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The Malaysian island of Langkawi is the main island of the Langkawi Archipelago, which includes about 100 other islands. It is located on the northeast coast of Malaysia, not far from the Thai island Koh Lipe, which you can also reach from Langkawi by boat.
Langkawi’s Best Beaches – All Information About the Beaches and Bays
Pulau Langkawi, as the island is called in Malay, is approximately 320 km² in size and can be explored on your own. Furthermore, Langkawi is a Duty-Free Zone, which means you don’t have to pay taxes on many products.
Tourism is the main source of income on Langkawi, and you can visit the island year-round. In addition to the numerous activities on Langkawi, there are, of course, some beaches on the island that we will introduce to you in this Langkawi Beach Guide.
How to get to Langkawi
Since Langkawi is an island, there are only two ways to reach it. The quickest and most comfortable option is by plane, for example, from Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Singapore, or Guangzhou with Air Asia, Firefly, Malaysia Airlines, or China Southern. You can find a good overview of times and prices on Skyscanner.
Additionally, there are boat connections to Penang or to the Malaysian mainland in Kuala Perlis and Kuala Kedah. You can also take a ferry to Koh Lipe or Satun in Thailand. More information about prices and schedules can be found with our partner 12go.asia.
Accommodation in Langkawi – our hotel tip
During our time in Langkawi, we stayed at the Paretto Seaview Hotel. It is located right on Cenang Beach Road with numerous dining options nearby. It is only a 1-2 minute walk from the beach. The accommodation consisted of a living room, a bedroom, and a balcony with a view of the beach and the sea.
The staff was also very helpful and arranged scooters for us as well as an extremely affordable ride to the airport at the end. We felt completely comfortable and can highly recommend the Paretto Seaview.
However, if you prefer more luxury on your vacation and budget is not a major concern, we recommend the Four Seasons at Tanjung Rhu. This top-class hotel is located on the most paradisiacal beach on the island, and if you’re looking for tranquility, it’s the perfect choice. You can find more hotels on Langkawi here.
1. Cenang Beach
Cenang Beach, sometimes also written as Chenang Beach, is the busiest beach in Langkawi and the main tourist hub. The one-way street along the beach is lined with many restaurants, boutiques, and souvenir shops, providing direct access to the beach as well.
The northern part of Cenang Beach is somewhat quieter, and it is home to some upscale resorts. The beach is broad, sandy, and great for swimming. The view of the islands, like Pulau Rebak Besar, is truly beautiful in this northern area. Additionally, we can recommend the Thirstday Bar and the Kalut Bar, both offering a very relaxed atmosphere right on the beach.
The most action happens in the middle and southern parts of Cenang Beach. Here, you will find a wide range of water sports, such as jet skiing and parasailing. You can also rent sun loungers with umbrellas to spend your day at the beach. The beach is fine-grained here as well, and the sea is great for swimming, though it may not be as peaceful.
2. Tengah Beach
The Pantai Tengah, also known as Tengah Beach, is located slightly south of the Cenang Beach main beach on Langkawi. Although Tengah and Cenang Beach are separated by a hill, you cannot reach one from the other via the beach.
Over the past few years, many hotels and even a beach club have been built at Tengah Beach, yet it is still much quieter than Cenang Beach. However, along the Beach Road, you will also find an increasing number of restaurants as the island continues to develop.
Just like at Cenang Beach, Pantai Tengah is a great place to watch the sunset on Langkawi. Water sports such as parasailing and jet skiing are also offered on-site. Otherwise, it’s a bit quieter and suitable for swimming, although shaded spots are unfortunately scarce.
3. Teluk Baru
In the south of Langkawi, as you continue along the Tengah Beach road, you’ll find the Teluk Baru Beach. If you decide to take one of the popular boat day trips from Langkawi, this is where you’ll start to explore the island world around Langkawi.
Since many boat tours start from Teluk Baru, there are two piers on the beach, and there are many boats off the coast. Although Teluk Baru Beach looks quite nice, it’s not really suitable for swimming or relaxation.
4. Legenda Park Beach
Legenda Park is located right next to the Eagle Square in the island’s capital, Kuah. Opened in 1996, it spans over 20 hectares and has its own beach, which we’ll call Legenda Park Beach here. It doesn’t have an official name.
The park is often not very crowded, so you can spend some time on the beach here, most likely all by yourself. Although it’s a bit rocky in the south, the sand becomes finer as you head north. However, due to the nearby pier, the water here is not the clearest.
5. Tanjung Rhu
If you want to visit Tanjung Rhu, you might be a little confused at first because there are actually two beach sections referred to as Tanjung Rhu. Therefore, we distinguish between Tanjung Rhu 1 and 2.
Tanjung Rhu 1 is located in the north of Langkawi, where mangrove tours also begin. Here, at the entrance to the beach, you will find a few small restaurants and souvenir shops before you reach the beach. The sand is fine, and the water is excellent for swimming. If you continue to the right along the beach, it becomes even more secluded, as most visitors stay near the beginning.
The surroundings of Tanjung Rhu 1 remind us a bit of Thailand, especially Krabi or the Ang Thong National Park in the Gulf of Thailand, with its many limestone cliffs. This is a truly beautiful stretch of beach that you should definitely check out.
Tanjung Rhu 2, located right at the Four Seasons Resort, is in a class of its own. It is probably the most beautiful beach in Langkawi, at least if you, like us, enjoy white, fine sand and the turquoise colors of the water. This is what a paradise beach looks like to us.
You can reach the beach by stopping at the local small restaurants on the road towards Four Seasons and Tanjung Rhu 1, on the left. You can easily park your scooter or car here and even rent a sunbed if you wish, or simply walk along the beach to the Four Seasons. A must-visit for beach lovers.
6. Black Sand Beach
Located approximately four kilometers southwest of Tanjung Rhu, you will find the Black Sand Beach, also known as Pantai Pasir Hitam. Contrary to its name, the beach is not entirely covered in black sand; you can only find it in some areas. This is said to be due to deposits of black minerals and quartz.
However, the Black Sand Beach is not very crowded, and only a few people swim here. Right in front of the beach, you will also find several stalls selling souvenirs, clothing, or food. You will have to pass through these stalls and reach the Black Sand Beach via a staircase. For a quick stop, the beach is quite decent, but personally, we prefer a beach like Tanjung Rhu, especially with fewer shops around.
7. Teluk Yu
The next beach along the coast to the west is Teluk Yu, which translates to Shark Bay. But don’t worry, there are no real sharks here, only a few shark statues on the promenade.
Teluk Yu is still not very frequently visited, but more tourists come here compared to Black Sand Beach. In the end, this beach is actually an extension of it, but without black sand. The sea here is quite shallow, calm, and ideal for lounging in the water.
Additionally, you will find parking facilities and a restaurant right on the beach, which you can visit for a meal. However, the downside here is that you will hardly find any shaded spots.
8. Pantai Pasir Tengkorak
Located between Teluk Yu Bay and Teluk Datai, Pantai Pasir Tengkorak, sometimes referred to as Skull Sand Beach, gets its name from a legend in which sailors washed ashore here, victims of a giant sea monster.
This beach is particularly popular among locals or Malaysian visitors, and in the afternoon, it can get quite crowded. The beach itself has relatively fine sand, and the sea is suitable for swimming, although the surroundings might not give it the best appearance.
In front of the beach, there’s a parking lot with an entrance, several houses, and a small park that has been built. However, everything looks rather neglected and somewhat run-down. In our opinion, a visit here may not be worth it.
9. Teluk Datai
Teluk Datai Beach is located in the northwest of the island, on the same road that leads to Pantai Pasir Tengkorak or the Langkawi Falls. To reach it, you need to follow the road all the way to the end.
Access to Teluk Datai Beach is reserved for guests of the local resorts because there is no other way to reach the beach. So, if you are staying at The Datai Langkawi or The Andaman, you can visit the beach. Otherwise, unfortunately, the long journey may not be worth it for a beach visit. Nevertheless, the scooter ride along the road amidst nature is a beautiful experience – but beware of wild animals.
10. Pantai Kok and Burau Bay
Pantai Kok is located on the way to the Langkawi Oriental Village with the famous SkyBridge, within Teluk Burau (Burau Bay). A marina has also settled here, and the lighthouse is also located in the bay.
Furthermore, you can find some luxury hotels here, such as The Danna Langkawi. The beach itself is usually very calm, fine, and suitable for swimming. Thanks to the bay, the sea is very calm.
After the marina, there is still a longer stretch of Pantai Kok beach. Here you will find parking options and also something to eat and drink. Despite its obvious location on the way to Langkawi Oriental Village, the beach is never crowded and definitely worth a visit.
Langkawi: Tours and Tickets
Do you prefer to travel with a guide who knows the area very well? Then we recommend a guided tour with a local. This way you can get to know Langkawi in a completely different way. GetYourGuide offers a wide selection of exciting tours for Langkawi.
Which is your favorite beach in Langkawi? Do you have another tip? We look forward to your feedback in the comments.
