Rimmed with swaying palm trees and miles of powdery fine sand, Langkawi beaches are literally the picture of an idyllic tropical getaway.
With 99 islets surrounding 29km of pristine coastline, some of the best beaches in Malaysia are found here, along with some amazing beach hotels in Langkawi as well!
Read on as we unveil the 11 best beaches in Langkawi not to be missed! From the cleanest to the most private beaches for gorgeous sunset memories!
Top Beaches In Langkawi
Sunsets look more dramatic on hot days so 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, the 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.
Tranquil and secluded, water sports activities like kayaking and stand-up paddling are available for the outdoorsy.
And for the less-active sort of beach goer, it’s still the perfect slice of heaven to soak in the rays or swim in the ocean.
2. Cenang Beach
With carnival vibes and a bustling atmosphere, Cenang Beach is by far one of the busiest beaches in Langkawi.
Because it’s only a 10-minute drive from the Langkawi International airport, Cenang Beach makes a perfect base to explore other adjacent attractions including Underwater World Langkawi, The Zone Duty-Free, and some great shopping malls in Langkawi.
For watersport enthusiasts, Pantai Cenang offers plenty of activities like jet skiing, parasailing, and canoeing.
Come nightfall, a myriad of beachfront bars burst into life; with bar food, seafood, and inexpensive alcohol, Cenang Beach is just primed for a great night out.
You might compare it to Batu Feringghi in Penang, but with a wider strip of sand!
3. Pantai Tengah
A relaxing atmosphere with gorgeous coastlines and breathtaking sunsets sums up Pantai Tengah’s natural allure.
And with close proximity to the best attractions in Langkawi, Pantai Tengah is a good starting point to explore the city and beyond.
In fact, Pantai Tengah is a continuation of Pantai Cenang and features bristling palm trees and a few all-inclusive resorts popular with young families.
But as the longest stretch of beach in Langkawi, Pantai Tengah is notably void of the maddening crowd of Cenang.
And if you’re in the area, dining at Hidden Langkawi is a must, as you can bathe in the crimson rays over tantalizing cuisine served by the café.
4. Pantai Kok
A Zen strip of pristine beach on the western part of Langkawi Island:
With crystal clear waters, a shallow coastline, and island specks in view, Pantai Kok is surprisingly rarely crowded.
Framing this picturesque landscape is a good mix of man-made and natural attractions nearby, such as the Langkawi Cable Car, Oriental Village, Mat Cincang Mountain, and Telaga Tujuh Waterfalls.
You’ll also find Telaga Harbour Park, where you can marvel at the calm yachting marina fronting the expansive Andaman Ocean.
Pantai Kok may not have the whitest sand in town, but its super clean qualities make this peaceful stretch a sanctuary revered by many.
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 on Langkawi without paying a fee!
It’s the perfect joint for water sports enthusiasts with plenty of jet skis and parasailing operators available.
And if you happen to be hungry, food trucks and stalls occupy the shaded sections of the beach for hungry tourists to fuel up.
As it’s 10 minutes away from Tanjung Rhu beach, it’s also a convenient starting point for island hopping and mangrove tours.
With luminous blue water and pretty sunsets, this lesser-known beach is equally as breathtaking as its other counterparts.
Note: Being one of the more tree-less beaches, it can get super-hot during the late mornings and afternoon.
6. Teluk Yu (Shark Bay Beach)
Opposite of the Cultural Craft Complex, you’ll find Shark Bay Beach after a short flight of stairs at the other end of the promenade.
Named after man-made stone carvings of sharks along the beach promenade, the waters here are very calm.
With many cozy huts rimming the beachfront, it’s quite a sought-after romantic hideout for couples at night.
That being said, the concrete production factory beside Teluk Yu is unfortunately an eyesore, robbing the landscape of its natural beauty.
Note: Approximately 200m long, the narrow beach completely disappears during high tide.
- Address: Google Maps
7. Black Sand Beach (Pantai Pasir Hitam)
Southwest of Tanjung Rhu Beach, the black sand lining Pantai Pasir Hitam is enough to stir one’s curiosity.
There’s plenty of folklore on 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: The scientific explanation attributes the presence of tourmaline (a black mineral) washing down from Mount Raya.
One of the main highlights here is the old wooden jetty of a traditional fishing village, where the blue ocean and three swings by the sea make the jetty an Instagram-worthy backdrop.
Anglers and fishing enthusiasts are seen casting their lines here too, with fishing boats docked in the afternoon.
While the waters are not suitable for swimming, it’s still worth checking out this beach for its novelty sand and amazing sunsets.
8. Sandy Skulls Beach (Pantai Pasir Tengkorak)
If you’re yearning for a pristine beach for snorkeling, then the Sandy Skulls Beach checks all the right boxes.
This secluded beach along Langkawi’s northwestern coastline also flaunts crystal clear waters, powdered white sand, and a lush forested trail on the sides.
It is part of Hutan Lipur Pasir Tengkorak Recreational Forest:
And you’ll find many picnic tables, beachfront huts, shower rooms, bathrooms, and prayer rooms, with plenty of F&B stalls outside the parkland’s main gate.
However, it’s not known by many tourists, and 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.
- Address: Jalan Datai 07000 Langkawi Kedah
Private Beaches In Langkawi
9. Paradise 101
This new private beach resort at Langkawi fronts the magnificent Andaman and offers an upscale living experience second to none.
A plethora of water sports activities are bound to keep you busy. From banana boat rides, zip lines, kayaking, and jet skis which are available for rent.
Be forewarned that external food cannot be brought in. Although food options are regrettably lacking here, the prices are reasonable.
- Address: Paradise 101 Langkawi, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah
- Operating Hours: Daily from 10am – 6pm
- Contact: 04-965 0300
- Links: Facebook, Instagram
10. Beach At Rebak Island, Langkawi
Measuring approximately 390 acres, Rebak Island is a secluded, private island with tropical charms like no other.
At the façade of this island is the only fully-equipped marina in Malaysia.
And perched at the hillside of the Rebak Island Resort is a wooden pavilion with dreamy white veils, perfect for picture-taking!
But apart from these, there’s nothing much to do but soak up the rays and delight in the marvelous vista.
- Address: Paradise 101 Langkawi, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah
- Contact: 04-966 5566
- Links: Website, Facebook
11. Datai Bay
With unspoiled verdant rainforest hemming its idyllic shores, Datai Bay is exclusively accessible only to guests staying at the swanky, The Datai 5-star Resort.
Powdery soft sand lines this rather private beach, measuring 1.5 kilometers long and a narrow space of 4 meters wide during high tide.
This sun-kissed beach is blessed with turquoise clear waters, generally void of jellyfish and excellent for swimming and watersports, motorized sports are not allowed.
- Address: Jalan Datai 07000 Langkawi Kedah
- Contact: 04-950 0500
- Links: Website, Facebook, Instagram
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, watersports enthusiast, nature lover, avid sunbather, or just want to escape the crowd!
To complete your trip, check out these gorgeous homestays in Langkawi ranging from modestly cheap to outright splurge-worthy!
Further Reading:
- 23 Fun Activities and Attractions In Langkawi 2022
- 6 Must See Night Markets in Langkawi 2022
- 7 Massage Parlors In Langkawi for Relaxation 2022
- 9 Refresing Breakfast Locales In Langkawi 2022
- 11 Hippest Cafes in Langkawi 2022
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