Located 45km offshore of Terengganu, Pulau Redang or Redang Island is home to one of the Malaysia's best looking beaches. The Redang archipelago, consisting of 9 islands rich in marvellous marine life and coral reefs, has been designated a Marine Park. The sand is snow-soft, the beach is clean and if you ever get to see one, lightnings are spectacular scenes in the night sky. Unfortunately, Pulau Redang doesn't lend itself well to independent travellers, and tends to be tricky to reach. Hence, most travellers get there on a package, which, if you’re keen on snorkeling or diving, can prove to be a great money saving option.
You can get to the island by hopping on a ferry from Merang or Shahbandar jetty in Kuala Terengganu. If you wish to go on your own without a package, then you have to get your tickets at the jetties itself. Call ahead to ensure the jetty will be open or opt for a having a travel agent do all the legwork for you.
Most resorts are built on a lovely stretch of beach on the eastern side of Pulau Redang, known as Pasir Panjang.
On the South of Pasir Panjang are a handful of other sleeping options but the beach, while still good, isn't as great. We recommend Redang Holiday
for those looking for an escape from the hullabaloo, and Laguna Redang Island Resort
for travellers looking for immersion in an all-round resort experience.
There is no budget accommodation on this island so to reduce costs, you can opt for a package where ferry transfers, meals and even a snorkeling trip or two are thrown in. With published rates starting from only 300RM and 3D2N packages costing less than 300RM, it’s obvious to see which option you should go with.
Eating options on Pulau Redang cannot be compared with the likes of Pulau Tioman as most restaurants are affiliated with resorts. The handful of private cafes can provide variety and is a great option for those who are not on a fullboard package to enjoy some local food without busting their wallets.
We have been told that Pulau Redang is home to at least 4,000 beach troopers during the high peak season! If you're not big on sharing your beach, try to avoid the months between April and September. The island is also not conducive for day trips as the ferry timings just do not work for that intention. Plus, why would you only want to spend a few hours on a luscious island like Redang?