An integral part of the rainforest ecosystem, particularly on islands and in estuaries, is the mangrove forest that hugs the coastline and the banks of rivers and lagoons. Taking a Mangrove tour with one of Langkawi’s many operators allows you to see these fascinating trees up close, while also making a number of interesting stops along the way.

The boat starts winding its way through the mysteriously murky waterways and the first stop is Gua Kelawar, The Bat Cave. A boardwalk takes you under the branches of mangroves, through woods filled with medicinal and poisonous plants, right into the shadows of the bats’ lair. You won’t find the Batmobile here, but there are hundreds of tiny bats hanging from the roof by their claws. Also keep an eye out for the curious mudskipper fish and colourful crabs in the mud below the mangroves’ roots.

Next up is a fish farm, only a few minutes down the brown water boulevards to where the lagoon widens and the open sea can be glimpsed ahead. All kinds of fascinating marine creatures are bred here: The giant horseshoe crabs seem to be remnants of a prehistoric age and though harmless, look quite menacing. Watch as a Military Fish, found only in the Mangrove swamps, brings its insect prey down into the water (from a height of up to 3 metres) with a jet of water shot from its mouth.

On the way out to sea, eagles swoop down to pick up scraps of food from the water, a flying fox – which is actually a large fruit-eating bat – soars from tree to tree and at the edge of a small coral reef, hundreds of colourful fish swarm around the boat.

The final highlight of the tour is a secluded beach on an uninhabited island, where you can relax in the sunshine and enjoy the cool blue water before heading back.

Mangrove tours can be arranged through most hotels and resorts, or through various tour operators’ offices around the island. The tour described above departs down the Kilim River in the Kilim Geoforest Park in the north east of the island.

Tips:

1. Bring a bathing suit, sunscreen and pack some food and drinks (if not included in your tour)
2. If you are interested in the ecology of the forests, ensure that your tour is with a qualified guide.
3. Groups of 6-10 people can easily charter a boat for themselves as operators usually charge per boat and not per person
4. Most boats depart from the Kilim GeoForest Park’s headquarters at the north-eastern side of the island