The Langkawi archipelago seems made for outdoor adventure, and you’ll have a whole menu of activities to choose from. In the morning, spend a few hours trekking through the Langkawi rain forest with a naturalist guide, keeping an eye out for monkeys, birds, flying lemurs, mouse deer, and civets in the dense greenery. Alternatively, see the jungle from a different perspective with a morning of ziplining through the canopy. After lunch, beat the afternoon heat by trying out a water sport. Go island-hopping on a guided Jet Ski tour, kayak through the mazelike mangrove forests, embark on a safari boat tour in search of local fauna, or explore the Langkawi Geopark, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After your day of adventure, kick back and relax aboard a sunset cruise, complete with cocktails and a barbecue dinner served onboard.

You’ve experienced the natural beauty of the Langkawi peninsula, so today is all about its culture. Learn more about the area’s history and heritage on a round-island tour. Visit landmarks such as Mahsuri’s Tomb and Eagle Square, do some shopping in Kuah Town (a fishing village turned Langkawi capital), and head out into the rural countryside to explore ride paddies, rubber plantations, and small villages. In the afternoon, have some fun at one of the island’s family-friendly attractions. You might want to ride the SkyCab cable car up to the curved Langkawi Sky Bridge to take in the panoramic views, escape the heat with some time at Langkawi Underwater World and Crocodile Farm, or learn more about the local wildlife at Langkawi Wildlife Park. This evening’s a great time to explore Kuah Town, if you haven’t already done so.

Langkawi’s position in the Andaman Sea sets it close enough to Thailand to make it possible to day trip to the small tropical island of Koh Lipe. Don’t forget your passport as you board a ferry to the island within Tarutao National Marine Park. Spend some time snorkeling in the warm, clear waters (gear is often provided), have lunch on a private island, and pay a visit to nearby Koh Hin Ngam and its distinctive black-pebble beach. Alternatively, stay within the borders of Malaysia with a full-day snorkeling excursion to Pulau Payar Marine Park. Made up of four islands, Malaysia’s first marine park has an underwater observation chamber where nonswimmers can get a look at the colorful and diverse marine life.