Everything You Need to Know about Underwater World Langkawi
Underwater World Langkawi is the pride of Malaysia’s island life! Opened in 1995, this place isn’t your average aquarium—it’s Southeast Asia’s largest dual marine and freshwater setup, with over 4,000 marine and, of course, freshwater creatures.
From clownfish to sharks and adorable penguins, it’s a glimpse into the ocean without ever getting wet. What’s more, they’ve got zones—they’ll take you through rainforest vibes, the tropics, and even into the icy Antarctic.
There’s also an incredible 15-meter tunnel that surrounds you with marine creatures—talk about immersive!
Things to Know
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 10 AM to 6 PM
Contact: +60 4 955 6100
Ticket Prices:
- Adult – RM62 (Tourists), RM50 (Locals)
- Children (ages 3 to 12) – RM50 (Tourists), RM39 (Locals)
- Senior (ages 60 and above) – RM39
Where is Underwater World Langkawi?
Underwater World Langkawi is on Langkawi Island, which is part of Malaysia’s Kedah state. It’s located in Pantai Cenang, right along the island’s popular beach area.
To give you some landmarks, it’s near the Zon Duty-Free Shopping Center and just a short walk from the central part of Cenang Beach.
How to Get to Underwater World Langkawi
By taxi or ride-share: Getting to Underwater World Langkawi is super easy. If you’re flying into Langkawi International Airport, just hop on a taxi or grab a ride-share—it’s only about a 15-minute drive to Pantai Cenang, where the aquarium is located.
Once you’re in Cenang, it’s pretty central, so you can even walk there if you’re staying nearby. If you’re coming from Kuah Town, which is the main hub of Langkawi, it’s around a 30-minute ride.
Public transport isn’t a thing on the island, so renting a car or scooter is a fun way to get around if you plan to explore more!
What to Do and See in Underwater World Langkawi
Discover diverse themed zones
When it comes to exploring the diverse themed zones at Underwater World Langkawi, you can look forward to an immersive experience that brings you up close with fascinating marine life, interactive exhibits, and engaging activities.
Preview Tank and River Ecosystem
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The Preview Tank is where you’ll find the Arapaima, known as the largest freshwater fish in the world. This incredible Jurassic fish can grow to over eight feet in length, making it a showstopper that visitors won’t forget.
Alongside the Arapaima, you can spot other freshwater creatures like the Tapah fish and stingray. Then there’s the River Ecosystem section, which comprises three connecting tanks designed with a river-flowing concept, recreating the natural habitats of freshwater species from Southeast Asia and Africa, to name a few.
If reptiles pique your interest, don’t miss their dedicated tanks in this section—they house unique creatures like the leopard gecko, Chinese water dragon, Indonesia blue-tongued skink, and even small snakes!
Tropical Rainforest
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The Tropical Rainforest Zone is an immersive walk-through aviary that transports you directly into the heart of a lush rainforest ecosystem. This section is a delight for bird lovers, with elegant flamingos, playful ruddy shelducks, and proud pheasants.
As you continue walking through, you’ll spot free-flying birds like cockatoos, doves, and colorful macaws. It’s one of the most vibrant and lively sections of UWL, offering up-close views of tropical birds in an environment designed to mimic their habitat.
Of course, this section isn’t just about the birds. Aquatic species such as the knifefish, giant gourami, arowana, and other exotic freshwater species are featured here as well!
Temperate and Sub-Antarctic Section
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The Temperate Section showcases playful South American fur seals and African penguins in environments that mirror their natural habitats. Walking through the eight-meter-long tunnel here lets you closely observe them!
It’s a beautiful and fascinating display of these cold-loving creatures that brings you a step closer to understanding their behavior and habitats. Moving on to the Sub-Antarctic Section, you’ll be greeted by UWL’s star attractions: the rockhopper penguins.
These tiny, charming penguins get their name from their habit of jumping from rock to rock—hence the nickname “Rockies”. Although the smallest of the crested penguins, they’ll leave a big impact on you with their quickie personality and swift movements.
Hexagonal Tank and Tunnel Tank
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The Hexagonal Tank is a massive, 70,000-liter display designed to mimic a sunken ship environment. It’s home to fascinating marine predators like blacktip sharks and whitetip sharks.
Meanwhile, the Tunnel Tank offers a one-of-a-kind experience that truly takes you into the depths of the ocean. Spanning 15 meters long, this walk-through tunnel surrounds you with marine life on all sides.
Giant stingrays, giant trevally, giant groupers, olive ridley turtles, and schools of colorful fish will glide around and above you, creating an unforgettable immersive experience.
Coral Reef, Invertebrate, and Venomous & Poisonous Section
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Designed as an underwater coral garden bursting with vibrant colors, the Coral Reef Section gives you a peek into the delicate ecosystems of coral reefs. You’ll see lively clownfish, damsels, wrasse, and other species living among the corals.
In the Invertebrate Section, you’ll experience a world of peculiar and unusual sea creatures originating from Southeast Asia. From Japanese mitten lobsters and knight gobies to snowflake moray eels and mudskippers, this section will amaze you.
The Venomous and Poisonous Section might make your heart race a little bit, where you’ll find seemingly calm but dangerous creatures like moray eels and lionfish. With needle-sharp teeth and spiny fins, these species look stunning but hide deadly weapons.
Koi Pond and Seashell Display
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Step outside and take a moment to enjoy the koi pond, which is set amid vibrant tropical scenery complete with the soothing splash of a cascading waterfall. This peaceful pond is home to colorful Japanese carp (kou), Sultan fish, and cichlids.
The seashell display is yet another highlight worth checking out, offering a glimpse into the intricate world of seashells and marine artifacts. It’s a great area to see how nature creates beauty in the simplest forms.
The display here is informative too, teaching visitors about different types of seashells and their ecological roles. It’s fascinating to think about how such small items hold big significance in marine ecosystems.
Enjoy feeding sessions
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Scheduled throughout the day, these feeding sessions are an excellent opportunity to learn more about the specific diets, habits, and unique behaviors of different aquatic species. As you move around, the Arapaima’s feeding sessions often steal the show.
Watching them rise to the surface in swift movements is an experience you won’t forget anytime soon. The commentary during these sessions is also engaging, as experts share fun facts and insights into these giant fish.
Don’t miss out on the penguin feeding session, either! Oh, and if you’re near the otter’s area during feeding time, you’re in for some laughs too, as these playful creatures love showing off for the crowd!
Shop at the souvenir store for ocean-themed memorabilia
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A visit to Underwater World Langkawi wouldn’t be complete without taking a piece of the experience home, and the souvenir store is the place to do just that. Packed with ocean-themed merchandise, it’s a treasure trove for those who love marine life.
You’ll find everything from adorable plush sea creatures to apparel and souvenirs. Kids will love the fun, colorful toys and puzzles themed after their favorite underwater animals.
Where to Eat and Drink in and near Underwater World Langkawi
Aside from Underwater World Langkawi’s on-site cafe, there are also other great dining spots nearby that are worth exploring, some of which are listed below:
Red Tomato Langkawi
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Address: No. 5 Casa Fina, Jalan Pantai Cenang
Phone: +60 12 513 6046
Pricing: $$$
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday – 3 PM to 10:30 PM
- Friday and Saturday – 12:30 PM to 10 PM
- Sunday – 9 AM to 5 PM
Good to know: Great for laid-back meals, health-conscious eaters
Red Tomato Langkawi’s menu is packed with an impressive mix of Western classics and a sprinkle of Mediterranean flair.
They offer everything from hearty breakfasts with homemade bread to pizzas, pasta, and salads. If you’re a fan of plant-based or gluten-free options, you’ll appreciate how thoughtful their menu is.
As for our recommendations, their gluten-free Margherita pizza is simple and tasty, perfect to savor along with chicken schnitzel and banoffee Sunday dessert—it’s that banana meets toffee vibe.
For drinks, definitely try their fresh juices—they’re 100% natural.
Olaa Restaurant
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Address: Lot 2605, cenang, Mukim, Jalan Pantai Cenang
Phone: +60 13 430 5983
Pricing: $$
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 12 PM to 10 PM
Good to know: Great for families or groups
Olaa Restaurant leans into Middle Eastern-inspired dishes, featuring a standout lineup.
Now, you have to try their signature Olaa’s tacos, which are stuffed with juicy lamb and seasoned just right. Other than this, their cheese vegetable nachos are a great go-to for shareable, and if you’re into falafel, you’ll love their falafel plate.
Olaa is pretty chill about catering to dietary needs, so if you’re vegan or gluten-sensitive, just notify them in advance.
Hornbill Hut Langkawi
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Address: Kampung Lubok Buaya
Phone: [email protected]
Pricing: $
Operating hours:
- Sunday and Monday, Wednesday to Friday – 5 PM to 10 PM
- Saturday – 6:30 PM to 10 PM
Good to know: Ideal for casual meals
Hornbill Hut Langkawi is set in this charming old-school-looking house surrounded by a lush garden. It feels super inviting, like one of those hidden gems that’s been part of the neighborhood forever.
Now, about the food—there’s no way you can come here and not have their clay-pot beef lasagna. There’s a reason diners keep raving about this dish, and you need to find out why!
Their pizza is a must-share dish, and they mix it up with specials, so keep an eye out for things like the smoked salmon pizza or even their Black Angus burger whenever it’s on the menu.
Yellow Beach Cafe
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Address: Jalan Pantai Cenang
Phone: +60 12 459 3190
Pricing: $$
Operating hours:
- Monday, Wednesday to Sunday – 5 PM to 1 AM
Good to know: Great for groups, partygoers, night outs
Yellow Beach Cafe is perfectly located right by the beach, so you’ll be coming here not just for food but also for the view.
Their menu is diverse enough to cater to different cravings, but the standout items are the hearty slow-cooked lamb shank or the beef skewers. For something you can share with the table, the surf & turf tapas plate is a great pick.
Aside from these, their menu also includes pizzas and burgers if you’re in the mood for something more casual. Of course, you have to stop by for drinks here also, since they’ve got you covered with everything from cocktails to mocktails.
Where to Stay near Underwater World Langkawi
Delta Chenang Resort
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Address: Jalan Pantai Chenang
Phone: +60 4 955 1307
Pricing: $$
Operating hours:
- Check-in – 3 PM
- Check-out – 12 PM
Delta Chenang Resort is for those looking for a balance of location and comfort. The rooms here are cozy, complete with essential modern amenities like a flat-screen TV, complimentary Wi-Fi, and comfy beds.
While the accommodation itself is straightforward, the resort offers direct access to the vibrant beach road. You won’t have to worry about transportation, either—restaurants, cafes, bars, and shopping outlets are all within walking distance.
If you want to relax more, you can also head to their beachfront restaurant and enjoy some of their drinks.
Arch Studio Cenang
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Address: Jalan Pantai Chenang, Kampung Lubok Buaya
Phone: +60 13 809 1659
Pricing: $$
Operating hours:
- Check-in – 3 PM
- Check-out – 12 PM
Arch Studio Cenang combines modern, boutique vibes with great practicality. Think sleek interiors with minimalist aesthetics. Some of its rooms are compact, while others, especially the loft-style family rooms, are wide—all of these are equipped with all the essentials.
If you’re into a quieter vibe, this place delivers, allowing you to retreat from the busy main street. One of the Arch Studio’s highlights is its rooftop deck, which provides breezy space with views of the surrounding area.
Meanwhile, there’s a communal coffee area downstairs—perfect for snagging your morning cup!
Bed Attitude Hostel Cenang
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Address: Jalan Pantai Chenang
Phone: +60 17 779 5658
Pricing: $
Operating hours:
- Check-in – 2 PM
- Check-out – 11 AM
Bed Attitude Hostel Cenang is your go-to for low-cost accommodation that still feels welcoming and fun. As a hostel, you’ll find dorm rooms equipped with privacy curtains, individual lights, and power outlets at each bed.
Lockers are provided for your belongings, and the facilities are kept impressively clean throughout. The standout feature is its communal vibe, though. There’s a shared lounge where travelers gather to hang out, play pool, and it’s a great way to meet like-minded explorers.
The kitchen comes in handy if you’d like to prepare meals, though you may find yourself exploring local eateries more often.
White Lodge Chalet Langkawi
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Address: Jalan Pantai Chenang
Phone: +60 4 955 3072
Pricing: $$$
Operating hours:
- Check-in – 3 PM
- Check-out – 12 PM
White Lodge Chalet Langkawi is ideal for travelers who prefer a quieter, homey setting but still want easy access to everything. The rooms are spacious and clean, featuring private porches, some overlooking the gardens or the pool.
It’s within walking distance of Chenang Beach, so you can easily spend your days in the sand or exploring nearby attractions. Guests usually appreciate the staff’s hospitality, offering helpful advice and even assistance in booking tours.
Mercure Langkawi Pantai Cenang
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Address: Lot 2500, Jalan Pantai Cenang
Phone: +60 4 952 5888
Pricing: $
Operating hours:
- Check-in – 3 PM
- Check-out – 12 PM
Mercure Langkawi Pantai Chenang brings a touch of high-end comfort right to the bustling heart of Jalan Pantai Chenang. This place offers stylish rooms, plush bedding, and all the little extras like rain showers and more.
Many rooms also come with sea views, which is a big bonus if you love waking up to ocean breezes. The design is chic yet comfortable, striking the perfect balance between luxury and laid-back island life.
What’s more, there’s a large swimming pool, along with a well-equipped fitness center. While you could easily spend most of your time enjoying the hotel, its central location means you’re steps away from Chenang’s best attractions!