Must see attractions in Malaysia

Redang Island A Divers Paradise

Redang Island is located in the South China Sea. It lies just off the coast of Terengganu, Malaysia and is considered one of the most spectacular dive locations in Malaysia. The island 45 kilometers north-northeast of the state capital of Terengganu, Kuala Terengganu, and approximately 22 kilometers from the Merang Jetty, which is the main boarding point for visitors to the island

Visitors to Redang Island will board at the Merang Jetty for a 45-minute boat ride.

Upon arrival at Redang Island, visitor will be overwhelmed with the reception they receive. Crystal clear water and white sandy beaches are in abundance at Redang Island.

There are currently 17 resorts operating on Redang Island ranging from budget accommodations such as beach huts and chalets, to four-star hotels. Most of these resorts are located on the two main beaches at Teluk Kalong and Pasir Panjang on the eastern coast of the Island.

Redang Island is rich with diverse marine life in the surrounding waters. 80% of the species found in the “coral triangle”, an area bounded by Indonesia, the Philippines and Papua New Guinea. This “coral triangle” is known to have the highest number of marine species in the world.

Divers can select from a wide range of diving experiences at Redang Island. From Beach Dives, Shallow Water Dives and challenging Deep Dives, the diving sites are near the islands and easily accessible by speedboat. Dive centers can be found at most resorts and most dive centers offer PADI/NAUI certified courses.

There are three dive sites towards the north of the Island. Tanjung Tokong and Tunnel Point are the most popular of the northern sites. They offer divers abundant marine life with a maximum depth of 30 meters. Tanjung Lang, the least popular, has a maximum depth of 18 meters. The northern sites are the most popular sites among divers and are also the healthiest in Redang. They are located away from most of the resorts and in close proximity to the protected beach Chagar Hutang, which hosts SEATRU’s conservation efforts.

Pasir Panjang is a popular dive and snorkeling site. The beach is easily accessible and the house-reefs are good for snorkeling, beach dives and also discovery dives. Other popular snorkelling locations not far from Pasir Panjang are Pulau Paku Besar and Pulau Paku Kecil. These are popular snorkeling locations but have enough marine life to keep divers happy too.

In the vicinity of Teluk Kalong, Cina Terjun has become a photographer’s heaven. The sandy bottom at Cina Terjun is home to stingrays and scorpion fish and stone fish nestled amongst the reefs. Divers are almost certain to encounter eels and lion fish at this location. This spot offers divers an excellent location for day or night dives with a maximum depth of 18 meters.

The southern dive sites are among the most popular in Redang. Terumbu Kili is a rocky outcrop that appears above the water and slopes down to a sandy bottom at approximately 20 meters deep. It is one of the top dive sites in Redang. Pulau Ling and Batu Chipor were once the most popular dive sites in Redang. It still offers divers a rich biodiversity in marine life but both these sites are less visited due to the increasing traffic of large boats surrounding the area. Another popular dive site on the southern side of Redang is Pulau Ekor Tebu.

With the rich diversity of the marine life at Redang, the island has grown into one of the top dive sites in the world. Visitors to Redang Island can expect to have an enjoyable time whether they are there for relaxation or for adventure.