Langkawi
Diving Langkawi
Diving sites can be reached in just 45 minutes from Kuah town in Langkawi. Reef sharks can be spotted from the beach or the floating platform. If you’re wanting to venture into deeper water, explore a coral-encrusted wreck or try your hand at drift diving, scuba dives can be arranged around the island.
There are no diving spots on Langkawi Island itself. You have to go to Pulau Payar Marine Park Group of islands. They are between Langkawi Island and the North of Penang.
Most Dive centers will organize day-trips to these reefs. Although diving isn't nesecarilly spectacular, there is still much to see and experience. Wreck diving, and shallow diving, with many different species of fish and corals. Visibility can be a thing, let's be honest. But on good days you can easily get 25 meters! Visit Kaca Sunken wreck or Grouper farm to have some great experiences!
However, it is the best scuba diving along the Malaysian west coast. It is a good destination for inexperienced divers with no current and shallow reefs to learn this amazing hobby.
Kuah / Lubok Buaya
Kuay has around 13000 inhabitants. It has a very "small" feel to it. Although it sees a lot of tourists, it remains to have this village feel. After 1987, when it was still the only place on the island with accommodation it grew, and now still tax-free, it sees more and more visitors.
To the south, you will find Lubok Buaya, much smaller and with much fewer choices for accommodation and shopping. If you're looking for a more remote experience, this might be a better place for you to go.
Resorts and homestays can be found all around the island nowadays, so don't limit yourself to the main towns!
Langkawi Islands
Langkawi is part of an Archipelago in the adamantium ocean. 99 islands make up this Archipelago.
Langkawi is roughly 30 kilometers away from mainland Malaysia and part of the state of Kedah. The largest island is by far Pulau Langkawi, with 45000 inhabitants. The only other inhabited island is Pulau Tuba.
Langkawi is a popular destination for Malaysian people, so most tourists you will see are natives. Langkawi is a tax-free island, so you're not paying taxes for alcohol, etc. Pantai Chenang will make this abundantly clear.
To discover the rest of the island, I highly recommend renting a scooter. It only takes 30 minutes to get to the other side of this island and explore waterfalls and sky bridges.
How to get there?
From Kuala Lumpur:
From Kuala Lumpur, by far the easiest way is flying. You can fly directly to Langkawi airport and arrange a transfer to your hotel.
Alternatively, you could take a bus or train to Kedah or Penang and stop there for a few days, before continuing your travels.
From Penang:
From Thailand:
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Langkawi Island
Most of Langkawi Island's diving is situated around Kuah and Lubok Buaya. For non-diving activities, such as waterfalls, hikes, and the sky bridge, you can rent a scooter for a day or 2 to explore this beautiful island.
My Favourite Dive Sites in Langkawi!
"Grouper Farm"
Grouper Farm dive site is a nice hard coral reef It goes down to 15 m deep to a maximum depth of 15 meters. This spot is situated on the South end of Pulau Payar. There are many groupers to be found here as well as many small fishes schooling to protect themselves from them! You can also spot barracudas swimming around. low current makes this dive site a perfect spot for all divers. A a very easy and relaxing drift dive on Langkawi Island. The visibility is often not so good, around 10 meters.
Depth: 8 - 20 meters
Current: low
"Kaca Sunken"
On the Kaca Sunken Wrecks dive site you can find the wrecks of dozens of fishing boats which were confiscated, thus creating a beautiful artificial reef with hard coral. The spot is located on the east side of Pulau Payar not far from Langkawi Island.It is a very easy wreck dive suitable for all divers.
Depth: 8 - 20 meters
Current: low