About Langkawi

The island of Langkawi is an exotic holiday destination that offers world-class accommodation and amenities sitting side by side with idyllic beaches, ancient rainforests and quaint villages. Langkawi, part of the State of Kedah, was named after the eagle (helang in the Malay, language - pronounced Lang), hence the imposing eagle statue at Dataran Lang (Eagle Square), welcoming visitors who arrive on the island through the Kuah Jetty.

Langkawi is an archipelago of 99 tropical islands off the north-western coast of Peninsular Malaysia, about 30km from Kuala Perlis on the mainland. The main island is Pulau Langkawi. The archipelago has some of the world's most pristine rainforests, limestone and karst formations, caves with stunning stalactites and stalagmites, and among the world's most beautiful beaches washed by clear emerald waters teeming with marine life.

The rich marine life not only makes Langkawi a diver's paradise, it also nurtures the curative sea-cucumber (known locally as gamat), which is synonymous to the island. Especially memorable is the warm hospitality of the locals. Friendliness is an infectious lifestyle in Langkawi.

Langkawi is a duty-free shopping destination. Other than cameras, branded items, electronic gadgets, shop for lovely silk batik, handicraft and local products, especially those from the fishing villages. The legend of Mahsuri weaves the history of Langkawi from the past seven generations.. It tells of Mahsuri, a fair maiden who was unjustly accused of adultery. She was said to have bled white blood at her execution as a sign of her innocence. With her last breath Mahsuri was said to have laid a curse on the island -- that it would remain barren for seven generations.

Legend or myth, seven generations have since passed and today, Langkawi is an island much loved by the locals and international tourists. The island is also a choice venue for international sporting events such as the Le Tour de Langkawi bicycle race, Royal Langkawi International Regatta, the F3000 Powerboat Race and Ironman, among others.

Island Activities

What do you do when you find yourself on vacation at a place with over 99 islands in the sun? Well, if you are in Langkawi, which happens to be such a place, there are lots to do.

If time permits and you have the will to get off from lazing all day on the sugary white sands of the beaches, you can start by planning your activities. You can choose sea-based or land based activities or a mix of both.

Island Hopping

Several operators offer tours to the smaller islands. Most trips include a stop at the wildlife reserve on Pulau Singa Besar and the Lake of the Pregnant Maiden or Pulau Dayang Bunting. Some will stop at other islands. Tours usually leave from either the jetty in Kuah or from Pantai Cenang. The seas are usually too rough for tours during the rainy season, which can start in June through September.

Sailing

Get away from the ordinary and enjoy the pristine islands & beaches of Langkawi. Have a communion with nature, explore the lush forests and wild life of the islands from a different perspective. You will get to enjoy deserted beaches all to yourself as something special to remember and cherish for a long time. Go on, hire a boat and just do it.

Snorkelling

Pulau Payar- a jewel of an island, is one of Langkawi's major draws, famous for its spectacularly beautiful coral gardens. You can either dive or snorkel to be among the fishes and explore the corals. If you don't wish to get wet, the special Underwater Observatory allows you to experience a close-up view of marine life.

Mangrove Tour

On the northwest corner of the island, near Tanjung Rhu beach, is a large mangrove forest with spectacular natural scenery. You can take a trip through the forest by boat. Cruise silently along the mangrove channels and appreciate what these natural living buffer zones mean to the ecology. Some trips also include an eagle feeding session.

Diving

Dive sites are plentiful.These include: Pulau Lembu, Pulau Kaca with its wrecks, the aptly named spot known as Lobster Garden and the Tyre Reef of Pulau Segantang. There are plenty of groupers in most of these places as well as reef fishes, including schools of Barracuda, snappers and black-tip reef sharks.

Kayaking

Langkawi is a great place for kayaking. With the 99 islands located close to each other, kayaking is another way to do your island hopping - at your own pace. Resorts and tour operators offer affordable daily rental of kayaks. Before starting off on your kayak tour check weather conditions and plan your itinerary well.

Jungle Trekking

Start by taking in the breathtaking view across the Langkawi archipelago from its highest peak, Gunung Raya, at 890 m above sea level. Then hike through the verdant rainforest along the river at the Lubok Sembilang Recreational Park. Discover medicinal plants, uniquely camouflaged wildlife and other wonders of nature. The trekking convener can customise the outing for all age groups and abilities.

Air Trekking / Canopy Adventure

Air Trekking involves abseiling, rappelling, climbing, jungle trekking and gliding high above the ground on a cable system resembling a flying fox. The adventure appeals to extreme sports enthusiasts and offers a fantastic adrenalin rush. Made famous by Sean Connery in the movie The Medicine Man, Langkawi is the second location in the world to have this activity.

Biking

Bicycles can be hired from a number of outlets throughout the island and many resorts rent them out at reasonable rates to guests. The terrain of the inhabited areas of Langkawi is conducive for cycling. Besides being more environment friendly, quieter and healthier, exploring the island on a bicycle allows you to access more remote areas easier than driving a car.