Jet Ski tours are the most exciting way to explore Langkawi

Just a few minutes ago, I learned how to start up a Jet Ski.

Now, I’m cruising at 30 miles per hour, slicing through the Andaman Sea off the coast of Langkawi, a tropical island located in the northwest of Malaysia.

Embarking on a four-hour adventure through the breathtaking Langkawi archipelago – a chain of over 100 islands – I find myself completely alone except for a handful of other riders. The waves undulate, lush islands rise in the distance, and vibrant tropical birds glide overhead. It’s quickly clear that there are few places on Earth better suited for such a thrilling experience.

While most people visit the UNESCO Global Geopark by boat, exploring it by Jet Ski offers an entirely different and far more exhilarating way to experience the islands.

Our group consists of four Jet Skis, with one led by our guide, Shahrul Rizwan. We take off in a V-shaped formation, with Shahrul at the front leading the way.

Finding your balance

Riding personal watercraft requires a bit of trust. Beginners like me need to believe that the Jet Ski won’t let us down and that our guide is taking us to safe waters. For the first few moments, I eye every wave with suspicion.

It sways left and right, seemingly impervious to my firm grip, responding only to the unpredictable rhythm of the ocean. Apparently, I’m just going too slowly, says Shahrul.

I push the throttle all the way forward, watching as the speedometer races to 43 miles per hour. My hat flutters dangerously, but the Jet Ski handles the speed with ease.

It feels as though it’s almost flying above the water, occasionally leaving the tops of waves to momentarily hover in the air. At last, I relax my posture and let my eyes wander. The view is breathtaking.

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Full throttle

On my left, I see the untouched coastline of Pulau Langkawi, with palm trees leaning toward the sea and golden sands shimmering in the morning sun. To my right, the vast, deep-blue ocean stretches endlessly.

Ahead, numerous small yet towering islands rise from the water, their steep limestone cliffs climbing up into dense jungles where seabirds nest and monkeys frolic.

I’ve explored tropical islands up close before, on boat tours in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam. But there’s no comparison to the experience of discovering them by Jet Ski. On boat tours, you’re limited in how often you can stop and really take in the beauty. The beauty of Jet Ski tours, beyond the adrenaline rush, is the unmatched freedom.

With the agility of the Jet Skis, travelers can circle each island at their own pace, finding the best photo spots, gliding through caves, and pulling up to hidden beaches.

Navigating through a cluster of islands known as 'The Fjords,' travelers can pause to view ancient rock paintings and watch local fishermen hunt with spears.

The compact size and maneuverability of these Jet Skis allow us to reach places that larger vessels can’t. At one point, we lean forward to slip through a narrow cliffside cave, reaching out to touch the rough surface of its walls.

During these close-up moments, Shahrul’s enthusiasm matches that of his guests. He shares that, while he enjoys the thrill of high speeds, it’s the opportunity to witness nature up close that he treasures most.

'Most people never get to experience this – exploring the ocean, observing wildlife, and feeling this level of freedom,' he says. 'I’m always smiling, always happy when I’m out here. I feel like I can do anything.'

Enchanted lake

A key destination is Dayang Bunting, the second-largest island in the archipelago, located nearly 12.4 miles (20 kilometers) from Cenang Beach, where our journey began.

This island is home to the famous Pregnant Maiden Lake. According to a local legend, women struggling with infertility who journey through the island's dense forest and bathe in the lake's mystical waters will be blessed with children.

Though none of us are looking to start families, we happily dock our Jet Skis at the island's southern pier and take a short five-minute walk through the thick, vibrant forest to the lake. The vegetation on Dayang Bunting is incredibly lush, with trees leaning over the path leading to the water.

This natural setting seems to delight the numerous monkeys that watch from the branches above, observing the steady stream of visitors. Just before reaching the lake, I spot another local resident – a monitor lizard, at least 60 centimeters long, hidden in the shade of a bush by the water's edge.

Surrounded by towering, jungle-covered hills, the lake occupies a stunning spot. Its warm, emerald waters are inviting, and many visitors are leaping in to swim or paddle in kayaks. Our group decides to simply float on the surface, chatting and soaking in the beauty of this tropical paradise.

Free as a bird

After 40 minutes, we return to our Jet Skis and head away from the island.

By this time, we’re all handling our Jet Skis like seasoned pros. Confident in our skills, Shahrul slows down in a patch of calm water and gives us 10 minutes to go wild before we make our final stop on the way back to Cenang Beach.

In a quiet cove on Singa Besar Island, a group of birds swoops overhead. It’s only when they land that we realize how enormous these creatures are – some have wingspans reaching up to one meter.

These white-bellied sea eagles and Brahminy kites have learned to associate the arrival of tourist boats with feeding time. At first, they circle lazily, surveying the scene. Then, without warning, they dive with astonishing speed to snatch the snacks tossed into the water by a nearby boat operator.

Abundant throughout the archipelago, the Brahminy kites are a true symbol of Langkawi. With their striking white heads and rich brown wings, they carve through the air with grace. As I zipped around on my Jet Ski, I felt like I was experiencing Langkawi in a way that couldn’t be surpassed.

It turns out these majestic birds enjoy an even more breathtaking perspective of the stunning archipelago than we do.