Langkawi is located just off the northwestern area of Malaysia. It is well known for culture, beach days, and the SkyBridge. It is also well known for being home to the Langkawi Geopark, recognized by UNESCO for its geological heritage. Here is where you will find a unique ecosystem that is formed around rock formations, caves, and animals. A great way to spend the day is taking a Langkawi mangrove tour to explore this beautiful area and watch the animals. Let’s jump into all you need to know before you go!
What’s a Mangrove?
A mangrove is a type of tree or shrub that grows in coastal saline or brackish water. Generally found in tropical and subtropical regions, dense forests or mangrove swamps are formed. With their aerial roots, they have adapted to their environment allowing them to receive oxygen in waterlogged soil. A wide variety of plants and animals call these home. They also provide a home for many marine species which in turns benefits the local coastal communities through fishing and other activities. Exploring the Langkawi mangrove is a beautiful way to spend the day!
Visiting the Langkawi
Mangrove as a Tourist
Looking to get up close and personal with a mangrove? It’s recommended to book a guided tour to learn more about these unique ecosystems in a safe environment. It is possible to book a private or a group tour on a little boat for this experience. During our tour they took us to multiple locations and provided educational information throughout the trip. Scroll down to find links for a Langkawi Mangrove tour!
On the Boat
Riding the boat through the mangrove is gorgeous! All of the trees are unique shapes and create a dense habitat for many animals. Make sure to keep your eyes out to see the monkeys in the trees. It was interesting to watch a few of them sit right by the water and snag fish to eat with their hands! A few of the boats went right up to the trees and used snacks to convince the monkeys onto their boats. We don’t condone this and were happy when our boat did not do that. There is an area many of the boats will go in a very open area. The drivers will toss some food into the water and huge eagles will fly down and pick up the food from the water. It was amazing to watch the giant birds swooping around the sky.
Bat Cave
The first stop was the bat cave. The boat pulls up to the side of a rock formation and everyone files off of the boat. There is a small entrance fee to visit the inside of the cave. Another small fee is requested if you would like a flashlight (which is recommended). The cave has a path going through it and pops you out on the opposite side from the entrance. Have no fear if you are claustrophobic since this cave is very large and open.
Use your flashlight to point to the ceiling and check out all of the tiny bats! As always be kind and don’t hold the light on any bat for too long. Thousands of bats reside in this cave and it is a great spot to see them in their natural habitat. The ceiling is high enough that you should not be too close to any of the bats.
Mangrove Crocodile Cave
Unlike in the previous cave, this one only received it’s name based on how the outside looks. It appears to be in the shape of a crocodile so do not expect to see any in the cave. The area is somewhat small but if you are on a smaller boat it is likely they will ride into the cave a little ways. We ran into a traffic jam here and attempted to go in then had to back track for another boat so that is how small it is. Seeing the different rock formations is a cool way to explore the area.
Floating Fishery
Two of the stops were spent at a floating restaurant/fishery. The first stop was to learn about the different fish that were housed here. In the floor were large open areas that held nets in the water. Inside the nets were a variety of types of fish. A man walked us around to each one and provided information about the different species of fish. One of the main attractions is the sting rays. You are given a small piece of fish and allowed to lower your hand into the water. One of the rays will come over and eat it out of your hand. Be prepared to possible feel a small nip in the process but it shouldn’t be very strong.
After another portion of the tour, this is where you come back to for lunch. We requested chicken for our lunch. Cost of lunch is included for the basic meal. If you desire more food or a specific type of fish it does cost extra. Adding a dollar or two for fresh fruit was worth it to us.
*Please note, we are unaware the level of ethicacy that this specific location inhibits. We tried to ask about it but it seemed our questions went unanswered or were not understood. When booking it, we knew there was a floating restaurant for lunch however did not know the level of fishery it entailed. This could require further research for a more ethical experience.*
Beach Stop
On the northern side of Langkawi is a beautiful beach. The sand is soft, the water is blue, and there are small shops selling fresh drinks. It is also possible to rent an ATV to drive around on the sand. An hour of swimming in the ocean and playing on the beach is plenty of time before having to get back on the boat. Though a few other tour groups also visited, this beach was less busy and cleaner than the previous beaches we had visited on the island. Even if you don’t do a tour, we recommend heading to the north side of the island to visit the beaches.
General Recommendations for Mangrove Tour
- Pack a swimsuit, towels, sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses. There is often shade on the boat but not always on the beach.
- Bring a waterproof phone case or waterproof camera. Not 100% necessary but can be helpful.
- Be respectful to the animals and keep your distance when possible.
Bonus Information
Upon arrival at the park, there is a building that offers free entrance to tour the exhibit inside. This is a great thing to do if you arrive early. It’s only a few rooms but has tons of information about animals that live in the area and their history. They gave us free lanyards as well. They also have bathrooms with a small fee if you need tissues. A gift shop is also located inside the building. Walking up the path to the boats there are multiple little shops selling food for a decently cheap price. We grabbed breakfast and walked around the mangrove park area before heading to the boat. It’s recommended to get there a bit before your tour to get a parking spot.
We hope you found this Langkawi mangrove information helpful and would love to hear about your experiences! Drop us a comment below with any questions you have.
Check out these links if you are looking for a tour similar to the one we took!
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