Kuah travel guide
Kuah Tourism | Kuah Guide
You're Going to Love Kuah
Kuah is a town in Malaysia. As the capital of Langkawi island, it usually acts as the entry point for those coming from the mainland via the ferry services.
Most of the land on which the town sits on has been reclaimed from the sea. The island is characterized by mountains, with the highest point recorded at 2,890 feet above sea level.
There are many sightseeing locations, especially on the slopes of the Gunung Raya Mountain, where you can view exotic bird species and other forms of wildlife. Additionally, the friendly locals in what was once a low-key fishing village are welcoming and make you feel right at home.
Kuah is a town with all the charms, and visiting this area is bound to give you a thrilling experience.
Top 5 Reasons to Visit Kuah
1. Dataran Lang
Also known as the Eagle Square, this attraction features a massive sculpture of a sea eagle on top of a set of rocks. It is 39 feet high, is right on the ferry path en route to the jetty, and acts as the emblem for Langkawi island.
2. Al-Hana Mosque
The most fascinating thing about one the largest mosques in Langkawi is its architectural design. Its striking facade houses an interior filled with carvings and motifs from Malay culture and Uzbekistan.
3. Gunung Raya
This mountain is the highest point on the entire island, standing at 2,890 feet above sea level with a dense forest covering its slopes. There are many wild animals such as flying foxes and hornbills that can be spotted during the scenic 30-minute drive to the summit of the mountain. The peak has a granite element, which offers a spectacular viewpoint of the rest of the island.
4. Lagenda Langkawi Dalam Taman
This park features bright flowers, fruit trees, and lush plants. The park covers 50 hectares that have been reclaimed, landscaped, and adorned with traditional Malaysian handicrafts plus other cultural artifacts. You can either take a nature trail walk or hire a buggy to take you around as you find a good picnic spot.
5. Langkawi Crystal
This company was established in 1996 and produces crystal ware. You can take a tour of the factory and discover how the crystals are handcrafted and molded.
What to do in Kuah
1. Play Golf
You can visit the Gunung Raya Golf Resort and attempt to shoot a few holes in one.
2. Marvel at Telaga Tujuh Waterfalls
Regarded as the island's most beautiful spectacle, this is one place you should not miss out on. There are seven pools connected along the river's course, and you can go swimming in one of them.
3. Enjoy a Helicopter Ride over Dayang Bunting Lake
Located about 12 miles from Kuah, Dayang Bunting island has very beautiful flora, and as such, it is recommended that you take a helicopter ride so you can observe this and the bird life at the Dayang Bunting Lake.
4. Join a Mangrove Forest and Eagle Watching Tour
Go bird watching: The eagle watching tour takes place by the sea where the rarely seen white-bellied sea eagles can be viewed as they hunt in the mangrove forest.
5. Relax on a Sunset Cocktail Cruise
After a long day of exploring the vast island, you can opt to relax on a small boat that cruises on the sea as the sun is setting while enjoying chilled cocktails before heading back to the hotel.
1. Play Golf
You can visit the Gunung Raya Golf Resort and attempt to shoot a few holes in one.
2. Marvel at Telaga Tujuh Waterfalls
Regarded as the island's most beautiful spectacle, this is one place you should not miss out on. There are seven pools connected along the river's course, and you can go swimming in one of them.
3. Enjoy a Helicopter Ride over Dayang Bunting Lake
Located about 12 miles from Kuah, Dayang Bunting island has very beautiful flora, and as such, it is recommended that you take a helicopter ride so you can observe this and the bird life at the Dayang Bunting Lake.
4. Join a Mangrove Forest and Eagle Watching Tour
Go bird watching: The eagle watching tour takes place by the sea where the rarely seen white-bellied sea eagles can be viewed as they hunt in the mangrove forest.
5. Relax on a Sunset Cocktail Cruise
After a long day of exploring the vast island, you can opt to relax on a small boat that cruises on the sea as the sun is setting while enjoying chilled cocktails before heading back to the hotel.
Where to Eat in Kuah
If you prefer seafood, then the Orkid Ria Seafood Restaurant is the place to be. Here, they prepare prawns in a soup that is served alongside locally baked bread, which costs about RM23.94 per plate. If you want to splurge, head to the Kayu Puti, a fine dining restaurant serving vegetarian food. You can sample their Adaman lobster special, which is served with lemon caviar, pickled pumpkin, and homemade sambal at RM159 per person.
When to visit Kuah
The area has a tropical monsoon climate, so it is advisable to visit the region in November, December, January, and February when it is generally warm with minimal rain. The temperature has highs of 89.6 and lows of 78.8 between November and December. In January through to February, the highest temperature experienced is 93.2 while the lowest is 78.8.
How to Get to Kuah
Plane
There are direct flights to Kuah from the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur. Malaysian Airways, Air Asia, and Silk Air all connect to Langkawi International Airport. From here, you can hire a taxi or take a coach for RM10 to the ferry terminal where you can buy tickets for RM36 to Kuah.
Bus
The ferries operate round the clock, and it is the most cost-effective way to get to Kuah from the mainland, although it is roughly a two-hour ride. You can either buy tickets from the ferry terminal at Penang for about RM36 for adults and RM26 for children or book online in advance.
Airlines serving Kuah
Where to stay in Kuah
There is no shortage of world-class accommodation facilities in Kuah, with numerous 3-star hotels such as the Bayview hotel, Kondo Istana Langkawi, Century Suria Service Suites, and Hotel Grand Continental, all of which offer competitive prices. If you do not mind paying top dollar during your visit, then perhaps the Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa 5-star resort will interest you. Taman Mahsuri is a good area to spend time in. Here, you can buy souvenirs, clothes, and more from the HiG duty-free shops. Taman Seri Negeri, famous for its seafood exploits and the Wildlife Planet Sdn Bhd, is also worth checking out.
Where to stay in popular areas of Kuah
Most booked hotels in Kuah
How to Get Around Kuah
Public Transportation
There is no dedicated bus service, but if you are part of a group, it is easy to charter a coach to help you move around. A single coach costs about RM400 a day.
Taxis
The main roads in this entire area well maintained by the local municipality, and taxis are a viable means of getting around. On average, a 2.5-mile trip will cost you about RM5.2 in and around Kuah.
Car
There are numerous international car hire services that operate in Malaysia such as Europcar and Mayflower, and you can book a car in advance and select the pickup location as the Langkawi International Airport. Booking a 4-door, 5-seater saloon car for three days from Europcar will cost you approximately RM406.65.
The Cost of Living in Kuah
Shopping
There are a couple of duty-free shops around Kuah, which makes most items such as electronic gadgets and clothes very cheap. Most of the duty-free shops are centered around the Jalan Pandak Mayah 7, Jalan Pandak Mayah 6, Jalan Pandak Mayah 1, and Jalan Pandak Mayah 5 roads. There is also a large presence of night markets organized by the locals, where you can buy anything ranging from fish and other seafood to textiles.
Supermarkets and Food Stores
If you are looking to stock up on groceries and other basic commodities such as a deodorant or sunblock, then you can visit the Perniagaan Haji Ismail Group supermarket located between Jalan Pandak Mayah 1 and Jalan Payak Mayah 2 for affordable products. A tilapia fish will go for around RM5.98, while a 300ml can of deodorant costs about RM11.97. Here, there is a grocery section where you can grab groceries among other snacks especially if you are looking forward to a day of nature trail walks and picnics.