Langkawi, Malaysia: A weekend getaway
If you are looking to spend a few days in a Malaysian Island paradise Langkawi isn’t a poor choice. Langkawi is made up of 99 small islands on Malaysia’s west coast. There is something to entertain everyone there. Langkawi is known for its diving, duty-free shopping, and island hopping between the small and untouched islands surrounding the main island. That being said there is much to do in a weekend getaway to this little gem.
Explore the sea:
Dive-site #1 The most famous spot for diving around Langkawi is the Pulau Payar Marine Park. Located around an hour ferry ride south of Langkawi leaving the Kuah Jetty. I did two dives here. The main attraction is the Coral Garden. This dive-site is a shallow site with the coral-reef at around 10 meters depth. But don’t feel cheated. The rocks are covered with beautiful soft corals in clear white, blue and purple colors. You will also encounter plenty of the branching tree corals, anemones hiding schools of clownfish and huge sea fans. There is a great variety of plant and animal wildlife with many of the regular reef-fish in bright colors to escort you around on your dive. If you love clown-fish you will be ecstatic. I have never seen as many of these small amazing fish in one dive site. Every single anemone sheltered at least two and many four or more clownfish. The majority were gubbies which just made the whole scene cuter. Unfortunately, the visibility isn’t great and the water was quite murky both times I’ve done this dive-spot with a visibility of fewer than 10 meters. The current makes it a bit tiresome as you have to spend a lot of energy to stay in the same spot and not hit the reef. My camera had a small meltdown and decided to make every photo in bright neon yellow colors, making it look like an old 80’s disco party underwater. Regardless, the coral gardens is a beautiful spot and worth a visit.
Dive-site #2 Our second dive was exploring the Lembu Shipwreck. This was my third shipwreck but I was as excited as a small child. It was perfect for those who want to explore shipwrecks laid to rest in the vast underwater depths of the ocean. We were the only divers on the site. The ship was crammed with fish. When we went into the interior we had to chase out the millions of schools of fish, that had made this shipwreck their home. The wreck was sunk as it was, which means there are no artificial holes in the hull so if you are not an experienced diver don’t explore this site. The corridors and doorways are narrow and the interior is black as the night. We had to take off our BCD and tank to fit through the slim places which of course just made it more exciting. The amazing thing about this shipwreck is that the ship is sunk on a low depth which makes it possible to explore at a level of 15-25 meters depending on where you choose to go on the ship. This gives you much more bottom and dive time than on most wrecks I’ve visited that are much deeper. The captain’s seat is located at around 15 meters and you can pretend to steer the ship underwater, while looking out the window here, DavyJones’ style. Watch-out for lion and scorpion fish in the small cabins and dark areas of the ship, and don’t panic if you get stuck. Stay close to your buddy as the visibility outside is as low as 5 meters and inside with no light is almost none, exciting.
Explore the Island.
I would recommend renting a scooter for a day to go explore the island. It is the cheapest and most comfortable way to do it. You can stop wherever you want for however long you want. And as soon as you leave the main towns you see that the island has more to offer and that most of the inhabitants are farmers and fishermen. The scooter ride around the island will take you through paddy fields, small towns, and rainforest featuring heaps of monkeys along the road. Remember to apply sunblock often as the sun will burn your body fast.
Go beach hopping and enjoy beaches covered with powder-fine sand and swaying coconut trees, and swim in turquoise waters off the coast. Three of the beaches with easy public access are Pantai Cenang Pantai Kok and Tanjung Rhu.
Pantai Cenang, is one of the main tourist areas in Langkawi and the beach is long and well kept. It is quite touristy as many hotels face directly down to the beach and most water-sports set out from here. It is nice because if you get tired of laying in the sun there are a lot of choices for refreshments very nearby, alcoholic or non-alcoholic. Pantai Kok is located on your way to the cable car and is a small strip of sand that almost forms a natural laguna. It is sheltered from the currents and waves by small islands. This tranquil beach gives you scenic views and a fair amount of privacy. At the end of the beach, there are options for eating and enjoying a cold drink, but the beach is not catering to it. Tanjung Rhu is on the opposite side of the island through the jungle. Here the sand is black and the beach is empty. Walk for hours up and down the beach and view the beautiful rock-formation inland and on the small islands located near the coastline.
Places to visit:
Park your scooter at the Oriental Village and go on the islands’ main attraction: the Cable Car 15-minute to the top of Mount Mat Cincang. The trip gives you a great view of the rainforests, islets, and waterfalls. After reaching the peak, stroll through all the stalls selling T-shirts and souvenirs and climb a set of staircases that cut through a thin forest to reach the observatory deck where you can take the mandatory photos. The view is amazing when the weather allows you to see the horizon and the beautiful blue water below.
Stop by the Hotsprings in Ayer Hangat Village north of Kuah Town. These hot springs are made up of natural salt water. If you pay 5 RM you get to walk around the place and stick your feet into the warm water. This location is great for rainy and cold days. First, you walk along the overpass and enter the underwater reflexology where you can walk on the uneven floor that puts pressure on different areas of your feet. Sit on one of the benches across the water and enjoy the view. The next hot spring is where the water is warmest. The spring is housed in a roofed gazebo-like structure overlooking the beautiful mountains. The hot water comes out from below the floor of the well. It is supposedly a good treatment for sore joints, arthritis and skin diseases, amongst other things.
7 Wells, or Telaga Tujuh Waterfalls, is named after the seven connected natural pools fed by seven separate bigger or smaller waterfalls descending from Gunung Mat Cincang. In for a hike? Then climb the road to the top of the waterfalls and jump in the ice-cold water. It is said to bring good luck to swim in the different ponds. On the way up you will enjoy the company of plenty of monkeys and other wildlife and feel close to nature.
Other attractions are the boat tours that, for 30-40 RM, organize trips to Tasik Dayang Bunting (Lake of the Pregnant Maiden), Gua Cerita (Cave of Stories) and Gua Langsir (Curtain Cave).
Dining and Duty-free
While in Langkawi, take advantage of the ultra-cheap seafood options. If you are traveling outside of peak season you can get even better deals. Enjoy the sunset from a rooftop bar, there are a few in Cenang or get a chance to eat lobster, mud-crab, king-shrimp and many more of the delicious treats of the sea. Most of them still alive until you order.
Langkawi is a duty-free island which means you can buy alcohol, chocolate, and tobacco cheaply here. Remember to bring your passport when you go shopping because all the shops register you when you buy to make sure you don’t exceed your quota.
Sounds like a nice getaway?
*All photos are private and taken by me.
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| View from Nest rooftop-bar, Cenang |
Explore the sea:
Dive-site #1 The most famous spot for diving around Langkawi is the Pulau Payar Marine Park. Located around an hour ferry ride south of Langkawi leaving the Kuah Jetty. I did two dives here. The main attraction is the Coral Garden. This dive-site is a shallow site with the coral-reef at around 10 meters depth. But don’t feel cheated. The rocks are covered with beautiful soft corals in clear white, blue and purple colors. You will also encounter plenty of the branching tree corals, anemones hiding schools of clownfish and huge sea fans. There is a great variety of plant and animal wildlife with many of the regular reef-fish in bright colors to escort you around on your dive. If you love clown-fish you will be ecstatic. I have never seen as many of these small amazing fish in one dive site. Every single anemone sheltered at least two and many four or more clownfish. The majority were gubbies which just made the whole scene cuter. Unfortunately, the visibility isn’t great and the water was quite murky both times I’ve done this dive-spot with a visibility of fewer than 10 meters. The current makes it a bit tiresome as you have to spend a lot of energy to stay in the same spot and not hit the reef. My camera had a small meltdown and decided to make every photo in bright neon yellow colors, making it look like an old 80’s disco party underwater. Regardless, the coral gardens is a beautiful spot and worth a visit.
 |
| Clownfish hiding in anemones |
Dive-site #2 Our second dive was exploring the Lembu Shipwreck. This was my third shipwreck but I was as excited as a small child. It was perfect for those who want to explore shipwrecks laid to rest in the vast underwater depths of the ocean. We were the only divers on the site. The ship was crammed with fish. When we went into the interior we had to chase out the millions of schools of fish, that had made this shipwreck their home. The wreck was sunk as it was, which means there are no artificial holes in the hull so if you are not an experienced diver don’t explore this site. The corridors and doorways are narrow and the interior is black as the night. We had to take off our BCD and tank to fit through the slim places which of course just made it more exciting. The amazing thing about this shipwreck is that the ship is sunk on a low depth which makes it possible to explore at a level of 15-25 meters depending on where you choose to go on the ship. This gives you much more bottom and dive time than on most wrecks I’ve visited that are much deeper. The captain’s seat is located at around 15 meters and you can pretend to steer the ship underwater, while looking out the window here, DavyJones’ style. Watch-out for lion and scorpion fish in the small cabins and dark areas of the ship, and don’t panic if you get stuck. Stay close to your buddy as the visibility outside is as low as 5 meters and inside with no light is almost none, exciting.
 |
| Lembu Shipwreck |
Explore the Island.
I would recommend renting a scooter for a day to go explore the island. It is the cheapest and most comfortable way to do it. You can stop wherever you want for however long you want. And as soon as you leave the main towns you see that the island has more to offer and that most of the inhabitants are farmers and fishermen. The scooter ride around the island will take you through paddy fields, small towns, and rainforest featuring heaps of monkeys along the road. Remember to apply sunblock often as the sun will burn your body fast.
Go beach hopping and enjoy beaches covered with powder-fine sand and swaying coconut trees, and swim in turquoise waters off the coast. Three of the beaches with easy public access are Pantai Cenang Pantai Kok and Tanjung Rhu.
Pantai Cenang, is one of the main tourist areas in Langkawi and the beach is long and well kept. It is quite touristy as many hotels face directly down to the beach and most water-sports set out from here. It is nice because if you get tired of laying in the sun there are a lot of choices for refreshments very nearby, alcoholic or non-alcoholic. Pantai Kok is located on your way to the cable car and is a small strip of sand that almost forms a natural laguna. It is sheltered from the currents and waves by small islands. This tranquil beach gives you scenic views and a fair amount of privacy. At the end of the beach, there are options for eating and enjoying a cold drink, but the beach is not catering to it. Tanjung Rhu is on the opposite side of the island through the jungle. Here the sand is black and the beach is empty. Walk for hours up and down the beach and view the beautiful rock-formation inland and on the small islands located near the coastline.
 |
| Cenang Beach |
Places to visit:
Park your scooter at the Oriental Village and go on the islands’ main attraction: the Cable Car 15-minute to the top of Mount Mat Cincang. The trip gives you a great view of the rainforests, islets, and waterfalls. After reaching the peak, stroll through all the stalls selling T-shirts and souvenirs and climb a set of staircases that cut through a thin forest to reach the observatory deck where you can take the mandatory photos. The view is amazing when the weather allows you to see the horizon and the beautiful blue water below.
Stop by the Hotsprings in Ayer Hangat Village north of Kuah Town. These hot springs are made up of natural salt water. If you pay 5 RM you get to walk around the place and stick your feet into the warm water. This location is great for rainy and cold days. First, you walk along the overpass and enter the underwater reflexology where you can walk on the uneven floor that puts pressure on different areas of your feet. Sit on one of the benches across the water and enjoy the view. The next hot spring is where the water is warmest. The spring is housed in a roofed gazebo-like structure overlooking the beautiful mountains. The hot water comes out from below the floor of the well. It is supposedly a good treatment for sore joints, arthritis and skin diseases, amongst other things.
7 Wells, or Telaga Tujuh Waterfalls, is named after the seven connected natural pools fed by seven separate bigger or smaller waterfalls descending from Gunung Mat Cincang. In for a hike? Then climb the road to the top of the waterfalls and jump in the ice-cold water. It is said to bring good luck to swim in the different ponds. On the way up you will enjoy the company of plenty of monkeys and other wildlife and feel close to nature.
Other attractions are the boat tours that, for 30-40 RM, organize trips to Tasik Dayang Bunting (Lake of the Pregnant Maiden), Gua Cerita (Cave of Stories) and Gua Langsir (Curtain Cave).
Dining and Duty-free
While in Langkawi, take advantage of the ultra-cheap seafood options. If you are traveling outside of peak season you can get even better deals. Enjoy the sunset from a rooftop bar, there are a few in Cenang or get a chance to eat lobster, mud-crab, king-shrimp and many more of the delicious treats of the sea. Most of them still alive until you order.
Langkawi is a duty-free island which means you can buy alcohol, chocolate, and tobacco cheaply here. Remember to bring your passport when you go shopping because all the shops register you when you buy to make sure you don’t exceed your quota.
Sounds like a nice getaway?
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| Climbing the stairs to the Seven Wells |
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| Stopping on one of the northern beaches |
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| Driving through farmland |
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| Picking out the dinner |
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| Meeting locals |
*All photos are private and taken by me.
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