Overnight Sailing around LangkawiLangkawi is a near perfect cruising location. There are reputably 99 islands and they are all within a few kilometers of the main island of Langkawi and they are also grouped close to each other, so that you lift the anchor at 10 am and re-anchor in a sleepy new bay 30 minutes later.
The scenery is reminiscent of Thailand's James Bond islands with towering limestone escarpments dressed in a ragged forest that clings to the fissures in the limestone. Limestone means caves and Langawi has lots of limestone and bags of caves to explore. Many of the locations have stories, or legends attached to them. The Lake of the Pregnant Maiden's water are said to hold mystical powers of conception. In my opinion its fun to swim in the lake, but not half as fun conceiving in the more traditional way! |
The cave of legends near the "hole in the wall" tells us of the Roman prince trying to marry a Chinese princess. Despite a few last minute wedding hitches including giant eagles and sea battles the two found each other in the cave and were eventually married. You can read more on our Garuda page by clicking the link.
Another legend tells of the guardian of Dayang Bunting Island that wrecked a fleet of ships on her shores that failed to pay the appropriate levels of respect to her. You can click on the following link for the tales of Dayang Bunting. Sailing yacht is a wonderful way to experience the islands because you have the time to go to all the places that regular tourists don't get to. Most of the speedboat action happens around the Southern Islands. These are the islands close to Awana Porto Malai and Pantai Cenang and the "island hopping" excursions zoom out to Pregnant maiden lake and Beras Besar, a particularly scenic island. All this traffic is finished by 4pm so you can bathe in the lake by yourself, or find remote anchorages during the day to hang out that are off this well trodden path. |
Langkawi Sailing Itineraries
The Kilim Geopark
Langkawi separates into 3 island groups. The Southern Islands, The Eastern Islands and the Kilim Geopark area. The Kilim Geopark is simply not to be missed. The river is stunning and a meal at the floating fish farm (or at least a beer) is highly atmospheric. Outside the Kilim River we have the Pirates lagoon, fabulous by sea kayak, the cave of legends, the freshwater lake on Langun Island (best with a nature guide), which has No other tourists visiting, Dead Chinaman's cave with the stalactite of a dead Chinese man complete with cone padi field hat and the hidden window inside the cave into a lost mangrove forest, the Langun island sand spit, Dendang Island Cave with the biggest and oldest stalactite in Langkawi, Dedap cave with its blow hole and Tanjung Rhu estuary.
The list is endless and the scenery splendiferous. You can easily spend 2 days in this area alone, especially if you squeeze in the 4 hour sea kayak from the Kilim River to Tanjung Rhu Beach (for the keep fit enthusiast only). This is Stardust's regular stomping ground and you can click on this Stardust adventure day cruise link to see more pictures of this area.
The Eastern Islands
Watch out for wild pig on Timun island and take in the flying of the bats, where thousands of bats take flight at sunset. The island speckled sea scape leads you to Bumbon Island, the perfect spot to watch the sun rise. Just a short hop from here is Pulau Tuba which has a small local population and a mangrove river worming its way between Tuba and Beras Besar Islands. Tours can be arranged to see Tuba Island by bicycle. The mangrove river has some areas that are mostly deserted and a marine department warden watches over t to prevent people fishing.
The Southern Islands
At the end of this river lies Pulau Lima which means "5 islands". They stand century over the entrance into the Southern Islands network with some of the best trolling for fish in Langkawi. There are several islands worth visiting and two fabulous beaches. On one island there is a fissure in the rock which makes for an adventurous swim through,or sea kayak. Another island offers an anchorage that is just enough for a single boat and the crescent shaped island curls snuggly round you. A little further and you arrive at the Southern fjiords as they are known, and the entrance to the lake of the pregnant maiden.
Langkawi separates into 3 island groups. The Southern Islands, The Eastern Islands and the Kilim Geopark area. The Kilim Geopark is simply not to be missed. The river is stunning and a meal at the floating fish farm (or at least a beer) is highly atmospheric. Outside the Kilim River we have the Pirates lagoon, fabulous by sea kayak, the cave of legends, the freshwater lake on Langun Island (best with a nature guide), which has No other tourists visiting, Dead Chinaman's cave with the stalactite of a dead Chinese man complete with cone padi field hat and the hidden window inside the cave into a lost mangrove forest, the Langun island sand spit, Dendang Island Cave with the biggest and oldest stalactite in Langkawi, Dedap cave with its blow hole and Tanjung Rhu estuary.
The list is endless and the scenery splendiferous. You can easily spend 2 days in this area alone, especially if you squeeze in the 4 hour sea kayak from the Kilim River to Tanjung Rhu Beach (for the keep fit enthusiast only). This is Stardust's regular stomping ground and you can click on this Stardust adventure day cruise link to see more pictures of this area.
The Eastern Islands
Watch out for wild pig on Timun island and take in the flying of the bats, where thousands of bats take flight at sunset. The island speckled sea scape leads you to Bumbon Island, the perfect spot to watch the sun rise. Just a short hop from here is Pulau Tuba which has a small local population and a mangrove river worming its way between Tuba and Beras Besar Islands. Tours can be arranged to see Tuba Island by bicycle. The mangrove river has some areas that are mostly deserted and a marine department warden watches over t to prevent people fishing.
The Southern Islands
At the end of this river lies Pulau Lima which means "5 islands". They stand century over the entrance into the Southern Islands network with some of the best trolling for fish in Langkawi. There are several islands worth visiting and two fabulous beaches. On one island there is a fissure in the rock which makes for an adventurous swim through,or sea kayak. Another island offers an anchorage that is just enough for a single boat and the crescent shaped island curls snuggly round you. A little further and you arrive at the Southern fjiords as they are known, and the entrance to the lake of the pregnant maiden.
