I took part in this activity as part of my 3 day trip in Langkawi, which includes taking a yacht out to catch a beautiful sunset. This tiktok video I uploaded sums up this experience.

We started our day with an island-hopping tour, a half-day trip that typically includes stops at three key locations: Lake Dayang Bunting, Pulau Singa Besar, and Pulau Beras Basah,like Pulau Dayang Bunting, known as the “Lake of the Pregnant Maiden,” a freshwater lake with a serene ambience and mystical legend. Many tours are half-day excursions, so expect to return a little past noon. Consider booking with Klook, which comes with hotel pickup and drop-off if needed:

We were briefed to meet up at Langkawi Underwater World in the morning at around 9am, so we got up earlier to grab a quick bite before driving over. As parking was not free within Underwater World, we found parking by the side of the road instead and took a short walk over.

We met up with the event correspondent who ushered us into a little minivan. Once everyone showed up, we were driven to the pier just 10 minutes away and waited until the boat was ready.

It seemed like the pier was one of the only spots tourists would begin their island hopping experience at, as the pier was overflowing with tourists and floating boats ready to make their departure.

Once you've boarded your boat, it's important to recognize your boat captain as there will be, as we've experienced, many other boats embarking on the same journey as you are. We were also briefed on this by the event organizers, who mentioned that the boat will not wait for us if we were not back on time (we'd have to arrange our own personal boat transport back which will be at an additional cost to us)

Not before long, we were well on our way to our first stop - Pulau Dayang Bunting. We were on a speedboat, so it didn't take us long before we arrived at the island.

Pulau Dayang Bunting

Probably the highlight of visiting this island is the turquoise and serene Lake Dayang Bunting. This freshwater lake, according to local folklore, was believed to bless couples with fertility, earning it the moniker “Lake of the Pregnant Maiden.” The name also comes from the silhouette of the surrounding hills, which resembles a reclining pregnant woman when viewed from certain angles.

Getting to the lake involves a short 15 minute walk from the jetty, with a relatively easy trail cutting through a tropical forest.

I recommend making your way to the lake quickly to enjoy the peacefulness of the lake and get a good chance to snap some nice photos.

You can explore the waters by renting kayaks for a reasonable price (RM 25 for 30 minutes when we were there). A small zone is demarcated for swimming, making this a refreshing experience amid the stunning surroundings.

I would recommend the kayaking experience as this offers the opportunity to get up close to the rock formations and the blue lake.

Eagle Watching

We made our way back to our boat and made it to Pulau Singa Besar, the next stop known for its opportunity to see majestic eagles up close. However, this attraction feels more man-made compared to the other stops. We remained on the boat while operators tossed bread scraps into the water to attract the eagles. As the eagles swoop down to retrieve the food, it’s fascinating to observe their precision and grace.

While this spectacle lasts just about 10 minutes, some visitors may find it underwhelming. Despite this, it’s still a rare chance to catch the eagles in their natural habitat, albeit influenced by human activity. If you enjoy wildlife photography, this can be a fleeting but worthwhile moment to capture these magnificent birds in action.

Wet Rice Island

The final stop of the tour is Pulau Beras Basah (Wet Rice Island), a small island with a quiet beach. While the island doesn’t offer much in terms of activities, it’s the perfect spot to relax and soak up some tropical vibes. You can wade into the calm sea, enjoy a stroll along the shore, or simply lounge under the coconut trees.

A small café on the island serves simple refreshments, such as instant noodles and cold drinks. The options are limited, so it’s advisable to bring your own snacks if you need to. One charming feature of the island is a row of colorful houses lining the beach, reminiscent of Melbourne’s iconic Brighton Beach boxes. They make for great photo opportunities and add a splash of color to the otherwise tranquil surroundings.

After spending about an hour on the island, it’s time to pack up and return to mainland Langkawi, concluding the island-hopping adventure. While not as action-packed, the combination of natural beauty and some peaceful beach time makes this excursion a quintessential Langkawi experience.