Air Terjun Temurun: The Complete Waterfall Guide (2026)

Air Terjun Temurun is Langkawi's tallest waterfall — a three-tiered cascade tucked inside the Machinchang Cambrian Geoforest Park, a UNESCO Global Geopark site right in the Datai Bay area. Roughly 200 metres of cumulative drop, cool clear pools, and rainforest canopy overhead. It's the kind of place that earns Langkawi's geopark status rather than just displaying a sign about it.

This suits families, casual visitors, and anyone who wants a proper natural swim spot without a multi-hour jungle trek. It's not a hardcore hike — the path is paved with concrete steps — but it demands basic sense and decent footwear, especially after rain. If you time your visit right (wet season), you get a genuinely impressive waterfall. Come in the dry season and you might find a thin trickle and near-empty pools.

Entry is free. The crowds are manageable on weekdays. The monkeys, however, are a whole other story — more on that below.

Quick Facts

• Location: 161, Jalan Datai, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah — within Machinchang Forest Reserve
• Entrance Fee: FREE
• Opening Hours: 7:00 am – 6:00 pm daily (forestry.gov.my); one source lists 7:00 pm closing — check with the Forestry Department to confirm before you go
• Walk-in Time: 5 minutes to the first tier; 10–20 minutes for full exploration; AllTrails lists 0.5–1 hr for the full 0.3 mi trail
• Tiers: Three tiers; approximately 200 m cumulative drop; tallest waterfall in Langkawi
• Swimming: Yes — shallow pool at base suitable for families; upper-level swimming also possible
• Camping: Not confirmed — check with Pejabat Perhutanan Daerah Kedah Utara
• Best Time to Visit: September–October for peak water flow; April–November cited by some sources; avoid dry season if you want a real waterfall

Getting There & Parking

Temurun is about 42 km from Kuah Town heading toward Teluk Datai — plan for roughly an hour's drive on Langkawi roads. Jalan Datai is a scenic jungle road, but it's narrow and winding in sections. Renting a car or bike works well; taxis will cost you more and may not wait. There's a small free parking lot at the entrance, with additional street-front parking and a second lot across the road. Parking is free of charge. The 3-Tiga restaurant sits right in front of the car park if you need a meal before or after.

Fees & Opening Hours

Admission is completely free, managed by the Forestry Department Kedah (Pejabat Perhutanan Daerah Kedah Utara). Official hours from forestry.gov.my are 7:00 am to 6:00 pm daily, though one source notes a 7:00 pm closing — the discrepancy is minor but real, so if you're planning a late afternoon visit, call or check directly with the local forestry office before heading out. One visitor reported the site was closed during heavy rain, so don't assume it's always accessible just because it's normally open.

The Falls & Swimming

Three tiers, each with its own character. The first tier has a shallow pool — manageable depth, good for kids and families who just want a cool dip without going deep. The middle tier is the showstopper: a 39-metre vertical drop that hits the pool with real force during wet season. The topmost tier drops about 30 metres. The water is described as cool and clear, and the pools, while not very deep overall, are genuinely swimmable.

A paved concrete path with steps leads you between tiers. One steep flight of stairs between the middle and upper tiers has no handrail — go carefully. Gazebos are dotted along the path if you need to stop and catch your breath or wait out a brief shower. Upper-level swimming is possible if conditions are right, and the base pool is the most family-friendly spot on site.

One visitor summed it up well: management has created small embankments to hold water, so even when flow is moderate, there's enough depth for a reasonable swim. In full wet-season flow, it's a proper waterfall experience.

Safety First

The rocks here are slippery — full stop. After any rain, the path and the rocks around the pools become genuinely treacherous. July and August bring heavy rainfall that significantly worsens conditions. The steep section between the middle and upper tiers has no handrail, so confident footing matters. Avoid swimming during heavy rain when currents strengthen. Wear proper water shoes or grippy sandals; flip-flops on the upper sections are asking for trouble.

The macaque monkeys around the car park are bold. Do not feed them, do not display food or plastic bags, and zip your bags shut. They will open unzipped bags and they can be aggressive if they feel threatened. Keep your distance.

Water levels can rise fast even when it's sunny where you stand — watch the weather upstream, and get out of the water the moment it turns murky or debris starts flowing. Or ask the TAHAN Hiking Community on WhatsApp — someone's usually been there that week.

What to Bring

• Water shoes or grippy sandals — mandatory, not optional
• Extra drinking water (the food stall options near the falls are limited, so come prepared)
• Change of clothes and a dry bag for valuables
• Sunscreen and insect repellent
• Snacks packed inside a zipped bag — keep them hidden from monkeys
• A waterproof phone pouch for the pool shots

If you're making a full day of it and plan to settle at one of the gazebos for a picnic, the TAHAN Flexlite Highback Chair (RM139) packs small enough to strap to a daypack and saves you from sitting on wet concrete all afternoon. Also worth throwing in the bag: a TAHAN 10L Water Container (RM79) — handy for rinsing off muddy shoes and feet before getting back in the car. For a full packing reference, check out our camping checklist to make sure you haven't missed anything important.

FAQ

Is Air Terjun Temurun open every day?

Yes, it's open daily according to forestry.gov.my — hours are 7:00 am to 6:00 pm, with one source citing 7:00 pm closing. However, the site can be closed during extreme weather or heavy rain. Check with the local forestry office if you're visiting during the wet season or if there's been significant rainfall.

Berapa entrance fee Air Terjun Temurun? (How much is the entrance fee?)

Good news — it's free. No entrance fee, no ticketing counter. Managed by the Forestry Department Kedah, admission is open to everyone at no charge.

Can you swim at Air Terjun Temurun?

Yes. The shallow pool at the first tier is suitable for families and children. Upper-level swimming is also possible when conditions allow. Avoid swimming during or immediately after heavy rain when currents are stronger. The water is described as cool and clear, with pools of varying depth — not very deep overall, but enough for a comfortable swim.

Is Air Terjun Temurun kid-friendly?

Reasonably so, if you're careful. The first-tier pool is shallow and calm, which works well for younger kids. The path is paved and maintained. That said, the rocks are slippery after rain, and the upper tiers involve stairs without handrails — supervise children closely and keep them away from the steeper sections. Watch the monkey situation at the car park too; don't let kids feed or approach them.

Camp Nearby?

Temurun is a day trip by nature, and Langkawi itself doesn't have confirmed camping at the falls. If you're extending the trip and want to camp on the mainland or nearby islands, here are some spots worth considering: Nadi Glamping Suites, Penang is a solid glamping option if you're crossing over to Penang. For something more traditional, Sedim Signature Campsite sits in the rainforest on the mainland. And if you're up for Kedah's interior, check out KIF Campsite Baling for a proper jungle camp experience.

Mike has been camping across Malaysia for over 10 years — from jungle treks in Taman Negara to beach camps in Perhentian. He writes about it so you don't have to find out the hard way. Follow along on TAHAN Outdoor's blog for honest campsite reviews, every week.

⛺ Featured in: Air Terjun Kedah: 5 Waterfalls Including Langkawi's Best (2026)