Accessible from Merang Jetty in Setiu, a 30-minute drive north of Kuala Terengganu, off the Terengganu coastline on the northeastern coast is the Redang Archipelago. It is made up of a few islands namely Pulau Redang (the largest), Pulau Pinang, Pulau Kerengga, Pulau Lima, Pulau Ekor Tebu and Pulau Susu Dara. This area has also been gazetted as a marine park and its brilliant underwater world is one of the best in Malaysia.

Redang Island is indeed one of Malaysia’s most idyllic islands. This tropical paradise offers pearly-white sandy beaches, sparkling clear seawater, lovely sunrises and spectacular marine life. Its marvellous marine fish varieties, turtles and huge range of coral reefs make it a wonderful diving spot and its diverse coral species are said to be among the best in the world. The five famous dive sites in Redang are Tanjung Lang, Tanjung Tokong, Tanjung Gua Kawah, Pasir Panjang and Batu Mak Cantek. There are even a few shipwrecks dive sites, offering an adventure for divers.

Apart from diving, beach lovers can also enjoy other activities like swimming, snorkelling, fishing, boating or sunbathing. You can check in to one of the many resorts on the island, offering full packages including land and sea transfers, accommodation, full board meals and activities or room packages only. Bookings can be arranged at any local or foreign travel agents for a delightful island getaway.

How To Get Here

Redang can be reached within 45 minutes by speed boat from jetty in Merang, a small fishing village about 30 minutes by road north from Kuala Terengganu. Alternatively, you may also take a ferry ride from Shah Bandar Jetty in Kuala Terengganu it takes 1 hour 45 minutes to reach the island. The boat fare is RM100.00 per person return.

Merang Jetty is the gateway to Pulau Redang, situated 38 km north of Kuala Terengganu, travelling time takes 20-30 minutes depending upon traffic. By taking the Sultan Mahmud Bridge until reaching roundabout Batu Enam, take 3o’clock route  towards the coastal road. Follow the road signage using coastal road.


By Bus/taxi
There are taxi services available from Kuala Terengganu Taxi Terminal. Most hotels in Kuala Terengganu should be able to arrange taxi to Pantai Merang. There is a bus service that plies the route nearby Pantai Merang but it would be much convenient to either grab a taxi or arrange car rental as the bus service is infrequent.

By Air
There are direct flights from Kuala Lumpur by Malaysian Airlines, Air Asia and Firefly. There is also a direct flight by Firefly from Singapore. As most tourists prefers to go to the islands of Redang or Lang Tengah, Pantai Merang is enjoyable for those arrived on late flights and would like to savour the early morning sunrise and cool bayou from the sea before taking the boat ride to the islands. There are taxi and car rental services available at the airport terminal. Journey time from the airport is around 25 minutes to Merang Jetty.

Where To Stay

1. Sari Pacifica Redang Resort & Spa
2. Berjaya Redang Beach Resort & Spa
3. Coral Redang Beach Resort
4. Laguna Redang Island Resort
5. Redang Beach Resort

Where To Eat

1. Coffeehouse & Bar, Sari Pacifica Redang Resort & Spa
2. Palm Restaurant, Berjaya Redang Resort & Spa
3. Sang Suria Restaurant, Laguna Redang Resort & Spa
4. The Matahari Restaurant, Coral Redang Island Resort
5. Sunset Point Restaurant, Redang beach Resort

Source: Tourism Terengganu

Situated 10 nautical miles from the coasts of Terengganu, visitors disembarks from Kuala Besut jetty, for a half and hour speedboat journey to the island. The jetty is just a scenic two hours journey up north from Kuala Terengganu. Pulau Perhentian is actually a group of islands comprises of Pulau Perhentian Besar, Pulau Perhentian Kecil, Pulau Rawa, Pulau Serenggeh, Pulau Susu Dara Besar and Pulau Susu Dara Kecil.

The islands offer an amazing snorkeling experience in crystal clear waters. Spectacular marine lives and diverse species of hard and soft corals in the clear, aquamarine waters will definitely thrill snorkelers and divers. Here, manta rays, reef sharks, barracudas and turtles roam freely in their natural habitat, un-amazed to the flashing lights of the diver’s underwater camera. For the less adventurous, the beaches are an ideal location just to laze around and do practically nothing.

How To Get Here

By Air
There are regular and daily flights from Kuala Lumpur by Malaysia Airlines, Air Asia or Firefly. Journey from Kuala Terengganu airport takes 1 ½ hours driving. Taxis and car rentals are available at Kuala Terengganu Airport. Similarly those on flight arrivals from Kota Bharu Airport can arrange for an airport taxi or car rental to Kuala Besut which takes only 1 hour.

By Bus
There are bus services available from most major cities and towns in Peninsular Malaysia. Bus service from Kuala Lumpur takes 6-7 hours to reach Kuala Besut. Kuala Besut jetty is the entry point to Pulau Perhentian. Perhentian Island can be reached in 20 minutes by speed boat which costs RM70.00 per person return. There are a number of low budget hotels for those who plan to stay overnight in Kuala Besut or in case of bad weather conditions.

By Train
Those travelling by train from Kuala Lumpur should stop at either Tanah Merah or Wakaf Baru Train Terminal in bordering State of Kelantan. There are taxi services to Kuala Besut which takes around 1 hour.

By Car
Leisure driving from Kuala Terengganu through coastal road takes around 1 ½ hours to Kuala Besut. Situated 120 km north of Kuala Terengganu, the coastal road offers greeneries and beaches along the way. There are ample parking spaces at reasonable fees. Resort and travel agent offices are available at the jetty.

Where To Stay

1. Arwana Perhentian Resort
2. Bubu Long Beach
3. Coral Bay Chalet
4. Panorama Chalet
5. Perhentian Island Resort
6. Tuna Bay Island Resort

Where To Eat

1. Santai Restaurant
2. Coral Bay Restaurant
3. Panorama Chalet Restaurant
4. Perhentian Resort Island Restaurant
5. Tuna Bay Island Resort Restaurant

Source: Tourism Terengganu

Mention Mabul Island and visions of swaying coconut trees and idyllic water villages come to mind. And that’s just above the water. Located only about 15 minutes by speedboat from the famous Sipadan Island, Mabul has gained its own recognition as one of the best muck-diving (a term used to describe limited visibility dives at shallow sites with usually sandy bottoms) sites in the world.

Mabul is a small oval shaped island fringed by sandy beaches and perched on the northwest corner of a larger 200-hectare reef. The reef is on the edge of the continental shelf and the seabed surrounding the reef slopes out to 25–30m deep.

Mabul is also renowned for its amazing array of macrolife, making it an underwater photographer’s dream location to capture some of the rarest ecological species on film. Flamboyant cuttlefish, blue-ringed octopus, spike-fin gobies, frogfish and moray eels are just some of the spectacular critters you will encounter beneath the waters of Mabul.

Although all the excitement is underwater, you can always set your scuba gear aside for a day to laze on Mabul’s soft sand to work on your tan.
Where to stay

When in Mabul, opt to stay in any one of these excellent resorts:

1. Borneo Divers & Sea Sports (Sabah) Sdn Bhd
2. Explore Asia Tours Sdn Bhd (Sipadan-Mabul Resort)
3. Seaventures Tours & Travel Sdn Bhd
4. Sipadan Water Village Resort Sdn Bhd

How to get there

From Kota Kinabalu, take a 55-minute flight to Tawau and enjoy an hour’s drive to Semporna. From here, Mabul is another 45 minutes by speedboat. Be sure to pre-arrange transportation with your respective resort/dive operator.

Source: Tourism Sabah