Pulau Redang travel and tourist guide
Pulau Redang tourist guide
Pulau Redang is famous for crystal-clear waters, pearl-white sandy beaches and reefs teeming with countless varieties of tropical fish. The island is a high-end equivalent to the Perhentians to the north, with spectacular coral just a few feet from the shore and luxurious resorts that cater for every whim. Timing your trip away from the Malaysian school holidays will mean the resorts are half-empty and your stay will be a blissfully relaxing one.
The largest beach on Pulau Redang is Pasir Panjang on the eastern side where half a dozen resorts can be found. There is good snorkelling to the north of Pasir Panjang, but occasionally debris can get washed up and the water can get quite choppy on the south end.
So the beaches towards the north can be more peaceful and picturesque, with sometimes just a few people relaxing on the sand. But remember that no matter how isolated you may feel, this remains an Islamic society and topless bathing is strictly taboo.
Exploring the exotic marine life that inhabits the warm waters surrounding Pulau Redang is the main pastime here. Underwater cameras can be rented from Redang Pelandi Resort for RM30 per day, with the snaps burnt to CD to take home at the end of your trip. There is no bank on the island but the vast majority of resorts accept credit cards and can change travellers checks. Most resorts close during the monsoon season between November and February.
Pulau Redang attractions and activities
Don’t come to Redang expecting a host of cultural sights. This paradise island is low on history but teeming with natural wonder, so enjoy unrivalled hospitality and revel in the wealth of ecological exploration options available.
Snorkelling
Undoubtedly the number one Redang Island activity with spectacular coral reefs both by the shore and nearby satellite islands. Many resorts include snorkelling trips as part of their accommodation packages and these are worth investigating. Off southern Pasir Panjang by Redang Reef Resort there is some colourful coral, and the small small island/hill in the centre of Pasir Panjang is a nesting area for baby sharks.
Scuba diving
The crystal clear visibility surrounding the islands makes for perfect conditions for scuba diving on Redang. Green turtles and reef tip sharks abound, whilst there are calm waters for novice divers plus advanced sites farther afield which have stronger currents. All resorts have their own dive operations such as Coral Redang Divers (Coral Redang Island Resort) which is a PADI certified outfit with single dives from RM105. Redang Bay Divers (Redang Bay Resort) has the cheapest prices at RM85 for a single dive while Redang Pelangi Dive Centre has a range of courses from Scuba Discovery taster to Dive Master and Instructor qualifications. See below for listing details.
Pulau Redang attractions and activities
Water sports
An array of watersports are provided by the resorts including beach volleyball and sea kayaks. However, water and jet skis are banned to protect the coral.
Fishing
Resorts offer Pulau Redang fishing excursions although these are pretty expensive (around RM300 for a day). However, as the island lies within the marine park no angling is permitted within two kilometres of the shore.
Jungle treks
There’s some energetic wildlife on land as well as at sea, with inquisitive monkeys, squirrels and enormous monitor lizards inhabiting the inland tracks. The trail from Pasir Panjang to the Berjaya Beach Resort and south to the Redang Kelong Resort takes around 90mins. Remember to dose yourself liberally with mosquito repellent and wear comfortable shoes if exploring.
Shopping
Pulau Redang is not blessed with many places to spend you cash, with just a few convenience stores within the large resorts which also stock the ubiquitous tourist tat of slogan t-shirts and gaudy trinkets.
Pulau Redang hotels and resorts
Accommodation in Redang is universally within large resorts with no backpacker hostels or chalets to speak of. Rooms generally cost around RM200 per night for walk-in guests, but great deals are available when booking inclusive short breaks. Those on a shoestring can pitch up at the campground at Teluk Kelong, but even this is a mid-range affair with sturdy tents featuring beds, electricity, toilet/shower and costing around RM80 per night including full board.
Redang Pelangi Resort: Full board inclusive Redang resort in wooden rooms with a/c and en suite bathroom. Snorkelling trips and transfers from Merang Jetty included in the price. Pasir Panjang, Redang, tel: (09) 624 2158. Rooms from US$30.
Redang Lagoon Chalet: This popular accommodation option on Redang features simple wooden rooms with traditional Malay architecture, and are great value. The restaurant has halal buffet meals at a bargain RM10. Pasir Panjang, Redang, tel: (09) 666 5018. Rooms from US$30.
Sari Pacifica Hotel Resort and Spa: Traditional kampung décor sets the tone for this high class resort on a private island with all the trimmings. Guest villas evoke the ambience of ancient courts.Lang Tengah, Redang, tel: (03) 8942 8888. Rooms from US$350 per night.
Pulau Redang restaurants and bars
Redang Laguna Food Court: This is more on a restaurant offering authentic local food than a shopping centre food court, with Malay and Chinese favourites, fiery Thai dishes and bargain prices. Booking is advised an it’s only open for dinner. Redang Laguna Resort, Pasir Panjang, Redang.
Sandfly Café: This all-day café with pleasant sea views serves basic local fare at a fraction of the price of the nearby resort restaurants. Beehoon ikan masin noodles with fish are a steal at RM5. Pasir Panjang (next to Redang Bay Resort, Redang.
Unlike most of the surrounding islands, alcohol is widely available on Pulau Redang although can be quite expensive. The resort convenience stores will sell cans of Carlsberg or Tiger for under RM8, but a bottle of wine in the restaurants costs from RM200 upwards.
There are no stand-alone Redang bars or discos, but the hotels are frequently filled with karaoke-crazy Asian businessmen belting out dubious versions of Western classics until the early hours.
Getting to Pulau Redang
The easiest way to get to the island is to arrange transfer through your resort from the mainland port of Merang (not Marang where the boat can be caught to Pulau Kapas). Merang is situated 30kms north of Kuala Terengganu on the northeast coast. The trip to Pasir Panjang takes 40 minutes and cost RM40 each way. All visitors to Pulau Redang must cough up a marine park fee of RM5.
In peak season from March to October there are also direct ferries from the Kuala Terengganu’s Shahbandar Jetty to the Berjaya Jetty in the south of Redang costing RM100 and taking one hour 15mins. The island has a small airport which accepts daily Berjaya Air flights from Kuala Lumpur (RM249 each way) and Singapore (RM350 each way). But it can work out much cheaper to fly with Air Asia to Kuala Terengganu and catch the boat.
