Dayang Bunting Lake (Tasik Dayang Bunting)

The basics

Malaysia has made Dayang Bunting Island a geopark for its marble rock formations, including caves and sea stacks. Long ago, one of those ancient caves collapsed to form Dayang Bunting Lake. Nobody knows exactly how it got its name, but for many travelers, it’s the hike over the island and down to the water that makes the journey. Whether you arrive at Dayang Bunting on a Jet Ski or as part of an island-hopping cruise, activities run the gamut from swimming to paddleboats—as well as a boardwalk through the forest around the lake.

Things to know before you go

• There’s a small charge to access Dayang Bunting Lake, payable in cash on the day.
• Avoid carrying food and drink onto the island as the monkeys can be quite aggressive.
• About 300 steps lead over the spine of the island to Dayang Bunting Lake. It’s not wheelchair accessible.
• Swan boats and paddleboats could make Dayang Bunting Lake fun with little ones but many will find the stairs too much.

How to get there

Dayang Bunting Lake sits towards the southwest corner of Dayang Bunting Island, about seven miles (12 kilometers) from Kuah on Langkawi. There are no public boats to the island so most travelers visit on an island-hopping cruise or with a private boat charter.

When to get there

Langkawi can get very busy during the Christmas and Lunar New Year period, and Dayang Bunting Lake is no exception to that. Consider visiting between March and August, after peak season, for a quieter experience.

Island-Hopping Langkawi’s Southern Islands

Dayang Bunting Island is the second-largest, after Langkawi, of almost 100 islands that make up the Langkawi Archipelago. Neighboring Beras Basah Island is known for its sandy, palm-clad beaches; Singa Besar Island is popular for wildlife, including eagles that appear for feeding displays; while Tuba Island (Pulau Tuba) has dramatic limestone caves, and Lima Island (Pulau Lima) boasts sea arches.