the wildest in Malaysia, but easy, safe and good for sunsets.
What to do
SkyCab and the Sky Bridge
The cable car rides up Gunung Machinchang, one of the oldest rock formations in the region. At the top, the curved Sky Bridge hangs over the rainforest. Go early, because clouds often roll in later in the day and queues build up.
Book SkyCab cable car ticketson KlookKilim Geoforest Park mangrove tour
Take a boat through the mangroves and limestone cliffs on the north-east coast. Most tours include a bat cave, eagle-watching and a stop at a floating fish farm.
Browse Langkawi toursIsland hopping
Half-day island-hopping trips usually stop at Pulau Dayang Bunting (with its freshwater lake) and a beach on another island. Cheap, fun, and a good way to see the archipelago.
Pantai Cenang
The main beach strip, lined with restaurants, bars and shops. Good for sunset and an easy dinner.
Getting there and around
- By air: Langkawi International Airport has direct flights from Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Singapore.
- By ferry: Ferries run to Kuah jetty from Kuala Perlis and Kuala Kedah on the mainland.
- Getting around: There’s not much public transport. Most people rent a car or scooter, or use Grab.
Where to stay
Pantai Cenang for first-timers who want restaurants on the doorstep. Tanjung Rhu or Datai Bay if you want something quieter and more upscale.
When to go
The driest months are roughly November to April. It’s still very doable outside that window, just expect more afternoon rain and choppier sea for boat trips.
