Travel Islands Around Malaysia: Pulau Dayang Bunting, Kedah

Located 17.6 km from Kuah, this island is the second largest island within the langkawi archipelago. The island's name which means 'The Island of the Pregnant Maiden', is perhaps inspired by the legends which surrounds the lake (known as Lake Guillemard) or by the physical appearance of the island itself, that resembles the belly of a pregnant woman. The legends and the claim (though not scientifically proven) that the lake bestows fertility only enhance the air of mystery that engulfs it.

Mangroove swamps dominate the perimeter of the island, while tropical forests elegantly form the rest of the greenery. There is a rich bird and insect life, and over 90 species of birds have been sighted including the hornbill, kingfisher, drongo, woodpecker and the brahminy kite.

Getting There

By Plane
Langkawi's airport is called the Padang Matsirat airport, located about 20km from Kuah town. Daily direct flights from Kuala Lumpur are available via Malaysia Airlines (Tel: 603-78463000 or 1 300 88 3000). Optionally Air Asia (Tel: 1 300 88 9933) also has regular flights to Langkawi.

By Rail
Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) connects Kuala Lumpur to Alor Setar and Arau towns in Kedah. From these towns, you can catch a taxi or a bus easily to Kuala Kedah or Kuala Perlis respectively and catch a ferry to Langkawi. Please contact KTMB at 603-22747435.

By Boat
From Kuala Kedah (1 hour 15 minute ride):
Lada Holdings, Tel: 604-7626295 / 7626296
Nautica Ferries, Tel: 604-7621201 / 7622341
Samavest, Tel: 604-7623052
Langkawi Ferry, Tel: 604-7624524

From Kuala Perlis (45 minutes):
Lada Holdings, Tel: 604-9855823
Nautica Ferries, Tel: 604-9854494 / 9854563
Samavest, Tel: 604-9854440
Langkawi Ferry, Tel: 604-9852690

Ferries are also available from Penang (Tel: 604-2631943)

By Road From the North South Expressway (NSE), head north to Kedah and take the Alor Setar Selatan exit (Interchange 177) onto the highway headed to Teluk Kechai and on to Kuala Kedah where you can catch a ferry to Langkawi island. Alternatively, you can also catch ferries from Kuala Perlis further north, accessible via the Jitra Selatan exit (Interchange 181) via Kodiang and Kangar on trunk road K3. This route is longer at 48km from the NSE exit. From Kuah Jetty or at Pantai Cenang, you can hire a boat from the many boat operators there that go to the Pulau Dayang Bunting. The journey takes about 15 minutes.

Map of Pulau Dayang Bunting