Travel Islands Around Malaysia: Pulau Langkawi, Kedah

The Langkawi archipelago is made up of a cluster of 99 islands, sprinkled just off the shores of the Northern Kedah State in Peninsular Malaysia. During low tide, the number of islands expands to 104. It's understandable that only a few islands are inhabited. Many of the islands are little more than rocky outcrops separated by narrow canals where only sampans(little boats) can travel through. Langkawi island (478.5 sq.km) is the largest of them all and is not much smaller than Singapore (646 sq.km) but has a much smaller island population of only 62,000.

Pulau Langkawi's landscape is painted with marbled mountains, vast paddy fields and rural villages, miles and miles of white sandy beaches, secret caves, and pockets of virgin rainforests dating back millions of years.

Although tourism is the main industry for the people of Langkawi and has been for the past decade or so, the sea remains a healthy source of income for local fishermen. In pockets of local fishing communities one can still find the age-old cottage industry of harvesting, drying and processing of sea cucumbers into a balsamic oil for all sorts of minor ailment.

Langkawi's Legends and Hotspots

Centuries ago skilled storytellers on the mainland made a living from spinning wondrous, spectacular tales of folklore, history, myths and legends of celestial beings, demons, warriors and wars, giants, beautiful maidens and gallant heroes. Langkawi was inaccessible to local folks in those days. The Langkawi islands were infested with pirates living and feasting on boats and travellers who chose to sail in their waters. Not many locals ventured to the islands and soon stories abound of these mysterious islands. The myths are still woven strongly into the lifestyle of the local people.

Transport From Kuah, there are ferry connections to Satun in southern Thailand, to Penang, to Kuala Kedah and to Kuala Perlis. Langkawi's international airport lies, as indeed does the harbour at Telok Ewa with its cement works, on the west coast. The whole island has a well developed road network.

Getting There

By Road - Drive to Kuala Kedah or Kuala Perlis, the main take-off points by ferry to Langkawi. The journey from Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Kedah takes about six hours while Kuala Perlis is another hour away.

By Air - Malaysia Airlines and budget carrier AirAsia provide direct air services from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to Langkawi.There are direct flights to Langkawi from London twice a week.

By Rail - Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) or Malayan Railway provides economical and comfortable rail services from Kuala Lumpur to Alor Star in Kedah and Arau in Perlis (north of Kedah). From these points, take a taxi or bus Kuala Kedah and Kuala Perlis for your ferry to Langkawi.

By Sea - Express Ferries provide regular services daily to Langkawi from both Kuala Kedah and Kuala Perlis. The journey takes about 1 hour 15 minutes and 45 minutes respectively. From Penang to Langkawi the ferry takes about 2 hours 30 minutes. The island is also a stopover for Star Cruises, one of the largest luxury cruise lines in the world.

Map of Pulau Langkawi