Langkawi is a laid-back gem off Malaysia’s northwest coast, made up of nearly 100 islands and known for its lush rainforests, dramatic limestone cliffs, and warm turquoise waters. While most visitors come here for beach-hopping, waterfall walks, and sunset cocktails, there’s more to Langkawi than just pretty views. It’s got a slower pace that makes it ideal for switching off. Think scooter rides through rice fields, ferry trips between islands, and the odd monkey stealing your snacks if you’re not paying attention.
What really sets Langkawi apart is that it’s duty free. That means alcohol, chocolate, and even luxury items come at a fraction of the usual price. In fact, beer here is often cheaper than a bottle of water. It’s a go-to destination for anyone after a cheap break with tropical vibes, where your budget stretches further and sundowners come without the guilt. Whether you’re stocking up at one of the many duty-free shops or sipping a cold can on the beach, Langkawi offers serious value for money.
Getting to Langkawi was surprisingly easy. We booked a short internal flight from KLIA (Kuala Lumpur International Airport), which took around an hour. With only hand luggage in tow, the flights were cheap as chips, perfect if you’re keeping costs down. Once we landed, we simply booked a Grab from the airport to our accommodation. It was quick, simple, and stress-free.
We booked into Bamboo Cottage, and to be honest, it’s now our go-to spot whenever we’re in Langkawi. Tucked away in a peaceful green corner of the island, it’s ideal for those who want to reconnect with nature but still stay close to the main attractions. The atmosphere is laid-back and rustic, with a few nice extras that really made our stay even better.
There’s a 20-metre eco saltwater pool, an honesty fridge stocked with cold drinks and breakfast bits, and even an outdoor kitchen if you fancy cooking your own meals. At the time we visited, it was around £30 a night, which is incredible value for what you get.
Our room was one of the bedrooms in the main building, but they also have a larger family villa if you need more space. It’s about a 10-minute walk to the beach and a cracking little breakfast spot called Seb’s Café, which also serves great coffee, smoothies, and light lunches. For dinner, we highly recommend Bobi’s Restaurant, a good mix of local and international dishes and a nice cold beer to round off the day.
If you fancy heading out for a relaxed evening, check out Rainbow Langkawi. It’s just a short Grab ride from the accommodation and has a friendly, welcoming atmosphere with cheap drinks and tasty food. The bar staff and regulars are lovely, and it’s the kind of place where you can have a good chat without shouting over loud music. A great spot to unwind after a day of exploring.
Let’s be honest, Langkawi isn’t exactly topping the charts for scuba diving, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth exploring. We visited in February 2025, knowing visibility can be limited because of the island’s limestone seabed and fine sand. Most of the time you’ll get between two and four metres of visibility, so it’s less about wide-angle photography and more about slowing down and looking for the small stuff.
Langkawi is better suited to macro diving, with plenty of marine life hiding in the sand and rubble if you take the time to look. Seahorses, pipefish, cuttlefish, and nudibranchs are all possible here, and it’s a great place to practise buoyancy and observation skills.
We booked a single afternoon dive that happened to fall on a full moon, meaning stronger currents and trickier conditions. It turned out to be a great chance to practise teamwork and navigation using a buddy line, something that’s become a useful skill on later dives. Every dive teaches you something new, and Langkawi delivered on that.
We’ll definitely be giving Langkawi another go. Diving conditions here are best between November and April, when the weather is calm and dive operations are fully open. From around mid-May, the west monsoon brings stronger winds, waves, and rain, often making diving impossible. Most dive centres close until October.
Interestingly, visibility around Langkawi depends more on the moon cycle than the season itself, with clearer water often found around the new moon. It’s a good reminder that timing can make all the difference when planning a dive trip here.
I booked our dive with Langkawi Scuba, a small but professional dive school based right on the sands of Cenang Beach. They might be compact in size, but their setup is spot on with great quality dive gear, a chilled and knowledgeable team, and a relaxed vibe that makes you feel welcome from the minute you arrive.
They’re the only PADI 5 Star Dive Resort on the island and have been running since 2014, so you know you’re in good hands. Everything’s well organised, the briefings are clear without going overboard, and the whole experience is refreshingly low-stress. You literally board the boat from the beach just in front of the shop, and off you go… no long transfers, no hanging around.
Being right on the beachfront means you’re in the water quickly and can be back in time to catch the sunset. Just next door is Ah Chong Beach Bar Café, the perfect spot to wind down after a dive with a cold beer and front-row views of the sea. If you’re staying in Pantai Cenang, it’s a short stroll. If not, Grab taxis are cheap and easy. All in all, Langkawi Scuba offers a friendly, no-fuss way to dive in and make the most of the island.
I didn’t take any underwater photos on this dive as I only had my GoPro with me and had forgotten to pack the macro lens attachment. It was a bit of a missed opportunity, but it gave me the chance to focus fully on the dive itself rather than the camera. I’m already planning to return with my full macro setup to capture the smaller marine life that makes Langkawi so interesting. Langkawi Scuba offers a friendly, no-fuss way to dive in and make the most of the island.
Langkawi isn’t just about cheap beer and beach time. There’s plenty more to explore if you fancy getting out and about. One of the must-do experiences is a trip up to the Langkawi Sky Bridge. You take a cable car up to the top of Mount Mat Cincang, and if you’ve got a thing about heights, brace yourself. The views are incredible, and the ride itself might make your legs a little wobbly, but in the best way. On a clear day, you can see right across the island and out to sea. Once you’re at the top, the curved suspension bridge gives you the surreal feeling of walking in the sky. It’s definitely worth doing.
The wildlife in Langkawi is something special too. We spotted hornbills feeding their young on our morning walk to breakfast, which isn’t something you see every day. Keep an eye out for Brahminy Kites soaring overhead, and if you’re lucky, you might catch sight of dusky leaf monkeys with their bright orange babies clinging on as they leap through the trees. If you enjoy nature or photography, you’ll love it here.
Booking a few local tours is well worth it. The mangrove tour in particular was a highlight for us. As a keen photographer, I found it brilliant, with calm waters, dramatic limestone formations, and plenty of wildlife to capture. We arranged ours through langkawitrip.com, which made the whole process simple. You can book online, prices are fair, and their communication was spot on from start to finish.
