Popularly known as the ‘Jewel of Kedah’, the island of Langkawi is Malaysia’s popular island getaway destination made of 99 islands with plenty of sun, beaches and outdoor adventures. Located on the northwestern coast of Malaysia, Langkawi also happens to be Southeast Asia’s first UNESCO Global Geopark, due to its rich biodiversity and incredible natural landscapes. If you’ve been meaning to visit this island paradise for a much-needed vacation, here is all you need to know.
Best Time to Visit
Unlike most other islands in Malaysia, Langkawi’s climate is fairly stable throughout the year, with consistent temperatures and very little rainfall. However, the ideal time to visit would be during the dry season which falls between December and February. But this also means that crowd numbers are likely to be high during this time of the year. If you are planning to avoid crowds and visit during other months of the year, make sure to avoid the wet season from September to November, as the rainfall can really hamper your outdoor adventures.
Travelling To and Around Langkawi
Most travellers get to Langkawi by air or by sea. You can book a flight to reach the Langkawi International Airport and then get a private transfer to the hotel or family resort in Langkawi where you’ll be staying. If you plan to reach the island by sea, you can go to Penang and get on a ferry that takes you to Langkawi. The ferry ride from Penang to Langkawi takes around two and a half hours.
Also, note that Langkawi has no public transport so you’ll have to rent a car, motorbike or a private charter. Additionally, you can also rent a bicycle or book a day tour if you plan on really exploring the island.
Things to Do
Langkawi Sky Bridge – Image via Flickr
Many of the activities in Langkawi revolve around the island’s natural beauty and biodiversity. This means that there are plenty of ways for you to experience nature at its finest.
The Langkawi Cable Car or SkyCab, the Langkawi Sky Bridge and the most recent Eagles Nest Skywalk observatory are several ways in which you can enjoy mesmerising views of Langkawi’s natural sceneries. If you’re up for an adrenaline rush you can also enjoy a ziplining adventure across the jungle canopy or over a waterfall.
Much like its green jungles and landscapes, Langkawi also features vibrant marine life which you can witness at the Langkawi Underwater World, one of Malaysia’s largest aquariums. It spans 6 acres and features a 15-metre-long tunnel where you can witness sharks, stingrays, groupers and sea turtles. Overall, the aquarium features around 4000 different aquatic species.
If you are staying at an island resort like the Rebak Island Resort & Marina, you can organise a kayaking or paddle-boarding tour that takes you across the calm gentle island waters for a closer look at the beauty of Langkawi’s islands.
Aside from its status as a Global Geopark, Langkawi is also one of Malaysia’s popular duty-free destinations. It has plenty of duty-free shopping centres mostly in Kuah Town or along Pantai Cenang where you can shop for everything from chocolate to cosmetics!
Food to Try
As an island destination, Langkawi is abundant in seafood delicacies which are a must-try. You’ll find plenty of food stalls and restaurants lining the streets that serve up some of the best seafood and shellfish you’ll ever have. You can also visit the numerous beach-front cafes that serve up delicious drinks which you can enjoy with a magnificent view of the sunset.
You’ll also find a mix of Malaysian, Chinese, Indian and Thai food as well, so you can enjoy a variety of flavours and cooking styles.
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