Langkawi has a beach for every mood: lively Pantai Cenang, quiet Tanjung Rhu, rainforest bays in the northwest and island beaches you can only reach by boat. Here are the best of them, what each is good for and how to get there.
1. Pantai Cenang
Water sports, restaurants, sunset · West coast ↗
Langkawi’s liveliest beach: about 2 km of golden sand lined with restaurants, bars and shops. The water is shallow and calm, which makes it the centre for jet skiing, parasailing and banana boats, and the promenade stays busy from morning to night. Come early for a quiet swim, or late afternoon for the sunset and the evening crowd.
Good to know
Underwater World Langkawi and Cenang Mall are on the same strip.
2. Pantai Tengah
A calmer swim, families, sunset · West coast ↗
Next door to Cenang, but calmer. Casuarina trees give shade, the water is gentle and shallow, which suits families with young children, and the sunset is just as good with fewer people around.
Good to know
Fewer restaurants sit right on the sand, so bring drinks or walk back to Cenang. Easy to reach by taxi or Grab.
3. Tanjung Rhu
White sand, clear shallow water · North coast ↗
On the north coast, Tanjung Rhu is the beach for soft white sand, clear shallow water and limestone islands on the horizon, with mangroves close by. It is quieter than the west coast and at its most beautiful in the late afternoon. To see the mangroves and cliffs from the water, add a private mangrove tour.
Good to know
Resorts occupy part of the beachfront, so access is limited in places, and facilities are few: bring food and drinks.
4. Datai Bay
Rainforest resorts, golf · Northwest ↗
In the northwest, the rainforest runs down to a calm bay shared by a few of Langkawi’s most exclusive resorts. Beyond the beach: spa treatments, golf at The Els Club Teluk Datai, and birds and monkeys in the forest. See our note on luxury experiences in Langkawi.
Good to know
The beach and most facilities are for resort guests, so Datai suits a stay more than a day trip.
5. Burau Bay
Calm resort beach, cable car nearby · West coast ↗
A calm, sandy bay on the west coast, bordered by resorts such as Berjaya Langkawi Resort and the Hilton Burau Bay Langkawi Resort, with forest trails nearby. The cable car to the Sky Bridge starts next door at Oriental Village: on a clear day, the view from the top takes in much of the west coast.
Good to know
A rental car or Grab is the easiest way in and out; staying at one of the resorts gives you the best of the beach.
6. Black Sand Beach (Pantai Pasir Hitam)
Unusual dark sand, photos · North coast ↗
On the north coast, the sand here is streaked black by minerals such as tourmaline and ilmenite washed down from Gunung Raya. It is quiet and unusual, good for photos and a walk, and easy to combine with Tanjung Rhu on a drive along the north coast.
Good to know
Few facilities: bring water and snacks.
7. Kok Beach
Quiet, green, easy swim · West coast ↗
Pantai Kok sits on the west coast below the green hills of Gunung Mat Cincang. It is calm and quiet, with soft sand and shallow water for an easy swim, and a good alternative when Cenang is busy.
Good to know
Facilities are limited; reach it by car, taxi or Grab.
8. Teluk Yu
Small quiet bay, snorkeling · North coast ↗
A small crescent-shaped bay on the north coast, also called Shark Bay. The water is calm and clear, good for a swim and for looking at the marine life with a mask and snorkel.
Good to know
Minimal facilities: bring food and drinks, and come by rental car or Grab.
9. Beras Basah Island
Island beach, powdery white sand · By boat only ↗
A small island off the southwest coast with powdery white sand and clear water, and one of the stops on an island hopping tour. You can only get there by boat, which keeps it quieter than the main beaches.
Good to know
Bring sun protection and water: facilities are limited. Go on our island hopping tour, or stop there on a private day cruise.
Plan your beach days
For a lively day, stay on the west coast around Cenang and Tengah. For quiet sand, drive north to Tanjung Rhu and Black Sand Beach. For the island beaches, go by sea: a private day cruise or an island hopping tour reaches several in one day. For a full plan, see our 4 days, 3 nights in Langkawi itinerary.
