our crazy travel plans
We were traveling around Thailand and trying to formulate plans on how to get to Malaysia. I specifically wanted to go to Panang Island and Kuala Lumpur for the Chinese New Year Celebration and Thaipusam. After doing some research it seemed we might end up on the road less traveled and check out a nearby island that is growing ever still in popularity Langkawi. Langkawi can be easily reached via ferry from the mainland Malaysia or from Penang but also it can be reached from Thailand through the town of Satun. Satun was the only place in Thailand where we truly felt like hadn’t been inundated with tourists and in fact very few people spoke little if any English. It was also quite the journey we made as we were coming from the popular notorious Full Moon Party Island Ko Phangan. To get to Satun from Ko Phangan you have to take a ferry and then 2 buses and the entire journey took all day approximately 9 hours.
satun
Satun itself has a very small center. We elected to stay at which Pimarn Guesthouse I could not recommend more. The cost was about $10 USD for the night. The owner was so helpful and in fact gave us a ride to the ferry the following day. Otherwise I believe you could hire a taxi for about $5 from Satun to the Pier.
Honestly only after the fact of being there did I realize we went to one of the most remote places and did not experience its star tourist attraction of the Koh Lipe. I can only say that the pictures are stunningly beautiful, and it must be significantly less touristy that the northern islands. Also we really only used it for a night to get us to Langkawi but there are other cool things to explore such as the Masjid Mambang Mosque, Phu Pha Pet Cave, Satun national Museum, Hat Pak Bara Beach and the Thale Ban National Park. If I head back, I would 100% go to this Island and check out some of the local treasures.
Langkawi
This island is located off the northwestern part of Malaysia and is becoming a great tourist destination. Just north of Penang and easily accessible via ferry with a number of things to do and explore. Eagle square will be your first site if you arrive by ferry. You can enjoy the Langkawi Sky Bridge and Cable car and relax on Pantai Cenang the most famous beach on Langkawi. The seafood will be dynamite.
Ferry from Satun to Langkawi
The ferry connects Tammalang Pier about 8 km from Satun in Thailand to Kuah Jetty on Langkawi Island. The ferry takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. It is a very comfortable ride and they do play a movie during the transit or you can soak in the views on the way. The cost is RM 35 or 350 Thai Bhat for one way adult. There are at least two trips a day.
Langkawi to Satun at 9:30 AM and 5:15 PM and Satun to Langkawi at 10 AM and 4:30 PM
You can also get a ferry from Koh Lipe to Langkawi and the transit takes about 1.5 hours and the cost is around RM118 one way.
have you been?
Have you been to Satun, Koh Lipe or Langkawi? What was your favorite part?
