Langkawi -a perfect Island destination in Malaysia!

Lying on the north-western side of Peninsular Malaysia, Langkawi is a perfect destination for island lovers with its beautiful mountainous backdrop, pristine beaches and exotic wildlife that you may rarely encounter elsewhere.
Located close to the equator, the weather is warm throughout the year with an average of 30-35℃ during the day and about 27 ℃ at night. That makes Langkawi a perfect place for a trip at any time of the year.
I wanted to have a peaceful island vacation in a tropical place with nice beaches and where I could go on a walk, and enjoy sunrise and sunset without too many tourists. Langkawi ideally had all these and more to have a memorable stay, and I want to visit again.

How to reach Langkawi

Langkawi has an international airport with direct flights from many countries. Travelling within Malaysia is easy and flights are inexpensive if you book well in advance. Do you want to get more adventurous? Then, try travelling to Langkawi by ferry from Kuala Perlis near Penang or Koh Lipe in Thailand. It is easy to book your ferry tickets online.

After having a wonderful time in Georgetown, Penang, I flew from Penang to Langkawi and the flight took less than 35 minutes. Landing at Langkawi airport was nothing short of spectacular. The aerial view of the cluster of islands with deep blue waters surrounded by lush green forests was amazing.

Choosing the right accommodation

There are several options ranging from luxury to budget depending on your preference.

Langkawi Island can be reached from one end to another in just an hour. If you are looking for a vibrant atmosphere with water activities, Cenang beach and shopping, you might want to consider staying in the Pantai Cenang area. Even though the entire island is duty-free, most of the stores predominantly had alcohol, cigarettes and chocolates. Some electronic items were on display but I would recommend Kualalumpur for more options.

Another area to consider is Tanjung Rhu, having one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. It is ideal for both couples and families. It is the starting point for the mangrove tours at the Kilim Geopark. Tanjung Rhu is located almost at the end of the island and has limited dining options.  Eagleye Langkawi looks wonderful.
Many mid-range and budget hotels are located in Kuah. It is mainly a commercial place perfect for shopping and dining due to its proximity to the malls and some nice restaurants.

Where did I stay?

It was a tough decision between Pantai Cenang and Tanjung Rhu. If I had more time in Langkawi, I would have probably divided my stay between these two places.
Most of the people travelling solo, prefer to rent a bike or scooter and explore the island at their own pace which was my plan too. I could not rent one since I did not hold a two-wheeler license(4 wheeler license would not do). Additionally, you specifically need an international driver’s license. Some shops were willing to rent without one but I always prefer going the legal way. For people travelling with families, renting a car would be a great option.

Anyway, considering the above factors, I chose to stay at Pantai Cenang in a rustic guest house- Seven Stones which is just a 10-minute walk to the beach and eateries. To get to other places, booking a grab taxi was both convenient and affordable. At no point did I have to wait for more than 5 minutes for any of my rides.

My Guesthouse in Langkawi

Reaching my guesthouse- ”Seven Stones ” from the airport was easy. It took around 12 minutes in a taxi from the airport.
I stayed in a studio cottage with a Patio and was pleasantly surprised at how spacious the room was at such an affordable rate. The location is perfect, in a quiet residential area and about a 10-minute walk to the nearest beach. I used Booking.com to book this place.  The owner single-handedly takes care of everything. Maz is a wonderful person willing to cater to your dietary and allergen preferences. Every morning, Maz would prepare a simple yet special breakfast and serve it on my Patio.

I could relate Langkawi to Bali in some ways like the greenery, beaches, people and some language similarities. Of course both the places have their charm and differ too in many ways. Like Bali, I can easily spend many days in Langkawi as well. Langkawi is a safe destination for solo travellers.

Island Hopping in Langkawi

The best way to explore the nearby islands is to go on an Island Hopping Tour with a pick-and-drop from your accommodation for just MYR 35. I booked my tour through my Guesthouse.
I was the last person to be picked up at 9:30 am with eight other people in the group tour. After a short ride, we reached the Jetty and were directed by our guide to the speed boat. As our boat set off from the jetty, cutting through the crystal-clear waters of the Andaman Sea, I enjoyed the speed boat ride with the driver making sharp twists and turns with water splashing all over us.

Pulau Dayang Bunting

Our first stop was Pulau Dayang Bunting, also called the Pregnant Maiden Island. The island’s water is considered to be mystical by the locals. The mountain is in the shape of a pregnant woman and is believed to possess fertility powers.

After purchasing the entrance ticket for RM 6, I started hiking up the path to a lake. It is a moderate-level walk. I say this because walking in the normal temperature would be easier but with the intense heat, the hike becomes tedious.

The trail is well maintained, surrounded by the sounds of wildlife. I was lucky to spot a dusky leaf monkey. I have not seen one anywhere else before. The path will lead you to a beautiful lake where you can swim.

Watch the majestic Eagles feeding

Our next stop was to watch the eagles feeding in their natural habitat. We didn’t get off the boat since the Singa Besar island is uninhabited. The island is known for its rich wildlife. We stayed on the boat, seeing the majestic eagles diving gracefully to catch fish.

Relaxing on Beras Basah Island

The last stop was the Beras Basah Island, the best one with powdery white sands and clear blue water. There was just enough time to relax. I sat under the shade on the beach soaking in the beautiful atmosphere. There are activities like parasailing, jet skiing etc.

As the boat headed back to the mainland, I reflected on the day’s adventures. It was a memorable day getting a glimpse of the local islands. Being a group tour, it was a bit rushed but since there were just 3 places to visit, it is alright provided you are not going to try any of the activities.

Langkawi Sky Cable Car and Sky Bridge

After having my breakfast, I booked a grab taxi and the day started with a bright sunny morning. I was all excited to experience the world’s steepest cable car. After purchasing a combo ticket for MYR 89 for the cable car and the sky bridge plus the 3D art museum, there was a security check, eatables were not allowed beyond this point. There were families, couples and a few solo travellers waiting in the queue for their turn to get into the gondola. I shared the gondola with a family from Zimbabwe.

 

The ride lets you enjoy the beautiful landscape of the lush forests and the Andaman Sea. If you are lucky with the weather, you will get an unobstructed view of the islands. During my ride, it was a bit foggy and due to the altitude, there was a drop in the temperature which was a huge sigh of relief from the extreme heat otherwise.

There are a total of three stations covering a distance of 1700 metres. It was about a 10-minute ride from the base station to the middle station- Eagle Nest. The panoramic view of the island from here was stunning.

Take a walk at the Skybridge

Getting to the world’s longest free-span and curved suspension bridge was exciting.

As you reach the top station, there are winding steep steps through the jungle. It began to drizzle. I started to walk towards the bridge and just a few steps more, it was not a drizzle anymore, it was a tropical downpour. I continued reaching almost the end all drenched until visibility dropped significantly. I only wished to have carried an umbrella or ideally a poncho. I waited for some time for the rain to calm down a bit at least. The steps were slippery but I had to walk back carefully. There were shelters on the way. I made a few stops to reach the cable station to take me back to the base station. This whole climbing and getting down needs a certain level of physical fitness.
Upon reaching the base, I entered 7-Eleven to get some snacks.

Visiting the 3D Art Museum

The last stop for the day was the 3-D museum which would be more enjoyable if you are travelling with kids or family. It is also a great spot for taking selfies with 3D effects. I am not a great fan of such museums but since it came as part of the combo ticket, I went inside and it was wonderful to see amazing artwork. It was clean and well-maintained.

Evenings at Pantai Cenang Beach

My day usually started with a simple breakfast on my patio, followed by a walk to the beach and then going on a tour if there was one. Otherwise, I’d just laze around and chat with Maz or other guests or simply read a book while relaxing in my spacious room. Langkawi is all about relaxation with its idyllic island vibes.

Evenings are the best time to go to the beach,  stroll along the streets, do some shopping, interact with the friendly locals, grab a drink and watch the sunset by the beach while seeing the amazing fire show at Kalut café and bar. Be sure to arrive early to take a seat as this place is usually full.

Vegan food in Langkawi

I loved the food at both of these Vegan places. I believe there are just a couple of more vegan eateries in Langkawi.

Indiana Cafe

Indiana Café is in the Pantai Cenang area which is a few minutes walk from the Cenang Mall. Google Maps can take you there or take a short taxi ride on those hot days when you do not want to walk. They were open only till 1 pm.

Pegaga Cafe

This cafe is part of the Ambong villas, a little tucked away from the centre yet in Pantai Cenang. The taxi driver dropped me at the entrance and making my way to the restaurant was an experience in itself. The location is in the middle of a small jungle. The first time I went there, it was already dark and the restaurant was on the second floor.

The food here was fantastic with huge portions of servings. Here, you get to taste some of the best vegan versions of Malaysian food. I loved dining here in the evenings while watching the beautiful sunset. You actually will be sitting in the middle of a small tropical rainforest. The minimalistic setting created a lovely ambience.

A piece of advice for Vegans and Vegetarians

There are just a few exclusive vegan restaurants and cafes that are spread across the island. If you are specific about eating only in vegetarian or vegan restaurants, consider finding accommodation with a kitchenette to cook your meals for the times that you are unable to make it to those few restaurants. Having a scooter would make things easier but you will not be in the mood to spend time travelling every day unless it is on your way to your destination for the day. Consider carrying some instant ready-to-eat meals.
There are 7-Elevens and other convenience stores where you can buy snacks and bread. Make sure to read the ingredients carefully because I bought plain salted potato chips and realized later after reaching my room that they had traces of crustacean oil. The same holds for certain brands of salted nuts. The ingredients are written in English as well.

I wanted my trip to be relaxing without planning too many activities and just go with the flow. There are plenty of other things to do in Langkawi for every type of traveller. The Kilim Geopark Mangrove tour would be a great addition.

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