It was an unforgettable trip. We stayed at Redang Beach Resort, did all the standard activities and mingled with other guests. At night, we enjoyed the barbecue, walked along the beach and sat on the rock enjoying the night scene. Snorkelling was most enjoyable. Since it was our first experience, there was initial fear which was overcome by curiosity. It was totally delightful to see corals, sea cucumber and colourful fish like reef shark, blue spotted stingray and clown fish.
The best was when the fish bit my finger and swam all around me. It was wonderful. This was my first trip to the island and definitely won't be the last!island and definitely won't be the last!
Redang is just like the Perhentian a Marine Park. It's located 45 km off the coast of KualaTerengganu is the largest of the group of islands dotting the South China Sea off the Terengganu coast. The island offers crystal clear waters and numerous dive sites for the enthusiast. Sheltered within the Pulau Redang Marine Park, the waters here abound with marine life.
Redang Archipelago exists of 9 islands that abound with marvelous marine fishes, turtles and coral reefs that ensure great snorkeling and scuba-diving.
The boat trip starts from the fishing village of Merang. This is a fishing village North of Kuala Terengganu. You can get there by bus. The boat trip takes about 40 minutes. Most of the boats depart for Redang and return before noon. Each resort has its own boat transfer schedule. This may change and is dependent on the tide, sea and weather conditions.
The best time to visit Redang is between April and October. Take note that most resorts are closed during the North-east Monsoon, which blows from November to March.
Redang island is perfect for snorkeling, swimming, scuba diving, jungle trekking, boating and canoeing. This paradise-like island offers crystal clear water, pearly white shores, a colorful array of spectacular marine life, a breathtaking sunset and what could be the world's most mature coral gardens. This is your chance to see and be acquainted with the local eel, giant garoupa, black tipped shark, etc. Chance encounter with the Green turtle and Hawkbill turtle is common. There are corals of every imaginable shape, size or color. The observant are rewarded with sights of flatworm, nudibranch, shrimp, squid, cuttlefish, stonefish, lionfish and pipefish.
No fishing is allowed within a 3.2 km radius of the island as Pulau Redang. The collection of corals and other aquatic life is also prohibited. The fines and penalties are severe and each year sees reports of arrests and fines. Activities prohibited and not allowed are:
- Collecting and taking of aquatic life ( corals, shell or fishes whether living or alive ).
- Fishing without a license & Causing Pollution (3.2 km radius), i.e. littering Possession of spear fishing equipment.
The waters around Pulau Redang also contain two historic shipwrecks. The H.M.S Prince of Wales and the H.M.S Repulse were sunk here at the start of World War II, setting the stage for the Japanese occupation of Malaya.
The hilly island of Redang can be fascinating in its own way. There is a moderately well trodden and marked path between Pasir Panjang and Teluk Dalam beach, about 2 km long. Sights include a small stream and pools alive with catfish, the occasional encounter with the shy kancil (little deer) and monkeys, and other jungle flora and fauna. At the end of the trek is the Berjaya Redang Beach Resort at Teluk Dalam. For the more adventurous, there are rocky cliffs and outcrops away from this beaten path that offer spectacular overhead views of Pasir Panjang below.
The people that lives on Pulau Redang are descendents of Bugis settlers who came from Celebes, Indonesia long time ago. It is said that seven of the Bugis siblings batins (Batin means holy men) from Celebes travelled here to look for new places to settle down. One of them called Batin Talib decided to make Pulau Redang his new home. Till today, only two of Batin Talib's colleagues can be traced. Batin Mina is said to settled down in Pulau Perhentian, in the north. Batin Mina's sister, Batin Cik Siti settled up river on the mainland (Ulu Terengganu). Where the other four Batins went were not known.
The early settlers Batin Talib and the first settlers established their first village at Teluk Kalong, an area facing a lagoon on the east side of the island. He and his villagers then moved to a smaller island down south where they found better shelter from the prevailing wind. This small island is covered with betel nut palms (pinang). They named this island Pulau Pinang.
In the seventies there are approximately 100 families living on Pulau Pinang. As the population grow, the villagers decided to move to the river mouth at Kuala Sungei Redang. Till today there are only two inhabited islands in the Redang Archipelago. Pulau Pinang which houses the marine park centre and Pulau Redang which is the homeland to approximately 250 families. The local people on this island primarily earned their living by traditional fishing. Now most of these fishermen's are entering the tourism industry which is growing rapidly on the island. All settlers around the whole island are moved to a new village approximately
4 kilometres inland.
Redang island hotel list
1.Redang Beach Resort
2.Redang Bay Resort
3.Redang Pelangi Resort
4. Redang Laguna Resort
5.Redang reer resort
6.Redang holidy beach villa
7.Laguna redang resort
8.Coral redang island
9.Redang kalong
10.Redang mutiara
11.wisana redang
12.mozana redang
Most resorts run at least 2 daily trips to Redang using either their own boats (which usually depart from Merang jetty) or public ferries that depart from KT Shahbandar jetty. The ferry schedules for certain resorts are shown in the opposite table but you should always check with the resort for the latest schedules. Boats travel in the day for safety reasons and must provide lifejackets for passengers.
If you are travelling by coach, allow at least 1 hour 45 minutes for both land and sea transfers between Redang and KT coach station. If you are travelling by air from KT airport, you should allow a minimum of 2 and a half hours (inclusive flight check-in).
Whichever jetty you depart from for Redang, make sure you check-in at the jetty at least 30 minutes before departure. The table here shows the scheduled departure times for some of the resorts but note that departure times are subject to change due to sea and weather conditions. Rough seas, low tides and stormy weather may affect the schedule and even the number of trips. Sometimes, heavy siltation and sedimentation can make Merang jetty impassable to all but the small speedboats. So make sure you always confirm with the resort your ferry schedule and jetty.
If you miss the scheduled resort ferries, you can still get on the public ferry that plies between KT Shahbandar jetty and the Kampung jetty at Redang for about RM50 per adult one-way - you should let the resort know and arrange with them for pickup either from the Kampung jetty or from the boat itself. Alternatively, if you are in Merang, you can try buying a ticket on one of the other resort ferries (if they are not full) - just approach the resort booth or check-in area at Merang and enquire.
| Ferry | From Shahbandar | From Redang |
|---|---|---|
| Ayu Mayang | 8:45am | 11am |
| Beach | 9am, 10:30am, *3pm *Kampung jetty | 11am, 6:30am, *12pm |
| Berjaya | 10:30am, 3pm | 7am, 1pm |
| Coral | 9am, 10:30am, 3pm | 7am, 11am, 1pm |
| Public ferry | 9am, 10:30am, 3pm | 7am, 11am, 1pm |
| Ferry | From Merang | From Redang |
| Bay | 9:30am, 1pm | 8am, 11am |
| Holiday | (check with resort) | 9:30am, 11am |
| Kalong | 10am, 1pm | 8:30am, 12pm |
| Laguna | 9am, 11am | 7am, 12noon |
| Mutiara | 9:30am | 10am |
| Pelangi | 9:30am | 9-10am |
| Reef | 9:30am | 11am |
| Sari Pacifica | 12noon | 10am |
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