travel to langkawi island

5 Good Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Travel To Langkawi Island

I promised to tell you the best islands to visit with my website, but I also want to make sure you know which islands to avoid. You don’t want to travel to Langkawi Island. I had heard that the beaches in Malaysia are stunning, but Langkawi wasn’t an island I enjoyed. I did enjoy Penang, especially Georgetown, but that island wasn’t about the beaches. So, make the best use of your time in Malaysia, and avoid Langkawi Island.

5 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Travel To Langkawi Island

1. The Beaches Are Disappointing

5 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Travel To Langkawi Island

I visited most of the beaches on Langkawi, and I was really disappointed. The main beach, which I had read was the prettiest, was the most disappointing of all. It was completely overrun by jet skies, parasailing operations, boats, and gyrocopters buzzing through the sky. Some people might enjoy this type of beach, but I am more the type who prefers to get away from it all.

2. Taxis Are Very Expensive To Reach The Remote Beaches

5 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Travel To Langkawi Island

The best beach that I visited was Pasir Tengkorak. It was quiet with beautiful green water and white sand. However, it still wasn’t worth flying all the way to Langkawi for. And to get there and to some of the other remote beaches (only about 20 km, or 12 miles, away from Kuah Town) I had to spend $40 USD to hire a taxi for 4 hours. I wasn’t planning on spending $40 per day just to visit the beach, and it really stretched my vacation budget. All of the prices on Langkawi seemed to be more expensive than the rest of Malaysia, but especially the taxis.

3. Touristy, Overcrowded Excursions

travel to Langkawi Island

I have gone on incredible snorkeling excursions that didn’t feel touristy at all. But, the one on Langkawi Island was the worst one I’ve ever been on. I didn’t realize when I booked that the Pulau Payar snorkeling tour was the only one available on the island. When I arrived there were over 100 people all trying to snorkel in the same small area of water. Sadly, the coral reef is mostly dead from the number of people they have allowed into the area. The beach was polluted, and the water isn’t that clear. And, once you arrive, you are stuck there all day. Not my idea of a good time.

4. Sea Lice And Jellyfish Everywhere

travel to Langkawi Island

 Photo Credit: Joelk75 via Compfight cc

I like to visit the beach because I like to swim in the ocean, but on Langkawi Island it was almost impossible. There were a lot of jellyfish and sea lice in the water. The sea lice were the worst because you can’t see them. After swimming for a bit in the water, my body would start stinging all over. I learned that these stings were from sea lice, and they made swimming in the ocean impossible and frustrating.

5. There’s Just Not Much To See Or Do

Langkawi Island

Ok, besides the underwhelming beaches, there was the Langkawi cable car. It did offer some stunning views, but it took only about an hour to visit. There was also the Seven Wells Pools and natural slide which I visited. But, most of the island seemed to be made up of  soulless shopping malls and tourist shops, and I didn’t care for it. I am definitely the kind of girl who can spend all day on the beach, but with the cost being so high for just four hours of a taxi driver’s time, I was left with a lot of time with nothing to do.

My suggestion? Skip visiting Langkawi and go to Koh Lipe instead!

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