Pulau Tuba: the island where Langkawi slows down

A short boat ride from the main island to a sleepy inhabited island of fishing villages, paddy fields and empty roads, where life moves at bicycle speed.

Area

Islands & the sea

Start from

Kuah area jetty

Distance

a short boat crossing, then about 10 km of island roads

Time needed

1 day

Best season

November – April

Difficulty

Easy

Transport

Small boat; bicycle, scooter or on foot on the island

Tickets & rules

None

Why go

Pulau Tuba is the second inhabited island of the Langkawi archipelago, sitting just south of the main island across a narrow strait. It has a few villages, a school, mosques and small farms, but almost no tourism, which is exactly why it is worth a day.

Once you step off the boat, the pace changes: roads with more goats than cars, wooden houses on stilts, fishermen mending nets and kids cycling home from school. Rent a bicycle or scooter from a local if you can, or simply walk and see where the roads lead.

I spent a day here with no plan, ate fried fish at a village stall and watched the tide go out over the mudflats. It was the quietest, most ordinary day of my trip, and one of the ones I remember best.

The story

Pulau Tuba’s population is small and mostly Malay, living by fishing, farming and some work on the main island. Many families have been here for generations, and the island keeps a strong village atmosphere.

The name is said to come from the tuba plant, whose roots contain a natural poison once used by fishermen to stun fish in rivers and pools. The practice is long gone, but the name stuck.

The island is part of the Langkawi Geopark, with limestone hills, caves and mangroves around its edges. Some small homestays welcome visitors who want to stay longer and experience island life.

Tuba also faces the passage to Dayang Bunting and the southern islands, so on a clear day you can see speedboats racing past from its shores, a reminder of how close and yet how different the two worlds are.

Getting there

Small boats cross to Pulau Tuba from jetties on the Kuah side of the main island. Ask in Kuah about the current departure point and times, as these can change.

On the island, transport is limited; arrange a bicycle or scooter through a homestay or local contact, or plan to walk.

A suggested plan

1. MorningCross to Pulau Tuba by boat.
2. Mid-morningWalk or cycle through the villages and paddy fields.
3. LunchEat at a local stall or homestay.
4. AfternoonExplore the coast, mangroves and viewpoints.
5. Late afternoonBoat back to the main island.

Where to stay

A few homestays operate on Pulau Tuba for an overnight. Otherwise, Kuah is the natural base.

Good to know

• Bring cash; there are few or no ATMs on the island.
• Dress modestly; it is a conservative village community.
• Ask locals about boat times for the return.
• Carry water and snacks.