Imagine a tropical location with pristine beaches, crystal clear blue waters, and some of the best diving in Southeast Asia. Where would you go?
In this article, we’ll be comparing Redang Island vs. Perhentian Islands, two of the most popular islands in Malaysia. When planning any holiday, deciding upon which island to visit can be very difficult, especially when both are stunning. These two islands are located a few hours away from each other, and it is worth exploring both.
However, you’re planning to visit only one of the islands; we’ll try and help make that decision easier for you.
They both appeal to different travelers; Redang Island or Pulau Redang is more popular with families and couples because it has a better accommodation range, whereas Pulau Perhentian is popular with independent travelers who prefer less commercialism. One thing that we can say about both places is that they’re gorgeous! So read on to find out which island would be the better destination for you.
So, let’s start with a bit of introduction on both islands.
Redang Island
Redang Island, one of the nine islands that makes up the Redang marine park, is a popular destination for family, couple vacations, and luxury getaways. This beautiful island offers something for everyone with its white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, and many accommodation choices ranging from mid-range to high-end resorts.
The island is 7 km long and 6 km wide, making it one of the largest islands in Peninsular Malaysia. Another thing that makes Redang a popular vacation spot for families is its full range of facilities and activities to offer.
Perhentian Islands
The Perhentian Islands is an archipelago with two islands, Perhentian Kecil and Perhentian Besar. Perhentian Kecil is the perfect spot for backpackers, solo or independent travelers who enjoy parties, while Perhentian Besar has more resorts for families or travelers who prefer extra comfort.
You can relax on the beach, swim in the crystal clear water, or explore one of Perhentian’s many magnificent dive sites. The Perhentian Islands have something for everyone and offer more choices of lower to mid-range accommodations than Redang.
Now that we’ve established some basic facts about the two islands let’s look at some of their similarities and differences.
Accommodation
The resort island of Redang is one of the best spots for an enjoyable, relaxing holiday and its accommodations are one of the biggest attractions. With top-quality accommodations and spas that make a luxurious experience possible, guests can enjoy international cuisine at its renowned restaurants while enjoying their lavish accommodation with private beach facilities.
The resort will be your home away from home, where you’ll find highly dedicated staff to assist you in all ways necessary.
This gorgeous island offers a relaxing tropical getaway for all sorts of travellers, from couples to families. Although the facilities on the island are set up to cater to luxury-seeking tourists and family stays, you can find accommodations at all price levels.
Premium-class resorts such as The Taaras Beach & Spa resort offer the most modern accommodation standard imaginable while maintaining the “island chic” feel that Redang is known for.
Also, budget-friendly travellers can find comfortable accommodations such as the Delima Redang Resort that will meet all of their needs without sacrificing comfort. The majority of hotels in Redang have basic amenities like AC and hot showers. Chalet style is typical, making them family favourites as most come with a pool which makes it ideal for those with kids.
Along with Redang, the Perhentian islands offer some of the better island accommodation in Malaysia. Visitors can choose between the Perhentian Kecil and Perhentian Besar, depending on what they are looking for.
Some travellers want their vacations filled with partying, while others want to relax at the beach without any commotion. Perhentian Kecil caters to party-goers and independent travellers looking for no-frills accommodation. Still, it has also been known as the place for friends and family to go for holidays.
This island has a limited number of mid-range resorts, such as the Perhentian Island resort and Bubu resort.
On the other hand, Perhentian Besar is suitable for families and couples looking for quiet getaways as this island offers more high-end accommodations.
Winner: Redang Island. If you’re looking for a tropical getaway that packs in the most features, then Redang is your best choice. This island chain offers top-notch accommodations and an all-inclusive resort experience. But if budget or independence means more to you, Perhentian Islands might have what you’re looking for.
Activities
Think of the Redang and Perhentian Islands as a vacation paradise, with plenty of beach activities, diving, jungle trekking and more.
There is so much to do on both islands, but the most popular activities revolve around water sports – snorkelling and scuba diving. The water is crystal clear, abundant with schools of fish for you to see at all times of the day.
Snorkelling allows you to explore shallow waters, while scuba diving lets you go deeper into the coral gardens below. It’s a great place for underwater photography as well.
The best way to snorkel here is by arranging a boat ride tour with your resort in Pulau Redang or locating an independent snorkelling trip operator on the Perhentian Islands. Most Redang resorts offer tours at competitive prices. At the Perhentian Islands, you could approach any independent operators who set up their shop along the beach. The rates are similar on both islands.
If you’re looking for PADI certification or leisure dives, contact the dive centres on either island. Both offer many sites that beginners can enjoy as well as more challenging spots that veterans will love.
Apart from snorkelling and diving, you can kayak, swim, and relax on the beach anywhere you, please.
Not everything is about the beach in these islands–note that most of them have a jungle interior teeming with ground trails and wildlife. If you want something more than just sunning yourself all day long, then it’s time to set out into one of some lesser-visited corners of Redang.
Or consider Perhentian Kecil, which has an expansive well-beaten trail system perfect for those looking for mini-adventures.
At night, Redang becomes a quiet escape for those looking to relax. After an eventful day of activities, many visitors prefer having dinner by themselves in peace and enjoying the tranquil ambience. Some bars offer great drinks with stunning views of the beach, like Luna bar, where you can enjoy your evening with your partner.
On the other hand, Perhentian Kecil Island is lively at night since there’s always something going on, such as parties with live bands or bars playing music so loud they’ll make your heart race – a perfect place for dancing too.
The Verdict: If you’re looking for a relaxing time and experience the island life, the Redang Islands will be perfect. There’s plenty of water-based activities to enjoy and not too much nightlife if that’s what you prefer. If partying is more your thing or you want some adventure in your vacation, head over to Perhentian Kecil Island, where there are bars with live music playing day and night.
Beauty
The marine parks surrounding Redang Island and Perhentian Islands are home to beautiful coral reefs that make for great snorkeling or scuba diving.
But, exploring the interior of both islands is an exhilarating experience too. The interiors of both the islands are a lush green jungle.
One may enjoy more found tranquility in Redang, with less concentration of buildings to distract from nature’s beauty. But you must be careful not to go too deep into the forest because it can get quite dense, whereas exploring on Perhentian Island has its benefits as their trails make for easier walking.
Aside from the ocean views, marine life and beaches, Redang Island is home to many traditional villages that look like they haven’t changed for decades. For instance, the fishing village Kampung Baru has kept its Malay charm with traditional houses and shops. But there is still a modern touch as you can see and buy the local souvenirs from a shop or two.
One thing you will not want to miss when visiting these islands is watching the sunrise and sunset. At Redang, if you stay at Paris Panjang or Teluk Kalong, the lights are breathtakingly beautiful; however, there’s no good spot for catching a sunset on the western side of the island. If you want to watch the sunset, there’s no better way than by joining one of the resorts’ daily sunset cruises.
The best place to catch a morning glow in Perhentian Kecil is from the long beach during early mornings, typically around 6 am.
Winner: Overall, both islands are equally stunning in their way. However, Redang is truly awe-inspiring has with water tinted every shade of blue imaginable and white sand beaches, something Pulau Perhentian lacks.
Food and Drinks
You might not come to Redang or Perhentian for the food, but there is nothing better than eating well-cooked meals when you are starving after a day of activities.
The resorts on Redang Island do much better than their counterparts in Perhentian. For the price you pay, you get well-cooked meals and cuisine at resort-owned restaurants. However, if your package holiday doesn’t cover all of your food needs, it’s worth exploring other restaurants at the nearby hotels. Local food stalls are also available if you want to taste the inexpensive and authentic local flavor.
At Perhentian Islands, there are some decent dining options at some of their resorts, too but for a better experience, visit the local food eateries. At Kecil, you will find many charming little stalls set up at the long beach or coral bay, and the prices are reasonable.
Alcohol may be hard to come by at Redang for those visiting abroad who are used to enjoying their tipple right off the shelf. However, most resorts and bars will have what you need, just not at the convenient local store. At Perhentian, alcohol is served at some of the local eateries and beach bars.
The conclusion? If you’re looking for something scrumptious to eat, go to Redang, and you will get what you pay for. If drinks are your thing, Perhentian is the better option.
Cost
The Redang Island offers many resorts, and the higher price tag is worth it because there are quality accommodations with high standards. On the other hand, Perhentian Islands have limited resort options, but they are more budget-friendly hotels for those looking to explore a tighter budget.
When you’re looking for a luxury island getaway, Redang should be at the top of your list. Here’s why: In contrast to Perhentian Islands and its budget accommodations, there are loads of resort options in Redang with prices that’ll match any traveler’s needs. Whether you want to enjoy all-inclusive services or save money on food while still getting a fantastic experience, if it’s just relaxation time alone by yourself or quality family bonding – they’ve got what you need.
That said, there are plenty of ways to save money on your trip to Redang. You could shop for package deals where you get round-trip boat tickets, an island tour, meals, and a room at one of the top resorts. An all-inclusive package will cut down extra expenditures, but it’s not always guaranteed that you’ll get the cheapest rate possible.
Perhentian Islands are more popular with independent travellers because there are so many budget accommodations. The quality of accommodations is very basic, but the price is right. For example, you can stay in simple A-frame chalets for as low as Rm100 per night.
Visitors to both islands will find the cost of food, drinks (alcoholic beverages included), and activities on either side could almost be considered identical.
Verdict: This bulk of your budget will be determined by which resort you stay at. If you’re looking for the best of both worlds without having to sacrifice quality, Redang is where it’s at.
Access
Redang Island’s beautiful seas are just 120 minutes away from the mainland. You have two options to get to Redang via ferry: from Shahbandar Jetty in Kuala Terengganu or from Merang Jetty, which is 30 kilometers outside of town. Tickets for ferries are available through public and private tour operators – sometimes holiday packages include tickets.
To get to the Perhentian Islands, you’ll need to get a speedboat ticket from Kuala Besut Jetty. Speedboats take 45 minutes and depart every hour from 7 am to 6 pm daily. The boats will usually stop at Perhentian Kecil (Small) before heading to Perhentian Besar (Big). You will need to tell the boat operators where exactly you will be staying so that they will drop you off at your chosen destination. From the Jetty, it’s a short walk to one of the hotels.
The best time to visit Redang and Perhentian Islands is during the dry season when you’ll get sunshine all day, from May through August. However, due to Malaysia’s monsoon-driven climate changes that occur periodically throughout each year, with heavy rain and high waves in November until March or April.
The resorts are closed down for safety reasons during the monsoon season. Boat service won’t be operating, and other businesses on the islands will also be closing down.
Winner: Both.
So, Which is the better, Redang Island or Perhentian Islands?
If you’re looking for a vacation that has it all, Redang Island is where you’ll want to go. With enough activities and things to do each day of your stay here, this island will keep you busy the entire time. The long white sand beaches, clear water, and the great weather are some of the major reasons people come to this place.
Redang has every amenity taken care of with a resort feel, whereas Perhentian offers the independence and creativity in exploring on your own. You can’t go wrong by visiting both- who knows? One may be perfect just as it is, while another might offer something new or different from the first one you saw.
We recommend staying at least three days at each place so that you can get a feel for the area.
The fastest way to travel between the Redang and Perhentian islands is via speed boat, which takes only an hour. The tricky part of this journey can be finding people who want to share the cost of a ride on what seats about ten passengers. Otherwise, prepare for RM 700 plus depending on the boat operator-you might get away with it cheaper if you arrange everything through a hotel.
A more extended but more economical option would be hopping onto the ferry back from Kuala Terengganu after visiting Redang island, catching a taxi in Kuala Besut then taking another ferry over to Perhentian. Just be mindful that the last boat to Perhentian leaves around 2 pm, and this means you will have to leave Redang as early as 7 am to make it on time. If all this sounds like too much hassle, you could spend a night in Kuala Terengganu and make your way to the Kuala Besut Jetty the following day.