Some of the best spots to chill out on are privately owned and come with sun loungers, beach bars and far fewer crowds than the public beaches. Here are our best picks to help you decide where to while away the days in peaceful bliss.
1. Datai Beach: Best For Exclusivity
Anyone who stays at the Andaman or Datai luxury resorts can take advantage of one outstanding perk; access to the private Datai Beach. For the ultimate in exclusivity, Datai beach has no public access at all.
A curve of fine sand overlooks small islands floating on the horizon. There’s a café bar, part of the Datai hotel, at the entrance to the beach. If you want to experience this secluded spot in the north of Langkawi, you can have lunch or a drink at the bar and enjoy the views without having to splash out on an overnight stay at one of the resorts. There’s a backdrop of lush forest where tropical birds cheep and pip, providing a relaxing soundtrack to your stay.
2. Tanjung Rhu Beach: Best For Romance
A small outcrop of this beach is public. However, to experience the most beautiful beach in the north of Langkawi, it’s best to stay at one of the resorts with private access, such as the Four Seasons or the Tanjung Rhu Resort.
For true romance, Tanjung Rhu beach has some of the best sunsets on the island. Set on the north-west coast, the sun dips down over the water. Shielded from the rest of the island by dense jungle, this beach has an air of silence and calm. During the day, crystal-clear water meets porcelain sand. At sunset, sip cocktails with your bae and watch the sky streak pink and gold over the ocean on your private slice of tropical heaven.
3. Pantai Kok: Best For Families
Although most of Pantai Kok is public, two resorts at either end of the idyllic sweep of sand have private sections with sun loungers, beach bars and changing facilities.
Local Malaysian families frequent the public section of this beach for picnics and days out. The water is calm for swimming and there’s an overall family vibe. Beach cafés and bars line the sand, so it’s easy to grab a snack and cold drink to refresh the family in between building sand castles and paddling in the turquoise waters.
4. Rebak Island Beaches: Best For Privacy
Ever had that Robinson Crusoe castaway fantasy? Well, you can have that with added luxurious trimmings on Rebak Island. The Vivanta Rebak Resort is set on a private island just off the coast of Cenang Beach.
The small island’s secluded beaches are reserved for guests of the Vivanta Rebak Resort. Beach-side romantic dinners can be arranged, where you can feast on fine food as waves provide a calming soundtrack. Beach bars lit with tiki torches sparkle to life at twilight for an indulgent nightcap. It’s a hard life when there’s nothing to do, but while away the days on the pristine beaches of a private desert island.
5. Tuba Island Beach: Best For Budget Travellers
Tuba Beach Resort on the small island of Tuba has a stretch of private beach. The long wooden jetty jutting into the water gives the beach a traditional fishing village feel.
The resort offers budget accommodation with a Malaysian breakfast included. Pulau Tuba is the only inhabited islet in the area. Despite being just a 20-minute boat ride from Kuah Jetty, it feels like a world away from the busy shores of Langkawi. You can get a feel for the authentic lifestyle of Malaysia’s islands with a visit to Tuba Island’s traditional fishing village. The forest fringing the beach is filled with rare birds and plants.
6. Casa Del Mar At Pantai Cenang: Best For Watersports
For a slice of privacy on Langkawi’s main beach, Pantai Cenang, stay at the Casa Del Mar.
During the day take advantage of the public section of the beach where you can fill your day with jet skiing, banana boating and water skiing. Return to the resort’s private beach to a quiet sun lounger. As the sun sets, you can indulge in dinner served on your own private stretch of sand for the ultimate romantic experience.
