Aerial view of a long white-sand beach curving along turquoise water, with forested hills behind

Island · Kuala Nerus, Terengganu

Redang Island

Marine-park island off Kuala Terengganu with white beaches, coral reefs and a turtle sanctuary

Ambient sound · similar settingWaves breaking on an Indian beach

Photo: Zhen zz (@zhenzz) / Unsplash

Discover Redang Island

Pulau Redang is the polished, resort-style counterpart to the Perhentians. Around 45 kilometres off the coast of Kuala Terengganu, it is the largest of a group of nine islands, with long beaches of bright white sand and water in every shade of turquoise. Most visitors stay on all-inclusive packages that bundle boat transfers, meals and snorkelling trips, which makes it a straightforward choice for families and first-timers.

The real attraction is under the surface. The waters around the archipelago are a protected marine park, and snorkellers can see reef fish, parrotfish and often turtles within a short swim of the beach, while divers explore pinnacles and coral gardens further out. On the island's northern tip, a long-running turtle conservation project at Chagar Hutang protects nesting green and hawksbill turtles. Like the rest of the east coast, Redang follows the monsoon calendar, so time your trip for the dry season.

Don’t miss

01Pasir Panjang, the island's longest beach, with clear water close to shore
02Snorkelling with reef fish and turtles around the marine park
03Dive sites such as Terumbu Kili, Big Mount, Mini Mount and Tanjung Tokong
04Chagar Hutang Turtle Sanctuary on the northern tip
05Boat trips to smaller islands in the marine park
06Jungle trekking on the forested interior

History & culture

The story of Redang Island

Redang has long been home to a small Malay fishing community, and its surrounding reefs were recognised early for their biodiversity. In 1985 the waters around the archipelago were gazetted as a marine park to protect its corals and marine life, and resort development has since concentrated on the east-coast beach of Pasir Panjang, the island's largest.

The island is also an important nesting site for sea turtles. The Chagar Hutang Turtle Conservation project, led by the Sea Turtle Research Unit (SEATRU) of Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, began in 1993, and the beach was declared a turtle sanctuary in 2005 with the support of the state government and the Department of Fisheries. Today Redang is the busiest of Terengganu's islands, with over 140,000 visitors recorded in the first eight months of 2024.

Local life & traditions

Redang is administered from Kuala Nerus in Terengganu, a conservative Malay Muslim state, and the island's small village community depends on fishing and tourism. Halal food is standard and resorts cater well to Muslim families; alcohol is limited. Swimwear is fine on resort beaches, but modest dress is appreciated elsewhere. Resort staff and boat crews often come from the mainland and leave during the monsoon closure.

Things to do

Experience it like a local

Most resorts include daily snorkelling trips to the marine park islands, where you can see corals and fish in shallow water; dive centres offer courses and boat dives to sites known for soft corals, Napoleon wrasse and, occasionally, whale sharks. Kayaking and canoeing along the bays and short jungle treks fill the rest of the day.

Between May and September, consider an educational day trip to the Chagar Hutang Turtle Sanctuary to learn about turtle conservation from SEATRU's team, or volunteer for longer. In the evenings, enjoy beach dinners and quiet stargazing.

When to go

Tourism Malaysia recommends visiting between March and October, with visibility for diving usually at its best from about March to September. During the northeast monsoon, typically November to February, resorts close for a few months and diving and boating are suspended because of rough seas; some operators stop from October and reopen in March. Turtle nesting and sanctuary day trips peak from May to September.

Plan your visit

Verified information

Getting there: About 45 minutes by speedboat from Merang jetty, or about 30 minutes from Shahbandar jetty in Kuala Terengganu. Source: malaysia.travel ↗
Marine park: Waters up to seven nautical miles around the archipelago were gazetted as a marine park in 1985. Source: malaysia.travel ↗
Northeast monsoon closures: Tourism Malaysia states that island resorts close for a few months during the North-East monsoon, usually from November to February, and that diving and boating are temporarily stopped in that period. Source: malaysia.travel ↗
Best time (Tourism Malaysia): March to October. Source: malaysia.travel ↗
Turtle sanctuary: Chagar Hutang Turtle Sanctuary on Pulau Redang is run by the Sea Turtle Research Unit (SEATRU), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu; the project began in 1993 and the site became a sanctuary in 2005. Source: seatru.umt.edu.my ↗

Checked against the sources on 27 October 2026. Opening times and fees can change — confirm before you go.

Travel tips

Book a package that includes boat transfers and meals; there are few independent dining options.
Do not touch, chase or feed turtles and fish, and keep off the coral.
Use reef-safe sunscreen and a rash vest for long snorkelling sessions.
Check that your resort is open: most close from about November to February.
Bring cash for extras; card and ATM access on the island is limited.

General guidance from our specialists, not official information.

Around Redang Island: food, markets & places to stay

Boats leave from Merang jetty, south of the city, and Shahbandar jetty in central Kuala Terengganu. Kuala Terengganu's Sultan Mahmud Airport has flights to Kuala Lumpur, and the city offers the Crystal Mosque, Pasar Payang market and plenty of halal seafood restaurants. On the island, hotels are concentrated along Pasir Panjang and neighbouring bays, and Redang has a small airstrip on its south side.

Redang Island & what’s nearby

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Sources & verification

This guide was researched from the sources below and reviewed by our team on 27 October 2026. Facts under “Verified information” link to the page they were checked on; travel tips are general guidance. Photos are credited on each image. The ambient recording’s author and licence are shown in the sound player.

Redang Island — Tourism Malaysia
5 Most Beautiful Islands to Discover in Terengganu — Tourism Malaysia
As tourist arrivals rise, Terengganu islands close resorts and hotels in preparation for northeast monsoon — Malay Mail (27 Sep 2024)
Redang Island — Wikipedia
Chagar Hutang turns the tide for Redang's sea turtles — Free Malaysia Today (27 Jul 2024)
Evolution of SEATRU — Sea Turtle Research Unit, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu

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