A Reality Check for Langkawi's Hyped Black Sand Beach

I'd been researching beaches to visit on Langkawi Island before our trip, and 'black sand beach' kept popping up in reviews and guides. I was curious about what this black sand was and whether it was suitable for sunbathing and swimming.

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So, today I'm sharing my review of Black Sand Beach (Pantai Pasir Hitam), a spot that's been getting a lot of attention lately.

Black Sand Beach (Pantai Pasir Hitam), Malaysia, Langkawi Island - reviewThere are legends about the mythical Garuda, a creature between an eagle and a human, who kidnapped a Chinese princess engaged to a Roman prince. The prince fought the beast and eventually forced it onto Langkawi, where a fatal battle took place. According to this legend, the black sand is the remnants of the battle that occurred centuries ago.

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Another story tells of a mermaid from the Underwater Kingdom who fell in love with a prince from the Land Kingdom. She emerged onto the shore, enraging the sea creatures. With a superior and powerful army, they decided to invade the land and reclaim their princess. A wise man came up with the idea to light fires along the beach to create an illusion that the Land Kingdom's army was much stronger than it actually was. The trick worked, and the Underwater Kingdom retreated. According to this myth, the black sand is the ash from the fires.

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But to answer the question of why the sand is black, I couldn't find a definitive answer. And, by the way, it's not entirely black – you'll just find black pebbles here and there.

Scientists claim that the color can be attributed to the presence of tourmaline and ilmenite minerals, which are washed onto the beach from the Raya mountain. However, outside of Langkawi, there's no black sand, so we can't confirm that's the reason.

Another theory suggests that the color could be due to iron oxide in the sand or even pollution from the nearby cement factory.

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Where's the beach?

The black sand beach is located on the north side of Langkawi Island, which is pretty easy to find if you're staying at a hotel in the area.

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We stayed at the Nazrat Residence, which is roughly in the middle of the two beaches. On one side, we had the stunning Pantai Tanjung Rhu beach, and on the other side was the Pantai Pasir Hitam beach. The word 'Pantai' means 'beach', so it's probably incorrect to use two words together when naming a beach.

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The Beach

The black sand beach felt abandoned to me. There are boats standing by, and fishermen are relaxing. By the way, sometimes horseback riders ride along the coast of both beaches.

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The sand is soft and dense, making it a pleasure to walk on it without sinking in. The entry into the sea is very smooth, and I'd say it's perfect for kids to swim in...

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But there's one major drawback. When you wade into the sea from this beach, you feel something like silt under your feet. My kid said it feels like he's sinking into the mud with every step. Walking on this kind of bottom is really unpleasant. You take a step, but it's like you're not feeling the ground under your feet, because your foot keeps getting sucked in deeper and deeper. And it keeps happening until you reach the deeper water.

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Black Sand Beach (Pantai Pasir Hitam), Langkawi Island, Malaysia - reviewxa0

I suggested to him that we not go in, and just swim instead. But he said even swimming with this feeling is unpleasant. Locals here don't seem to swim here at all, they mostly head to the next beach over, Tanjung Rhu. That one's a real gem. This beach, on the other hand, feels a bit wild.

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The sand at the bottom of the water is this dark grey color. Honestly, I wouldn't call this beach a 'black sand beach'. It's more like a dark brown or even greyish-brown color, with some yellowish speckles here and there.

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So, the pretty photos are only possible thanks to photo editing.

I think we even have beaches like that back in Russia.

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Infrastructure.

There's basically none. There are no cafes, changing rooms, or restrooms. So, we didn't even bother to sunbathe here, and headed back to our hotel instead.

You can see a cement factory from the beach.

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I thought maybe the cement factory was the reason the sand wasn't yellow.

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I have to say, the view from our hotel room was pretty amazing, especially during sunset.

The sun setting behind the cement factory was a sight to behold, and the vibrant colors of the cloudy sky were simply stunning.

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Getting to the black sand beach

Since we were staying at the hotel, we just walked along the shoreline to get there.

Pantai Pasir Hitam black sand beach Langkawi - reviewxa0

However, if you're not staying at the hotel, you can take a 30-40 ringgit ride from Pantai Chenang beach or rent a car or bike to get here.

But to be honest, I wouldn't recommend coming here just for this beach. It's just a hyped-up spot with over-the-top photos - it's not as amazing as they make it out to be.

That being said, if you do end up here, you can grab some fresh fruits from the market near the highway before heading to the beach.

The fruits are way cheaper here than at other beaches, and there's a wide variety to choose from.

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My verdict

I wouldn't recommend going out of your way to visit this beach. The water is unpleasant to swim in, and the sand isn't even black as promised. There's no infrastructure here, just fishermen and boats.

That being said, if you're passing by, it's worth stopping by for sunset - the views are stunning, and they're beautiful everywhere you look.

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***

Other beaches in Langkawi:

The party beach of Chenang isn't always crowded, making it perfect for a family vacation.

Tengah Beach is a great spot for families looking for a quiet and peaceful atmosphere.

If you're looking for a secluded and picturesque beach, Tandjung Rhu is the way to go.

For a budget-friendly option on the northern part of the island, I'd recommend Nazrat Residence for a relaxing and peaceful stay.

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Thanks for reading!