Not sure what to do in Langkawi? Take advantage of the island’s diverse landscape by exploring its pristine beaches, untouched mangroves, and so much more. Sunworshippers, serial shopaholics, beachgoers, and adrenaline junkies will not feel bored here!
Check out this list of our recommendations for unforgettable moments of sun, sea, and fun!
1. Hit The Beach
Langkawi’s beaches are either busy with activities or calm. You can see both white and black sand beaches on the island.
At the heart of all the buzz is Pantai Cenang on the west side, frequented by locals and tourists alike.
Pantai Tengah on the southern tip has greater privacy. But with its own selection of water sports activities. Personally, we like Pantai Tengah more since it’s quieter.
For the most pristine beaches though, Pantai Kok is where the most luxurious beach resorts are at. And there is only private access to the powdery white sand.
2. Watch The Sunset From A Beach Bar
Our beach bar of choice was Hidden Langkawi. They have trendy music and a fire performance later in the evenings. We liked the vibes here. There were a lot of people, and the food was not bad either.
Sitting outside is great for witnessing the sunset. You can also sit upstairs if you want a different perspective.
You can read more about our experience at Hidden Langkawi.
Another popular beach bar would be Yellow Beach Café which is right on Cenang Beach. This place gets filled up quickly in the evenings. They have a live band playing too.
3. Discover Langkawi 3D Museum
Recognized as the largest 3D art museum in Malaysia and the second largest in the world:
The Discover Langkawi 3D Museum promises a good 2 hours of fun! All in a fully air-conditioned space too.
It has more than 200 awe-inspiring artworks over 200 square meters. The themes range from fantasy, safari, landscapes, aquatic, florescent art, and more.
One of the popular illusions here is a bridge over a waterfall!
Enjoy greater savings when you buy the combo ticket for access to the Langkawi Sky Bridge and the 3D art museum! Which is what we did!
4. Take In The Views From The Langkawi Sky Bridge
Hop in the Langkawi Skybridge cable car for an aerial view 708 meters above sea level. The cable car ride itself is a pleasant experience if you don’t have a fear of heights.
From inside the cable car, we had great views of the thick verdant forest below.
We didn’t take the transparent car, but it is an option if you want an adrenaline rush while you admire the iconic Mat Chinchang Mountain.
Once we reached the deck, there were even more views to check out but from the various observation decks.
The constant breeze and amazing architecture of the Langkawi Skybridge is worth experiencing though if you have a fear of heights, it is challenging to cross the bridge.
Read more about Langkawi Sky Bridge.
5. Try Parasailing In Langkawi
For an unobstructed bird’s eye view, try out guided parasailing right in Langkawi! The average price to parasail in Langkawi ranges between RM120 and RM300.
Lush forests and the ocean are spectacular sights best savored from the top. Combine this with the exhilarating speed from sea to air and this experience is worth the investment.
Cenang Beach is a go-to spot for parasailing. And that’s where we booked ours!
6. Enjoy The Cascading Waterfalls
Another famous place to visit in Langkawi is the Telaga Tujuh Waterfall.
The hike to the waterfall takes approximately 15 to 30 minutes via concrete steps. There are plenty of rest stops along the way. Which makes the hike manageable. We found this hike to be very doable with our average fitness level.
Fitness enthusiasts can test their limits with Machinchang peak instead. The steep elevation means you’ll have to gear up with gloves to cling on to roots and trees. But the majestic view from the summit makes all the effort so rewarding!
For an easier climb, you can head over to the Temurun Waterfall. This 3-tier waterfall within the Datai Bay forest has both deep and shallow pools.
Note: Temurun’s beauty is best seen during the rainy season from May to November.
7. Satiate Your Chocolate Cravings!
Coco Valley Langkawi is the perfect place for everything chocolate! They have a wide selection of inexpensive cocoa and alcoholic products. The aisles are lined with the biggest chocolate brand names.
And they have unbeatable markdowns, especially during annual festivities! The prices are so good here that you can buy a Cadbury bar for below RM10!
Coco Valley Langkawi is at Pantai Cenang Beach between The Zon Shopping Paradise and Underwater World Langkawi.
As alternatives, you can also head over to these duty free chocolate shops that have record-low prices too.
8. Go Bargain Hunting At The Duty-Free Shop
As a Tax-Free haven in 1987, you can find unbeatable prices on selected items in Langkawi.
Alcohol, snacks, chocolate, sportswear, crockery, and cigarettes are all cheap at duty-free shops. The best duty-free shops are across prominent towns in Langkawi. Such as Pantai Cenang and Kuah.
Enjoy discounts when you buy in bulk, or during annual celebrations.
9. Go Island Hopping
Island hopping showcases Langkawi’s crystal-clear waters and stunning islets.
Be prepared for pick up from your hotel at 9am. These are thrilling half-day excursions that last approximately 4 hours.
Pulau Singa Besar is an undeveloped island that doubles as a wildlife reserve. It has a variety of local wildlife such as monkeys, eagles, hornbills, and mousedeer. The highlight here is the eagle-feeding activity. Passengers can see sea eagles swooping down for the chicken bits that the boat crew throws.
Another popular island to visit is Pulau Dayang Bunting. The island is shaped like a pregnant lady lying on her back from afar: Rolling hills and lush greenery encircle this beautiful lake. And the clear emerald waters are hard to resist.
Pulau Beras Basah is another touristy island with divine views. Pulau Tuba in contrast, has laidback vibes with seafood that’s both cheap and delicious.
10. Snorkelling
There are many boat tours that you can take to go snorkelling off the main island. The tour we booked didn’t start off at the stated time since the water level was too low for the boats. We ended up waiting at the starting point for close to an hour. During this time, we were fitted with snorkels and fins.
Once the tide was in, we got on the boat. The ride was breezy and smooth. They took us to the north side of the island by going around the west coastline. We passed by the Langkawi Skybridge too.
Our snorkelling took place in the shallows (we’re not too sure of the location but it might have been near Datai Bay). The water was murky (and very salty) though and we didn’t get to see many fish. In between snorkelling, we took turns to try the stand-up paddle that the staff brought.
At the end of the tour, we were dropped off at the same jetty where there were some basic showers. It was still a good experience, but we think that if you do want to go for one of these snorkelling tours, go somewhere further from Langkawi. Maybe one of the smaller islands instead if you want to see more fish.
11. Go Shutter-Crazy At Eagle Square / Dataran Lang
As Langkawi’s iconic man-made attraction, Dataran Lang has a large sculpture of an eagle overlooking the waterfront.
The name Langkawi is an amalgamation of two Malay words. “helang” (or eagle) and “kawi” (which means reddish-brown).
Bring along sun protection as the afternoon heat is fierce. At night, the views and vibes are even more festive with vibrant lights to decorate the area.
12. Feast On Fresh Seafood At Langkawi
Complement your jam-packed itinerary with delish seafood and gorgeous views to boot!
There’s ikan bakar (grilled fish), succulent prawns and fresh crabs! Many popular restaurants and cafes serve affordable seafood that is hard to resist!
We stopped at The Roof Restaurant for lunch and had plenty of seafood.
For more options, read our article on seafood in Langkawi!
Other Places We Have Yet To Visit
- Taman Agroteknologi MARDI Langkawi – This ecotourism agro park of 35 hectares runs guided tours on plantation technology with opportunities for fruit tasting too.You’ll get to learn more about herbs and sample seasonal fruits.
- Gunung Raya – The mountain is the tallest in Langkawi and stands at 881 meters in height. The forest here is home to many wildlife. You can either opt for a 25-minute drive up. Or a 4,000-footstep track via Tangga Helang Seribu Kayangan to reach the summit. There are several lookout stations along the way. These vantage points overlooking the island scenery are best at sunrise and sunset.
- Crocodile Adventure Land Langkawi – This 20-acre educational center has many croc ponds teeming with them! The center doubles as a croc sanctuary. Here, they nurse disabled crocodiles back to health. And those unfit for release stay at the center. Visitors here get the chance to feed pellets to juvenile crocs. There are crocodile shows and feeding sessions throughout the day too.
- Langkawi Wildlife Park – Home to over 150 species of animals, you’ll get priceless opportunities to interact with the residents of the park. Animals are well looked after and there is a covered walkway, so you don’t have to worry about the weather. The friendly and knowledgeable staff are eager to showcase the best of each animal.
- Kubang Badak Mangrove Reserve – Similar to the Kilim Geoforest Park, there are 12 scenic stops here. Trek through a jungle to reach the 6,000-year-old bat-filled Pinang Cave. Or witness the remnants of the Thai immigrant’s Village and the old charcoal factories. There’s a chance to stop at Jemuruk Island where bubbles surface. And go for a rewarding snorkelling and fish-feeding session at Pulau Dangli.
- Underwater World Langkawi – Has more than 200 marine and freshwater species, a 3D theater, and an underwater tunnel. Must-see activities include the tunnel tank sessions where a diver feeds the fish. There’s also a penguin feeding session. And a mermaid appearance, as well as other presentations according to current festivities.
- Kilim Geoforest Park – The guided tour is a half-day excursion that includes a slow ride along Kilim River which has untouched mangrove forests. There is a visit to a crocodile cave and eagle feeding. As well as a visit to a limestone bat cave. At the end of the tour is a simple yet delicious meal of seafood with rice at a fish farm. Add-ons for these tours include swimming at a private beach. Plus, a fish feeding session at Dangli Island.
Activities We Have Yet To Try
- Sunset Dinner Cruise – This includes a buffet dinner and free-flowing drinks (plus alcohol). The highlight of this package is, of course, the scenic cruise into the setting sun. If you’re lucky, you can spot white-bellied sea eagles and dolphins near the yacht.
- Browsing The Local Night Markets – Stroll along the streets of lively night markets and scout for the best bargains in town. By 5pm, bustling streets will have rows of makeshift stalls. Vendors will display hawker food, fresh produce, clothes, toys, bags, and watches. As well as other knick-knacks. Aside from vegetables, fruits, and food, put your negotiating skills to a test. Bargain for better rates if you dare.
- SKYTREX Adventure Langkawi – have a go at flying fox and vertical ladders. These are set up in the lush forest of Burau Bay. There are three distinct levels (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced). And you can choose based on how challenging you want the experience to be. The highlight is a hanging ladder up a huge Merbau tree of more than 50-meters tall!
Conclusion
It helps to pick put a priority on what you most want to see in Langkawi. Don’t forget that some outdoor activities are subject to weather. And thus, backups are a good idea.
When To Visit Langkawi Island
Most of the places we mentioned in this post are outdoors. So, you might want to check when the peak season to visit Langkawi is!
Langkawi Itinerary
With so many things to do in Langkawi, a single day let alone a weekend trip is insufficient. Especially, if you have a busy and exciting itinerary for Langkawi Island!
