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Langkawi Island (Malaysia)
Another new destination for us - Jim, Kris, Lauren, & Larry will be traveling to Singapore first for 5 days of exploration. Then it's on to Langkawi Island in Malaysia for a week at the Berjaya Resort - beaches, snorkeling, jungle adventures, and lots of great food!
Here are some thoughts on things to do:
LANGKAWI ISLAND
1. Hit the beach
First and foremost in many people’s minds when we think of Langkawi - pretty places to hit the beach, catch some rays and enjoy the view. There are plenty of beaches dotted around the island coastline, from buzzing spots full of action, to quiet coves - depending on what you’re looking for, Cenang beach, Tanjung Rhu Beach, Tengah Beach are among the top picks. Different beaches have their own facilities, including bars, restaurants and nightlife in some - in others you’ll be in for a far less developed experience and may just find some toilets and a spot to park the car. Ask for recommendations from your hotel to find the nearest great beach based on where on the island you’re going to stay.
2. Langkawi SkyBridge
See the whole island from up on the Langkawi SkyBridge, which is 660 metres above sea level and gives a glorious view. In total it’s 125 metres long, and the longest free standing curved bridge in the world - quite the claim to fame. Some of the bridge has glass panelling underfoot - so this is probably not for those with vertigo! At the same site there’s a cable car, SkyDome, stores, places to eat and several other attractions to make the most of your visit.
Address: 07000 Langkawi
Opening hours: Hours vary based on season - check the Langkawi SkyBridge website for full details about the time of year you’re planning your visit
Learn more: Langkawi SkyBridge
3. Visit the night market
Langkawi is not difficult to navigate - but it’s even better when the attractions come to you. As the Langkawi night market sets up in a different place each night, there’s a good chance it’ll arrive on your doorstep one day while you’re there, offering places to eat, drink, shop and drive a hard bargain for your souvenirs. The biggest market is at Kuah on a Wednesday and Saturday, on other days you’ll find the market at locations including Ulu Melaka and Padan Lalang.
Address: Night markets are held in different locations on a rotating daily schedule
Opening hours: Stalls start to set up late afternoon or early evening
Learn more: Things to do in Langkawi blog - Langkawi night market - including schedule
4. Meet some adorable animals and help out at the WOOFF Shelter
If you’re looking at fun things to do in Langkawi and struggling for a really unique experience, why not volunteer some of your time at the WOOFF animal sanctuary? This no-kill shelter is home to cats and dogs which are taken in as strays and dumped pets. Live-in volunteers are able to apply to stay for a week or more, but casual volunteering is also encouraged. Ideally you’d be able to go along for several days to allow the animals to get to know you a little, but even calling in for one afternoon can be a help.
Address: C-5, kg. Bendang Baru, Mukim Kuah, 07000 Langkawi
Opening hours: For casual volunteering, get in touch in advance - usually volunteers are asked to arrive slightly after lunch to allow the dogs and cats to be fed in the morning
Learn more: WOOFF Animal Sanctuary
5. Up the adrenaline with a zipline adventure
Langkawi's jungles are home to a few ziplining parks, which offer an adrenaline fuelled alternative to lazing on a beach. Each park has its own specific attractions, including Skytrex which has zip lines, pipe bridges, monkey bars, and even a go kart track. Choose from several different courses depending on how brave you’re feeling. Plus, if you’re looking for things to do in Langkawi with family, it’s good to know that some courses are suitable for kids - and there are several places to get off the ropes if you’ve had enough part way through! Skytrex in particular offers a discounted rate for Malaysians with proof of nationality - perfect if you’re out and about exploring your home country.
Address: Jalan Teluk Yu, Kampung Kok, 07000 Langkawi
Opening hours: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Learn more: Skytrex - other zipline parks are also available, so check which is near to your accommodation before you book
6. Sunset cruise
If you’re in Langkawi for a special occasion with a loved one, or looking for top things to do in Langkawi for couples, a sunset cruise is the perfect solution. You can choose from plenty of different providers, for join in tours, private sailings, and a whole range of options for eating, drinking, and routes. Different services depart from their own jetties, but it’s common to find hotel pick up and drop off is included in the price to make the logistics more manageable.
Address: Various departure points, including the Royal Yacht Club and the Resort World Jetty
Opening hours: Check directly with the tour operator
Learn more: Langkawi Tour - sunset cruise
7. Laman Padi rice museum
A rice museum may not sound like a big tourist draw, but this hands-on open air attraction takes you on a fascinating journey, learning about rice and how it’s grown. You’ll be able to spend time wandering in the large area, which is home to buffalo and lots of wildlife, or take a tour to get more out of the experience. As one of the most common foods here in Asia, learning more about cultivation techniques, and even getting involved in planting, is a fun way to get closer to nature - and as the state of Kedah is known as the rice bowl of Malaysia, where could be better?
Address: Jalan Pantai Cenang, Pantai Cenang, 07000 Langkawi
Opening hours: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm daily
Learn more: Laman Padi
8. Kayak through the karsts
The Kilim Karst geoforest park is a large ecological park in the Northeast of Langkawi, which is largely covered by impressive mangroves, and a great pick of the things to do in Langkawi with kids. There are various ways to see the area, including hopping on a join in boat tour, chartering a boat, or if you’re feeling energetic, kayaking. Kayaking has the advantage that you’ll move silently through the water, for the best chance of wildlife spotting. Be aware that tours often include eagle feeding and other animal activities which are of dubious ecological soundness - if you’re concerned, check the tour details carefully, with the tour operator you pick.
Address: Kilim River Tourism Jetty, Mukim Kampung Kilim, 07000 Langkawi
Learn more: Langkawi Go tours - other operators are also available
9. Check out interactive 3D art
You’ll find over 200 pieces of interactive art at the Art in Paradise attraction, including optical illusions to confuse and amaze, murals and pieces you can really get involved with. This museum is all about taking photos, both for your social media feed and to remind you of the experience - so have your camera at the ready.
Address: Jalan Telaga Tujuh, 07100 Langkawi
Opening hours: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm daily
Learn more: Art in Paradise Langkawi
10. Go birdwatching
Langkawi is rich in biodiversity, so if you’re into bird watching, or you like to take wildlife photos, it’s perfect for you. To give you the best chance of success, consider an organised tour, which can help you pick the best locations for the birds or animals you’re looking for, based on season and migration patterns. There are a few specialist tour operators working in Langkawi which can help, such as Junglewalla, which offers half day, full day and multi-day tours to help you see all the wildlife Langkawi has to offer.
And we're off...
We will be flying Singapore Airlines from San Francisco nonstop to Singapore - 16.5 hours going over and 15 hours coming home. Then we'll fly Air Asia to/from Langkawi - only a 1.5 hour flight.
WHAT TO WEAR: Langkawi is one of Asia’s most cosmopolitan holiday destinations, attracting over a million international visitors every year. However, it’s also important to remember while Malaysia, as a whole, is a secular, multi-cultural country, the majority of Langkawi’s local residents are Malay Muslims, who tend to hold fairly conservative views regarding social conduct. Most local Muslims dress with modesty in mind – even women who don’t wear the traditional hijab or niqab will cover their chests, shoulders, hips and midriffs when out in public. Exposing bare legs is generally frowned upon for both sexes. Having said that, the majority of foreign travellers will be spending their time on the beach, in the resort, restaurant and shopping areas, and visiting the island’s tourist attractions. With tourism being so integral to life in Langkawi, the locals tend to have a more open-minded view regarding overseas guests coming to share their little piece of paradise. So, as a general rule, provided you’re hanging out in Langkawi’s tourist zones, you can feel free to dress as you would on any tropical beach holiday. Langkawi is almost universally hot and humid, and you’ll need to be prepared for monsoonal rain showers (usually mercifully brief but occasionally torrential) in the rainy periods between September and November and April to August. The only big no-no for ladies is topless sunbathing. Any form of public nudity is an offence in Malaysia.