Langkawi Island Hopping Tour: What to Expect

Langkawi is an archipelago of 99 islands, plus a handful more that appear only at low tide, and the classic Langkawi island hopping tour is the easiest way to see a few of them. Small speedboats leave from the Pantai Cenang and Pantai Tengah area and from jetties around the south of the main island, loop through the islands south of Kuah, and have you back on the beach in about four hours.

It is not a wilderness trip. Expect other boats at every stop and a fairly set routine. But the scenery is beautiful, the price is reasonable, and it shows you the marble and limestone islands that most visitors only see from the shore.

What the Langkawi island hopping tour covers

Pulau Dayang Bunting and the Lake of the Pregnant Maiden

The main stop is Pulau Dayang Bunting, the second-largest island in the group and the heart of the 8,261-hectare Dayang Bunting Marble Geoforest Park. From the jetty a short walk with steps leads over a ridge to Tasik Dayang Bunting, a freshwater lake ringed by forested limestone. Legend says a celestial princess, Mambang Sari, bathed here, and local belief holds that women hoping to conceive should swim in it.

There is a floating platform where you can swim in life jackets or hire pedal boats. Watch your bags: macaques around the path are quick to grab food and plastic bags.

Eagle watching near Pulau Singa Besar

Most boats stop in the channel near Pulau Singa Besar, where brahminy kites and white-bellied sea eagles circle overhead. On many tours the boatman throws chicken skin into the water to bring the birds down. It makes for photographs, but wildlife groups discourage it; you can ask your operator to skip the feeding.

Pulau Beras Basah

The last stop is usually Pulau Beras Basah, a small island with a sandy beach and clear water for a swim. There are a few simple stalls selling drinks and snacks. Along the way, look back at the outline of Pulau Dayang Bunting itself, said to resemble a pregnant woman lying on her back.

Booking and choosing a boat

Tours are sold by beach kiosks along Jalan Pantai Cenang, by hotels and online, either as shared seats on a group boat or as a private boat. Shared tours are cheaper; private boats let you set the timing and stay longer where you like. Prices vary by operator and season, so compare a few and check what is included, such as hotel transfers, life jackets and any entrance fees at Dayang Bunting.

Other options include sunset cruises on larger catamarans and full-day snorkelling trips to Pulau Payar Marine Park, which are booked separately.

Best time to go

Book a morning departure for calmer water, better light and smaller crowds at the lake. The sea is calmest in the drier months from about December to March. Tours run year-round, but between May and October afternoon storms and swells can lead to cancellations or bumpy rides. Speedboats can be jarring for people with back problems, so sit towards the rear.

How it fits into your trip

Island hopping takes a morning, leaving the afternoon free for the beach at Pantai Cenang. It is one of the core days of our 4-day Langkawi itinerary, and works well after a cable car morning or a Kilim mangrove tour. For where to stay and eat, see our Langkawi guide, and for the mainland side of the state, our Kedah page.