This post may contain some affiliate links which means we can earn commission at no extra cost to you.
Before you book your Langkawi mangrove tour, read our guide comparing and recommending the best mangrove tours on the island. PLUS a video of our favorite!
Banner Title
Sunset Kayaking Mangrove Adventure
This kayaking tour does both; kayaking and seeing the beautiful Malaysian mangroves. You get to see the gorgeous sunset whilst floating in the middle of the sea, plant a baby mangrove, visit a floating fish conservation platform (and get dinner there) and visit a secret hidden beach. If you want the best of the best then this is the tour for you.
- How To Choose A Langkawi Mangrove Tour
- Kayaking Lankawi Mangrove Tours
- Motorboat Langkawi Mangrove Tours
- Pros & Cons Of A Kayak Tour
- Pros & Cons Of A Motorboat Tour
- Where To Stay For Your Langkawi Mangrove Tour
- What To Take To Your Langkawi Mangrove Tour
- Other Things To Do In Langkawi
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Packing List Essentials
How To Choose A Langkawi Mangrove Tour
There are two ways in which you can enjoy a Langkawi mangrove tour; by motor boat or by kayak. These two options are quite different and both come with significant pros and cons.
Kayaking offers a much closer and more personal experience in the mangrove forests but, of course, requires you to put in some physical effort. On the other hand, a boat tour allows you to sit back and relax but you will not be able to go down the more secluded areas of the mangrove.
In this guide, we will look at and compare the different options so you can make your decision more easily. All of the tours we talk about will have links to book so remember to check prices and availability by clicking through!
Read More: The Best Sunset Cruises In Langkawi
Kayaking Lankawi Mangrove Tours
Mangrove Forest Kayaking
This Langkawi mangrove tour is unique as it actually has both boat and kayaking during the tour. You start by traveling through the mangrove river to a bat cave where you will see sleeping bats in their natural habitat.
You will then travel to a floating fish farm where you will get to see many different species of fish that live in the waters in the mangroves. After this, you will have a quick kayaking demonstration and start the kayaking section of this experience.
The kayaking part of this Langkawi mangrove tour is roughly 2 hours which is a good amount of time for all ability groups. You will explore the mangrove forest with a guide who will try to spot and show different species of flora and fauna throughout the trip.
After this, you head back to the floating fish farm where you will have a set lunch before being taken back to the mainland by boat. This is a very good tour for a family or anyone wanting to get the best of both worlds, kayaking, and boating.
Key Information
- Tour Duration: 4 Hours
- Pickup Included: Yes (if selected)
- Age Suitable For: Any (I recommend 8+)
- Tour Pace: Medium
- Start Time: 09:00
- Lunch Included: Yes (if selected)
Click here to check availability and prices.
Kubang Badak Mangrove Kayaking Tour
This tour is quite similar to the one above but there is no boat a the beginning. Instead, you go straight into kayaking from the start which means that you are kayaking for a lot of the 3.5 hours. There is also no floating fish farm which means even more time to explore the mangroves on the water.
They do visit the bat cave and provide lunch after kayaking which is exceptional considering the lower price of this tour compared to some of the others on this list. After lunch, they also take you down to a secluded swimming hole where you can have a dip in the cool water.
I think that this Langkawi mangrove tour is much more suited to the adventurous type, so if you’re looking for more activity and less standing around then this is the tour for you. You don’t have to be super fit to do it either!
Key Information
- Tour Duration: 3.5 Hours
- Pickup Included: No
- Age Suitable For: Any (I recommend 8+)
- Tour Pace: Medium
- Start Time: 09:30
- Lunch Included: Yes
Click here to check availability and prices.
Mangrove Kayaking Sunset Adventure
This is the top recommend Langkawi mangrove tour in this article and it gets this for good reason. It does everything the other tours do plus a little bit more. You start by kayaking from the jetty over the river to plant your own baby mangrove. Not only do you learn about the mangroves but you also get to contribute to their continued survival!
Then you kayak over to a floating fish conservation platform where you get a demonstration and tour around the platform showing you the different fish that live in the nearby area and then eat lunch. After this, you head out to more open water where you find a secret beach where you can have a quick dip and swim in the perfect tranquility of the area.
You finish by kayaking through the blue lagoon, a small mangrove forest, and finally, watch the sunset in the middle of the sea. The kayak back to the jetty is in the dark which is even cooler in my opinion.
I admit, other Langkawi mangrove tours in this list have more time in the mangrove forests themselves but this tour beats all the others for pure enjoyment. It is also quite a lot of kayaking so make sure you’re ready for it!
Key Information
- Tour Duration: 4 Hours
- Pickup Included: No
- Age Suitable For: Any (I recommend 8+)
- Tour Pace: Fast
- Start Time: 16:00
- Lunch Included: Yes
Click here to check availability and prices.
Kilim Adventure Mangrove Tour
This is another great Langkawi mangrove tour that includes lunch at a floating restaurant and hours of floating through the incredible mangrove forests with experienced guides. This tour is 4.5 hours long so you will be doing more kayaking than some of the others on the list so be aware of that.
The groups can also get quite a bit bigger than the other tours but this also comes with lower prices! If you consider that the price includes both lunch and pickup/drop off from your hotel then it becomes very tempting.
Overall this is a great way to see the mangroves so make sure you check out the prices right here.
Key Information
- Tour Duration: 4.5 hours
- Pickup Included: Yes
- Age Suitable For: 8+
- Tour Pace: Medium
- Start Time: 09:30
- Lunch Included: Yes
Click here to check availability and prices
Half-Day Mangrove Kayaking
This Langkawi mangrove tour is essentially identical to the first in this list (Mangrove Forest Kayaking). You take a boat over to the fish farm, go kayaking, see the bat cave, etc. I have included it as others may be fully booked so this is another great option.
This tour does not have the option of including lunch so you save some money there but if lunch is a necessity then take a look at some of the others. This operator does have the ability to book a private tour though! So if you have a group of 8 of you then you can make it private just for your group which is cool.
Key Information
- Tour Duration: 4 Hours
- Pickup Included: No
- Age Suitable For: Any (I recommend 8+)
- Tour Pace: Medium
- Start Time: 10:00
- Lunch Included: No
Click here to check availability and prices.
Motorboat Langkawi Mangrove Tours
Half-Day Mangrove Safari Boat
This Langkawi mangrove tour starts by motoring over to see the gorgeous mangroves and the bat cave and then makes its way over to see the sea eagles and a floating fish farm. You are then driven over to a gorgeous white sand beach for a quick (30-minute) swim in the crystal blue water and then finally back to the fish farm for lunch.
This is a well-paced 6-hour tour that packs a lot into a decent amount of time. The price is also probably the most tempting out of all the Langkawi mangrove tours on this list considering what you get (that also includes pickup/drop off).
Key Information
- Tour Duration: 6 Hours
- Pickup Included: Yes
- Age Suitable For: All
- Tour Pace: Medium
- Start Time: 09:00
- Lunch Included: Yes
Click here to check availability and prices.
Tanjung Rhu Mangrove Tour
This boat tour of the Kilim Geoforest Park includes a tour of the mangrove forest, a visit to the bat and crocodile caves, and lunch at a floating restaurant. It is a little shorter than the tour above so this comes with a small discount on the price.
I actually recommend the Half-Day Mangrove Safari Boat tour above as it comes with a few more activities and is better value in my opinion, however, if you are pressed for time then this is a very affordable and great option for people wanting to do something in the afternoon on the same day.
Key Information
- Tour Duration: 3.25 Hours
- Pickup Included: No (can add)
- Age Suitable For: All
- Tour Pace: Medium
- Start Time: 09:45
- Lunch Included: Yes
Click here to check availability and prices.
Mangrove Kilim UNESCO Geopark & Cave Tour
I think this is a great option as it includes basically everything of the two tours above and also a cave that you get to go into and travel through. It has some seriously high reviews but I do think that the price is a little higher than the two options above.
It does include hotel transfers from a LONG way away from the activity so this may actually end up saving you money if you are a long way from the activity itself. So, check where you are staying relative to all of these activities before booking so you can maximize your savings!
Key Information
- Tour Duration: 4 Hours
- Pickup Included: Yes
- Age Suitable For: All
- Tour Pace: Medium
- Start Time: 09:00
- Lunch Included: Yes
Click here to check availability and prices
Pros & Cons Of A Kayak Tour
Pros
- Getting up close and personal to the mangroves.
- Not adding to the already high levels of boat pollution.
- The much more adventurous option.
- More of an experience (in my opinion).
Cons
- Slightly more expensive.
- Requires physical effort.
- Not suitable for families with small children.
Pros & Cons Of A Motorboat Tour
Pros
- No physical effort required
- Get around much quicker, this might mean you see more.
- The cheapest option
- Suitable for all ages
Cons
- Cannot visit the small mangrove streams as they are inaccessible by boat.
- Contributing to the high levels of boat traffic.
- No as peaceful.
Read More: Everything You Need To Know About Hiring A Car In Langkawi
Where To Stay For Your Langkawi Mangrove Tour
This depends on where your Langkawi mangrove tour is but most of them start in the North East jetty called the Tanjung Rhu Mangrove Jetty. There are very few options for accommodation up there except for luxury accommodation.
The following 3 options are our hand-picked accommodation options, taking different budgets into mind. Remember to check if your tour includes pick-up if you are going to get a hotel a bit further away!
Banner Text
Hostel
A brilliant hostel situated in the small beach town of Pantai Cenang. We stayed in this town during our stay and it is a fantastic option for the whole island. This is definitely THE choice on the island for hostel.
Villa
A quite spectacular villa complex where you can get a whole villa for yourself for an insanely affordable price. The complex is also situated in Pantai Cenang and has a pool, amongst other facilities.
5* Super Luxury
A truly breathtaking resort that is almost certainly the best place to stay in all of Langkawi. Boasting a mile-long private beach and stunning private villas, you cannot get better than this. Take a look at all of the facilities by clicking through the book now link below.
If none of these options seem suitable to you then check out the entire island in the booking.com map below!
Booking.comWhat To Take To Your Langkawi Mangrove Tour
I will include the things I recommend to take with you on a Langkawi mangrove tour first with links to recommended products in case you do not already have it. Then I will I will include our list of packing essentials that everyone should have for their travels!
Our Top Pick
If you are planning on going somewhere that might have a lot of mosquitos and other bitey creatures then DO NOT forget to pack some insect repellent. We have found that the quality varies wildly depending on where you are so just buy it before you travel to guarantee that you have something decent. Have a look at our recommendation here.
Our Top Pick
If you haven’t already got a swimming costume then what the hell are you doing?! Have a look at this gorgeous high waist bikini and get a swimsuit before you leave. I absolutely love the dual colour option but there are loads of colour options available. Take a look here.
Our Top Pick
If you’re in the market for an action camera then our current recommendation is the GoPro Hero 9. Yes, the Hero 10 is currently the flagship but it doesn’t have that much more than the Hero 9 and costs a lot more. The front-facing screen is a godsend for selfies and video and you get the famous GoPro durability and stabilisation that they are now renowned for. Check out current deals here.
Our Top Pick
Don’t even think about stepping out in the sun without protection! This factor 50 sun cream from Sunbum is vegan, reef-safe and smells like summer, as well as being dermatologist approved! It’s non-greasy, easy to apply and doesn’t leave a white cast so you can quickly rub it in and get on with your adventures! Take a look on Amazon here.
Our Top Pick
If you’re stuck on what kind of towel to take with you then take a look at this microfibre poncho. We absolutely love ours and it is insanely helpful when you need to change on the beach. They dry fast and pack down super small so you’ll be able to fit one in your day pack easily enough. Check out the price here.
Our Top Pick
If you’re planning on going to the beach then make sure you have some flip-flops in the bag. There is nothing worse than getting sand in your shoes or socks and there is nothing better than feeling the sand on your feet. We recommend an affordable pair like these Old Navy casual flip-flops. They will get the job done and shouldn’t break almost immediately as other brands might. Check them out in more detail here.
Packing List Essentials
Other Things To Do In Langkawi
Sunset Cruise
We did this (see the full article here) and it was one of our favorite activities in all of Langkawi. We even got a catamaran that had a ‘sea jacuzzi’ which is a net that is dragged along the back of the boat which you swim in (much better than it sounds!).
The sunset, the dinner, and the unlimited alcoholic drinks made this one of the most memorable moments of our trip. Check out the exact trip we went on here.
Klook.comEagle Square
Eagle Square is a super cool statue of the Langkawi ‘national’ bird, the Brahmini Kite. It is well worth a visit but I would only recommend coming all the way if you are planning to do something in the local area, for example, a sunset cruise.
This is the way we went and had a look because it is quite close to where you leave for these cruises.
Cable Car And Sky Bridge
The Langkawi Sky Cab covers a distance of 1700m and takes you all the way up to the mountains for the best scenery in all of Langkawi. Then, when you get to the top, you can walk the famous Langkawi sky bridge. This bridge spans over the peaks in the mountains and is truly a spectacular piece of engineering. Check out a tour of the cable car and sky bridge here.
Pantai Cenang Watersports
Pantai Cenang has a truly fantastic beach with easily the best watersports on the entire island. If you want to try jet skiing, parasailing, banana boating, and more then this is the beach to go to.
To be honest, if you like the beach then just get down here and spend the day because it really is a spectacular beach to relax and enjoy a few drinks at one of the many bars.
Island Hopping
This is also an amazing activity we did where we got to go to 3 different islands, including the Tasik Dayang Bunting which is a really cool freshwater lake on a small island in the middle of the sea. You also get to see the incredible eagles feeding in the sea and spend time at a secluded beach. Watch the video below to see how amazing our day was and read the full article here!
I highly recommend checking out the exact tour we went on as it was incredible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is A Langkawi Mangrove Tour Worth It?
Definitely. The mangroves in the north of the island are much more peaceful than the south of the island and you really get to experience this peace and get closer to nature.
Should I Kayak For My Langkawi Mangrove Tour?
I personally think that this is the best way to experience a Langkawi Mangrove Tour. You get closer to the mangroves and can go down otherwise inaccessible areas. It does mean you have to put more effort in though!
Is A Langkawi Mangrove Tour Good For Families?
If you have children above 8 then jumping on a kayak tour is an incredible family day out. If you have younger children then jumping on a boat tour of the mangroves could be a great option.
How Long Is A Langkawi Mangrove Tour?
A Langkawi mangrove tour ranges from around 3 – 5 hours on average.
How Much Is A Langkawi Mangrove Tour?
A Langkawi mangrove tour ranges from $30 to $80 depending mostly on whether you include hotel pick-ups and lunch.
That’s our whole guide and comparison of the top Langkawi mangrove tours. Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below! If you have any suggestions to improve this article, also let us know below!