Last Updated: June 29, 2021
Best Time To Visit Langkawi
Planning to visit Langkawi? The beautiful archipelago in Malaysia is like something out of a fairytale, but only if you visit it at the perfect time! Yes, there is a best time to visit Langkawi, and I’ll tell you when that is in the rest of this detailed guide!
I’ll also cover what to expect from the different seasons on the island – although there is the best time to visit Langkawi, nothing is stopping you from traveling there whenever you want. Read on to see when you should travel to Langkawi, and to learn more about the archipelago’s top sights and tourist attractions!
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Climate In Langkawi
Langkawi is an archipelago on the border between Malaysia and Thailand, and it often refers to the main island in the archipelago – Pulau Langkawi. The climate on the island is tropical, meaning hot weather year-round. It’s also heavily influenced by the monsoon winds, which bring rain and thunderstorms to the island.
The average highs are in the 80s throughout the year, while the average lows are in the mid-70s. It will be hot no matter when you visit, so it’s a good idea to adjust the timing of your trip according to what you want to do on the island. Heavy rain makes certain places inaccessible, especially hiking trails and outdoor attractions.
The water temperature ranges from high-70s to mid-80s throughout the year, meaning you can go swimming whenever.
Answer: The Dry Season (November – March)
November through March is the dry season on the island and it sees the highest number of tourists. January through March is the most popular period to visit the island and that’s when Langkawi gets most crowded. Also, there are many international holidays during this period, and they’re a perfect opportunity to visit this little slice of heaven.
The dry season between November and March features mostly the same temperatures. The average daily highs are in the 90s, while the nightly lows are in the 70s. However, it’s worth noting that November and December have the shortest days with only 7 hours of sunshine on average. January, February, and March usually have between 8 and 9 hours of sunshine every day.
It might be best to skip the proper high season though, mostly because everything is much more expensive than usual. Accommodation rates, car rentals, and even simple tourist packages are much pricier in February than in December, so keep that in mind.
Plus, there’s the issue of other people – the beaches tend to be very crowded, there are often queues for restaurants and tourist attractions, and it’s hard to find available accommodation unless you booked it months in advance.
The rest of the dry season is generally the best time to visit Langkawi. You get the best of both worlds during this period – the perfect weather with minimal rain and the small crowds that are characteristic of the other seasons. You can swim, ride jet skis, explore the rainforest, visit the museums, and do pretty much whatever you want to do.
However, don’t expect that many discounts in the rest of the dry season. This is still the most expensive period on the island, with the highest prices of accommodation, car rentals, and tourist packages. It’s only when we get to the shoulder seasons that the prices become more budget-friendly.
Shoulder Season (April – August)
The shoulder season or the mid-season is the period between April and August. It’s still very warm on the island, but there’s an occasional cloudy sky with some rain and rare thunderstorms. These are short-lived and certainly not reason enough to entirely avoid a shoulder season visit.
The temperatures are the highest in April with daily highs in the high-90s and lows in the 70s. The temperatures drop slightly as the months go by, so August actually has the lowest temperatures. But the average highs are still in the high-80s in August, so don’t think you’ll be able to avoid the heat somehow.
The shoulder seasons see between 14 and 18 rainy days a month, which is not too bad. Especially since those aren’t constant rainfall, but rather light summer showers. There’s also between 8 and 9 hours of sunshine, so the days are long and lovely.
Perhaps the best thing about a visit to Langkawi during this period is that the crowds are minimal. Beaches are pretty much empty, so you can take up as much space as you want and swim as long as you can. The lack of crowds also means no queues at restaurants, museums, and shops!
Water-based tours and activities are still available for tourists during this period, so you’re really not giving up much by visiting in the shoulder season. You can still enjoy Langkawi in the same way you’d enjoy it in February, but there’s a slightly higher chance of rain and fewer people around.
In addition to that, the prices start to go down in April. Some hotels often offer discounts up to 50%, which is perfect for travelers on a budget. The prices of car rental and other tourist packages are also lower during this period.
Off-Season (September – October)
September and October are the main monsoon season in Langkawi. Most tourists avoid visiting during this period, so it’s actually perfect if you want to skip major crowds. You can still have a lot of fun in Langkawi during this period – visit the museums, galleries, pamper yourself at spa centers, and go crazy shopping duty-free goods.
Also, even though this is the rainiest season in the area, it only rains for 2 hours a day on average. That’s not so bad, and it’s definitely not bad enough to just dismiss the possibility of visiting Langkawi in the off-season.
It’s worth noting that the frequent rain really lets the lush landscape shine. Everything is so much greener than during the dry season and the flowers are in full bloom. If you’re not afraid of a little rain here and there and you enjoy lush landscapes, perhaps a visit during the monsoon season would be the best time to visit Langkawi for you.
This is the coldest season on the island, but it’s still really hot. The average highs are in the 80s and 90s, while the lows remain in the high 70s for the better part of the year. There’s a lot of precipitation and it continues to rain well into November. But there’s still around 8 hours of sunshine on average, the sea is warm, and the tourist crowds are minimal!
On top of all that, everything is cheaper in the off-season. Car rental and accommodation prices and lower than even in the shoulder season, and so are most tourist packages. Travelers who are looking to explore Langkawi on a tighter budget should seriously consider traveling there in the off-season.
Another great thing about the monsoon season in Langkawi is that it usually features some nice waves. This period is great for surfers since the strong monsoon winds can sometimes create waves that are up to 1.5 meters high! You can get surfing lessons on the island if you’re intrigued but don’t have any experience yet.
How To Reach Langkawi
Unlike the other islands in the area, Langkawi is fairly easy to reach. The main island has its own international airport that gets flights from the capital of Malaysia every day, plus there are bus and ferry connections from most places nearby.
Tourist arrangements often include private transfer from the airport to the hotel of your choice – if you’re on your own, you’ll need to either get a ride (bus, taxi) or hop on a ferry to reach your ultimate destination.
Top Things To Do In Langkawi
Langkawi has quite a few sights that you shouldn’t miss. To make the most of your time on the island, be sure to visit as many of the following attractions as you can!
Langkawi Sky Bridge
Langkawi Sky Bridge is a pedestrian bridge that offers spectacular – and terrifying – views of Langkawi and the islets that surround it. It’s set some 700 meters above sea level and it’s only accessible via the Langkawi cable car.
If you’re afraid of heights, this is one attraction you should definitely skip. But if you want to enjoy a majestic panoramic vista followed by an adrenaline rush as soon as you look down, the Sky Bridge is definitely one of the first places you should visit in Langkawi.
Langkawi Cable Car
Langkawi cable car starting station is located in the Oriental Village. Be sure to walk around the place before you get inside the cable car – with beautiful gardens and fully stocked souvenir shops, there’s a lot to admire even in the village.
The cable car ride takes you to the top of Mount Mat Cincang, but it makes a quick stop at an observation deck after the first 600 meters. Continue to the top of the mountain to enjoy scenic views of Langkawi, and to visit that insane steel bridge!
Gunung Raya
The tallest mountain in Langkawi is Gunung Raya, with an altitude of 881 meters. Local legends say that the mountain is in fact a cursed form of Mat Raya, a giant who lived on the islands once.
You won’t encounter any giants on the mountain, but you will get to see all sorts of wildlife and flora. There are countless hiking trails in the area that you can explore, but it’s recommended to go with an experienced guide. The trails are challenging even for experienced hikers, and they can even be dangerous if you are not familiar with the area.
Island Hopping
Langkawi is an archipelago with some 99 islands, and it only makes sense that island hopping is one of the best things to do, if you want to explore the area. Island hopping tours are available year-round, except when the weather doesn’t allow it.
Most island-hopping tours first stop at Pulau Dayang Bunting, the second-largest uninhabited island in the archipelago. It has a weird shape that resembles the form of a reclining pregnant lady, and it’s thought that visiting the island helps women with fertility issues.
Other popular stops on island-hopping tours of Langkawi include Pulau Beras Basah (beach), Pregnant Maiden Lake, Pulau Singa Besar (wildlife sanctuary), and others.
Temurun Waterfall
Temurun Waterfall is a magnificent, three-tier cascading waterfall in a nature preserve. There are upper and lower pools at the waterfall and it’s possible to swim in all of them. Just keep an eye out for monkeys, since there’s a lot of them in the area.
Most tourists should stick with the lower pools since the path to the upper pools is quite dangerous. You can’t hike it without some sturdy shoes, and it’s certainly not for the faint-hearted. The steps to the top are not in great condition and that’s the main problem, but it’s possible to climb them if you’re careful enough.
Kilim Karst Geoforest Park
A very fun afternoon in Langkawi includes a boat tour of the Kilim Karst Geoforest Park. Go on a 2-hour cruise along the Kilim River to see beautiful wildlife, fossil-filled caves, and mesmerizing limestone formations that are millions of years old. Some of the limestone formations are more than 500 million years old, which is absolutely astonishing!
A paid tour of the geopark includes a visit to a fishing farm, where you can feed archerfish and stingrays. It’s also possible to get a private tour of the area – most tour operators rent out kayaks and jet-skis for visitors who want to explore Kilim Karst Park at their own pace. Just don’t forget the sunscreen and it will be a great afternoon.
Shopping
Shopping is extremely popular in Langkawi. It’s a duty-free island so you can get amazing deals on pretty much everything, from liquor to luggage! There are countless malls across the main island that feature dozens of different outlet stores, and they often have additional discounts, on top of the already low prices.
The deals are so attractive that they’re irresistible even for people who aren’t that into shopping – there’s always something you need, and why should you pass up the opportunity to get it for half the price in Langkawi? Take out that plastic and shop ‘til you drop!
About the Author Anna Timbrook
Anna is the co-owner of expert world travel and can't wait to share her travel experience with the world. With over 54 countries under her belt she has a lot to write about! Including those insane encounters with black bears in Canada.
