LANGKAWI ISLAND

Langkawi Islands in Malaysia is a group of 104 islands whose visibility is subject to high and low tides. These islands are known as the “Jewel of Kedah” owing to their lush green beauty presented in the emerald waters. A boat ride to the Langkawi islands includes beautiful sightseeing of the islands and visiting craft villages, museums, aquariums, and many more attractive places. These islands are a hub for water activities such as paragliding, cable car ride, snorkeling, swimming, banana boat ride, water skiing, etc. 

If there is a piece of heaven anywhere on earth it is at Langkawi. The picturesque archipelago is made up of around 104 islands among which only 99 are visible during high tide. Surrounded by the emerald water of the Andaman Sea and fringed by coconut groves, the shimmering beaches of Langkawi Islands offer a perfect escapade to vacationers. The mixed topography of the “Jewel of Kedah” comprises cascading waterfalls, dense rainforests, meandering creeks and a tropical climate round the year.

Langkawi also has excellent adventure sports facilities apart from its treasure trove of hidden gems dotted across the island. During the festival time the beaches are flocked by locals and tourists who want to soak into the electrifying vibe of the place along with cocktails. Some of the most alluring activities in Langkawi Island are cable car ride, wildlife expedition, paragliding, snorkelling, skiing and swimming.

On a boat ride you can visit the nearby Islands and see the most highlighted attractions viz. Museums, aquariums, craft villages and traditional markets from where you can collect souvenirs and knick-knacks.There are deluxe and budget resorts in Langkawi where you can enjoy a blissful escapade. There are bars and restaurants where you can savour local dishes along with Chinese, Thai, Indian platters and cocktails.

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Highlights

• Hop-On and Hop-Off onto different islands to catch the beauty of each jewel.
• Grab the coolest experience of the infamous group of Islands on the Langkawi sky cab or cable car to experience panoramic views of the beautiful island.
• Enjoy the sunset and the tastiest meals at the Langkawi dinner cruise.
• Taste mouth-watering seafood almost at every food outlet in the island chain.
• Explore the exotic flora and fauna of the lush rain forests of the beautiful islands to catch the glimpse of the infamous flying lemur.
• Zipline through the rainforests to get 360-degree views of the mesmerizing green forests.
• Try adrenaline-rushing adventure activities like paragliding, scuba diving, banana boat ride, and ATV bike ride.
• Take your kid to the famous water park “Splash out”.
• Check out 4000 different marine creatures in the Langkawi Underwater World- one of the largest aquariums in Malaysia.

How To Reach

Being an island destination Langkawi Islands can only be reached by air and water routes. There is no railway or road network from Malaysia’s mainland till Langkawi Island as it is some miles off the shore. In case you want to avail road or rail network you need to come down to the North Western coast of Peninsular Malaysia from where you need to take a boat ride or ferry to reach the island.

1. By Air: Daily flights ply between Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi Islands which makes it most convenient for you to reach your destination. There are also direct flights from Taipei, London and Osaka. The distance of Langkawi Island from the Langkawi International Airport is located at about 20 kilometres.

2. By Ferry: There are four water routes that connect Langkawi by ferry service- Kuala Kedah, Kuala Perlis, Penang and Thailand (Satun). Langkawi has also regular port which receives many cruise ships. The ships have their own pier where they dock for passengers to board.

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Best Time To Visit

1. Summer: Summer at Langkawi Island spans from June through August till September. During this time of the year Langkawi experiences a perfect weather balance of sunshine and mild rainfall. The average day temperature is around 30C while that of night is around 28C.

The sun kissed beaches of Pantai Cenang and Pantai Tengah are frequented by tourists for all kinds of beach activities and water sports. Having a high humidity level in the air, tourists prefer to relax at the beachside. Commercially speaking, this is the ideal time to visit Langkawi Island.

However, if you are looking for a secluded holiday at Langkawi, choose the shoulder months (April- August) for your trip.At this time of the year, days are predominantly sunny with occasionally overcast sky and short spells of rain. The festival of Ramadan coincides generally during this time. So, most of the institutions are closed early. You can expect to get massive discounts on tariffs and other charges.

2. Monsoon: The months between September-October is commercially the off-season of Langkawi tourism due to sporadic rain and thunderstorms although rainfall does not linger for more than 2-3 hours. The entire archipelago takes on a verdant charm after being fed by rain. Airfare and tariffs are dirt-cheap during these months and it is worth a try for rain lovers!

3. Winter: Monsoon winds gradually start retreating and rainfall slackens in the coastal belt between the months of December-February. The climate is predominantly cool and sunny when the average temperature ranges between (23-31)°C.

You have a good chance to bask in the sun and indulge in outdoorsy activities on the beachside. During the dry months festivals and events such as Yacht Race, Music Festival, Christmas and New Year’s Eve are celebrated in a gala way at Langkawi.

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Other Essential Information

Places to Stay in Langkawi Island

1. Telaga Terrace Boutique- The resort comes with a complete recreation package to make your holiday as dreamlike as possible. The boutique hotel has cosy and stylish rooms, outdoor pool and a fitness centre and all other amenities to make your stay comfortable.

2. Berjaya Langkawi Resort- The 5 star Resort located on the fringes of the tropical forest on the edge of the sea can be the ultimate dream destination for any honeymooners. The resort consists of traditional Malay style villas, some of which are built on stilts over the water. You can enjoy a candle light dinner with a view of the changing colours of the sky at the backdrop.

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3. Ambong Ambong Langkawi- If you choose Langkawi for your honeymoon this adult only hotel is a perfect hideout for spending romantic hours in private. The property has a blend of rustic and contemporary look which is perfectly in keeping with the surrounding nature.

4. The Smith House- The budget accommodation near the airport gives a good value for your money. Clean rooms with boutique style interior, a cafe, restaurant, library and a rooftop pool overlooking the beautiful landscape outside promise you of a comfortable stay in Langkawi.

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Tips to Visit Langkawi Island

- Book Langkawi island tickets in advance as this is an international tourist spot visited by a huge number of people every day. 

- Avoid going to Langkawi Islands during the months of September and October as heavy rainfall is witnessed and exploration becomes difficult.

- Most islanders go back early and the island is mostly closed at the time of Ramadan. 

- Buy pocket WiFi from the island as this place is surrounded by waters, hence some areas witness little to no WiFi signals.

- Always carry medicines with you as the continuous-time spent around water can cause headaches sometimes.

- Don’t forget to check the infamous night market in the city. 

- Get adequate knowledge about Duty-free goods and don’t forget to buy them!

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