At the northernmost part of peninsular Malaysia lies a cluster of 104 islands in the aqua green waters of the Andaman sea. Most people plan about one week on Langkawi which is good for most.
Anything shorter than one week on Langkawi you won’t get to everything, but you could easily spend more time just relaxing too. Here is a sample itinerary of what to do on Langkawi. All activities we have done and are worth your time while on Langkawi.
*When looking for the best price and biggest selection of hotels in Langkawi check prices on Booking.com, we’ve found they are the best option and have a great cancelation policy.*
Day 1 In Langkawi – Get In and Explore
Day 1 in Langkawi for most will involve a flight from either an international destination or within Malaysia. Flights from Kuala Lumpur are available on the hour or better to Langkawi. Boat service also runs from Penang, Malaysia, Southern Thailand, and Koh Lipe, Thailand.
Once you have settled into your hotel it’s time to get out and explore the reason why you are here. The best way to do that is aboard a scenic dinner cruise around some of the most scenic islands in the Langkawi archipelago. Watch the sunset as you enjoy a dinner aboard a relaxing cruise.
If you are coming from an international destination it’s best to stay up as late as you can and go to bed at a normal hour in the new time zone to help you cope with the jet lag.
Day 2 In Langkawi – Relax
There is no better cure for jet lag than a massage. Try a traditional Malaya massage to get you ready to enjoy your one week in Langkawi. The Malay massage is similar in many ways to the Thai massage.
The Malay massage has slightly less pressure and more focus on increasing blood flow and relaxing muscles. Make sure to try one of the custom brewed massage oils with scents like rosemary and lavender. We had our massage at the amazing Danna Spa on the top floor of the Danna Hotel.
After your massage head to the beach and sink your toes in the sand at one of Langkawi’s many beaches. Stick around for sunset because the island has some beautiful ones.
Day 3 In Langkawi – Adventure
To get the blood flowing in different ways, head to the Northern side of the island and try out some high flying parasailing. Let Naam Sports get you 700 feet above the Andaman Sea. A paragliding tour will take you high above the sea and next to some small uninhabited islands off the shore of Langkawi. Get a bird’s eye view and some great pictures. Tours run throughout the day.
While you are there, hop into a Rhino and explore some of Langkawi’s back country roads. A rhino is kind of a blend between an ATV and a Jeep, and is perfect for exploring some of Langkawi’s off the beaten track places. Stop along the way at a peaceful set of waterfalls.
Click here for a map for Naam Sports
These two activities should take up an afternoon or morning. With the other half of your day head up the world’s steepest cable car right here on Langkawi. The Panorama Langkawi Cable Car takes you to a towering 708 meters above the island over a short 2.2km cable, making it the steepest in the world. The views from the top on a clear day are nothing short of amazing.
Once you are at the top you can also take the other cables to the top station. If you are brave enough take a walk along the glass walkway. Click here for a map of the cable car location.
Day 4 In Langkawi – Underwater Activities
To continue the adventure take the trip out to Coral Island to the Pulau Payar island of the Langkawi group which is home to some of the best corals around. About a 45 minute ride away from the main Kuah Jetty in Langkawi.
The boat is a smooth one aboard a large air-conditioned catamaran, the seas are generally calm and the ride pleasant. Once you reach the island there is a platform dock to explore the reef from. It’s a great place for beginners and experts alike to explore the underwater wonders. If you’ve ever considered diving here is a nice controlled place to give it a try.
For divers, it’s worth a trip out to the island too, it’s not just for the beginner snorkelers. Some nice diving can be had here with colorful and lively corals. The dive site named ‘The Japanese Garden’ had vibrant corals and plenty of large and small fish species.
Another popular dive on the island is the Kaca island wreck site with a 20M shipwreck and a number of artificial reef structures to explore. On that site, we came across a monstrous grouper, a few Barracuda, and a large school of jackfish among many other highlights.
Day 5 In Langkawi – Easy Exploring
After a few adventurous days take it a little easier today aboard a tour of the Mangroves on Langkawi.
To fill the second half of your day take a drive up to Gunung Mat Raya, the highest point on the main island of Langkawi. From high above the island, you can get amazing views of all the Langkawi archipelago.
Day 6 In Langkawi – Jetski the Islands
A great last full day in Langkawi is spent on a jet ski exploring the stunning limestone islands of Langkawi by Jetski. We took a great half-day tour with Mega Water Sports that took us to 8 of Langkawi’s islands and into the famous lake of the pregnant maiden.
Day 7 In Langkawi
Time to leave Langkawi. Take in your last sunrise and breakfast on the island before heading off to your next destination. If leaving Langkawi by plane the airport is small and shouldn’t require much more time than an hour prior to your flight.
If traveling by boat the main harbor services many destinations like Penang, Koh Lipe, and Satun province of Thailand. If traveling internationally by boat make sure to allow enough time to clear Malaysian customs before heading to the pier. Many tour agents will account this into pick up times, but it’s best to check.
Where to Eat in One Week in Langkawi
Berjaya’s Baan Thai Restaurant – Probably the most scenic restaurants on the entire island is located on the property of the Berjaya hotel and hung a few hundred feet into the Andaman Sea. You can find some excellent Southern Thai food here. There is some overlap in cuisine being so close to Thailand on Langkawi. We had a nice dinner at sunset full of some of our favorites from Thailand.
Red Tomato – If you find yourself on or near Pantai Cenang Beach area and are looking for something international, Red Tomato has some very nice Italian dishes. Prices run 25-45R for mains, we both loved the Pollo Pesto.
Night Markets – One of the best places to try some local specialties is at one of the night markets around Langkawi. The night market location changes nightly and is in a different area of town nightly. Finish any of your adventure-filled days with a stop at a night market on your one week in Langkawi.
Tips for One Week in Langkawi
Consider renting a car – The island is bigger than you might think it is. To get from one end of the island to the opposite can take about an hour. Make the most of your time and stay on your own schedule with a rental car. We rented a car on our first trip to Langkawi and it was very affordable and a nice way to see Langkawi.
Save your partying for another island – Langkawi is more reserved than its neighbors in Thailand so don’t plan on big parties every night. You can still find a nice place to have some drinks, but don’t expect party central. Langkawi is not that island.
Get off of Cenang Beach – There’s nothing wrong with Cenang, but if you spend your whole time in Langkawi here you will be missing some of the best parts. Get out and explore the islands, that includes the main island too, there are lots to see.
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**Our trip was made possible by Naturally Langkawi, but as always all opinions are our own**
