Redang Island is an upmarket tropical haven with famed white-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters and vibrant reef and marine life right off the shoreline. One of nine islands in the Redang Marine Park archipelago, Redang Island is a popular destination for snorkelling, dining in luxurious resort-based restaurants and its jungle treks.

Things to do

You’ll no doubt spend most of your time on Redang Island’s beaches. These bright, white-sand oases have alluring waters and numerous operators hiring out kayaks and snorkelling equipment. Grab a mask and snorkel and swim out about 50 metres to immerse yourself in the island’s colourful coral reefs teeming with fish and other marine life.

If you prefer to dive down deeper, you can join a scuba diving excursion or a diving course with one of the experienced dive schools. Excellent visibility and pristine reefs reveal blacktip reef sharks, parrotfish, cuttlefish, turtles and other marine animals. You might even spot a manta ray or whale shark.

Prefer to explore on land? Head off into the jungle on one of the mapped hiking routes, which let you discover the lush native flora and native animals, such as monkeys, fruit bats and squirrels. You can also rent a fishing boat to reel in coral species or spend an afternoon playing beach volleyball.

Time your visit to Redang Island during October for the annual Island Music Festival, which showcases Malaysian musicians, as well as rich Malaysian culture, sports and food. For authentic local food year-round, head to the Redang Laguna Food Court, which serves Chinese and Malay cuisines, including fish sausage, curried fish heads and Chinese-style salads.

Getting around

Redang Island is accessible by flying to Kuala Terengganu from Kuala Lumpur and catching a ferry to the island. You can walk around most parts of the island, but it’s best to hire a boat to venture further.