Ferry Guide to Redang Island (Pulau Redang)

Getting to Redang Island by ferry is a straightforward experience. The ferries leave from two different points. The ferries from Kuala Terengganu to Pulau Redang depart from Shahbandar Jetty, and from Merang via Merang Jetty. Both jetties provide public and private boats to ferry passengers to the island, and you may choose one based on convenience.

Merang Jetty

Merang Jetty is 30km north of Kuala Terengganu and provides easy transportation to Redang Island. Most hotels offer boat rides that leave Merang jetty, which is often included in the package. Public ferries also depart frequently from here.

To get to the Jetty from Kuala Terengganu bus terminal, take the SP Bumi Bus, which runs every hour and costs around RM10. You can take a taxi for around RM60, and the drive will take you approximately 45 mins to Merang Jetty.

There will be public parking on each side of the road leading to the jetty if you are driving. The car park charges RM10 per day for visitors. You need to ask your resort if the parking fee is included in your package.

Basic facilities such as toilets and sheltered waiting areas are available at the jetty.

Merang Jetty to Redang

How long is the trip from Merang Jetty to Redang?

The journey to Redang Island from Merang jetty is much faster and more frequent than from Shahbandar Jetty. It has been a more popular option for most travellers because the journey only takes 30 to 45 minutes and most resorts send their boats here.

When you are at the Merang Jetty, make sure that you know what time you are leaving. Always keep in contact with your resort to confirm the departure time and type of ferryboat for a direct boat at Merang Jetty.

You might have to take the public boat if your resort’s boat is not available on a particular day. Don’t worry if this happens, as the resort would have pre-arranged with the boat operator, and you do not have to pay anything extra.

Some of the resorts have their own pier, and their check-in counters are found along the river.

Merang Ferry Schedule

The public ferries to Pulau Redang are run by two companies: Al Ameen Boat Service and Vigourmarine Transtour.

Check the latest schedule and prices.

Al Ameen Boat Service offers to drop off and pick up at different points of Redang Island. There are four individual pick-up/drop-off points, including one on the main jetty:

1. Laguna Jetty

2. Pelangi Jetty ( along Long Beach/Pasir Panjang )

3. Teluk Kalong Jetty

4. Village Jetty ( Kampung Jetty)

However, if you are taking the Vigourmarine Boat Services, there is only one point to get off: the Redang Island Jetty ( kampung jetty). 

Shahbandar Jetty

Shahbandar Jetty is the best starting point for visitors arriving at Kuala Terengganu’s bus station or the airport. It takes 10 minutes to walk from the Bus Terminal, or you can also quickly grab a taxi if you have luggage with you. 

[2022 Update]

The Shahbandar jetty in Kuala Terengganu has been closed temporarily due to damage sustained during the monsoon season. Most ferry services have been relocated to Duyong Marina Jetty, about 7.5km away for the time being.

See the Duyong Marina Jetty section below for the latest details.

For those flying into Kuala Terengganu Airport, the Shah Bandar jetty would be 12 kilometers away, or 20 mins drive by car.

The jetty is situated opposite the Tourist Information Centre and Kuala Terengganu Post Office.

If you’re driving, be aware that there are minimal parking spots at the jetty. But if not, Kuala Terengganu is surrounded by accessible and affordable parking a short walk away.

Shahbandar Jetty to Redang

The journey from Shahbandar Jetty to Redang Island can take about one hour forty minutes up to two hours.

There are two ways of arrangement to get over the sea and onto Redang Island. The first is a public ferry that leaves every hour, while the second requires you to make your arrangements with the resort operators based on availability. 

Despite their differences in timing and frequency, both services offer similar boat types and onboard amenities.

The public ferry is open to all, and a ticket can be purchased online or at the designated counters inside the jetty. The company running the boat, Sejahtera Ferry Services Sdn Bhd, has been in operation for over {30} years.

Upon arrival in Redang, the ferry will stop at Redang Island Jetty (also known as Kampung Jetty), located in the main village of this island. This part of the island hosts {Berjaya} Resort, but if you are staying elsewhere on Long Beach or Pasir Panjang, you need to change from the larger ferry to a shuttle boat that will ferry you there. The staff will guide you during the boat transfer.

Alternatively, you can also arrange with your resort to be picked up at the village jetty in advance.

Those who stay at certain resorts, however, have access to private ferry service. Be sure to check with yours before purchasing tickets, as many resorts include boat fare along with admission in their package deals.

If you take this resort-arranged private ferry, don’t forget to go through the designated ticket booth at the jetty for check-in.

Shahbandar Ferry Schedule

Shahbandar Jetty timetable:

Important:

• You are required to check in at least 30 minutes before departure.
• Always double-check the departure schedule and boarding time because they may change. The boats could be delayed or even canceled in bad weather.
• Check with your resort to find out when the boat leaves. There are private boats and public ones. You may have to get on a different boat than you usually would be on. Also, ask them if they will pick you up when you arrive.
• Note that the ferry vehicle is not wheelchair-accessible
• Note that pets are not allowed on the ferry.

Duyong Marina Jetty

Duyong Marina Jetty is located within Exhibition Marina Kuala Terengganu, about 7.5km from Shahbandar, a drive of 15 minutes.

Tips: If you are driving, search for ‘’Exhibition Marina Kuala Terengganu’’ on Waze.

For those coming from the MBKT Bus Terminal, this may be an inconvenience. You may need to arrange your own land transfer from the bus terminal to the marina.

If you have prearranged your ticket with the resort, you can find the counter booth with the name of the resort in the hall. Here is the list of resorts that have their private ferries depart from Duyong Marina Jetty.

• Laguna Redang Resort
• Redang Bay Resort
• Redang Reef Resort
• Coral Redang Resort

However, if you wish to take a public boat to Redang island, you can go to the Sejahtera Ferry counter (recently renamed SFS Travel and Tours Sdn Bhd). There is currently a ferry from here departing at 1030am every day. You should check with the operator before the trip since they may change from time to time.

The jetty is used for a variety of marine transportation, including offshore, private, and resort boats. Many operations have recently been relocated here, so the jetty may not be in order. As a result, this may seem overwhelming at first, or even frustrating if you’ve used the Shahbandar jetty in the past. Hopefully, operators will eventually settle into a more orderly state.

Duyong Marina Ferry Schedule

Always double-check the departure schedule and boarding time because they may change.

Returning From Redang Island

To return to Shahbandar or Merang Jetty, you’ll need to arrange with your resort to send you to Redang Jetty (Kampung Jetty) or other pick-up points depending on the ferry service that you will be taking.

Buying Your Boat Tickets

If your resort does not include the ferry ride in the package, you must buy public tickets. Remember that tickets get sold out fast during peak season, so make sure to book online ahead of time and print your e-ticket before checking it at a designated counter inside the jetty.

You could also buy the tickets directly at the designated counters in Shahbandar or Merang Jetty.

Public Ferry Ticket Prices

The ferry fee is the same regardless of whether passengers board at Duyong Marina or Merang Jetty.

However, passengers using the Duyong Marina Jetty are also subjected to an additional Tariff surcharge: the Passenger Service Fees. Students pay Rm 4 and adults Rm 7. Children below 12 years of age are exempted from this fee.

The ferry fee below is not inclusive of the surcharge mentioned above.

It’s always good to buy your return boat ticket ahead of time to avoid waiting at both jetties. The return boat ticket price is pretty much the same at both jetties. Depending on the operators, the costs may be slightly different.

It would be easier to get a return ticket if you have an exact date in mind, and looking for one-way tickets also gives you the option of returning later (depending on your needs). Get the resort to arrange the return tickets if needed.

Marine Park Conservation Fees

The compulsory Marine Park Conservation entrance fees need to be paid at the jetty, so it’s best not to forget about this important fee before entering your boat. You need to pay this fee even if you are on the private ferry.

Keep both your ferry and the marine park tickets until you return from the island, as these might be inspected later.