'Redang Island' (5°46'22.60"N, 103° 1'59.10"E), locally known as Pulau Redang or just "Redang" is one of the largest and most beautiful of the islands off the east coast of Malaysia. It is a popular holiday island for Malaysians, most of whom come on package deals to one of the resorts. Redang is one of nine islands, which form a marine park, and which offer snorkeling and diving opportunities. Access is from Merang or Kuala Terengganu on boats operated by the resorts; there is also a small airport.
One of the most beautiful beach of Redang is Pasir Panjang. The beach is covered with soft white sand woth crystal clear blue water. Corals and fish can be seen just a few metres from the beach.
The island is also an important conservation site for sea turtle.
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.
Redang Island
Comprising of nine islands, of which Pulau
Redang itself is the largest,
Pulau Pinang is much smaller and there are seven
islets,
Pulau Kerengga Besar, Pulau Kerengga Kecil,
Pulau Paku Besar,
Pulau Paku Kecil, Pulau Ekor Tebu, Pulau Ling
(also called Pulau Chipor) and Pulau Lima.
Still relatively undeveloped and unspoiled, the
island provides excellent
opportunities for snorkeling, scuba diving and
jungle trekking to keep you
occupied or just relaxing along the glistening
white beaches.
The People
The original people of Pulau Redang are
descendants of the Bugis settlers
(the Bugis were reputed to be formidable
warriors and skilled seafarers).
Coming from the Celebes (Sulawesi) in Indonesia,
to escape from the
many clan wars there.
Beaches & Reefs
The best beaches are probably those located at
Teluk Dalam ('Deep Water Bay'). This bay has 2
distinct stretches of beach, one at Teluk Dalam
Kecil where Berjaya Beach Resort is located and
the other at Teluk Dalam Besar where there are
currently no resorts. The water here is clear
and calm with sandy bottom which is excellent
for swimming. The two beaches are separated by a
hilly outcrop. A road built on top of the hill
provides easy access between the two beaches. A
jungle path also connects the beach at Teluk
Dalam Besar to Pasir Panjang, a trek that can be
covered in about an hour.Pasir Panjang beach is
essentially one long stretch of sandy beach
shaped like a birdwing or 'V' where one wing
forms the northern stretch while the other the
southern stretch, both wings meeting at Tanjung
Tengah in the centre.Coral reefs line most parts
of the eastern shore from Pasir Panjang all the
way down to the south of Teluk Kalong, so most
resorts would have easy access to house reefs
just off the beach.The best house reefs are
arguably those in Pasir Panjang. There are 3
house reefs: around Tanjung Tengah where Shark
Bay is located, at Tanjung Mak Cantik where
Redang Reef resort is located and in front of
Redang Holiday. All of them are easily
accessible regardless of which resort you stay
at in Pasir Panjang. Next best are the house
reefs at Teluk Kalong. At Berjaya Beach Resort
in Teluk Dalam Kecil, the house reef is further
out from shore towards the sides of the bay,
making it less easily accessible. Stay There are
no bad beaches in Redang. Regardless of where
you stay (except at Berjaya Spa Resort which
does not have a beach as it is located on a
hill), you'll always find soft, fine white sand
beneath your feet. Stormy weather and strong
waves can deposit debris and broken coral on the
beach but over time, the sandy beach is restored
when new sand is deposited. There are different
types of accommodation to suit different needs
ranging from campsites and budget resorts all
the way to 4 star resorts. There are currently
15 resorts and 1 campsite on Redang, with two
new resorts under construction. At the lowest
end of the budget are the campsites while
Berjaya Beach, Laguna Redang and Coral Redang
resorts round off the higher end of the budget
scale.Most resorts offer acceptable standards of
accommodation with air-con rooms and attached
bathrooms. An increasing number are also
equipped with hot showers. Standards are
improving all across the board as resorts
continue to renovate and upgrade themselves to
compete with one another.
All the resorts are located at Teluk Kalong and
Pasir Panjang on the eastern side of Redang,
except for Berjaya Beach Resort at Teluk Dalam
in the north and Berjaya Redang Spa Resort in
Teluk Siang in the south, facing the Marine Park
Centre. Teluk Kalong also offers more privacy
and quiet with fewer resorts spread out across
it: Redang Kalong & Redang Inn are the only
resorts at Teluk Kalong Besar, while at Teluk
Kalong Kecil, Wisana is on its own little
stretch of beach with Mutiara and the campsite
sharing the neighbouring beach, both beaches
separated by a rocky outcrop. With so many
resorts located at Pasir Panjang, it can get
very busy during peak season, especially around
Tanjung Tengah. Resorts located at the southern
and northern ends of Pasir Panjang offer
more peace and quiet as there is less passer-by
traffic. The Berjaya & Laguna resorts are at the
top of the comfort scale. The next group of
resorts on the comfort scale are Coral Redang
with its very lovely villas. Redang Beach with
its cozy chalets and Redang Beach are probably
next in line with the rest of the other 'budget'
resorts following closely behind. Berjaya
resorts are exclusive and with access to two
long stretches of beach at Teluk Dalam, guests
at Berjaya Beach should have no problems finding
their
own private, quiet space on the beach.
Diving in Redang Located 45km of the coast of
Kuala Terengganu. Sheltered within the Pulau
Redang Marine Park, the waters here abound with
marine life. At mid-day, when the rays of the
sun penetrate the sea, brilliant hues of coral,
anemones and clams may be seen. Apart from
snorkeling and diving, one can trek around the
trails in the northern part of the island and
visit the fishing village on stilts at the
estuary of the Redang River.
Chagar Hutang Turtle Research Unit Pasir Chagar
Hutang lies in a bay at the northern end of the
island. There are no through roads and the only
way to get there is by boat or trekking through
unmarked jungle. The islanders believe that
magical beings known as 'Orang Bunian' inhabit
the area. It is believed that these 'beings'
grant wishes in return for offerings brought to
them by those who seek their help. This is a
nesting site for turtles that come ashore to lay
their eggs. A turtle could lay as many as 8
times in one season that lasts from April until
late September. Here volunteers help out in a
conservation programme for the turtles.
Getting There
From Merang Jetty, there many speedboats awaiting guests to Pulau Redang and Lang Tengah. Pulau Redang is roughly 22km from the Merang Estuary and the boat ride takes approximately 45mins

