What is there to do in Langkawi? So much. I was genuinely surprised by how many attractions there are for such a relaxed island destination. The hardest part is deciding what to prioritise, especially if you’re only here for a few days.

Here’s our list of the best things to do in Langkawi, including our personal favourites and the activities our kids loved most.

Sunset Cruise with Naam

This has to be first, because it was my favourite experience in Langkawi.

We took a three-hour sunset cruise with Naam, which included dinner and drinks (including alcohol). The cruise departed from the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club, and from the moment we stepped onboard—cold towel, cold juice, and warm welcomes—we instantly felt relaxed.

The scenery was stunning. I wasn’t expecting it, but the landscape reminded me a lot of Krabi: limestone cliffs, scattered islands, calm waters, and that peaceful “tropical postcard” feel. It felt more like Thailand than the coastline around Penang.

Dinner was fresh and delicious, with dishes like fish, satay, salad, rice, and more. I had no issues eating vegetarian. The boat itself was the perfect size—roomy, comfortable, and great for families. We shared the cruise with only about ten other people, which made it feel even more special. There were plenty of staff onboard serving drinks and helping guests.

What surprised me most was how much the kids enjoyed it. We usually avoid evening activities because we expect tired meltdowns, but there were none. The staff were excellent with the children, helping them on stairs and keeping a close eye so they were always safe. I never felt worried for a second.

You can find more information about this cruise and other Naam experiences online.

Langkawi Bird Paradise Wildlife Park

If you’re looking for one of the best kid-friendly activities in Langkawi, this is it.

The park is hands-on and designed for animal interaction, which our kids loved. They fed and patted a wide range of animals—from rabbits and guinea pigs to deer and hornbills. One of my kids even fed a crocodile. There are also many types of birds, as well as fish, turtles, monkeys, and raccoons.

At first, I was a little unsure about how interactive it would be, but it felt well-managed and responsible. The kids were completely engaged and surprisingly fearless. One of the highlights was having budgies land all over them—an experience they will definitely never forget.

There’s also a café onsite, and we had a great lunch there.

MARDI Agro Technology Park (Fruit Farm)

This fruit farm is a relaxed and fun family outing.

You take a guided tour by truck, stopping at different fruit trees while learning how they’re grown. The tour ends with the chance to feed deer, which is always a hit with kids. It’s informative without being boring, and our children were genuinely curious—especially seeing fruit growing in real life rather than just on supermarket shelves.

There’s also a fruit buffet where you can taste a variety of local fruit. We found it especially useful because we live in Malaysia—it genuinely expanded what we buy and eat now.

Langkawi SkyCab and SkyBridge

Another must-do attraction is the Langkawi SkyCab, often described as the world’s steepest cable car. The top station sits around 700 metres above sea level, and the ride up is an experience on its own. There’s also a stop part-way where you can get out and enjoy the views.

At the top, you’ll get sweeping views across the island and the sea beyond. Nearby, the SkyBridge is a 100-metre pedestrian bridge suspended high above the rainforest. It’s a highlight for many visitors, but it’s not suitable for children under six.

While you wait for the SkyCab, there are extra attractions onsite. We tried the Skydome, a 360-degree experience using 12 projectors. It felt like being inside a roller coaster ride through space—without any physical movement. The kids loved it.

At the base, there are shops and additional attractions, including a 3D art museum and other cinemas.

Visit Unspoiled Islands (Northeast of Langkawi)

The island chains northeast of Langkawi are beautiful and far less visited by tourists.

Langun Island is a great option if you want something quieter, with a freshwater lake and a stunning sand spit beach. Nearby, Dendang Island (also called Tanjung Dendang Island) is popular with sailing operators and has dramatic scenery, limestone cliffs, and Langkawi’s largest cave.

You can visit these islands with sailing tour operators such as Langkawi Stardust Sailing.

Underwater World Langkawi

One of the best indoor activities in Langkawi—especially with kids—is Underwater World.

The aquarium is divided into multiple zones featuring different marine life. The highlight for us was the Sub-Antarctic section with penguins in chilled tanks. The tropical fish section was also memorable, with bright and colourful species.

There’s a cafeteria and toilets about halfway through, and the exit leads into a duty-free shop.

Other Things to Do in Langkawi

We didn’t manage to do everything, but these are popular options that might fit your schedule:

• Beaches (Pantai Cenang, Pantai Tengah, Tanjung Rhu and more)

• Rice paddies and the rice museum

• Parasailing

• River tours

• Horse riding

• Kilim Karst Geoforest Park

• Skytrek Adventure

• Langkawi Buffalo Park

• Jungle trekking

• Kayak tours

• Snorkelling and diving

• Island hopping tours

• Eagle Square and Legend Park

• Eagle watching

• Crocodile farm

Finding the Best Hotels in Langkawi

There’s a wide range of accommodation in Langkawi and many possible areas to stay. The island is easy to drive around, but attractions are spread out, so it helps to choose a location based on what you want to do most.

We stayed in two hotels, and if I were planning again, I would do the same: start with a good-value hotel for exploring, then finish in a resort for pure relaxation.

Adya Hotel (Kuah)

We loved staying at this newer hotel in Kuah, the island’s main town. The location was convenient: restaurants nearby and a shopping centre next door.

Our room was a standard international-style hotel room, clean and comfortable, with the option of an extra bed for the kids. We also had a balcony with great views over Kuah.

The hotel has two infinity pools (including a women’s-only pool), a kids’ pool, gym, and restaurant. The breakfast buffet was excellent—one of the best we’ve had, with great variety including roti and freshly baked pastries.

The standout for us was the service. It’s rated as a four-star hotel, but the service felt five-star. Staff were welcoming, friendly, and constantly around to help.

We also had the best hotel welcome we’ve ever experienced. It was our child’s third birthday, and when we arrived, there were balloons, a birthday sign, and a cake. Staff even came in and sang happy birthday. He was thrilled—and our other child has been asking to go back for their birthday ever since.

It’s also very good value. We found prices online from around RM200 per night.

The Andaman Langkawi

If I had to describe the perfect resort, it would be something like The Andaman.

We stayed in a stunning two-room suite with a private terrace. The resort has a huge lagoon-style pool, multiple restaurants, bars, a kids’ club, and even a coral nursery where you can snorkel.

The best part is the location. It feels like you’re in the rainforest, but you’re also right on the beach. It’s secluded, peaceful, and ideal for relaxing.