Unique things to do in Langkawi
Langkawi may be known for its beachfront resorts, but there’s a quirkier, wilder, and far more unexpected side to this Malaysian island. If you’re looking to see the island through a different lens, here are 10 unique things to do there that will have you falling in love with the island all over again.
1. Langkawi Sushi
A halal at-home eatery selling RM1 sushi
Forget posh sushi bars. Langkawi Sushi, a humble halal shack run by a Japanese aunty, serves fresh sushi for just RM1 a piece. It sounds too good to be true, but it’s real, and it’s fantastic.
Locals and tourists alike line up to stack plates high and snap a pic for the ‘gram because let’s be honest – there’s no other place where you can eat ten plates of sushi and pay less than a tenner.
This eatery may be small, but it delivers big on flavour and charm. It’s a low-key, high-reward dining experience where you pick what you like, stack it up, and eat till you’re grinning. Get there early – the best picks go fast.
Address: No.127, Kampung Pasir Hitam, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah
Opening hours: Wed-Sun 12.30pm-7pm (Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)
Contact: 011-3729 2025 | Langkawi Sushi Facebook
2. Langkawi Artistic Hub Bon Ton Locale
A creative space for artists and art lovers
Image credit: @bontonlocale via Instagram
Hidden behind lush gardens near Pantai Cenang is Bon Ton Locale, a creative space that feels more like an artist’s dream than a public gallery. This is not your typical tourist attraction – it’s a working artist residency where creators live, exhibit, and breathe Langkawi’s quiet magic.
Image credit: @bontonlocale via Instagram
Stroll through open studios, uncover eclectic art pieces tucked away in corners, and strike up a conversation with the artists themselves. Visits are by appointment only, making the whole thing feel a bit like discovering a well-kept secret.
Address: Jalan Pantai Cenang Lot 1047 Langkawi, 07000 Pantai Cenang, Kedah
Opening hours: By appointment only
Contact: 04-955 3643 | Bon Ton Locale Instagram
3. Selva’s Untold Stories
Go deeper into the forest and have a mud bath
Image credit: @selvasuntoldstories via Instagram
If you’re tired of beach lounging, then go off the grid with Selva’s Untold Stories, a nature tour that takes you deep into Langkawi’s Kilim Geoforest Park. This immersive experience ends with an unexpected treat: a gloriously messy, skin-loving mud bath.
Image credit: @selvasuntoldstories via Instagram
You’ll trek through the forest, learn about the land’s rich flora and fauna, and then plunge into natural mud pools that leave you glowing. Run by locals passionate about eco-tourism and storytelling, Selva’s experiences feel authentic, energising, and just the right amount of wild.
Address: Kilim Geoforest Park, Kampung Kilim, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah
Opening hours: By appointment only
Contact: 018-980 4405 | Selva’s Untold Stories website
4. Visit untouched islands like Sandy Skull Island & Tanjung Rhu
Take a dip at quiet places you never knew existed
Image credit: Langkawi.com via Website
Not all beaches in Langkawi are on the map. One of the best ways to explore the lesser-known is by heading to hidden gems like Sandy Skull Island and Tanjung Rhu. With zero crowds and only the sound of waves, you’ll feel like you’ve discovered a secret.
Image credit: Naturally Langkawi via Website
Swim, sunbathe, and soak up the solitude. It’s the perfect spot to channel your inner Robinson Crusoe – just with a better tan and no need to build a shelter. Bring snacks, bring friends, and leave only footprints.
5. Dream Forest Langkawi
A new permanent light art exhibition
Image credit: Dream Forest Langkawi.com via Facebook
Step into a glowing rainforest that tells stories as old as time. Dream Forest Langkawi is a new immersive art trail that brings local folklore to life using dazzling lights, soundscapes, and theatrical storytelling.
Image credit: Dream Forest Langkawi.com via Facebook
As you wander through the 1.2km trail, you’ll encounter tales of giants, mystical lakes, and ancient kings. The installation is woven seamlessly into the existing forest, preserving nature while sparking imagination.
Address: Lubuk Semilang, Off Jalan Padang Gaong, Mukim, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah
Opening hours: Thu-Tue 7pm-12am (Closed on Wednesdays)
Contact: 013-487 3277 | Dream Forest Langkawi website
6. Alami Cafe
Sip coffee with a local surfer
Image credit: @alamilangkawi via Instagram
Tucked away in a chilled corner of Langkawi, Alami Cafe is the kind of hidden gem you stumble upon and never want to leave. With his laid-back surfer vibes, Han brews up some seriously good coffee while surrounded by a quirky jungle of potted plants and good energy.
Image credit: @alamilangkawi via Instagram
Whether you’re sipping a flat white under the trees or swapping travel stories with fellow wanderers, this place feels like you’ve been let in on a local secret. No fuss, no pretence – just good coffee and good people.
Address: Jalan Pantai Chenang, Pantai Cenang, 07000, Langkawi, Kedah
Opening hours: 11am-5pm, Daily
7. Blue Lagoon
Part of Langkawi’s Telaga Tujuh waterfalls
Image credit: Langkawi Weddings
Hidden just past the better-known Tanjung Rhu, the Blue Lagoon is one of Langkawi’s best-kept secrets – a serene little cove where the sea glows in shades of turquoise and the jungle whispers just behind you.
Image credit: Langkawi Weddings
It’s the kind of place that feels untouched, almost like you’ve wandered into a postcard. With soft sands underfoot, calm waters perfect for a dip, and hardly another soul in sight, it’s the ultimate spot for a peaceful escape or a dreamy picnic.
Address: Jalan Telaga Tujuh, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah
8. Take a relaxing dip at Durian Perangin Waterfall
A multi-tiered waterfall cascading down the slopes of Gunung Raya
Image credit: Langkawi.com.
If you’re not a fan of saltwater, then head inland to Durian Perangin Waterfall, a multi-tiered cascade tucked into the forested slopes of Gunung Raya. It’s a great escape from the beach scene, especially on a humid day.
Image credit: Flickr
The pools here are cool and refreshing, and you’ll often find locals picnicking or just taking in the peaceful vibe. There are also hiking trails with scenic viewpoints if you’re feeling energetic.
Address: 07000 Langkawi, Kedah
9. Go for a paddleboard session with Stand Up Paddle Langkawi
A women-led organisation with a paddleboarding community
Image credit: @h2ocean_langkawi via Instagram
This isn’t just paddleboarding – it’s a confidence boost on water. Led by a women-run team, Stand Up Paddle Langkawi offers lessons, group paddles, and solo sessions along the calm waters of Tanjung Rhu.
Image credit: @h2ocean_langkawi via Instagram
Wobble, laugh, maybe fall in – it’s all part of the fun. Plus, it’s a great way to connect with the ocean and yourself. You might even catch a stunning sunset mid-paddle.
Address: Jalan Tanjung Rhu, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah
Contact: 017-403 7193 | Stand Up Paddle Langkawi Instagram
10. Walk the Eagle’s Nest SkyWalk
A 38m-long free-standing glass platform
Image credit: Eagle’s Nest Skywalk
The Eagle’s Nest SkyWalk is a glass platform that juts out 38 metres from a mountaintop, with nothing but air below and views that go on forever.
Image credit: Eagle’s Nest Skywalk
With its bold eagle-head design and vertigo-inducing glass floor, it’s one of Langkawi’s most dramatic viewpoints. Not for the faint-hearted, but definitely for the memory books.
Address: Middle Station, Langkawi Skycab, 07000, Langkawi, Kedah
Opening hours: 9.30am-6pm, Daily
Contact: 011-2621 3688 | Ealge Nest Skywalk website
Lesser-known things to do in Langkawi
Langkawi may be a small island, but it packs a surprising punch when it comes to offbeat experiences.
Whether you’re floating on a paddleboard, dipping into a mud bath, or snacking on RM1 sushi, this is an island that encourages curiosity, play and a whole lot of joy. So the next time you visit, skip the usual checklist – and go find the magic hiding just off the beaten path.
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Cover image adapted from: Langkawi.com via Website, Eagle’s Nest Skywalk via Website, Dream Forest Langkawi.com via Facebook & @h2ocean_langkawi via Instagram