Island Hopping with Eagle Watching & Dayang Bunting, Langkawi

Dayang Bunting Island and the Lake of the Pregnant Maiden

Dayang Bunting is a large, forested island south of the main island of Langkawi and the heart of the Dayang Bunting Marble Geoforest Park. Seen from the sea, its hills look like the outline of a pregnant woman lying on her back, which gave the island its name. Inside lies Tasik Dayang Bunting, a freshwater lake held in a limestone basin and separated from the sea by only a narrow wall of rock.

From the jetty a short path with steps and a boardwalk leads through the forest to the lake, about 10 to 15 minutes on foot. Floating platforms let you swim in the calm, slightly greenish water with a life jacket, surrounded by cliffs and trees. Local legend says the water helps couples hoping for a child. Dusky leaf monkeys and macaques often wait near the path, so keep food out of sight. A small entrance fee to the lake is paid on the spot.

Eagle watching in the archipelago

Between the islands the boat stops in a sheltered channel where Brahminy kites and white-bellied sea eagles gather above the cliffs and the water. The reddish-brown kite is the symbol of Langkawi, and watching the birds wheel and dive close to the boat is one of the most memorable moments of the day.

Eagle feeding has long been part of island hopping here, but conservationists advise against it because it changes the birds' natural behaviour. We prefer to focus on watching and photographing them in their natural setting. Bring a camera with a fast shutter, keep your seat while the boat is stopped and listen to the guide's explanations about the birds of prey of the region. Sightings are frequent, but never guaranteed.

Beras Basah Island beach

Beras Basah is a small island with a beach of soft white sand, clear shallow water and shady trees, the classic beach stop of Langkawi island hopping. Its name means wet rice in Malay, from a local tale of a royal ship that ran into trouble here and dried its soaked rice on the sand.

You have time to swim, paddle in the shallows or relax in the shade while the boat waits. Monkeys live on the island too, so do not leave bags unattended on the beach. The best time to visit for island hopping is the drier season from November to April, when the sea is calm and the water at its clearest; in the rainy months the trip still runs on calm days.

Hand-line fishing at sea

The default option adds a fishing session, an experience that many visitors enjoy, especially families with children. The boat anchors over a good spot in the archipelago, and the crew hands out simple hand lines with hooks and bait and shows you how to drop the line and feel for a bite.

Common catches include small groupers, snappers and other reef fish, though like all fishing there is a bit of luck involved. No experience is needed, and the crew helps with baiting and removing hooks. It is a relaxed, quiet break between the busier island stops, with the limestone islands all around you. Bring a hat, as there is little shade on the boat while you fish.

Beach barbecue lunch and the Kuah departure

After the stops you enjoy a barbecue lunch on the beach, a welcome meal after swimming and fishing in the sea air. Langkawi is a Muslim-majority island and halal food is the norm, but please tell us about allergies or dietary needs when you book.

The trip starts from Kuah, in the southeast of the main island, near the town's markets and Legenda Park. How to get to the meeting point: Kuah is about 25 minutes by road from Pantai Cenang and is easy to reach by taxi or ride-hailing car. If you would rather be collected from your hotel, other options on this page include shared transfers from Pantai Cenang, Pantai Tengah or Kuah, or a private speedboat with hotel transfers.