Langkawi is a Malaysian archipelago off the country's northwest coast, famous for its beaches and lush rainforests.
A Malaysian archipelago of 99 islands in the Andaman Sea, Pulau Langkawi boasts pristine beaches and tropical rainforests. It is also a duty-free island, offering tax-exempt prices on alcohol, tobacco, chocolates, and perfumes. The best time to visit is during the dry season from November to April, and you can reach the island by taking a 1.5-hour flight from Kuala Lumpur or a ferry from Penang or Thailand.
For this Langkawi trip, I was joined by my friend Danial Zahrin, who's a photographer and videographer from Singapore. It was great having him around, as he helped me shoot content throughout the trip. On top of that, he communicated with locals effortlessly, as he speaks Bahasa Melayu, so there was no risk of anything getting lost in translation.
Langkawi Overview
Country: Malaysia
Country Code: +60
Continent: Asia
Timezone: GMT+8
Currency: Malaysian Ringgit (MYR)
Airport: Langkawi International Airport (LGK)
Language: Malay, English
1. SkyCab and SkyBridge
Cable cars passing through the clouds. Photo: Panorama Langkawi
The ride begins at the base station of SkyCab in Oriental Village, where the cable car takes you up Gunung Machinchang. It travels about 1.7 km and reaches approximately 700 metres above sea level. After 10–15 minutes, you'll arrive at the Top Station. From here, it's a short trek to the SkyBridge, a curved bridge suspended high above the rainforest. Alternatively, you can take the SkyGlide, a glass-panelled cabin that travels between the Top Station and SkyBridge.
As the cable car climbed higher, we passed through the clouds and were even above some of them when we reached the Top Station. It was a surreal experience, but perhaps not for anyone afraid of heights. If you're visiting during the rainy season, operations may be suspended for safety reasons, so double-check the forecast before you go.
Location: Jalan Telaga Tujuh, 07000 Langkawi
Cost: From MYR 320
2. Kayaking at Kubang Badak
(L) Danial and I getting ready to kayak. (R) The calm waters of the Kubang Badak estuary. Photo: Lord Acuña
Kubang Badak offers a unique kayaking experience surrounded by Langkawi's natural landscapes. The tour includes paddling along peaceful waterways, spotting wildlife, and visiting a bat cave. Afterwards, participants visit Jemuruk Island for a quick swim, enjoy lunch at a floating restaurant, and explore mangrove forests.
Following a quick safety briefing, we set off on our adventure. Surprisingly, the group activity turned out to be just us, making it feel like a private tour. Dan and I shared a tandem kayak, taking turns paddling and snapping photos along the way. As it was my first time on a kayak, having my friend with me was reassuring.
A very good lunch after kayaking!
After seeing the bats in Pinang Cave and swimming at Pulau Jemuruk, our speedboat took us to our lunch stop. Along the route, we admired the limestone cliffs, a defining feature of Langkawi. Once we arrived, we enjoyed delicious sea bass, chicken, and vegetables before exploring the mangrove reserve as the final activity.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this tour, making it the highlight of our trip. I highly recommend adding it to your itinerary, especially if you're a nature lover or enjoy water activities.
Cost: From MYR 320
Includes: Kayak and lunch
Duration: 3 hours
3. Pantai Cenang
Pantai Cenang is Langkawi's lively beach district and the island's main tourist hub, packed with restaurants, cafés, hotels, and shops. Food options are plentiful, ranging from Malaysian favourites such as nasi lemak to Thai, Indian, and Western cuisines. Meanwhile, visitors who are looking for nightlife can head to the beach bars for drinks and live music.
Nasi lemak for dinner at Pantai Cenang. Photo: Lord Acuña
We came to Pantai Cenang at night for a stroll along the beach before having dinner. There, we watched captivating fire shows performed on the public beach, one of its signature attractions. To top it off, we even caught a fireworks display, although these are only held on special occasions.
4. Sunset Dinner Cruise
Another highlight of our Langkawi trip was the sunset cruise dinner. Participants board from Royal Langkawi Yacht Club in Kuah Town, and then set sail into the Andaman Sea at around 04:00 PM. This 4-hour cruise features a buffet dinner, free flow of beverages, and water activities. The route passes by and stops at Dataran Lang, or Eagle Square, making it easy to snap photos of the 12-metre-tall eagle statue.
Eagle Square as seen from the cruise. Photo: Danial Zahrin
On the top deck, we settled into the bean bags as the sea breeze gently blew across our faces. We simply relaxed while other passengers jumped off the boat for a swim. Soon, the buffet dinner was served, so we headed back to the lower deck to enjoy a wide selection of delicious dishes. The laid-back atmosphere, combined with the scenic views and excellent food, makes this activity well worth it. To wrap up the day, we watched the sunset and partied to the lively music until dusk.
Cost: From MYR 214
Includes: Cruise and buffet dinner
Duration: 4 hours
5. Horse Riding
Danial and I horse riding on Pantai Beach.
Finally, horse lovers can enjoy a scenic and relaxing one-hour guided horse ride in Langkawi. This activity takes visitors through rainforest trails before continuing along Pantai Kok. The pace is slow, and helmets are provided for safety. We booked our ride with the island's best-known equestrian centre, Island Horses. Their stables are located near Telaga Tujuh (Seven Wells) on the northwestern side of Langkawi, at the foothills of Gunung Mat Cincang.
Location: PT 210, Jalan Telaga Tujuh, 07100 Langkawi
Operating hours: 08:30 - 12:00 and 14:00 - 18:00; Closed on Mondays.
Cost: From MYR 240
Duration: 1 hour
Which of these activities would you try first? Enjoy your trip to Langkawi!
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