Redang Island boasts with white sandy beaches lined with palm trees, crystal clear waters and spectacular coral reefs. It’s everything that you hoped a tropical island would be and this idyllic place is less than an hour from the east coast of peninsular Malaysia.Most of the resorts on Redang Island are lined up along Pasir Panjang (Long Beach), arguably one of the best stretches of beach in all of Malaysia. A handful of other resorts are tucked away in private beach coves, the most impressive being Teluk Dalam (Deep Bay) where the Berjaya Beach Resort is located. With excellent visibility and spectacular, easily accessible coral reefs, it is no wonder that Redang is hailed as a scuba diving and snorkelling paradise. Even right in front of the most popular beach, the rocks are home to various species of coral, reef sharks (harmless to humans) and moray eels. Redang and the surrounding islets were gazetted as a marine park in the early 90’s and human activity in the area is strictly controlled in order to protect the marine ecosystems. Under the protected status, Redang has experienced a tourism boom and is a very popular weekend destination. Apart from the impressive diving, picturesque beaches (and beach parties), another thing that has contributed to Redang’s popularity in recent years is the hit Chinese comedy Summer Holiday that was shot on location here.Redang Island has everything that you need for a fun island holiday – great beaches, warm tropical waters and plenty to do during the day and night time.
Climate
Redang has a tropical climate with temperatures steadily around 30°C and frequent but brief thunderstoms. Like the rest of Malaysia's East Coast, Redang is affected by the northeast monsoon in winter, so most resorts are closed and ferry transport schedules are severely restricted between November and February.
Redang has a tropical climate with temperatures steadily around 30°C and frequent but brief thunderstoms. Like the rest of Malaysia's East Coast, Redang is affected by the northeast monsoon in winter, so most resorts are closed and ferry transport schedules are severely restricted between November and February.
Going there by bus
From Singapore buses depart from the Lavender St bus station and are operated by Transnational. Tickets cost around SGD 40 and the journey takes around 10 hours. Buses depart early in the morning or late evening for overnight journeys. There are other coach & travel companies operating out of Golden Mile Complex at Beach Road (e.g. Five Stars, Enjoy Holiday Tours, Konsortium and Gunung Raya etc.) that provide Redang holiday packages and coach services to KT or Merang. These buses are more luxurious, but are also significantly more expensive.
From Singapore buses depart from the Lavender St bus station and are operated by Transnational. Tickets cost around SGD 40 and the journey takes around 10 hours. Buses depart early in the morning or late evening for overnight journeys. There are other coach & travel companies operating out of Golden Mile Complex at Beach Road (e.g. Five Stars, Enjoy Holiday Tours, Konsortium and Gunung Raya etc.) that provide Redang holiday packages and coach services to KT or Merang. These buses are more luxurious, but are also significantly more expensive.
From Johor Bahru buses depart from the Larkin bus station. Several choices are available, including Transnational, Damai, Adik Beradik and Cepat express. Tickets cost around RM 40 and the journey takes just under 9 hours. Buses depart early in the morning or late evening for overnight journeys.
From Kuala Lumpur buses depart from the Hentian Putra bus station. Several choices are available, including Transnational, Damai, Konsortium, Plusliner, Sutera and Mutiara. Tickets cost around RM 30 and the journey takes around 7 hours. Buses depart early in the morning or late evening for overnight journeys.
From Penang buses depart from Komtar or Butterworth bus stations and are operated by SP Bumi or Atieza. Tickets cost around RM 35 and the journey takes around 9 hours. Buses depart late in the evening for overnight journeys.
Drive there
From Singapore / Johor Bahru Cross the border at Woodlands or the Second Link and from Johor Bahru take the Plus highway north. Exit at Yong Peng. Follow highway 1 to Labis and Segamat, highway 12 to Kuantan, then use either highway 14 to KT or coastal highway 3 via Kemaman, Paka and Dungun.
Boat services to Redang
Most resorts include return boat transfers, either from Kuala Terengganu or Tanjung Merang to Redang in their packages. You can also charter a boat from the nearby Perhentian Islands or Lang Tengah Island. There are shops, banks and ATMs in Kuala Terengganu. There are no banks or ATMs on Redang.
Most resorts include return boat transfers, either from Kuala Terengganu or Tanjung Merang to Redang in their packages. You can also charter a boat from the nearby Perhentian Islands or Lang Tengah Island. There are shops, banks and ATMs in Kuala Terengganu. There are no banks or ATMs on Redang.
From Kuala Terengganu – Shahbandar jetty
The Shahbandar jetty is in the city of Kuala Terengganu itself and is within walking distance or a short drive from the bus terminal and a thirty minute drive from the airport. Taxi services are readily available or your resort can arrange a land transfer from Kuala Terengganu airport or bus terminal. Resorts either have their own scheduled boat transfers or make use of the common ferry operator. Ferry transfers cost around RM95 return and take up to one and a half hours. There are two to three departures daily (09:30, 12:00, 17:30) and more during peak season. Ferries only depart during daylight hours.
From Tanjung Merang jetty
Tanjung Merang is a small fishing village 45minutes north of Kuala Terengganu and the jetty is a few minutes outside of the village. Local buses and taxi services are available from Kuala Terengganu or your resort can arrange a land transfer from Kuala Terengganu airport or bus terminal. Speedboat departures from here are usually pre-arranged with your resort and take 40-50 minutes. It is also possible to charter a boat from Merang to Redang, though this may be costly. There are small shops selling souvenirs and snacks at the jetty. There is a convenience store and an ATM at one of the petrol stations, five minutes from the jetty.
Getting to Kuala Terengganu / Tanjung Merang
Directions for buses and flights are to Kuala Terengganu. From Kuala Terengannu, you can take a taxi or local bus to Tanjung Merang jetty or arrange a land transfer with your agent/resort from the airport or bus terminal. If you are driving, continue north on highway 3 and follow the signs to Merang jetty.
No matter which way you choose to arrive, a marine park fee (RM5) is levied on all visitors to the island. Transfers can be arranged directly with resorts.
Accommodation
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