Langkawi: Island of Tropical Escapes

Langkawi, known as the "Jewel of Kedah," is a tropical paradise in Malaysia’s Andaman Sea, consisting of 99 islands (and five additional islands visible at low tide). Langkawi combines natural wonders, rich history, and cultural diversity, making it an ideal destination for relaxation and adventure. This 3 day itinerary has also been summarized in this tiktok video I uploaded.

Also a designated UNESCO Global Geopark, visitors can explore ancient rock formations, mangrove forests, and limestone cliffs that offer an insight into the island's ecological significance. Popular spots like the Kilim Karst Geoforest Park, Gunung Machinchang, and Dayang Bunting Marble Geoforest Park offer scenic views that allows you to connect with nature in a meaningful way.

This island's diverse landscape offers a broad range of activities to go for. Nature lovers can visit the national parks, while those seeking to indulge in local culture can view batik paintings in craft villages.

Getting There

Langkawi is accessible via plane or ferry. You can fly directly to Langkawi International Airport from major cities in Malaysia or take a ferry from nearby towns like Kuala Kedah, Kuala Perlis, or even Penang. Flights from Kuala Lumpur are relatively short and affordable, taking just over an hour. The ferry option offers a scenic, though slightly longer, alternative.

I took a flight from Singapore which is a short 2 hour flight and cost me around SGD170 for a 2-way ticket with AirAsia. I would recommend this as the quickest way to get to Langkawi from Singapore.

Budget

A mid-range budget for Langkawi should cover accommodations, meals, transportation, and activities. Expect to set aside approximately SGD 400 - 600 per person for a 3-day trip. Here's my cost breakdown for this trip (in SGD):

Flight: $170 (2-way via AirAsia)

Klook activity pass: $67

Airbnb: $55

Car rental: $20

Trip expenses: $250

Total: $562

Getting around Langkawi

To make the most of a trip to Langkawi, I highly recommend having someone in the group with a driving license. Langkawi has a few small towns which are all connected by road, and driving is the best way to get around, given that public transportation is limited. Driving will also give you flexibility to explore at your own pace.

Moreover, rental prices are reasonable, starting at about MYR70 per day for a car. Ride-sharing services like Grab are available, but they may not be as readily accessible in certain parts of the island.

The easiest way to secure a car rental is via Klook, which provides you options for booking the right car suited for your trip with seamless pickup and dropoff from Langkawi International Airport.

About riding in Langkawi - Although this is definitely possible, I noticed there were much more drivers than riders in Langkawi. Carparks also seem to adopt a driver-first design. This is a stark contrast compared to other parts of Southeast Asia like Indonesia or Thailand where renting a scooter would be much more economical.

Driving in Langkawi

Driving in Langkawi is generally stress-free as the roads are well-maintained, traffic is light, and the island is easy to navigate. Having common navigation apps like Google Maps works just fine.

Refueling

Re-fueling in Langkawi is simple and straight forward. Once at a petrol kiosk, you will have to first pay the dollar amount of fuel you want to top up. This is usually done at the counter where an attendant will be.

After paying, the attendant triggers a control that allows you to use the pump to top up the amount that you have paid for, and you can drive off once done.

Parking

We faced minimal issues with parking in Langkawi as there were ample parking lots in the areas we visited. Parking is free or inexpensive at most attractions, hotels, and restaurants, making it easy to explore without extra costs. Parking lots are also well demarcated in parking zones so you will have an easy time finding them.

I highly recommend downloading the Flexi Parking app, which is the official app to search for parking lots, pay for them and also obtain information on parking charges on a given date and time.

Where to Stay

Langkawi has a range of areas to stay in, each offering a different experience of the island’s beauty and culture. Here’s a comparison analysis of the most popular areas to stay in Langkawi:

1. Pantai Cenang

Pros:

• Best for: First-time visitors, nightlife lovers, and beach enthusiasts.
• Vibrant Atmosphere: Pantai Cenang is the most popular beach area in Langkawi, bustling with energy. It’s filled with beachfront bars, restaurants, and shops, providing easy access to everything you need.
• Convenient Location: It's only a 10-15 minute drive from Langkawi International Airport, making it an ideal base for exploring nearby attractions.
• Wide Range of Accommodations: Options range from budget-friendly guesthouses to luxurious beachfront resorts.
• Activities: Close to attractions like Underwater World Langkawi and plenty of water sports options.

Cons:

• Crowded: Due to its popularity, Pantai Cenang can get crowded, especially during peak tourist seasons.
• Noise Levels: With many bars and nightclubs, noise can be an issue if you're seeking a peaceful stay.

2. Pantai Tengah

Pros:

• Best for: Couples, families, and those looking for a quieter beach experience near Pantai Cenang.
• Peaceful Atmosphere: Pantai Tengah is just a short walk from Pantai Cenang but feels more relaxed and less crowded.
• Good Mid-Range Accommodation Options: Ideal for families and couples looking for a balance between budget and quality.
• Close to Amenities: It has access to restaurants, but with fewer bars and nightlife than Pantai Cenang, making it a great spot for families and couples.

Cons:

• Limited Nightlife: Those looking for nightlife may find Pantai Tengah too quiet.
• Slightly Higher Prices: While still affordable, Pantai Tengah is often slightly more expensive than Pantai Cenang for comparable accommodation.

3. Kuah Town

Pros:

• Best for: Budget travelers, duty-free shoppers, and visitors interested in local life.
• Duty-Free Shopping: Kuah Town is Langkawi’s commercial center, where you’ll find an abundance of duty-free shops offering goods at great prices.
• Affordable Accommodation: Budget-friendly hotels and guesthouses are more prevalent here, making it an economical choice.
• Access to Local Culture: It provides a more local experience and offers an array of authentic Malaysian eateries.

Cons:

• No Beach Access: Kuah Town is not a beach area, which can be a disadvantage if beach access is a priority.
• Less Tourist-Oriented: Since it’s primarily a local area, there are fewer tourist attractions and activities compared to Pantai Cenang or Tengah.

4. Datai Bay

Pros:

• Best for: Luxury travelers, honeymooners, and nature lovers.
• Exclusivity and Privacy: This secluded area is home to luxury resorts offering a quiet and peaceful environment, ideal for couples and honeymooners.
• Scenic Beauty: The area is surrounded by lush rainforest, and resorts here often have private beaches and stunning views.
• High-End Amenities: Many resorts offer premium services, private pools, and access to activities like golf and guided nature walks.

Cons:

• Expensive: Datai Bay is one of the most exclusive parts of Langkawi, so accommodation here is primarily in the luxury category.
• Remote Location: Its secluded nature means it’s further from Langkawi’s main attractions, so you’ll need to rely on the resort’s amenities or travel longer distances.

We eventually settled for Kuah area as it was central to most of the places we intend to visit.

Day 1: Arrival and Sunset Cruise

After landing in Langkawi, we collected our rental car right away and got checked in to our Airbnb after a 20 minute drive from the airport. We arrived at around 2pm and immediately began our day there - There was no time to waste!

Co B Diem Langkawi

As we were hungry, we kicked off the day with a late lunch at Co B Diem Langkawi, a cozy, aesthetic cafe tucked along Jalan Penarak.

If you look closely, there are 2 doors you can enter through - One of which is built at a height meant for toddlers to go through. We stepped in and were greeted by high ceiling fans and a generous amount of natural light. There was even an indoor slide in the cafe.

After a quick scan of the menu, we didn't hold back and immediately ordered a plate of pasta and a smoked salmon omelette -

And our drinks to go with - The sesame hot sesame latte on the left truly hit the spot and I would totally recommend trying that if you visit.

Langkawi Sunset and Dinner cruise

After filling our stomach, we were off to our activity for the day - The Langkawi sunset cruise and dinner. Overall, it was an enjoyable cruise as you get the chance to meet fellow travellers on board the yacht as well to enjoy some the programme together like kayaking and watching the sunset. Read on about my experience here.

After the activity came to an end, we drove back to our Airbnb and rested for the day.

Day 2: Island Hopping & more Sunsets

We started our day with an island-hopping tour that typically includes stops at popular spots like Pulau Dayang Bunting, known as the “Lake of the Pregnant Maiden,” a freshwater lake with a serene ambience and mystical legend. To find out more, read about the experience here.

After the island hopping experience, we were famished and got our bellies filled at a cafe called Smiling Buffalo Cafe, which served us great coffee and food amid its chill atmosphere, which gave off similar vibes as being in Gili Trawangan.

I do recommend checking this place out, but there were quite a number of mosquitos, so do bring along some repellant to avoid getting bitten.

Langkawi Adventure Park

The afternoon was spent at the Langkawi Adventure & Xtreme Park, where we tried various activities like the Flying fox, paintball target shooting and archery. There is actually a lot more to try like Go Kart, but we gave it a pass. The park offers a variety of packages for visitors like the sky bike, ATV and even an upside down house. Some combo packages even include a mangrove river cruise - More information can be found on their official website. If you're keen, Klook offers value for money bundle deals as well:

Also in the area is a quiet cafe with spacious seats - Lang Cafey House. We enjoyed a refreshing cup of boba tea to escape the sweltering heat after spending some time under the sun while at the adventure park.

A Famous Sunset Spot

Around sunset, we made our way to Scarborough Fish and Chips, a beachfront restaurant with breathtaking views of the setting sun. It's the perfect place to enjoy some fish and chips while watching the waves. This restaurant has received many positive reviews online not just for its views - The fish and chips we had tasted fresh and we enjoyed every bite of it.

It was one of those days where the skies were clear and the seas were calm, so we got the chance to take some photos as well.

If it were not for our dinner reservation, we would have definitely stayed on here for a nice golden hour experience. After our fish and chips, we made our way to The Fat Frog for dinner.

Fat dinner at The Fat Frog

Easily the best meal we had this trip, and a perfect way to end our last evening here. The Fat Frog restaurant offers an amazing atmosphere to dine in, either in the main dining area or along the al fresco garden area.

A stone walkway lined with shrubs lead the way to the entrance of the restaurant, and we were greeted by the friendly staff upon arrival. We were ushered to our seats and introduced to the menu, to which they even provided some recommendations for food and drinks based on what we felt like having that evening.

The restaurant features a grass patch right by its side, accessible via the al fresco dining area of the restaurant. Walk around it and you can roam freely along the greens of what seems like a golf course. We spent a good 20 minutes exploring before returning to our seats.

Our dinner for the evening was a complete one. We ordered broccoli soup as starters, and had them bring out an entire pizza along with a gnocchi pasta dish, accompanied by a glass of kombucha and sangria. All of the dishes amazed us, and is a location we will definitely re-visit if we are here again.

Gunung Raya

It was nightfall by the time we were done and with our hunger satiated, we made our way back to our Airbnb, but not before taking a detour up Gunung Raya, the highest mountain in Langkawi standing at 881m tall and offers an amazing view point that would give almost 360 views of Langkawi all around on a clear day.

The road up is winding but paved, and took us around 30 minutes to get to the viewpoint. Since it was already nightfall, we didn't get much views, but could see the city lights clearly from the carpark.

Day 3 - Underwater World

To make good use of our last day here in Langkawi, we decided to drop by the Underwater World, one of Southeast Asia’s largest aquariums and Langkawi's main attractions, a visit.

With over 4,000 marine and freshwater species, including sharks, rays, and the adorable rockhopper penguins, it’s an experience for all ages. The tunnel walkway and the penguinarium are particular highlights.

Tickets can be purchased on the spot which cost around RM 59 per adult (non-local price). We got our tickets via Klook at a good price of SGD 14, which we easily got exchanged for our entrance tickets at the counter.

We got to go view and experience different enclosures and got the chance to get an up close view with some animals:

And of course the penguins - And there were many of them:

And a more open concept area featuring stingrays:

There are plenty more to see here, and we spent around an hour here since we had to rush off for lunch and then the airport to head home.

Overall, this was a short but fun 3 days that gave us a perfect balance of adventure and relaxation. If we were to come back one day, we'd definitely check out other hotspots like Kilim Geoforest Park and Eagle's Nest.