Langkawi is a 99 strong archipelago that is a nature lover’s dream. These Malaysian islands border Thailand and share the same crystal-clear, turquoise waters. The mainland is characterised by lush jungled hills and large expanses of paddy fields, while the coastlines are home to exquisite beaches overlooked by rows of coconut trees.
a little bit
About Langkawi
our list of
THINGS TO DO IN LANGKAWI
1
Hire a Car and Explore
Renting a car will be your best option for exploring the island of Langkawi while on holiday, as it is the most convenient way to traverse the island’s expanse. You’ll have the freedom to travel around at your leisure and visit anything from the authentic village to the marvellous jungled hilltops.
2
Visit the Night Markets and eat the street food
The night market is an explosion of Asian culinary culture, with Indonesian, Indian, Chinese, Thai, and of course Malaysian food available for you to enjoy. Also known as Pasar Malam in Malay, the night market is open every night of the week, with a different designated area hosting it each night. Here you will experience some of the most delicious and authentic Asian cuisines anywhere in the world.
3
Visit Panorama Langkawi
Get a view from the top of the island on Panorama Langkawi. While offering many attractions, this will undoubtedly be the highlight of your holiday, the SkyCab cable car. It takes you on a steep journey all the way to Gunung MachinChang’s second highest peak, an awe-inspiring 708 metres above sea level. The views along the way are simply breathtaking, and once at the top you’ll need to swallow trepidation as you cross a suspension bridge, aptly named the SkyBridge, 100 metres above the jungle canopy.
4
Island Hopping
Island hopping is an archipelago staple, and it’s no surprise it’s so popular with such beauty to see on the surrounding islands. Prepare to spend your holiday wanting to visit stunning locations while swimming, snorkelling, sunbathing, and taking in the sights and sounds of this tropical paradise. The tour can be done by longboat, speedboats, or jet-skis.
5
Explore the Jungle
Explore the Malaysian rainforest in a completely unique way with Skytrex. This adventure takes you through the canopy of the forest by suspension cable and a harness, where you will fly, glide, swing while navigating your way through/past various obstacles.
6
Visit Kilim Karst Geoforest Park
Enjoy Langkawi’s natural sanctuary at Kilim Karst Geoforest Park, found on the island’s north-eastern most point. This 100 square metre expanse is full of natural wonders to explore, such as lagoons, mangrove forests, and pristine beaches, while the limestone rocks protrude from the landscape to provide a stark and beautiful contrast.
7
Enjoy the Watersports
There is no shortage of water sports available while you enjoy your holiday in Langkawi, and with such spectacularly clear blue water, it’s easy to see why. In Pantai Cenang and Pantai Tengah, you’ll be able to jet ski, para-sail, and go banana boating. These islands are Hello Islands’ favourites for these activities as you get the best views and the operators are safe and professional.
8
Visit Laman Padi Langkawi
Delve into the island’s agricultural roots and take a tour of Laman Padi. Here you will see vast stretches of paddy fields, and be in awe of the precision and scale of which this semi-aquatic rice is grown. Spend the day surrounded by nature, as well as learning about the many different rice cultivars grown on the island.
9
Explore the beaches
Langkawi boasts a considerable amount of beautiful beaches making it one of the best beach holiday destinations. Although many are unfortunately private. The best public beaches are found on the islands south-western coast, named Pantai Cenang and Pantai Tengah, both exquisite in equal measure.
10
Visit the 3D Museum
A truly unique artistic experience, this 3D museum is located within the surrounds of the Oriental Village. It features over 100 of three-dimensional paintings, interactive and enthralling as you see them completely unrestricted by their two-dimensional borders. This effort is the collective effort of many international artists and offers a brilliant opportunity for holidaymakers to experience something they very likely have never before.
11
Go Skydive
Jumping out of a plane thousands of feet in the air is an incredible, adrenaline-pumping, and life-affirming experience. If you fall into that category of a human who prefers to see the earth from the air, then Langkawi has just the activity for you. Langkawi is Asia’s single highest skydive and takes you over the beautiful island before you free fall towards it. You will land safe and sound on the silky, white sand of Tanjong Beach, with one gob-smacked expression on your face, no doubt. The views of Langkawi from above is truly a breathtaking experience, an unforgettable memory of your holiday in Langkawi.
12
Shop Langkawi
Fun fact for the shopaholics among you, Langkawi is a duty-free island and we all know that almost every girl like a bit of shopping while on holiday. There are large amounts of retail outlets stocking high demand items from all over the world, so it’s a great place to get your hands on something that might be a little too pricey back home. The main hub of commercial activity is Kuah Town, so head over and get to spending!
13
Horse Riding
If viewing Langkawi by foot or car seems a bit ordinary for you while on holiday, why not try exploring the island on horseback? These tours take you to various beautiful locations as you visit the beaches of the island, villages, waterfalls, and lush forest. Riding options will also be provided based on your skill set, which is rather considerate.
WEATHER IN LANGKAWI
Langkawi’s year is split up into two distinct seasons, the dry season, and the wet season. The dry season is the period in which the highest temperatures are reached, this usually takes place between December and March. The transition between the two seasons is referred to as mid-season, although Langkawi experiences a “year-long summer” with conditions always ranging from hot to warm, at least. The wet season brings a large amount of precipitation, with the island’s annual rainfall at 2500 mm on average with the vast majority of that coming down during the rainy months. Peak rainfall occurs in a brief period between September and October, but when it rains, it pours.
January is in Langkawi’s dry season and as a result, the temperature highs are pretty high, up to 33°C in fact. The lows are at 23°C and averages sit at 28°C so there is some reprieve for you yet, just take sunscreen for the midday sun. There is little to no cloud cover in January which means low probability of rainfall, although there will still be the occasional downpour in some afternoons and evenings. The island’s small size means there is generally no differentiation in temperature on any part of the island.
February is an absolute scorcher and the hottest month of the year with highs reaching a tropical 34°C with rainfall at a year-long low with just 47 mm throughout the entire month. If you’ve come for a tropical island holiday for the constant fun-in-the-sun atmosphere, then February is probably the best time for you to travel here. Hello Islands just recommends you pack lots of sunblock so that you don’t ruin days two until four with a sunburn that renders you immobile.
The second last month of peak heat in Langkawi, although the rainfall begins to increase by the slightest of margins. Your highs are still at 34°C, but lows are back to 23°C with an average of 29°C, making evenings quite pleasant after the intense heat of the day. The nights are usually very calm and serene, offering marvellous views of the stars above this Malaysian gem.
April begins the mid-season months, as the transition to the wet season begins. The highs of the previous two months remain, with 34°C as your high for the beginning of the month, but it begins to slowly drop as the month progresses. You can still expect lows of 24°C and an average of 29°C for the remainder of the month, with the evenings bringing the cooler lows along. Rainfall also begins to increase slightly this month and will continue to do so for the coming few months.
With May comes the first stark increase in rainfall and the number of days that this rainfall occurs. The average rainfall during this month is 256 mm falling over 17 days of the month. From this time onward, it is a good idea to check daily forecasts before planning excursions or consider an activity that will allow for rainfall at some stage during the day. The temperatures have dropped, but not too much, as highs of 32°C will still keep you dabbing your brow, with lows of 24°C offering relief in the evenings.
June’s average temperatures maintain that of May’s, with highs of 32°C, lows of 24°C, and an average of 28°C. The rains are still here but decrease slightly as your sunshine hours rise to an average of nine per day through the month, a high shared by April and February. This does not, however, mean that there will be no cloud cover, as there is a 100% chance that cloud cover will occur at some point during the day. The humidity created by the rains and heat are not helped much by almost any wind during this month, so expect to wear loose-fitting, breathable clothing out of necessity.
July sees another decrease in average temperatures with highs of 31°C, lows of 23°C, and an average of 27°C, representing the coldest month for Langkawi. Although the sea breeze in the evenings is a welcomed visitor after the humid days. Weather is particularly unpredictable during this time of the year as it can switch between sun, rain, and sun again within minutes, although the wind is still incredibly low so be sure to pack a light rain jacket if planning your holiday during this time. Rain in July falls over 17 days of the month and on average will receive around 233 mm over that time.
August sees a steady increase in the volume and frequency of rainfall as the mid-season months come to a close. The temperature does a modest skip to a 28°C average before going down again the following month, with highs of 31°C and lows of 24°C. These conditions still require one to be vigilant about your water intake and sun exposure so be aware to avoid sun stroke and stay hydrated while you enjoy your holiday.
If you thought April to August were wet you haven’t seen anything yet, with rainfall volumes increasing to 339 mm of rain falling over 21 days of the month of September, that’s a fair bit of rain. Temperatures are in the higher range, as per usual, with highs of 31°C, lows of 23°C, and an average of 27°C. The rain and heat do mean there will be considerable humidity, but evenings do offer some relief along with the more frequent rainfall.
October is the big daddy of wet months, with 344 mm of rainfall over 26 days of the month. These months of intense rainfall are intensely rejuvenating for the agricultural prospects of the island, and help them to survive the dry months, although flooding can also occur in low-lying areas of the island, so be aware. Such is the vastness of the rainfall in October that Hello Islands recommends you take the umbrellas offered at most hotels and a change of clothes with you on your daily adventures, as it can be a tad tedious to spend an entire day in damp clothing after being stuck in a downpour. The temperatures remain rock-steady with highs of 31°C, lows of 23°C, and an average of 27°C.
November marks the beginning of the end for the wet season, as temperatures begin to rise and rainfall drops. You can expect 214 mm of rain to fall over 24 days of this month, a large decrease in volume from the water based apocalypse that is October. Temperature highs reach 32°C, while lows of 24°C and an average of 28°C sees a single degree added onto all of last month’s figures. Six sunshine hours during the day mean you still have time to explore and sunbathe, but cloud cover is still quite high during November. Ocean temperatures are at 29°C, still perfect for a swim to get the most out of those sunshine hours.
December sees Langkawi become even drier still, with rainfall dropping to 94 mm expected over a period of 21 days during the month. This is categorised as a mid-season month, as the dry season is just around the corner in January, where rainfall will be scarce for a number of months. It is not uncommon to have days of scattered thunderstorms, contrasted by sunny days with little to no rain during December. This month brings seven glorious sunshine hours, and coupled with decreased rainfall, sees holiday makers numbers increase around this time of the year.
langkawi's
Top Beaches
Pantai Cenang is Langkawi’s most popular beach, and once you spend a day out of your holiday there you’ll have no doubt as to why that is. This long expanse of silky, soft, white sand is on the island’s western coast and offers much in the way of water sports and other beach activities. Along the beach road, you will also find beach bars, eateries, shops, and spas. A truly inclusive and variety driven beach experience.
Another beauty on the west coast of Langkawi, Pantai Penang is a 600-metre long beach with spectacularly crystal-clear waters, perfect for capturing those holiday photos. It is divided from Pantai Cenang by a rocky cliff, so the two are easily accessible from one another too, although Pantai Tengah is comparatively much more secluded and peaceful.
Tanjung Rhu is a secluded getaway on the island’s north-eastern coast, with white sand and aquamarine waters as clear as you’ll ever see. This is where you will find a postcard perfect beach holiday moment. The trip to it is a bit out of the way, but its remarkable beauty is well worth it, as you lounge back soaking up the sun and having some stunning islands as your view from the shore.
Where to Eat & Drink
Restaurants & Bars
Having evolved into one of South East Asia’s most beloved holiday destinations, Langkawi offers an absolute feast of cuisine. As always, Hello Islands has our favourites.
YASMIN
Yasmin Restaurant
Yasmin, situated in Pantai Cenang, is a restaurant specialising in Syrian cuisine. The atmosphere is intimate and service genuine and personal, while the aromas and spices will have your taste buds watering as soon as you enter.
CASA DEL MAR
Casa Del Mar
Romance is king at La Sal Dining at Casa Del Mar, with an ambient atmosphere and food ranging from western to local seafood. Located in Pantai Cenang, this restaurant is part of the Casa Del Mar hotel on Lalan Pantai Cenang Road.
FATCUPID
Fatcupid
More relaxed and modern, Fat Cupid offers an open plan artistic feel. The glass table tops and ceiling fans offer a clear, refreshing element, with service that is friendly and eager to help. This restaurant is a lovely and laid back option while on holiday in Langkawi, specialising in Malay cuisine.
FRENCH FACTORY
MY FRENCH FACTORY
Run by a French couple that are dedicated to constructing authentic French crêpes with organic buckwheat flour and gluten-free ingredients. You can order a premade delicacy or even build your own, with the amazing options it’s bound to be tasty.
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Locals
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Tourists
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Hotels
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Restaurants
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Bars
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