Visit This Southeast Asian Destination For A Breathtaking Beach Vacation
Malaysia's Langkawi Island is a playground for those who love beaches, as they are fringed with jungle and mangroves, with dolphins swimming past and macaques swinging from the trees. Due to its rock formations, Langkawi has been listed as a UNESCO Global Geopark, and you can see these magnificent karsts from your flight window or on a boat trip. Whether it is adventure, relaxation at the pool, sunbathing, wildlife, or shopping that you want, Langkawi does have it all, making it a must for any visit to Southeast Asia.
One of the best things to do in Langkawi is to hire your own transport and see how many quiet beaches you can find to relax on. The flight from Malaysia's capital, Kuala Lumpur, is just over one hour, so it is the perfect escape from the city. If you love the ocean, there are watersports galore, mangroves to explore, and loads of great family-friendly activities waiting in Langkawi.
Where to stay on Langkawi Island
While there are plenty of beaches in Langkawi, not all of them are developed, so there are only certain ones where you can stay. By far, the most popular is Pantai Cenang (Cenang Beach), which has plenty of options for accommodation that will suit all budgets. According to Tripadvisor, the top-rated hotel on Cenang's buzzing beachside is the Casa del Mar, Langkawi. Travelers like it as there are a variety of delicious breakfasts that you can enjoy while looking out at the ocean. The second highest-rated is the Bon Ton Resort, which rests on a 100-year-old coconut plantation, with villas surrounded by palm trees and outdoor showers where you can be one with nature.
If you want somewhere quieter, head to Tengah Beach, next door to Cenang. Ambong Pool Villas Langkawi is the most highly-rated accommodation in Tengah, and it is especially popular with honeymooners who like to watch the sunrise over the sea from their villas set in private gardens. The beauty of staying at either Pantai Cenang or Tengah Beach is that getting involved in the island's great activities is easy.
What to do on Langkawi Island
There is lots of beachside fun to be had in Langkawi. Adrenaline lovers will enjoy hanging out at Cenang Beach as you can kayak, paddleboard, jet ski, parasail, or jump on a banana or donut boat. You can also get a boat to a snorkeling spot to see more marine life or watch it in the Langkawi Underwater World aquarium without getting wet. Tanjung Rhu Beach in the north of the island is an impressive, quieter beach, and it's also the jumping-off point for a mangrove tour.
As Langkawi has geopark status, taking a boat trip through the Kilim Karst Geoforest Park and the mangroves is an excellent way to see wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled for swimming long-tailed macaques, Brahminy kites, snakes, Malayan water monitors, dusky leaf langurs, white-bellied sea eagles, crabs, and even dolphins in the lagoon. If you prefer to stay on land, there is excellent shopping in the area, which is duty-free and cheaper than the rest of Malaysia.
A popular attraction for those who want to look down on this impressive landscape is the Langkawi SkyBridge and SkyCab cable car, rated as the number one thing to do on the island. The beauty of Langkawi is that it is big enough to have plenty of activities but still has a wealth of natural locations to escape it all. If you want to extend your trip, then head to the nearby island of Penang, which has the world's longest waterslide.