Langkawi: The Best Beaches

Langkawi is the largest of the Malaysian archipelago and is often called the jewel of Kedah.

It lies in the Andaman Sea, off the north-western coast of Malaysia, near the border with Thailand. Although it is relatively large and a popular tourist destination, large portions of the island have so far remained relatively undeveloped;

Langkawi is full of incredibly picturesque beaches, almost all with clean white sand, jungle-covered mountains in the background and glittering blue sea stretching for miles in almost every direction.

There is also a famous beach in Langkawi that is made of black sand.

The island's iconic cable-car ride is the perfect way to see things from a bird's-eye view, and there is also a variety of natural, historical and cultural attractions, many of which are centrally located and easy to reach.

The island's unmissable attractions are the Oriental Village, Underwater World Langkawi and the Rice Museum. During high season, accommodation can fill up quickly, so it's best to book well in advance if possible.

7Teluk Datai

Although it is mainly the exclusive domain of the rich jet-setters, the private beach of Teluk Datai - or Datai Bay.

Teluk Datai is located in the remote, undeveloped north-western corner of the island and is one of the most beautiful and undisturbed stretches of beach.

6Black Sand Beach

Langkawi's Black Sand Beach is located on the north-central coast of the island and is one of those rare places that seems to defy the laws of nature. After all, how often do you see a black-sand beach?

The beach is usually an interesting and aesthetic strip of white and black sand. Because of its distance from the more southern and south-eastern parts of the island, it gets less traffic than many others, making it an excellent escape for those wanting to relax and enjoy nature.

Rumours abound about the origins of the black sand; they are as varied as a curse from a spurned mermaid, solidified lava from the seabed, and mass burning and deforestation that took place in the region almost 200 years ago. In any case, Black Sand Beach is one of those places that is a bit off the beaten track but worth visiting.

5Pantai Pasir Tengkorak

Although today Langkawi is often overrun by tourists, in years past it was not.

Located to the west of the large inlet that splits the northern shore of the island, Pantai Pasir Tengkorak is a beach where it is still possible to avoid the crowds.

It lies along the road leading to The Andaman, but unlike their private beach, Pantai Pasir Tengkorak is public.

There is a large car park, but with almost no facilities, and reaching the beach from the car park requires a moderately tiring descent among the rocks.

4Tanjung Rhu

Located on the north-central coast of the island, Tanjung Rhu is characterised by the imposing rock formations jutting out of the water a few hundred metres from the shore, reminiscent of scenes from The Beach with Leonardo DiCaprio.

Unlike the film, however, Tanjung Rhu is home to some of the island's oldest resorts, of which Tanjung Rhu Resort is probably the best known.

If you head straight from the airport to Tanjung Rhu, you'll immediately notice that you're heading into an undeveloped area full of extensive stretches of dense forest and mountains.

Many visitors are a little annoyed to discover that the resort staff are rather adamant about keeping guests away from the beach, so if that's a scene you'd like to avoid, call and ask whether it's fine or not.

Although Tanjung Rhu is beautiful and unique, it's not the only game in town, so ask around to find alternatives nearby.

3Pantai Kok

Pantai Kok beach is located north-west of the airport, which lies in the opposite direction from the more touristy areas. It is relatively undeveloped and mainly comprises luxury resorts such as The Verandah, Terrace and The Sheraton.

The beach is known for its clear water and white sand, which is often raked by the resort employees, whose job is to keep its unspoilt look. Besides its natural beauty, Pantai Kok is also known for its lighthouse and yacht club, beautiful and architecturally unique, which boasts impressive boats and Moorish-inspired domed buildings.

Compared with other more popular beaches, Pantai Kok is quiet, upmarket and no-frills, even along its strip of shops, restaurants and bars near the yacht club.

For those staying in the hotels, there are a variety of activities nearby, including the Langkawi SkyCab and the Telaga Tujuh waterfall, which make it the perfect choice for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

2Pantai Tengah

Located on the south-western edge of Langkawi's tourist district, Pantai Tengah beach is in many ways the perfect happy medium, making it a popular destination for most of the island's beach-loving visitors.

Connected to Pantai Cenang, it is the quintessence of the Malaysian beach in almost every respect; it is also known for its unobstructed mountain views that are particularly stunning at sunset.

With accommodation, dining and entertainment in abundance, making Pantai Tengah your base of operations while exploring the island would be an excellent choice, especially for those visitors looking to make the most of their time and money.

Despite its proximity to the town, it is still possible to find open stretches of beach that aren't overcrowded, dotted with colourful local restaurants reminiscent of the Caribbean.

Parasailing, kayaking and jet-skiing are popular activities for those seeking an adrenaline rush.

1Pantai Cenang

For the most compelling combination of pure beauty, practicality and abundant options, Langkawi's Pantai Cenang is hard to beat, and it's no surprise that it is the island's most popular destination.

From guided diving and mangrove tours to some of the island's best fish restaurants and bars, Pantai Cenang draws visitors at affordable prices.

Pantai Cenang is just 10 minutes from the airport and is particularly popular with those travelling with children, since it is close to Underwater World Langkawi and the Rice Garden Museum - part museum and part open-air plantation that is a big hit with families.

Unlike some of the island's more private, remote and exclusive areas, at Pantai Cenang you'll meet a great variety of visitors from all over the world and from all walks of life. Over the past two years, Pantai Cenang has seen a growing number of traditional musical and cultural performances that are also big hits.