Langkawi beaches are the picture of an idyllic tropical getaway. They have swaying palm trees and miles of powdery fine sand.
Some of Malaysia’s best beaches are here too. Thanks to the 99 islets surrounding 29km of pristine coastline. There are some amazing beach hotels in Langkawi as well!
Read on and see which of these best beaches in Langkawi you should check out! From the cleanest to the most private beaches for gorgeous sunset memories!
Top Beaches In Langkawi
Sunsets look more dramatic on hot days. Thus, it pays to know when the best time to visit Langkawi is if you haven’t picked your travel dates yet!
Regardless, the following beaches are all pretty locations to be at.
1. Tanjung Rhu Beach
Home to upscale hotels like Tanjung Rhu Resort and the Four Seasons Resort:
Tanjung Rhu beach boasts luminous blue oceans and pristine white shores.
Thanks to its lesser crowd, the stretch is spotless, making it one of the cleanest beaches in Langkawi. There are also places in the shade where you can set up a mat.
Water sports activities like kayaking and stand-up paddling are available for the outdoorsy.
And for the less-active sort of beachgoer, it’s still the perfect slice of heaven to soak in the rays or swim in the ocean. The waters are calm here, but you need to be on the lookout for jellyfish!
- Location: Google Maps
2. Cenang Beach
Cenang Beach is by far one of the busiest beaches in Langkawi. It has carnival vibes and a bustling atmosphere. Sunsets are beautiful too.
And it’s only a 10-minute drive from the Langkawi International airport.
So Cenang Beach makes a perfect base to explore other attractions. Like Underwater World Langkawi and The Zone Duty-Free. As well as some great shopping malls in Langkawi.
For watersport enthusiasts, Pantai Cenang offers plenty of activities too. There is jet skiing, parasailing, and canoeing.
Come nightfall, a myriad of beachfront bars burst into life. These offer food, seafood, and inexpensive alcohol.
You might compare Cenang Beach to Batu Feringghi in Penang, but with a wider strip of sand! There are usually a lot of people so there is little chance of privacy here.
- Location: Google Maps
3. Pantai Tengah
Pantai Tengah’s natural allure is the relaxing atmosphere and breathtaking sunsets. This is a gorgeous stretch of coastline, to be sure.
The water is not crystal clear. But it is calm since there are no water sports here. Pantai Tengah has palm trees and is home to a few all-inclusive resorts popular with young families.
Additionally, Pantai Tengah is close to the best attractions in Langkawi. Thus, Pantai Tengah is a good starting point to explore the city and beyond.
This is the longest stretch of beach in Langkawi. So, it doesn’t feel as crowded as its neighbor, Pantai Cenang.
In fact, Pantai Tengah is a continuation of Pantai Cenang. And you can walk to this beach from Cenang Beach.
If you’re in the area, dining at Hidden Langkawi is a must. Where you can watch the sunset and enjoy the food at this cafe.
There are other eateries around this breezy beach if you need more choices.
- Location: Google Maps
4. Pantai Kok
A Zen strip of pristine beach on the western part of Langkawi Island:
Pantai Kok is rarely crowded. Even though the shallow waters are clear, and the views are good. You can see islets in the distance.
This picturesque landscape has a good mix of man-made and natural attractions nearby. Such as the Langkawi Cable Car, Oriental Village and Mat Cincang Mountain.
Telaga Tujuh Waterfalls is not far too. There’s also Telaga Harbour Park. This is a calm yachting marina that overlooks the expansive Andaman Ocean.
Pantai Kok may not have the whitest sand in town, but it is a very clean beach. And if you plan on swimming, know that the bottom is quite muddy. There may be jellyfish about too.
- Location: Google Maps
Read more: 3 Best Waterfalls in Langkawi
5. Customs Recreation Beach (Oceanman)
Sharing the same private strip as the prestigious Four Season’s Resort:
Pantai Rekreasi Kastam offers a slice of the finest beach in Langkawi without paying a fee!
It’s the perfect joint for water sports enthusiasts. There are plenty of jet skis and parasailing operators available.
Food trucks and stalls occupy the shaded sections of the beach for hungry tourists to fuel up.
Plus, this beach is 10 minutes away from Tanjung Rhu beach. And it’s a convenient starting point for island hopping and mangrove tours.
This lesser-known beach is as pretty as other beaches in Langkawi. It has luminous blue water and great sunsets.
Note: There are few trees here so it can get super-hot during the late mornings and afternoon.
- Location: Google Maps
6. Teluk Yu (Shark Bay Beach)
Opposite Cultural Craft Complex:
Shark Bay Beach is after a short flight of stairs at the other end of the promenade.
The name of the beach follows man-made stone carvings of sharks along the beach promenade.
There are many cozy huts rimming the beachfront. Along with calm waters, this beach is a romantic hideout for couples at night.
But the concrete factory beside Teluk Yu is an eyesore here.
Note: Approximately 200m long, this narrow beach completely disappears during high tide.
- Location: Google Maps
7. Black Sand Beach (Pantai Pasir Hitam)
Southwest of Tanjung Rhu Beach, the name Pantai Pasir Hitam comes from the black sand here.
Local folklore has different reasons why the beach is a mix of black and white sand. Ranging from a mermaid’s curse, burnt paddy fields, or a mythical war.
Note: It is the presence of tourmaline (a black mineral) that washes down from Mount Raya.
One of the main highlights here is the old wooden jetty of a traditional fishing village. The blue ocean and three swings by the sea make the jetty an Instagram-worthy backdrop.
You can see anglers and fishing enthusiasts casting their lines here too. While fishing boats dock in the afternoon.
The waters are not suitable for swimming. But Pantai Pasir Hitam is still worth checking out for its novelty sand and amazing sunsets.
It is unfortunate that there is a lack of maintenance at this small beach. Litter is a common sight and facilities are neglected.
- Location: Google Maps
8. Sandy Skulls Beach (Pantai Pasir Tengkorak)
Want a pristine beach for snorkeling? Sandy Skulls Beach checks all the right boxes.
Note: There may be jellyfish in the water
This secluded beach along Langkawi’s northwestern coastline has crystal clear waters. Along with fine white sand, and a lush, forested trail on the sides.
It is part of Hutan Lipur Pasir Tengkorak Recreational Forest:
There are picnic tables, beachfront huts, shower rooms, bathrooms, and prayer rooms here. Along with plenty of F&B stalls outside the parkland’s main gate.
But this beach is not well-known to many tourists. So local families frequent this area for its idyllic nature and pristine beauty.
The name of this beach stuck after bodies of luckless sailors washed up on the beach after a storm. While some local tales would have you believe them to be casualties of a sea monster.
- Location: Google Maps
Private Beaches In Langkawi
9. Paradise 101
This new private beach resort at Langkawi fronts the magnificent Andaman. It offers an upscale living experience second to none.
A plethora of water sports activities here will keep you busy. From banana boat rides, zip lines, kayaking, and jet skis which are available for rent.
Be forewarned that you cannot bring outside food here. Although food options are lacking here, the prices are reasonable.
You do also need a boat to get here. There are sunset cruises to the artificial island.
- Address: Paradise 101 Langkawi, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah
- Operating Hours: Daily from 10am – 6pm
- Contact: 04 – 965 0300
10. Beach At Rebak Island, Langkawi
Measuring approximately 390 acres:
Rebak Island is a secluded, private island with tropical charms like no other.
The front of this island is the only fully-equipped marina in Malaysia.
And there is a dreamy wooden pavilion at the hillside of the Rebak Island Resort.
But apart from these, there’s nothing much to do but soak up the rays and delight in the marvelous vista.
- Address: Pulau Rebak Besar Peti Surat 125, Kuah, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah
- Contact: 04-966 5566
11. Datai Bay
With unspoiled verdant rainforest hemming its idyllic shores:
Datai Bay is accessible only to guests staying at the swanky, The Datai 5-star Resort.
Powdery soft sand lines this private beach. Which measures 1.5 kilometers long. It is a narrow space of 4 meters wide during high tide.
This sun-kissed beach has turquoise clear waters that are usually void of jellyfish. And it is excellent for swimming and watersports.
Note: Motorized sports are not allowed.
- Address: Jalan Datai 07000 Langkawi Kedah
- Contact: 04-950 0500
Conclusion
With this list of the 11 best beaches to explore in Langkawi, you’ll find a pretty beach that suits your interests:
Whether you’re a social butterfly, water sports enthusiast, nature lover, or avid sunbather. Some of these are great to escape the crowd!
To complete your trip:
Check out these gorgeous homestays in Langkawi ranging from cheap to outright splurge-worthy!
Further Reading:
- 23 Fun Activities and Attractions In Langkawi
- 6 Must See Night Markets in Langkawi
- 7 Massage Parlors In Langkawi for Relaxation
- 9 Refresing Breakfast Locales In Langkawi
- 11 Hippest Cafes in Langkawi
