Kuala Terengganu aka “KT” (Shirlene’s hometown) is located in North-Eastern Peninsular Malaysia. One of the most popular attractions of KT is the beautiful island of Redang (known as “Pulau Redang” or “Redang Island“). For a little bit of history of this island, see this article.
Things to do in Redang
- Snorkeling (example schedule)
- Scuba Diving (example diving schedule)
- Wildlife viewing – corals, fish, stingrays etc…
- Sunbathe, enjoy drinks by the beach or just chill….
- Many more… your imagination’s your limit!
We visited Redang Island with our family and friends in June 2010. This was one of those trips where we did not take a lot of pictures because we laid our cameras down and just enjoyed ourselves, free of technology. Laptops off, phones off, camera in the bag. Here are a few photos that we did get though…
Our favorite activities at the island are chilling, snorkeling & scuba diving… (Pardon the quality of some of our photos as we only had a rental underwater camera for our underwater use and we’re still learning how to perfect the art of underwater photography!).
View from Redang Pelangi
Favorite activity: Chilling at the island with family and friends
Another favorite activity: Snorkeling! Here, we’re snorkeling at the Marine Park.
Insider Tip: Ask your resort for “bags of bread to feed the fish”. We brought a little bag with bread and fed the fish at the Marine Park. That’ll guarantee you’d get surrounded by fish!
Scuba diving on Redang Island – a must do! Our accommodation is the chalets in the background!
Another favorite activity of ours: Scuba diving!
Beautiful, colorful, exotic fish are in abundance
Resorts
There are many resorts on the island for you to choose from. The ones we know of are:
- Redang Pelangi Resort
- Redang Beach Resort
- Redang Bay Resort
- Berjaya Redang Beach Resort
- Laguna Redang Resort
The higher end resort would be Berjaya Redang & Laguna Redang. The more affordable (and you still get to enjoy the same beauty and activities in Redang are the rest of the resorts like one of our favorites, Redang Pelangi).
Getting to Kuala Terengganu
Access to Redang Island is more commonly through the town of KT. We usually fly from KL to KT (45 minute flight. Air Asia is by far the most budget friendly flight option).
Car to KT
Car ride from Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Terengganu is roughly 6+ hours (example directions).
Capital City of Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) is likely the airport you'll arrive at.
Shirl's hometown. Access to Redang Island.
Terengganu, Malaysia
Bus to KT
I’d recommend taking Transnasional Bus to KT. The fare should be about RM38.50 for adults for a ride from Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Terengganu. Do check the website or call the ticketing center for updated pricing.
The bus ride from KL to KT would be about 6 hours. You should go to the nearest bus station to pick up tickets (I don’t think you can purchase tickets online. You *might* be able to reserve tickets but you still need to go to the ticket counter to purchase and pick up tickets).
Flight to KT
Flight times from KL to KT would be about 45 minutes. It’s advisable that you arrive in KT by 8:15am in order to have enough time for land transfer to catch your ride to Redang.
Flights you can conider that arrives in KT in this recommended time are AirAsia (arrives at 7:55am) & Firefly (arrives at 8:15am). Malaysia Airlines flight (arrives at 9:35am) arrives later in the morning.
Check with the resort to determine which flight arrival times work for you.
Getting to Redang Island
We usually take the land transfer to the jetty, followed by a boat ride to the island. Most resorts will provide them or you can include them in your package.
Land Transfer to the Jetty
Ask your resort for land transfer options.
They usually provide shuttles/bus services from the airport to the jetty, from the local bus station to the jetty and in case you miss your ride to Redang, ferry rides may also be arranged.
Flight to Redang
Not a common/popular way to get to Redang.
But if you so choose or if you’d like to avoid getting seasick from the half hour boat ride to Redang, you can also consider Berjaya Air which flies you directly to Redang Island.
Boat ride to Redang
The resorts will also provide the boat rides to Redang. Be sure to ask and have them arrange a ride for you. It is usually included in the Redang package that you purchase.
What are some of your favorite islands? Have you been to Redang Island before? Do you have insider tips to share? Do share through our comments section!
[notification type=”star”]REMEMBER:
- A “must visit” when in Kuala Terengganu is Redang Island.
- There are many resorts to choose from. We personally love going to Redang Pelangi.
- Recommendation is to fly Air Asia from Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Terengganu and then take land transfer (offered by the resorts) to the jetty and then go on the boat ride provided by the resorts.
- Favorite activities on the island: Chill, snorkel, scuba dive
- INSIDER TIP: Ask the resort for “bags of bread for the fish” when you go snorkeling at the Marine Park. They usually have them. Make an opening on one end for which the fish can eat from! That’ll attract fish and they’ll surround you!
- The resorts usually offer underwater cameras for rent. They’re sufficient to capture the moments while you’re there.
42 Comments
-
{MALAYSIA} Snorkel, Dive and Chill at Redang Island http://t.co/OhhEfOb
-
This place looks and sounds fabulous! The fish are beautiful; what an experience!
Ashley recently posted.."Living ‘our’ dream"
-
Author
Thanks Ashley! Yes, this island is truly a hidden treasure of Malaysia. Lots of beautiful marine life and clear waters!
Idelish (Jeremy & Shirlene) recently posted..{Japan} Our Ryokan Experience at Noboribetsu, Hokkaido
-
-
KT looks amazing and thanks for sharing so many great tips!
Michael Figueiredo recently posted..Greetings From… Atlanta, Georgia-
Glad you found the tips useful! Redang Island is a definite must stop if you’re visiting KT!
Idelish (Jeremy & Shirlene) recently posted..{India} Is Khardung La really the Highest Motorable Pass in the World?
-
-
MALAYSIA Snorkel, Dive and Chill at Redang Island http://t.co/9OJVG42 @idelishTravel
-
What a beautiful island! Pictures are just amazing too! The Snorkeling pictures bring back memories of my adventures in the Caribbean.
Sailor recently posted..Touring the Galapagos Islands – A Dream Cruise-
It reminded us of our cruise in the Caribbean too! We’re going to dig up our pictures of the caribbean and write a post on it!
Idelish (Jeremy & Shirlene) recently posted..{MALAYSIA} Snorkel, Dive and Chill at Redang Island
-
-
{MALAYSIA} Snorkel, Dive and Chill at Redang Island http://t.co/MKE0WwD via @Idelish <– Gorgeous!
-
I’ve never really been snorkeling before, as water freaks me out… so the idea of sticking my face in the water and being expected to breathe “normally” is not my idea of a good time. But if that’s what I’d see under the surface then maybe I ought to rethink things…..
Christy recently posted..A Canal Ride through Central London-
LOL – you definitely should rethink your position on snorkeling! At the right placeslike the Marine Park in Redang Island, you cannot leave without at least snorkeling once! There are plenty more colorful and vibrant fish in the water that we did not capture – you’ll absolutely love the “view”! At one point, I was surrounded by so many fishes that I couldn’t see Jeremy who was just one arm’s length away!
Idelish (Jeremy & Shirlene) recently posted..{Japan} Our Ryokan Experience at Noboribetsu, Hokkaido
-
-
A technology break in a beautiful island sounds wonderful!
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..Gallery Nights in Buenos Aires-
It absolutely is! If not for the rental underwater camera, we wouldn’t have gotten any pictures besides the first few!
Idelish (Jeremy & Shirlene) recently posted..{MALAYSIA} Snorkel, Dive and Chill at Redang Island
-
-
for putting the camera down and not taking many photos, you sure took some good ones! looks like an idealic destination, the underwater life looks incredible! sharing it with family and friends and chilling would be the best!
jamie – cloud people adventures recently posted..Rio Dulce, Guatemala – Lomography-
Thanks Jamie!
We had such a great time, Jeremy has been talking about going back ever since! The only downside is – the island is closed during monsoon season (end of year) which is when we have our xmas holidays etc.. To go back between may – august is tough for us as there are no public holidays. We hope to go back one day and chill with friends and family again! The time away from technology is incredibly “freeing”! Feels really good to not have to look at emails or determine what time or day it is!
Idelish (Jeremy & Shirlene) recently posted..{India} India’s Golden Triangle, 7-day Itinerary
-
-
Gorgeous photos and fish! I really enjoy snorkeling – haven’t been diving yet but I really should it.
Andrea recently posted..Tasting Vienna at the Outdoor Film Festival-
Thanks Andrea! You definitely should give diving a go. The fish and the marine life you see as compared to snorkeling is way more impressive!
Idelish (Jeremy & Shirlene) recently posted..{Worldwide} Our 7 Links, What You May Have Missed the Past 7 Months
-
-
{MALAYSIA} Snorkel, Dive and Chill at Redang Island http://t.co/zKh8QSk via @idelish
-
Great underwater photos. I’ve tried this a few times and have had terrible results. Looks like a blast!
Kris Koeller recently posted..Click the Red Button-
Thanks Kris! On this trip we had a very basic rental underwater camera so the quality wasn’t as good. We’re going on a couple more dive trips with our own underwater camera moving forward, so crossing our fingers for better pictures in the future!
Idelish (Jeremy & Shirlene) recently posted..{Tips} If nothing else, take these 3 photographs on your travels
-
-
{MALAYSIA} Snorkel, Dive and Chill at Redang Island http://t.co/RGfYZt5
-
{MALAYSIA} Snorkel, Dive and Chill at Redang Island « Idelish http://t.co/eRkEDgH
