Famed as the 'Jewel of Keddah', and Malaysia's tropical island paradise, Langkawi is made up of 104
islands spectacularly spread across a patch of the Andaman Sea (seriously, get
a window seat if you arrive by air).
While a destination of choice for local shoppers,
keen to make the most of the duty free, Langkawi is also popular among thrill
seekers especially water sports enthusiasts. Here are my tips for the best
things to do in Langkawi.
Cable car
It is definitely
worth getting the cable car up to Langkawi’s highest peak, Gunung Mat
Chinchang, to take in the views across the island (especially if you didn’t get
that window seat!) The cable car cruises almost alarmingly steeply up the hillside and at the top
there are two stations, the first is a viewing platform facing the direction you have come from, the second
(higher one) has a small café selling drinks and snacks, as well as a vast 360
degree viewing platform. There is also a ‘skybridge’ but we were unable to try
it out as repair works were being completed during our visit. We were happy to
pay the extra to have a priority ticket and skip the queues as it was very
busy, and very hot. Randomly, the 'priority' ticket also comes with a free shot glass (empty, sadly!)
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| View over Langkawi from Langkawi Cable Car, Malaysia |
Beaches
Langkawi has
lovely beaches to relax beside, enjoy a swim at or sail past on a catamaran. If
you prefer to go at a faster pace, jetskis can be hired too. Beaches further
north back almost directly onto jungle which, combined with the long (by island
standards) drive to reach them, gives them a remarkably remote feeling.
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| Flags on Pantai Cenang, Langkawi, Malaysia |
Kayak mangrove
tour
Get right into
Langkawi’s mangroves and waterways in a kayak. What better way to experience
life in the mangroves than at water level? Keep an eye out for local wildlife,
such as monkeys, snakes, eagles, otters, birds and lizards as you glide along. Take
a waterproof camera, wear a hat and suncream.
Snorkelling
daytrip – Thailand and Pulau Payar
There is not a
lot of reef close to Langkawi, so it is not a great diving destination, but snorkelling daytrips to nearby reefs are offered. You
can nip north, just across the border into Thailand, or head south to Pulau
Payar Marine Park. Both are about an hour away by boat. If heading to Thailand you will need to take your passport with you, and if you have some Thai Baht handy that would make things easier.
Kuah Eagle
By the Kuah ferry
terminal there is an enormous statue of an eagle. It is possible to walk out to
the eagle, stroll around the base, and take in views of the harbour.
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| Eagle statue at Kuah, Langkawi, Malaysia |
Kuah shopping
- duty free
Furthering our understanding that Malaysians love to shop and eat, there is not only one but two
large malls by Kuah Ferry Terminal. Selling a variety of things, including duty
free, food, souvenirs, clothes, luggage, and homewares, the shops are
interesting to wander around if you find yourself in Kuah.
Sunsets
We enjoyed some
great sunsets at Pantai Cenang and Pantai Tengah. I think it is the islands
offshore adding depth to the colours. Anyway, don’t miss sipping a cocktail as
you watch the sun set. There are plenty of bars along the coast at Pantai Cenang that can sort this out.
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| Sunset on Pantai Chenang, Langkawi, Malaysia |
Pantai Cenang –
food, drink and nightlife
Langkawi is not
Ibiza. If you want pumping nightlife it might not be the right island for you.
However, being one of the busiest areas of Langkawi, Pantai Cenang is certainly
where the evening crowd goes. There are several restaurants worth checking out (our
favourites included the Red Tomato Café for breakfasts and, for a treat, the
Cliff which offers a fine dining dinner menu while you sit, surrounded
by the ocean, on a small headland). There’s lots of action along the main strip
in Pantai Cenang, with many bars and restaurants in between the shops on the
main street.
Have you been to
Langkawi? What would you add to this list?
