For a group of 99 islands (some references suggest 104, but this may have a lot to do with tide levels), defining Langkawi’s best beaches is not an easy task. Confusingly, the main island of the archipelago is also called Langkawi and this is the one most will visit. However, there are some very good beaches on the more remote islands, with Rebak not only having a few good beaches, but also the only other island with a resort.

See Also: 3 Great Places to Stay in Langkawi

1. Burau Bay

Photo credit: dmytrok / Foter / Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-ND 2.0)

This horseshoe-shaped bay is arguably Langkawi’s finest with Mount Machinchang towering 713m above a landscape blanketed in rainforest and the white sands of the bay. Things get a little rocky on the far western and eastern sides of the bay but in between, it’s just sand and the waters of the Andaman Sea. The water chalets of the Berjaya Langkawi Resort perch over the sea on the western extremity and in the main part of the beach; it is what used to be Burau Bay Resort. This was one of Langkawi’s first resorts but being only a three-star property, its owners recently demolished it and are now in the process of building a new luxurious resort as part of the expansive Perdana Quay Development. Hopefully, the habitat for the rare Rainbow Lizard which lives on the grassy area behind the beach will not be lost.

2. Datai Bay

Photo credit: outofsocks / Foter / Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-ND 2.0)

While no beaches in Malaysia are private ones (despite what resort guards may tell you), many – like Datai Bay – are difficult to access without passing through private property. In the case of Datai Bay, non-hotel guests have to negotiate The Datai and The Andaman Resorts to reach the shaded sands of Datai Bay (unless of course you arrive in your luxury yacht, and then the guards cannot challenge you). This west-facing beach is one of several on Langkawi where it’s possible to admire the sunset. Pull up a deck chair, order your beverage of choice from the unimaginatively named Beach Bar in the Andaman Resort, and enjoy nature’s evening light display from beneath one of the overhanging trees lining Datai Bay. Just around from Datai Bay is the Troon-managed Els Club Teluk Datai where golfers can enjoy a swim should they wish to retrieve balls that don’t quite make the green on the over-the-water, 160-yard 16th hole.

3. Pantai Tengah

Photo Credit: Frangipani Langkawi Resort and Spa, Facebook

Langkawi’s main stretch of beach extends from Meritus Pelangi Resort southwards along Pantai Cenang. A headland behind Underwater World and the delightful The Cliff Restaurant is all that interrupts the beach as it becomes Pantai Tengah. Pantai Tengah is the quieter of the two main beaches with just a couple of resorts including the eco-friendly Frangipani Langkawi Resort and Spa. There are quite a few public access points and the beachside bar at the Frangipani Resort is great venue to enjoy duty-free priced cleansing ales over sunset after a hard day’s lazing in the sun. Like most of the island’s beaches, Pantai Tengah is shallow and safe for kiddies to frolic in at the water’s edge. Parasailing is popular here, especially in the late afternoon.

4. Pasir Tengkorak

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At 300 sq km, Langkawi is sufficiently large enough to hire a vehicle for those who want to explore it. Pack your swimmers and towel to enjoy remote beaches such as Pasir Tengkorak on the far north of Langkawi. It is a public beach and accessible from the road leading to Datai Bay. Apart from Fridays and Saturdays (Langkawi’s weekend), visitors are almost be guaranteed to have the beach to themselves. Play Robinson Crusoe for the day underneath the shaded trees and in the shallow waters. The islands directly in front are those of Tarutao National Park in southern Thailand, so don’t be surprised if your mobile phone reverts to a Thai mobile provider. Be careful of your belongings here as the pesky monkeys can be more than a nuisance.

5. Tanjung Rhu

Photo Credit: Dean Bromley, Flickr

The glistening, groomed sands of Tanjung Rhu are the domain of guests staying at the Tanjung Rhu Resort but public access via the southern end of the beach is possible. Guests at the resort get to enjoy a plethora of watersports and the opportunity to sip cool cocktails beneath expansive white umbrellas. There are two resort pools located within landscaped tropical gardens and beneath towering casaurina trees. The expanse of white sand here can be blistering hot and blinding at times, so come prepared with sunscreen potions and a sun hat.

Homepage highlight photo credit: Jakub Michankow, Flickr

Source: Senses of Malaysia May/June 2014

Read More Articles on Langkawi:

• Renting a Car in Langkawi
• The Stories of Legendary Langkawi
• Langkawi As A Geopark: What Does This Mean?

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